Building Your Business 2009 AALARA Conference & Trade Exhibition (25-28 May 2009).

The 15th Annual AALARA (Australian, Amusement, Leisure & Recreation Association) conference and trade exhibition wrapped up recently after four days of inspiring and educational conference programs, workshops, networking and attractions site tours.

Even allowing for the current economic downturn, which impacted slightly on delegate numbers (down 10 per cent), quality industry buyers including owners, executives and managers from amusement parks, waterparks, go karting parks, family entertainment centres, zoos, aquariums, attractions, transportable rides, events, festivals, shopping centres and resort developments from throughout Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific region attended this year's conference and exhibition.

Exhibitors were pleased with quality buyers at this year's show:

Reece Annette from VPS Group said: "As a first time exhibitor and in view of the current economic climate I did not hold high expectations, however, this show delivered excellent sales for our company and I have already booked my space for the 2011 show."

"For us, this has been the best AALARA exhibition ever, said Adrien Laugher of Gold Medal products. "Delegates who attended where serious buyers and this generated excellent sales, it was also great to meet the new emerging business owners in the industry. We'll be back in 2011."

David Miller from Adventure Golf said, "As always the AALARA exhibition delivered solid sales and at the end of the day that is why we keep returning. If you want to do business in the Australian market this is the show that delivers the decision makers."

Conference Key Note Presentations deliver

This year's conference key note speakers delivered on inspiration and quality content. Highlights on day one, included Chip Cleary 1st Vice Chair IAAPA who shared his wealth of experience and trade secrets on how to succeed in the amusement industry. Chip's presentation was one of the most popular with his frank and humble delivery style.

Matt Doherty Production Director, "The Big Day Out" festival astounded delegates with the phenomenal logistics behind staging this world class, touring festival and the strategies for building on it's success.

Tuesday night's gala dinner was staged at Spooky Castle at Warner Brother's Movie World. Many delegates opted to ride the Spooky Coaster and kick up their heels to music by dance band "Boogie Nights" who entertained us and added to the frivolity of the evening.

We all awoke on Wednesday morning to a presentation by international guest speaker Chuck Zamora who delivered key points to personal power in the workplace. Chuck is always a crowd favourite with his can do attitude and everyone left the session inspired and motivated.

We thank all speakers for their generosity of time and information sharing with our attendees.

During the conference, AALARA hosted the National OH&S Regulators & Stakeholders meeting. Representatives from NSW, SA, VIC, QLD and NT made up the regulators committee. Industry stakeholders included representatives from the Australian Amusement, Leisure and Recreation Association, Australian Amusement Association, the Showmen's Guild of Australasia, Showmen's Guild of Victoria, Showmen's Guild of South Australia, representatives for each of the Royal Show Societies and Engineers Australia.

Discussions took place on the proposed new national ESO (Essential Safety Outcomes) regulations for plant. Other topics included a new national operator's card and the success of the national audit tool.

Also included as part of the conference were productive industry forums for the Aquatics industry, Indoor Play industry, Transportable Rides/Showmen industry and Go karting industry.

A notable outcome for the Go Karting industry is acceptance and adoption of an Industry Code of practice for the Recreational Karting industry in Australia. This is a major achievement after three years of negotiation within the industry.

The indoor play industry driven by the ME-51 indoor play sub-committee and AALARA are continuing to move forward with the draft standard for indoor play to present to the main ME-51 standards committee later this year.

The conference would not be possible without the valued support of our sponsors including the Queensland Government (Department of Employment And Industrial Relations), Backdrops Fantastic, Coca-Cola Amatil (AUST), Fujifilm Australia, Kodak Australasia, RNA Queensland (Brisbane EKKA), RAS New South Wales (Sydney Royal Easter Show), Adelaide Showgrounds (Royal Adelaide Show), RAS VIC (Royal Melbourne Show), World Tourist Attractions Ltd and our industry partners Warner Village Theme Parks, IAAPA and SafeWork SA.

Stan Durkin handed over the position of AALARA President to Robert Bradley, Chief Executive Office, Royal Life Saving Society of Australia at the AALARA AGM on Wednesday 27th May.

"As the incoming President of AALARA I would like to take this opportunity to thank Stan Durkin for his contribution in his role as AALARA President during the past two years," said Bradley.

"I am looking forward to my role as President during this period of growth for AALARA and overseeing the development of new initiatives with government and other industry bodies.

"I welcome Terry Skene Managing Directory, Kingston Park Raceway as a new AALARA board member and thank Paul Sexton for his contribution over the last two years during his time as an AALARA board member."

In 2010 the AALARA conference will join forces with the IAAPA Asian Expo in Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Malaysia (14-16 July 2010). Stay tuned for further details from the AALARA office.