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SPECIAL The handmade glass sculptors for first place winning parks for the European Star Awards; in the background the Radio Tower Berlin and the exhibition halls
It’s not only the large parks such as
Disneyland,
PortAventura
and Europa-Park, but also the countless parks that are family owned in regional areas, which turn around large amounts of money in order to draw more than 145 million visitors annually. The over 300 theme parks in Europe invested more than 400 million Euro in 2012, and it appears that 2013 will see a similar investment amount. The European amusement branch alone spends an annual estimated 8.6 billion Euro,
and
employs
around
50,000 people – a whole lot of impressive numbers that speak for a professional award dedicated explicitly to the European theme park industry, at long last.
Photos:
Europa-Park,
European Star Award
Tim Beyer, Wolfgang Payer, Tim Herre, Frank Lanfer
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T
his year’s Euro Attractions Show in Berlin was,
An international team of experts voted rankings in
with over 360 exhibitors from 80 countries, the
10 different categories, which acknowledged the
largest and most successful in its young history,
efforts within the European theme park branch,
and took place only for the third time in Germany
and brought attention to entrepreneurial courage
following Düsseldorf (2002) and Munich (2008).
and exceptional innovations.
And for the first time, Europe’s leading trade
For the expert ballots this year, we were able to win
magazine Kirmes & Park Revue presented the
the attention of the following personalities: Dr. h.c.
independent European Star Award – an award
Werner Stengel (founder Stengel GmbH, Ger-
honoring the successful European theme park
many), Dr. Dieter Brinkmann (University Bremen,
industry.
Applied Leisure Science and IFKA e.V., Germany),
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Francis Stokkel (Project Development LeisureCert,
throughout the whole of Europe including Russia
USA/Netherlands), Victor Cavaller (O-partners,
and Turkey. The minimal criterion was that at least
was heralded by a brilliant fire-
and earlier Thinkwell Europe, Spain), Stefan
one ride attraction had to be selected. Experience
works display
Zwanzger (The Theme Park Guy, VAE), Dr. H. Jür-
worlds with a representative or museum character
gen Kagelmann (Profil Verlag, Germany), Jochen
such as Autostadt, Zoo Hannover, or Puy du Fou
Peschel (Patent Attorney, Germany), Dr. Sacha
were not up for selection.
Szabo (Cultural Scientist, Germany) as well as our
In the three main categories “Europe’s Best Park”,
only available at the EAS in
authors Matteo Crepaldi (Italy), Olaf Esser (Ger-
“Europe’s Best Family Park” and “Europe’s
Berlin and the IAAPA in Orlando
many), Marcus Gaines (Great Britain), Tim Herre
Best Water Park” there had to be focus on the
(Germany), Wolfgang Payer (Austria), Stefan
following criteria: attractions, attractiveness,
Rothaug (Taiwan), Marc Spies (Germany), Karl
landscaping, friendliness, cleanliness, meals/
Ruisinger (KPR), Ralf Schmitt (KPR) und Frank
refreshments, and value for money.
Lanfer (KPR). More personal data can be found in
The festive presentation of prizes took place on
our EAS-Special.
the first day of the exhibition in Berlin. Exclusive
The Euro Attractions Show
This special edition was/is
The European Star Award is as independent as our
handmade glass sculptors were made for the
monthly trade magazine, and can therefore be
first prize winners, and we would like to take
considered as opinion forming. For this reason it
this opportunity to congratulate all five best
was most important for us to have a clear and
parks of Europe once again!
honest voting method: each member of the trade
In 2013 we will be conducting another balloting
jury could vote in each category 3, 2, and 1 star(s)
for the second European Star Award at the end
for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places for eligible candidates.
of the main season. Are you impartial and
The stars were then only counted by our company
objective, do you know the European park
– and the winner was the theme park or alternati-
scene, and are you interested in being part of
vely the attraction with the most points.
our jury next year? If so, then please contact:
Choices could be made from all theme parks
frank.lanfer@gemiverlag.de
■
A first prize was allotted ten times
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The festive awards presentation took place in a renowned bar in the heart of Berlin and was completely filled
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Michael Kreft von Byern and Jürgen Mack from Europa-Park receiving the prize “Europe’s Best Park”
Bart De Boer is happy that Efteling was chosen as second best park in Europe
Disneyland Resort Paris won prizes in four categories – to the great satisfaction of Eric Cosset, who here is receiving the first prize for “Europe’s Best Family Park” (right), and the third place for “Europe’s Best Theme Park” (left centre; right: entertainer Keith Tynes, left: editorial manager and initiator Frank Lanfer) Paul Oomen and Pieter Corneils from Toverland receiving second place in the category “Europe’s Best Family Park”
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Helmut, Roland, and Benjamin Fischer happy about the award as third best European Family Park
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Mariano Alarcón and Christoph Kiessling (right) very pleased about receiving the ”Europe’s Best Water Park” award, and a third prize
Sirko Adler from Wiegand-Maelzer accepting the prizes for Galaxy and Area 47 Philip Amstutz from Tropical Island very happy about third place Fernando Aldecoa and Giovanni Modena from PortAventura Resort were very pleased about winning two prizes for the new steel coaster “Shambhala” from Bolliger & Mabillard: one award was for “Second Best Steel Coaster in Europe”, and the second was for the “Best Novelty of 2012”
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Visit us Booth N at o. IAAPA O 2024 rlando
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Marina Ernst-Weiderer from Zierer receiving the prize on behalf of non-attending Legoland Billund
Bernd Beitz (Holiday Park, left) and Steven Van Den Kerkhof (Plopsa) happy about the placing of the steel coaster “Expedition GeForce”
Congratulations to Paul Oomen and Pieter Cornelles for second place for the wooden coaster “Troy” at Toverland
Wouter Dekkers (GM Movie Park Germany) accepting the prize on behalf of his colleague José Asanjo from Parque Warner Madrid
Hannes Mairinger (Heide-Park) pleased about first place for “Colossos” Peter Osbeck (Gröna Lund) accepting third place for “Twister”
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Michael Kreft von Byern and Jürgen Mack from Europa-Park as well as Christian von Elverfeldt from Mack Rides pleased about the prize Best Water Ride “Poseidon”
The category “Europe’s Best Attraction” also went to the Disneyland Resort Paris
Robert Owen from Pleasurebeach Blackpool accepting a second prize
Theo van Zwieten, Froukje Knijpstra and Jisk Knijpstra from Mondial accepting the prize on behalf of Terra Mitíca
Third place was handed over to Ralf Richard Kenter from Phantasialand Helmut, Roland, and Benjamin Fischer from Tripsdrill together with Willy Walser from abc rides happy about first place in the category “Europe’s Best Kiddie Rides”
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Siegfried Gerstlauer accepted second place for a kiddie coaster from Gerstlauer on behalf of Hansa-Park
Massimiliano Freddi pleased about third place for his new Splash Battle similar water attraction
Sohret Pakis from Polin accepts the first place award on behalf of the not present French Aqualand FrĂŠjus Entertainer and singer Keith Tynes was not only programme moderator but also sang some of his best classics
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Andrea and Peter Kolar from EAS Exhibit Sales Management, watching the award presentation
The delegation from PortAventura
Albert Ritter and Frank Hakelberg from the German Showman Association DSB also enjoyed the evening in the Art & Champagne Bar
Greg Hale (Disney Co.) and Agi Reddersen (KPR)
Bart De Boer (centre) extremely happy about 2nd place for Efteling, and celebrates together with Eric Cosset and Michael Kreft von Byern
Bob Tan (GM Dreamworld)
From left: Plet De Koninck (Plopsaland de Panne) Peter Coppelmans (Efteling) and Sander De Bruijn (Efteling)
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