The 12th Annual AALARA (Australian Amusement, Leisure and Recreation Association) conference wrapped on the Gold Coast recently after four days of education and networking.

More than 300 delegates flocked to Conrad Jupiter’s Hotel to hear speakers including Charles Bray (President and CEO of IAAPA, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions), Lynton V Harris (Chair and CEO, The Sudden Impact! Entertainment Company), Stephen Forth (Managing Director, Clemenger Advertising), Warren Pearson (National Director, National Australia Day Council), Merv Neal (Director, Maurant Business Associates and member of National Speakers Association), Jo Thompson (Director, Food Consultants Australia).

Industry topics addressed with sessions included: Trend tracking; The new generation of fear amusements and concepts; Marketing trends and youth culture; How smaller aquatic parks can diversify to capture a wider market and Planning for success.

In addition to the main conference plenary sessions, several breakout industry forums were conducted, one of which was a Go Karting Industry Forum, held with Go Kart operators which brought together owners and operators of Go Karting parks from around Australia.

At this session, a Go Karting sub committee was formed under the AALARA association banner. This will enable the industry to communicate through AALARA to the ME-51 committee of the Standards Association and ensure the industry will have its problems and considerations heard in the review of Standards documents.

There was also an Indoor Play Industry Forum, hosted by AALARA, which focused on the indoor play industry.

Dr David Eager, Professor University Technology Sydney, convened the session, Chair Sub-committee AS3533 Part 4.2, Containing Play Facilities. The forum panel included: Ken Smith (Managing Director, Megamania); Denis Beltrame (Director, Kids Space Indoor Playgrounds); Tim Newman-Morris (Franchise Manager, Lollipops Playland Franchising); Chris West (Director, Go Play Pty).

Professor Eager gave a review of the draft Australian Standard for Indoor Play. This standard is in early stages and it will be several months before it will be released for public comment, but it sets out general safety requirements for the development, installation, inspection, maintenance and operation of contained play facilities.

The objective of the Standard is to provide designers, manufacturers, proprietors and operating staff with requirements and guidance specific to the design, construction, operation and maintenance of contained play facilities that will protect the health and safety of both operating staff and patrons.

There were discussions concerning Public Liability issues alongside current challenges, issues and trends within the Australian Indoor Play Industry.

The main objective of the day was to set up a sub-committee for indoor play. AALARA is happy to say this has been achieved – it was inspiring to see so many of the attending delegates were eager to volunteer, the chairperson nominated for this subcommittee is Megamania’s Ken Smith. He will hold this position for six months as will the several committee members, when there will be a review of the committee. Our first sub-committee meeting will be in Sydney with the date and venue to be confirmed shortly.

There was also a Transportable Rides and Showperson session called ‘Fun on the Run’, convened by Phil Durkin and his panel.

They discussed relevant issues such as joint promotions between show societies and ride operators, extended contracts at capital shows for operators purchasing new equipment, the benefits of being an accredited operator (LeisureNet or Amsafe), replication of applications for space at capital shows and the push towards lowering costs in vehicle registrations for showmen. Overall it was a well-attended breakout session, with spirited debate from all sides.

On the third day of the AALARA Conference, the National Regulators Committee on Amusement Devices held their annual meeting with industry stakeholders. Representatives from NSW, SA, Vic and Qld 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 and the Royal Show Societies and Engineers Australia.

The meeting provided an excellent opportunity for free and open discussion on a number of issues affecting the amusement devices industry. A draft national inspection certificate was proposed for consideration. All states and territories will accept the national inspection certificate as part of the plant registration requirement.

An analysis of the National Register of Amusement Devices Incidents and Enforcement Notices was presented for discussion. The meeting agreed that the analysis provided a useful focus for the development of strategies to minimize risk of injuries associated with amusement devices.

Industry representatives also raised a number of issues relating to differences in regulatory requirements among various states. The Regulators Committee acknowledged the concerns raised and agreed to examine ways to improve the situation.

Other conference highlights included educational site tours of South East Queensland's major theme parks including Sea World, Movie World, Dreamworld Wet’n’Wild World, Kingston Park Raceway and the opportunity for delegates to experience the new Australian Outback Spectacular as part of the evening social programme.

Thanks to the generosity of many AALARA businesses and attendees, the Gala Dinner silent auction raised over AUS$11,600 for Camp Quality (children affected by cancer).

The gala dinner kicked off with the auctioning of a dance with three of AALARA’s past-president’s wives; Sharon O'Neill, Larraine Peet and Carolyn Eddy, who were all concerned that they would fail to raise more than a couple of dollars, but after spirited bidding they were awarded to Charlie Bray, IAAPA President, for the sum of AUS$1000.

The highest bid of the night was AUS$1650 by Damian De Jong for a beautiful full-sized carousel rocking horse donated by Colin Davis. We would like to thank those who purchased items on the night and a very special thank you must go to Mr and Mrs Coleman and Len and Lee Parsons from Carnival Catering for their very kind cash donations of AUS$200 and AUS$250 respectively.

They say it is better to give than to receive, and following is a list of the individuals and companies who we would like to sincerely thank for their donation of prizes, without them we would have no auction: Rod Hughes - OAMPS Insurance Brokers; Elwin and Sandra Bell – Bells Amusements; Tony Evans - WorkCover VIC; Michael Chan - Department Of Industry Relations QLD; Chris Turner - WorkCover NSW; Leanne McLennan - Safe Work SA; Colin Davis, Steve Skarrott – Taronga Zoo; Steve Peet - Warner Village Theme Parks; Russell Murphy - Ripley’s Believe it or Not; Andrew Cole - Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary; Stephen Gregg – Dreamworld; Carl Ryan - Coca-Cola; George and Jeana Zacchini, Augusto De-Santi - SBF Visa; Michelle Mann - Conrad Jupiters; Todd Coates – BridgeClimb; John Lewis - Sovereign Hill; Terry Skene - Kingston Park Raceway and Paul Sexton - Build-a-Bear.

AALARA President, Michael Collins of the Royal Agricultural Society New South Wales, was enthusiastic about the success of this year’s conference and confident that it had met the association’s objectives.

Collins said: “The annual AALARA Conference provides a unique opportunity for our many industry members to meet, discuss, debate, update their knowledge and network in a convivial yet concentrated forum. This year’s conference was particularly successful as we gathered industry members from individual industry sectors for focused breakout forums to address issues facing these industry sectors.

“It’s also vitally important to the future of our industry that all members from all sectors of the leisure and entertainment industries continue to band together as one voice – to lobby and proactively address the challenges facing our industry each and every day. The conference attracts both state and national regulators who also conduct their national forum on the last day of the conference.

“Our conference is the one time when we can all get together and ensure we’re driving our respective businesses in the direction we would like to steer them, whilst being supported by the various authorities that govern them.”

Other business matters conducted during the conference included staging the organisations’ Annual General Meeting on 10 May with members having input into the planned activities of AALARA over the next 12 months.

The conference would not be possible without the valued support of sponsors including Coca-Cola, Queensland Government (Department of Industrial Relations), OAMPS Insurance Brokers, Warner Village Theme Parks, Royal National Association Queensland, Royal Agricultural Society New South Wales, Royal Adelaide Show, Backdrops Fantastic, Nestle Peters Ice Creams, Fuji Film, Waterplay, Go Play Pty, Kodak, Dreamworld, IAAPA, Wizid Pty and the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia and Adrenalin Park.

Plans are already underway for next year’s event, which will take place from 14-16 May 2007 on the Gold Coast and incorporate the traditional trade exhibition with suppliers, manufacturers and consultants from all industry sectors. Watch this space for details of AALARA’s 2007 Conference and Trade Exhibition. The 2007 conference will also include specific industry breakout forums for the Aquatic, coin-operated amusements and outdoor adventure industry sectors. Companies who wish to receive further information on exhibiting or sponsoring a conference session at the 2007 conference and trade exhibition should contact the AALARA office.

Photograph: Charles Bray, Dean Vegas (www.deanvegas.com), Michael Collins and Tony Lines at the Viva Las Vegas Gala Dinner. For more 2006 AALARA Conference pictures, check www.aalara.com.au