The future is in Your Hands 2007 AALARA Conference & Trade Exhibition.

The 13th Annual AALARA (Australian Amusement, Leisure and Recreation Association) conference and trade exhibition wrapped up recently after three days of education and networking.

Over 700 delegates and trade exhibition visitors (CEOs, Managing Directors, General Managers, Operation Managers, Human Resource Managers, Food & Beverage Managers and Technical & OHS Managers) attended this year's event at Conrad Jupiters Hotel & Casino on the Gold Coast, Queensland Australia.

This year's key note addresses by Robert Masterson (Ripley Entertainment Inc), Greg Shaw (Macquarie Leisure Trust), Marshall Vann (MFS Living and Leisure), Todd Coates (Bridgelcimb Sydney ), Craig Lovett (Cleanevent), Bryn Skilbeck (Moomba Waterfest) and Bill Coleby (Coleby Consulting) provided an outstanding opening day of conference sessions. We thank all speakers for their generosity of time and information sharing with our attendees.

An example of delegates’ comments on the conference follows:

"Congratulations - the high level of speakers and the content of the programme was one of the best that I have experienced in attending conferences over the past 17 years. It was also great to see the trade show back again as I was able to make contact with several companies to assist me with future development at Currumbin Sanctuary," said Andrew Cole, Ground Services Manager Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.

"Congratulations - the camaraderie and willingness of other industry operators to share in their experience made this a memorable and inspiring conference for me," said John B Grant, Managing Director, Granties Maze.

"Congratulations to the association on an excellent event - I was extremely impressed with the range of speakers, their topics and the overall level of organisation of this conference," said Lynne Clay Vice President, Asia World Tenpin Bowling Writers Association.

Day two of the conference programme delivered productive industry breakout forums for the Indoor Play, Go Karting and Transportable Rides/Showmen industry operators.

These sessions proved very beneficial to all delegates who participated and we again thank the panel speakers who provide inspiring 'real life' business situations including their successes and failures which provide invaluable learning to both new and established industry operators.

Main Conference Plenary sessions on day two, included the ground breaking development in ticketing technology and two very informative sessions on Media Crisis Management (Neil McLean) and How to write a Hazzard and Risk Assessment (Bill Coleby).

The AALARA conference committee would also like to thank all delegates and guests whose generosity at the Camp Quality auction raised $11,931.00. These funds will provide plenty of fun and entertainment for children in Australia whose lives are affected by cancer related illnesses.

The conference would not be possible without the valued support of our sponsors including Leisure Net Australasia, Queensland Government (Department of Industrial Relations & Employment), OAMPS Insurance Brokers, Coca-Cola Amatil (AUST) Pty Ltd, Kodak, Warner Village Theme Parks, Royal National Association Queensland, Royal Agricultural Society New South Wales, Royal Adelaide Show, FujiFilm Australia Pty Ltd, Backdrops Fantastic, Realm Productions, Kodak Event Management Solutions, WhiteWater World, IAAPA, Wizid Pty Ltd and Adrenalin Park.

Plans are already underway for next year’s event, which will take place in May 2008 on the Gold Coast.

Delegate surveys have provided excellent feedback to the conference organising committee with requests for sessions including "marketing my attraction", "Generating publicity for small to medium industry attractions and parks", "more CEO/MD presentations that provide education and inspiration on real life success stories", "Working with Children", "Advertising and Promotions- making your dollar go further", "Managing Staff and HR Training", "Updates on changes to AS3533. 1-5", "Media Session with panel from print and electronic media on there dealings with our industry and ways to develop better relations", "Legal issues affecting amusement businesses", "An inspirational session on the success and future plans from Australia Zoo", "More Museum and wildlife Attraction key note and breakout sessions", "Healthy catering trends", "Recent changes by Work Cover impacting Amusement industry businesses", "Retail and Merchandising trends", "European Industry Guest Speaker", "US Showmen on trends in the US", "Loyalty programs", "Latest Holiday and travel trends", "Value added marketing", "The trade exhibition is a vital part of the conference, please bring it back next year" and "Visits to the new Q1 and other fun Gold Coast attractions incorporated in the conference site tours".

If you have any suggestions on future conference sessions, please email the AALARA office on e: [email protected]

We appreciate the time you invest in sending us your feedback.

Companies who wish to receive further information on attending as a delegate, exhibiting or sponsoring a conference session at the 2008 conference should contact the AALARA office.

Photograph: (l-r) Charlie Bray (IAAPA President); Steve Peet (COO, Warner Village Theme Parks); Greg O'Neill (Past President AALARA); and Marshall Vann (Executive Director/CEO MFS Living and Leisure)