news

Attractions Calendar: May

We've rounded up all the special events you should be attending this month

Planet Attractions has rounded up some of the biggest events set to take place this year, enabling you to plan out your 2022 and ensure you don’t miss any of the most important events coming for the rest of the year. Here is your Attractions Calendar for May.



Where Liseberg, Gothenburg, Sweden
When May 4-7
Cost US$375-US$1,300

Heading to the iconic Liseberg theme park in Gothenburg, Sweden, the TEA’s SATE Europe event arrives in May, with two full days of conferencing, as well as special events.

This year’s SATE event will follow the theme of ‘celebrations’, with the topic being used to explore new trends, concepts and ideas.

The event starts on May 4 with arrivals and speaker rehearsals, followed by the first day of the conference on May 5, which is followed by a themed dinner. May 6 sees the second day of the conference with May 7 featuring a hard hat tour of Liseberg’s ongoing expansion project.

Click here for more information



Where Fira Barcelona, Spain
When May 10-13
Cost €145-€175

Moved from February to May as a result of the impact of the Omicron variant of Covid-19, Integrated Systems Europe is a world-leading AV and systems integration exhibition.

In addition to a vast show floor showcasing the world’s leading technology innovators and solutions providers, the five-day event will also feature a series of summits, seminars, events and experiences.

ISE attracts a very broad range of attendees from a wide variety of companies, broken down into AV channel and AV end-users. Sectors covered include, enterprise and IT, education and training, live events, hospitality, retail and smart homes.

Click here for more information



Where Canton Fair, Guangzhou, China
When May 10-12
Cost Free

Covering 50,000sq m and with more than 450 exhibitors and 25,000 global buyers expected to attend, the Asia VR & AR Fair and Summit is the meeting place for people interested in VR and AR products.

Supported by a strong advisor lineup comprised of influential organisations such as the VR/AR Association, Heilongjiang VR Technology Society, and leading enterprises like HTC, Huawei, Netvios, Pico, the event will showcase a wide array of VR, AR, XR and MR technology, covering hardware, systems, parts, accessories, software and contents. Each of these solutions is applicable to a number of areas, including entertainment, education, tourism, manufacturing and more.

The show runs alongside three other events - AAA, AVE 2022 and the Asia Digital Display & Showcase Expo (DDSE).

Click here for more information



Where China Import & Export Fair Complex, Guangzhou, China
When May 10-12

Annually held in Guangzhou, the Asia Amusement & Attraction Expo (AAA) is one of the region’s largest attractions events, with the 2020 edition drawing more than 1,000 exhibitors and 21,300 buyers despite the outbreak of Covid-19 that year.

Taking place over three days, exhibitor groups for the trade show include tourism real estate developers, theme park operating agencies, equipment and service providers and suppliers. Through the course of the show, all of these exhibitors will be presented with the opportunity to showcase the latest products and industry trends.

Click here for more information



Where London Olympia, London, UK
When May 11-12
Cost Free

The largest event of its kind for museums and heritage in the UK, the Museums + Heritage Show returns to Olympia London in May for its 30th-anniversary celebration.

Free-to-attend, the show attracts more than 2,500 heritage professionals each year and features more than 150 leading suppliers, as well as a full schedule of talks spread out over the course of two days.

The show also sees the announcement of the winners of the prestigious Museums + Heritage Awards, which celebrate the very best in the world of museums, galleries, cultural and heritage visitor attractions.

Click here for more information



Where Rome, Italy
When May 11-13
Cost TBC

Join industry colleagues from all over the EMEA region for a unique opportunity to network, learn, and experience a close-up look at the attractions of Rome, Italy.

This event features a series of high-level networking sessions, seminars and carefully-selected EDUTours that make the Spring Summit a must for professionals with an eye on the future.

Click here for more information



Where Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center, Saudi Arabia
When May 16-18

SEA Expo 2022 gives attendees the opportunity to meet thousands of buyers and investors within Saudi Arabia’s lucrative US$64bn entertainment and leisure sector.

In the years since its inception, the event has already established itself as the largest platform for international and local suppliers of entertainment leisure products and services with more than 5,000 key buyers from the region.

Set to take place this month, the event will enable the industry to come together to identify upcoming opportunities, make the necessary contacts to penetrate the market, and build long-lasting business relationships at this extremely crucial time when 62% of MENA industry suppliers expect Saudi Arabia to be their top regional market in terms of revenues by 2025.

Click here for more information



Where Sea World Resort, Gold Coast, Australia
When May 16-18
Cost AUS$450-AUS$1,300

Representing Australia’s only attractions, amusements, leisure and recreation industry showcase, AALARA 2022 connects buyers from throughout Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific region with industry manufacturers, distributors, suppliers and consultants.

In addition to a trade show floor, the event also features a range of keynote speakers, performer panels and information sessions. The theme of this year’s AALARA Conference is 'Doing Business in 2022 & Beyond'.

The show kicks off on May 16 with the Regulators Forum and welcome drinks. The following day will start the conference sessions, as well as the trade showcase and mid-conference function. The event comes to a close on May 18, with a further day of conferencing and trade showcases, as well as site tours and a gala dinner.

The event is run by its namesake - AALARA (The Australian Amusement Leisure & Recreation Association).

Click here for more information



Where Zoo Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
When May 17-20
Cost €93-€335

Zoo Zagreb and EAZA are inviting members to attend the EAZA Conservation Forum, which in 2022 will explore how we can become more progressive, efficient and better connected as a community.

According to EAZA, as the disastrous pressure on nature and the environment strengthens day by day, only changing the way we think and live can lead us to a quality future. Here, it says, is also the huge niche for the zoos and all other institutions and individuals that implement conservation work in their mission and make it an indispensable part of everyday life.

The event in Zagreb will explore this in more depth by offering insights into projects while meeting present and future partners ready to share their inspirations.

The venue for the EAZA Conservation Forum 2022 is Hotel International, which is located in the heart of the city’s business district.

Click here for more information



Where Boston, Massachusetts, US
When May 19-22
Cost US$250-US$795

The American Alliance of Museums (AAM) is hosting its Annual Meeting this year in Boston, where attendees will be able to explore solutions to the biggest challenges facing museums today. It’s also hosting its MuseumExpo, the largest event of its kind in the US.

Plans are currently evolving based on the global pandemic, which could lead to changes as AAM determines how to best bring the museum field together safely.

AAM is working closely with Boston health officials in establishing a comprehensive safety plan for the 2022 AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo. The organisation also says that it plans to disrupt the traditional conference model to create a one-of-a-kind experience, something it describes as “the most dynamic and interactive Annual Meeting yet”.

Click here for more information



Where Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, US/Virtual
When May 24 - June 3
Cost Free

The world’s largest licensing trade show, Licensing Expo has connected the world's most influential entertainment, character, art, and corporate brand owners and agents with consumer goods manufacturers, licensees and retailers for more than 40 years.

The event reconvenes in person for the first time in two years, with its 40th edition taking both in-person and virtually, with a three-day event in Las Vegas, Nevada, followed by six days of virtual seminars, meetings and networking opportunities.

Licensing Expo will also adopt a theme for the first time ever, with 2022 spotlighting Location-Based Experiences: immersive, interactive out of home experiences like theme parks, escape rooms, gaming arcades, amusement parks, bowling alleys, VR worlds, and much more. LBE will be the focal point for one of Licensing Expo’s two in-person keynotes, in addition to interactive LBE activations on the show floor highlighting the creativity and consumer engagement possible when brands and experiences collaborate.

Click here for more information



Where Expo Center Norte, São Paulo, Brazil
When May 26-29

For 15 years, Expo Festas & Parques has contributed to the promotion and consolidation of the entertainment and party industry in Brazil.

The fair is considered the complete business and trend platform, offering networking, business opportunities, professional training and high-level knowledge.

Expo Festas & Parques is also presented as the definitive showcase for the best products, launches and inspiration to reignite and drive the industry.

Click here for more information