The leadership of Italian manufacturers: ‘Made in Italy’ products
The perfect blend of craftsmanship and top-notch engineering
Larger areas in cities for travelling fairgrounds: the agreement between ANCI and ANESV
Tourist attractions: one more card up Italian cities' sleeve
A preview of next season's new trendsThe
second TECHNOFOLIES – the international trade fair entirely devoted to the amusement industry – is opening tomorrow at Fiera di Genova and will last until Saturday 28 October. At TECHNOFOLIES the leading Italian and foreign manufacturers will meet operators of theme parks and travelling fairs from all over the world and will propose their
new products for the 2007 season.
TECHNOFOLIES is the largest trade fair of operating amusement machines in Europe. 70 manufacturers take part in it, representing Italy in the first place (the world leader in this sector), as well as Germany, Great Britain, Spain, Russia, Poland, Switzerland, and Hungary. This year Technofolies has further opened up to international operators: at present, professionals from 32 countries have pre-enrolled in Technofolies, including China, USA, Colombia, Kuwait, Jordan, Syria, Cyprus, Iran, India, Brazil, Mexico and Qatar.
The exhibition area –
12 thousand square metres, one third of which hosting operating attractions – will turn into a real funfair, where manufacturers will offer a preview of their most innovative models. Besides traditional merry-go-rounds with horses and examples of kiddie rides and family rides, a 30m-high thrill ride will be presented: a latest-generation tower with revolving mechanical arms capable of taking everyone's breath away, including the boldest ones.
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Product quality and the companies' managerial strategies are the driving forces which can preserve Italy's world leadership in this sector", underlines Michele Bertazzon, the President of ANCASVI, Italy's professional association in this sector, whose 34 members - mainly based in North-Eastern Italy – reach a yearly turnover of 200 million Euros, which increase to 400 if profits in related sectors are taken into account.
"In a niche market like the one of attractions, whose current growth potential is mainly found in Eastern European countries and the Arabian Emirates, our competitors, first and foremost China, – adds Mr Bertazzon – are much more competitive in terms of labour costs and, consequently, final product price, but they are not able to match the qualitative standards of Italian products. Indeed, our products combine unique craftsmanship, design, and the latest innovations in mechanical and dynamic engineering". Implementing the sector agreement for promotion abroad, signed by ANCASVI and the Italian Ministry for Manufacturing Activities over a year ago, is becoming increasingly urgent.
The Italian amusement industry is focusing not only on exports, however, but on the domestic market too. During Technofolies ANESV-AGIS (the Italian association of travelling fairs and amusement parks operators) will sign a protocol with ANCI, the Association of Italian Municipalities, to relaunch and further boost this sector. "We are asking for renewed attention towards our industry – explains Maurizio Crisanti, ANESV's national Secretary – with more central areas available in cities and an active cooperation on the part of municipalities for the promotion and enhancement of these activities, which have always been part of our popular culture". The protocol also includes tax incentives for operators and the possibility to obtain cuts on the tax on the use of public areas.
The future of this sector will be debated during Technofolies at the conference organised by Facto Edizioni on touris attractons, i.e. amusement and entertainment attractions which are not very widespread in Italy yet, such as panoramic wheels and towers, IMAX centres, 4D and 5D cinemas, for the improvement of the cities' traditional tourist offer. These attractions involve tourists emotionally, they are suitable for and accessible to people of any age, and – as is the case with panoramic wheels – they can, by themselves, be an excellent ‘magnet' for tourists. ti
Some preliminary information on the latest trends in this sector will be released during the conference organised by Parksmania.it. Next season's trends have a common denominator: the need for strong emotions. Teenagers, indeed, love to put their boldness to the test on increasingly breathtaking and extreme roller-coasters and thrill rides. As for family rides, new design and technological solutions will be implemented to make them more appealing and comfortable for parents and, particularly, grandparents too. Moreover, these attractions will focus on the interaction (including physical interaction) with the passengers: for instance, on some rides, passengers will be able to adjust the vehicle's speed and height by pedalling.
"Fiera di Genova's know-how – says Fiera di Genova SpA's Chairman, Paolo Lombardi – and unique features (large pavilions, outdoor areas, its extraordinary location by the sea) ensure excellent flexibility for the presentation of outstanding Italian industrial sectors requiring special visibility. At Genoa fairground, the amusement industry, just like the boating sector, can benefit from a fully-customised layout highlighting product features and allowing for more creative exhibition solutions. As regards TECHNOFOLIES in particular, we are currently implementing a 360° project, and one of our short-term objectives is to support this sector in its internationalisation process.
In this respect, we are developing a project together with Liguria's Regional Administration, aimed at attracting operators from Eastern Europe and the Arabian Emirates".
TECHNOFOLIES is organized by
Fiera di Genova and promoted by
ANCASVI (the Italian Association of Travelling Fairgrounds Equipment Manufacturers) and by
AiCE (Amusement Industry Council of Europe) under the aegis of
ANESV-AGIS (the Italian Association of Travelling Fairgrounds and Amusement Parks Operators, founder of the Italian Show Business Association),
Unionparchi, and the Italian Ministry for Economic Development.
Facto Edizioni will be the organisation and commercial consultant for the event.
Opening hours and admittanceThe show will be open on Thursday 26 and Friday 27 October from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. and on Saturday 28 October from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. TECHNOFOLIES is open to sector operators ONLY.
1-day ticket: 10.00 €. Multi-day ticket: 15,00 €
Children below the age of 16 shall be accompanied by an adult.§
Press accreditationAccreditation is free: journalists can register at Fiera di Genova reception desk simply submitting a proper press ID-card.
Info for ExhibitorsTel. +39 010 5391 253
www.technofolies.itFiera di Genova Press Office
Tel. +39 010 5391 394 – 211 - 262
stampa@fiera.ge.it ;
giusi.feleppa@fiera.ge.it
