The National Farm Attractions 2017 Annual Conference and Trade Show, held from January 31 to February 2 at the Hilton Brighton Metropole, Brighton, UK, has come to an end.
The event began with an afternoon visit to Fisher’s Adventure Farm Park, an award-winning family farm location in West Sussex. A pre-conference open day at Knockhatch Adventure Park, a family location complete with attractions like the Wave Rider slide and Cannon Saloon, took place the next day, followed by a drinks reception and awards dinner.
Hosted by Brighton comedian Stephen Grant, awards were presented in categories such as Best Digital Presence, Best Food and Beverage and Best Trade Supplier. Winners included companies such as Thrift Farm, Cannon Hall Farm, Hasty’s Adventure Farm and Odds Farm Park, with special commendations given to several of the industry’s most valued contributors, such as industry veteran Andrew Wolfe and play equipment designer Timberplay.
NFAN chairman Colin Evans officially opened the main conference and trade exhibition on February 2. Evans said: “NFAN will help shape the future of farm attraction businesses throughout the UK by making itself ever more relevant to members, providing quality services, products, opportunities and solutions that build lifetime relationships.”
Present were a variety of companies hoping to make their mark on the farm attractions market, from manufacturers of kiddie rides like World of Rides, Formula K, Active Play and Berg, ticketing companies like Tygit and Digitickets, F&B providers like The Noisy Drinks Company and Marshfield Farm, theming specialists Meticulous and location designers David Taylor Design and Greenspan.
“With around 15 expressions of serious interest, at least four of which are certain orders, this is a show that has proved to be ideal for us,” said The Noisy Drinks Company’s Chris Field. “It might be a relatively small event but this is a growing market and the interest we have seen here is clear evidence of that.”
“Everyone is incredibly friendly here and, unlike at the larger shows, if an interested visitor says they will return to the stand, you are guaranteed to see them again,” said World of Rides’ Liz Padgett.
Pictured: NFAN chairman Colin Evans opens the exhibition
