IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry, has released details of IAAPA Explores: Sustainability, a leadership summit for attractions which is taking place in Paris from 9 to 12 July.
Four out of five visitors are more likely to be loyal to attractions and brands that share their values, according to new research from IAAPA and LaneTerralever, an acclaimed marketing and customer experience research agency.
These findings come at a time when protecting the environment and sustainability are top priorities for consumers.
In the exclusive IAAPA Explores: Sustainability event, IAAPA will provide a detailed and behind-the-scenes look at Europe’s most remarkable sustainability projects.
Registration is now open.
Behind-the-scenes sustainability insights
The four-day event will equip attendees with a thorough understanding of the most recent sustainability trends and how they affect reputation, brand, and revenue. Sessions will explore key practices such as zero-carbon emissions, waste reduction, water conservation, and energy transition, accompanied by examples that demonstrate the connection between entertainment and environmental stewardship.
IAAPA Explores: Sustainability will provide actionable insights and inspiration for incorporating sustainability into venue operations, as well as guidance on how to define meaningful sustainability development goals that drive real-world impact.
The event will include sessions at:
- Disneyland Paris. Disneyland Paris demonstrates sustainability on a large scale, with Europe’s largest solar canopy and major geothermal energy projects.
- Villages Nature Paris. With geothermal energy and a commitment to recycling, this eco-resort is a pioneer in sustainable tourism. Attendees will hear from executives Franck Gervais and Olivier Garaïalde about how their geothermal energy system has prevented emissions of 7,400 tons of CO2 each year since 2017.
- Futuroscope. The theme park aims to become carbon neutral by 2025 by employing new approaches in energy efficiency, waste reduction, water conservation, wildlife protection, and environmentally friendly transportation.
- Puy du Fou. This historical theme park has been Green Globe certified since 2012, reflecting an ongoing dedication to environmental responsibility, natural heritage preservation, and five essential sustainability pillars.
Younger visitors consider sustainability to be an important factor in their decision-making in both purchases and travel, says Jakob Wahl, president of IAAPA.
He comments: “Sustainability is absolutely the future of the attractions industry. Our research shows that nearly half of all visitors are willing to pay more to visit an attraction that has a strong commitment to sustainability among target audiences.”
In 2023, over half (56%) of IAAPA members reported having sustainability initiatives in place. A further 20% were planning to launch environmental programmes.
Taking place from 9 to 12 July, IAAPA Explores: Sustainability will offer behind-the-scenes insights into leading attractions, with access to the executives who led these sustainability efforts, and networking opportunities.
The event in Paris will be followed by IAAPA Explores: Beyond the Game in New York City from 27 to 29 August, coinciding with the US Open. Designed for senior executives in the food and beverage sector, this summit will dig into the most recent F&B trends from sports and entertainment venues, which may be used to improve the visitor experience across a diverse spectrum of attractions and entertainment landscapes.
Last week, IAAPA opened registration for IAAPA Expo Europe 2024, which is being held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, from 23 to 27 September.
The post IAAPA to host IAAPA Explores: Sustainability summit in Paris appeared first on Blooloop.