On 16th-18th January 2018 several thousand decision takers from the amusements and leisure sectors will converge on ExCel London for EAG International and Visitor Attraction Expo. The show’s draw is such that many will make the journey from Europe and beyond whilst the event, now in its ninth year, has inevitably come to mean different things to different visitors.
With the show taking place right at the start of the New Year and literally hundreds of new products to experience, many will be viewing it as an opportunity to finalise investment decisions for the forthcoming season. With exhibitors ranging from small start-ups to global giants, there will almost certainly be something beneficial to every business.
For many, EAG & VAE is about networking . The show offers an unparalleled opportunity to meet up with industry colleagues to compare experiences and initiatives. With EAG International & VAE a focal point for trade associations, special interest groups and numerous relaxed and informal social events, attendees will be spoilt for choice.
For those wishing to learn more about specific subjects and topical issues, The EAG & VAE Seminar Programme, presented by bacta, will deliver real value. Show Organiser Karen Cooke explains, “This year we’re particularly proud of our seminar programme; we’ve managed to engage some really interesting speakers on a diverse range of subjects. The show’s appeal is broader than at the outset, with more visitors from the wider leisure community, including play centres, holiday parks, stand-alone visitor attractions and sports facilities. The show, for these groups, is about opportunities for incremental income and enhancing the guest experience. We believe that the sessions will be thought-provoking and directly relevant to a wide range of businesses,” assures Karen.
Seminars sessions will take place on all three days of the show:
Tuesday 16th January
The day will commence with a session on Emerging Payment Systems, further details to be advised.
Growing Your Business With Social Media
Speaker: Sam Flynn – Managing Director, SF2
With a background in business psychology, Sam has been training organisations in the use of social media for over 7 years. The session will focus on appropriate platforms, content, engagement with the target audience and converting them into paying customers.
Common Compliance Themes In The Arcade Sector
The Gambling Commission’s Anne Maginnis, Neil Rayson, Alistair Henry and Paul Edwards will lead an interactive session exploring common themes found during compliance assessment visits to the arcade sector, including FECs, coastal, high street and holiday parks operations
Navigating Employment
Speaker: Debbie Hough Bollard – Managing Director, Hough& Bollard
Debbie Hough Bollard has been helping independent operators since the introduction of the Gambling Act in 2007 and attends the Industry Lawyers Forum at the Gambling Commission. Debbie’s background was as a solicitor before setting up her own consultancy, specialising in advising operators in the non-remote sector on licensing and employment issues.
The seminar will focus on taking on new staff, rights of part time and seasonal staff and employers’ rights when staff members don’t comply with policies and procedures, and terminating contracts when things go wrong.
Wednesday 17th January
The implications for new virtual reality technology and how it has a direct impact on the amusements and attractions sector in the UK and beyond.
KWP’s Kevin Williams will host an extensive session with contributions from Inmotion’s Paul Collimore, Tom Hamilton of RUSH VR, Simon Reveley of Figment product, Amplified Robot’s Steve Dann and Bob Cooney of Cooney Consult. This wide reaching session will include an overview of the immersive entertainment scene, choosing an appropriate games platform and the opportunities and pitfalls that exist for VR arcades in the UK. The afternoon session will focus on the operational opportunities around operating VR arcades and their inclusion in theme parks and mixed leisure destination. The session will close with a review of some of the steps the amusements industry needs to take to prepare for new immersive entertainment technology.
Meet the demands for Healthy Eating
Speaker: Hannah Caswell – The Soil Association
Hannah delivers a fascinating insight into the Association’s work with Visitor Attractions to meet visitor demands for more freshly-prepared and sustainably sourced food. During this session you will gain insight into how serving food made from fresh, local and honest ingredients not only demonstrates care for customers, but might also become a competitive tool.
Thursday 18th January
Ask us a question – any question
Bacta Chief Executive John White hosts an open session with bacta’s executive team who will provide a brief update for members and non members alike on current issues and take questions on any subject raised.
Attendance at EAG & VAE seminars is free of charge and taking part may prove highly beneficial to your business. Don’t miss this opportunity!
Detailed information on seminar content and timings is available at www.eagexpo.com