The British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers & Attractions (BALPPA) is celebrating its 90th anniversary with the launch of a ten-part podcast series on Skip the Queue.
A Landmark Industry Milestone
Produced by ticketing solutions specialist Merac, the milestone series brings together leading voices from across the sector for candid discussions regarding the operation, development, and future of visitor attractions. Industry veteran Andy Povey hosts the project alongside co-host Laura Baxter, exploring the evolution of the UK leisure landscape alongside current operational challenges and future horizons.
The special anniversary lineup features prominent leaders and long-standing members from across the industry. Among those sharing their insights are Paul Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of BALPPA; Marc Miller, Managing Director of Adventure Island; Gary Smart, Chairman of Harbour Park; Julie Dalton, Managing Director of Gulliver's Theme Park Resorts; Eddie Kemsley, Senior Executive and Director at Dreamland Margate; and Anna Warnecke, CEO of Kynren.
Conversations spanning the series delve deep into leadership, operational excellence, visitor experience, innovation, technology, and industry heritage.
Celebrating the People Behind the Attractions
Reflecting on the milestone, Paul Kelly, CEO of BALPPA, stated:
"We wanted to mark BALPPA’s 90th anniversary by doing something that really celebrates our members and the people behind our industry. Attractions are built around experiences, but behind every great attraction are the people who make it happen."
He added:
"Working with Skip the Queue has given us the opportunity to sit down with some of those people, hear their stories and talk openly about the opportunities and challenges facing our sector. We hope the series gives listeners a real insight into the people behind the attractions, how our industry has evolved and where we might be heading next."
Co-host Laura Baxter shared her enthusiasm for the collaboration, commenting:
"It has been a real pleasure working with BALPPA on this special series and getting the chance to sit down with the people behind some of the UK’s best-known attractions."
She added:
"What’s been particularly fascinating is hearing the stories behind the attractions, the challenges, the decisions, the passion and the people that keep everything moving. We’re delighted with the line-up and excited to share these conversations with the wider industry. There are some brilliant stories in this series, and we hope people enjoy listening to them as much as we enjoyed making them."
Where to Listen
The opening episode, featuring Paul Kelly discussing the association's rich history and the shifting attractions landscape, is available now. Further episodes will roll out throughout the BALPPA 90 series, accessible via skipthequeue.fm, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
You can also hear from some of the winners at this year's UK Theme Park Awards in two special episodes recorded at the event.
