Preparations for the inaugural Visitor Attraction Expo (VAE) are in full swing, with ExCel London ready to host an entirely new event for those involved in the UK attractions market.
From 13 to 15 January 2015, VAE opens its doors to visitors representing leisure parks, zoos and piers, as well as an incredible variety of static attractions.
VAE is presented by BALPPA in association with EAG International. The free-admission show is open to the entire leisure industry.
What is VAE? EAG International chairman Martin Burlin welcomed VAE, saying: “The Visitor Attraction Expo will give the leisure park, piers, zoos and static attractions sector an annual event which it can call its own, right here in the UK. We’re experiencing increased crossover between the amusements and attractions sectors, so this move is reflecting what’s happening in the market. There’s strong interest from potential exhibitors and EAG’s 5,000-plus visitors will help in delivering a robust start for this exciting new event.”
VAE takes place alongside EAG International, an established gathering for the European amusements and coin-op industries. EAG International is already a firm favourite with many from the attractions industry, who come to view the latest innovations from the amusements sector. Visitors can access both shows with a single badge.
EAG International 2014 attracted 5,460 visitors, with 70 per cent from the UK. Overseas visitors travelled from 63 countries, including Italy, France, Belgium, Spain, Poland, Greece and Germany.
VAE is initially focusing on the UK market, with a European outreach. As with any new venture, the opportunity exists to get back to basics so that the event can naturally evolve to meet the precise needs of visitors, exhibitors and other stakeholders.
BALPPA chief executive Paul Kelly explains: “The Visitor Attraction Expo will exist to support our members, trade suppliers, operators of visitor attractions and the industry at large. Our role is to assist them in their business ventures and every aspect of the show has been developed with this in mind.”
With its early January dates, VAE will provide the perfect opportunity for discussing the events of the previous year, reviewing the latest products on display, and planning purchasing and investment for the forthcoming season.
What will I see? Visitors to VAE and EAG will be treated to an impressive line-up of products to thrill and entertain, plus the latest technology for optimising and securing revenue. Products from over 180 represented manufacturers include: 6D motion theatre, admission and crowd control systems, air hockey, amusement rides, AV systems, battery-powered cars, carpeting, cash-handling technology, change machines, cotton candy, cranes, dodgem cars, financial services, go-karts, inflatables, kiddie rides, laser games, licensed and generic plush, music programming, photo booths, pool, pushers, redemption and loyalty systems, shooting galleries, simulators, ticketing and couponing solutions, vending, video games and more.
Find the elusive “killer” product with the potential to transform your business.
What can I learn at VAE? VAE will shortly announce an extensive program of seminars and master classes conducted by leading industry professionals. Organised by BALPPA, the sessions will focus on highly topical issues
Who will I see? From the start, VAE has been designed with networking in mind. Expect to see operators, buyers, sellers, key influencers, educators, trade associations, lobbyists, regulators and special interest groups. On the first evening, the networking focus is the First Night Party, with more than 1,000 exhibitors and visitors gathering to enjoy great food, drink and entertainment at ExCel’s Fox Bar.
How do I get to VAE? London’s ExCel is world class, having won many awards for the breadth and high standard of its facilities and ease of access by road, rail, air and even cable car. Visit the VAE website for useful links, maps and advice on getting to ExCel.
How do I get a good hotel deal? ExCel has 2,300 hotel rooms within walking distance, last-minute bookings inevitably come at a high premium so booking early is advisable.
The historical areas of Greenwich or Tower Hill are interesting alternatives for those who wish to stay off-site. Greenwich, with its rich nautical history, is a short river bus trip or cable car ride away, whilst travel from Tower Gateway to ExCel on the DLR takes around 17 minutes.
VAE has teamed up with exhibition accommodation specialists Event Express, who have negotiated the best possible rates for VAE attendees. Event Express can be contacted via the VAE website.
How do I register for VAE? Register for your free ticket to VAE on the VAE website. With early registration, badges will be mailed to you, and you’ll be kept up to date with show, event and exhibitor news. Register now and give your business a great start to 2015!
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2014 issue 4
Editor’s letter: Access for all
We ask whether enough is being done to ensure access for all to
attractions and what practical steps can be taken to improve things
Interview: Tim Smit
The Eden Project was groundbreaking
when it opened in 2001. Now the
attraction’s founder Tim Smit is taking
the concept to a global audience,
and he’s starting with China
Interview: Jonathan Gottschall
Literary scholar and author of The
Storytelling Animal explains why we’re
all addicted to story, and how attractions
can capitalise on our love of narrative
Heritage: Actions Speak Louder
The National Trust’s Ben Cowell
describes how landscaping can build up
to a reveal, and ways the organisation
is using actors to bring history to life
Conference Report: SATE 2014
TEA president Christine Kerr presents
the hot topics from the annual design
conference devoted to Storytelling,
Architecture, Technology, Experience
Story Centres: Tell Me A Story
The popularity of story centres shows
the youngest generation – dubbed
digital natives – are thirsty for
children’s literature and illustration
Technology: Reinventing the Nerd
Meet carnival-inspired Two Bit
Circus, created from its founders’
passion for engineering, video games
and the newest technologies
Promotional feature: BARCO
Barco offers state-of-the-art visualisation technology and
a holistic solution uniquely tailored to suit any attraction
Rides: The Ride Makers
In the first of a new series,
industry-leading manufacturers
tell us about the latest trends and
innovations in thrill coasters
Theme Parks: Kooza Came to Town
PortAventura’s general manager
on the Spanish park’s partnership
with celebrated circus troupe Cirque
du Soleil and its Kooza show
Planetariums: Tom Falvey
A new planetarium, capable of live
streaming to 14,000 schools, opens
as a new addition to the South
Carolina State Museum in the US
Show Preview: IAAPA EXPO
IAAPA returns to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando,
Florida, from 18-21 November, with more than 1,000 exhibitors
and an expected 27,000 attendees
Multimedia: Art Project
State-of-the-art projectors and
world-class artists combine to
create inspiring installations
Preparations for the inaugural Visitor Attraction Expo (VAE) are in full swing, with ExCel London ready to host an entirely new event for those involved in the UK attractions market.
From 13 to 15 January 2015, VAE opens its doors to visitors representing leisure parks, zoos and piers, as well as an incredible variety of static attractions.
VAE is presented by BALPPA in association with EAG International. The free-admission show is open to the entire leisure industry.
What is VAE? EAG International chairman Martin Burlin welcomed VAE, saying: “The Visitor Attraction Expo will give the leisure park, piers, zoos and static attractions sector an annual event which it can call its own, right here in the UK. We’re experiencing increased crossover between the amusements and attractions sectors, so this move is reflecting what’s happening in the market. There’s strong interest from potential exhibitors and EAG’s 5,000-plus visitors will help in delivering a robust start for this exciting new event.”
VAE takes place alongside EAG International, an established gathering for the European amusements and coin-op industries. EAG International is already a firm favourite with many from the attractions industry, who come to view the latest innovations from the amusements sector. Visitors can access both shows with a single badge.
EAG International 2014 attracted 5,460 visitors, with 70 per cent from the UK. Overseas visitors travelled from 63 countries, including Italy, France, Belgium, Spain, Poland, Greece and Germany.
VAE is initially focusing on the UK market, with a European outreach. As with any new venture, the opportunity exists to get back to basics so that the event can naturally evolve to meet the precise needs of visitors, exhibitors and other stakeholders.
BALPPA chief executive Paul Kelly explains: “The Visitor Attraction Expo will exist to support our members, trade suppliers, operators of visitor attractions and the industry at large. Our role is to assist them in their business ventures and every aspect of the show has been developed with this in mind.”
With its early January dates, VAE will provide the perfect opportunity for discussing the events of the previous year, reviewing the latest products on display, and planning purchasing and investment for the forthcoming season.
What will I see? Visitors to VAE and EAG will be treated to an impressive line-up of products to thrill and entertain, plus the latest technology for optimising and securing revenue. Products from over 180 represented manufacturers include: 6D motion theatre, admission and crowd control systems, air hockey, amusement rides, AV systems, battery-powered cars, carpeting, cash-handling technology, change machines, cotton candy, cranes, dodgem cars, financial services, go-karts, inflatables, kiddie rides, laser games, licensed and generic plush, music programming, photo booths, pool, pushers, redemption and loyalty systems, shooting galleries, simulators, ticketing and couponing solutions, vending, video games and more.
Find the elusive “killer” product with the potential to transform your business.
What can I learn at VAE? VAE will shortly announce an extensive program of seminars and master classes conducted by leading industry professionals. Organised by BALPPA, the sessions will focus on highly topical issues
Who will I see? From the start, VAE has been designed with networking in mind. Expect to see operators, buyers, sellers, key influencers, educators, trade associations, lobbyists, regulators and special interest groups. On the first evening, the networking focus is the First Night Party, with more than 1,000 exhibitors and visitors gathering to enjoy great food, drink and entertainment at ExCel’s Fox Bar.
How do I get to VAE? London’s ExCel is world class, having won many awards for the breadth and high standard of its facilities and ease of access by road, rail, air and even cable car. Visit the VAE website for useful links, maps and advice on getting to ExCel.
How do I get a good hotel deal? ExCel has 2,300 hotel rooms within walking distance, last-minute bookings inevitably come at a high premium so booking early is advisable.
The historical areas of Greenwich or Tower Hill are interesting alternatives for those who wish to stay off-site. Greenwich, with its rich nautical history, is a short river bus trip or cable car ride away, whilst travel from Tower Gateway to ExCel on the DLR takes around 17 minutes.
VAE has teamed up with exhibition accommodation specialists Event Express, who have negotiated the best possible rates for VAE attendees. Event Express can be contacted via the VAE website.
How do I register for VAE? Register for your free ticket to VAE on the VAE website. With early registration, badges will be mailed to you, and you’ll be kept up to date with show, event and exhibitor news. Register now and give your business a great start to 2015!
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2014 issue 4
Editor’s letter: Access for all
We ask whether enough is being done to ensure access for all to
attractions and what practical steps can be taken to improve things
Interview: Tim Smit
The Eden Project was groundbreaking
when it opened in 2001. Now the
attraction’s founder Tim Smit is taking
the concept to a global audience,
and he’s starting with China
Interview: Jonathan Gottschall
Literary scholar and author of The
Storytelling Animal explains why we’re
all addicted to story, and how attractions
can capitalise on our love of narrative
Heritage: Actions Speak Louder
The National Trust’s Ben Cowell
describes how landscaping can build up
to a reveal, and ways the organisation
is using actors to bring history to life
Conference Report: SATE 2014
TEA president Christine Kerr presents
the hot topics from the annual design
conference devoted to Storytelling,
Architecture, Technology, Experience
Story Centres: Tell Me A Story
The popularity of story centres shows
the youngest generation – dubbed
digital natives – are thirsty for
children’s literature and illustration
Technology: Reinventing the Nerd
Meet carnival-inspired Two Bit
Circus, created from its founders’
passion for engineering, video games
and the newest technologies
Promotional feature: BARCO
Barco offers state-of-the-art visualisation technology and
a holistic solution uniquely tailored to suit any attraction
Rides: The Ride Makers
In the first of a new series,
industry-leading manufacturers
tell us about the latest trends and
innovations in thrill coasters
Theme Parks: Kooza Came to Town
PortAventura’s general manager
on the Spanish park’s partnership
with celebrated circus troupe Cirque
du Soleil and its Kooza show
Planetariums: Tom Falvey
A new planetarium, capable of live
streaming to 14,000 schools, opens
as a new addition to the South
Carolina State Museum in the US
Show Preview: IAAPA EXPO
IAAPA returns to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando,
Florida, from 18-21 November, with more than 1,000 exhibitors
and an expected 27,000 attendees
Multimedia: Art Project
State-of-the-art projectors and
world-class artists combine to
create inspiring installations
Global Wellness Day (GWD) marked its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day
(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
experiences.
Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-
powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver continuous, personalised longevity-
focused care at scale.
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is
expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and
2029.
