AusLeisure

Commencing today at Sofitel Broadbeach on the Gold Coast, the 2023 Australian Amusement, Leisure and Recreation Association (AALARA) Conference has this year moved away from the focus on safety and risk management of recent programs to instead address equity and marketing matters.

Opening today, the Conference features a series of invitation only regulatory meetings, a committee member only meet of AALARA's Inflatables Subcommittee and an aquatics breakout session hosted by Jamberoo Action Park General Manager Matt George.

The main conference opens on Tuesday morning with a 'state of the industry' address by Jim Pattison, Jr, President of Ripley Entertainment and Chair of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions; followed by a session on ‘The Age Old Art of Business’ featuring Jamberoo Action Park Chief Executive, Jim Eddy; Riverlife Chief Executive, John Sharpe and Jamberoo Action Park Greg O'Neill, Director of Australian Leisure Consulting and AALARA acting President.

The program continues with the ‘Leading Women, Leading the Way’ forum, featuring  Jade McKellar, Chief Customer Officer at the Sydney Opera House; Anthea Hammon Chief Executive, Scenic World and Michelle Eramus, Operations Director, Dreamworld/WhiteWater World/Skypoint followed by an address on ‘Building, Branding and Your Business’ from Tourism Australia Chief Executive, Pip Harrison.

Before site tours on Thursday, including a visit to Ripley's Believe It or Not! Surfers Paradise, the Wednesday program will start with an address from incoming AALARA President, Ros Pullen, General Manager of Raging Waters Sydney.

Other sessions include ‘Human Behaviours and Business’, a panel on ‘The Future of Leisure and Amusements’, ‘Industry Technical Changes’ and a thinktank on ‘The Value of Food and Bev’.

Formal sessions conclude with Carlie Holt, Partner at Sparke Helmore Lawyers presenting on legal precedents in the attractions industry during which she will highlights important information that is pertinent to all operators.

Event also includes the Association’s AGM and social gatherings including the AALARA23 Gala Dinner.

Click here for more information on the AALARA 2023 in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.

Images: Ripley's Believe It or Not! Surfers Paradise (top, credit: Pico Play) and incoming AALARA President, Ros Pullen, General Manager of Raging Waters Sydney (below, credit: Raging Waters Sydney).

Related Articles

2nd May 2023 - ASTM announces development of risk assessment standard proposal for amusement rides

21st April 2023 - New ASTM International guide for amusement ride lifecycle management

19th April 2023 - 2023 Sydney Royal Easter Show welcomed 880,000 people

9th April 2023 - New Velocity Falls attraction drives positive peak season for Jamberoo Action Park

17th March 2023 - Flash sale for AALARA 2023 conference registrations

14th March 2023 - SafeWork NSW scrutinises ride safety at agricultural and country shows

7th March 2023 - Village Roadshow moves forward with Movie World hotel plans

3rd March 2023 - Surge in Dreamworld visitation contributes to Ardent Leisure revenue rise

10th February 2023 - Small Business Ombudsman continues to back AALARA’s DMF plans for the amusement and attractions industry

30th January 2023 - AALARA releases 2023 conference program

27th January 2023 - Warner Bros. Movie World’s Scooby Doo ride to shut for $4 million upgrade

2nd December 2022 - Opening of Leviathan wooden rollercoaster completes Sea World’s New Atlantis precinct

25th November 2022 - Ardent Leisure unveils plans for $60 million in upgrades at Dreamworld

12th October 2022 - Ripley’s Entertainment Company among attractions industry leaders sponsoring scholarships

3rd August 2022 - AALARA President Shane McGrath steps down

18th May 2022 - Delegates welcome return of AALARA conference with enthusiasm

4th May 2022 - Fearing for the future of the amusement and attractions industry AALARA and the Showmen’s Guilds announce stop work campaign

28th September 2021 - AALARA President defends Adventure World in enforcing ride weight restrictions

3rd May 2021 - Moving to address industry insurance crisis AALARA releases survey on Discretionary Mutual Fund

30th December 2020 - AALARA releases ‘urgent request for the survival of our industry’

24th February 2020 - AALARA highlights Australian theme parks’ ongoing safety commitments

13th September 2019 - Tourism Australia confirms Phillipa Harrison as new Managing Director

1st February 2010 - All New Ripley’s Opens on the Gold Coast

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.