As part of Skip the Queue’s mini-series celebrating 90 years of BALPPA, Andy Povey and Laura Baxter are joined by BALPPA Chief Executive Paul Kelly to look back at the organisation’s history, its role in supporting and representing the UK attractions industry, and the challenges and opportunities shaping its future. The series continues with conversations featuring the people and businesses shaping the UK attractions industry, exploring their stories, experiences and perspectives on the future of attractions.
To celebrate 90 years of BALPPA, Andy Povey and Laura Baxter are joined by Paul Kelly, Chief Executive of BALPPA, for a look at the organisation’s history, its role in the attractions industry today and what the next 90 years could look like.
With more than 30 years working across the attractions sector and at the helm of BALPPA since 2012, Paul has a unique view of an industry that has changed dramatically and of the people and businesses that have helped shape it.
In this episode, Paul takes us back to BALPPA’s beginnings in 1936, exploring why the association was formed and how the attractions industry has evolved since then. He shares some of the achievements and behind-the-scenes work BALPPA has been involved in, much of which visitors and even some members may never see.
They also explore what BALPPA means to its members today, from lobbying government and representing the industry to perhaps its most important role: bringing operators together and creating a community where they can share knowledge, challenges and ideas.
Looking ahead, Paul discusses the issues facing attractions today, what the next generation of operators needs from the association and why he believes there are exciting opportunities ahead for the UK attractions industry.
This episode is part of Skip the Queue’s mini-series celebrating 90 years of BALPPA, looking at the people and businesses shaping the UK attractions industry.
Show references:
Paul Kelly - Chief Executive at British Association of Leisure Parks Piers and Attractions (BALPPA)
Skip the Queue is brought to you by Merac. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce. Your hosts are Andy Povey and Laura Baxter.
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Credits:
Written by Laura Baxter (YourCMO)
Edited by Steve Folland
Produced by Emily Burrows and Sami Entwistle (Plaster)