The Italian amusement industry trade association ANCASVI held its 2006 annual general assembly at the end of February, several significant topics being discussed and future strategies agreed.

The meeting began with the re-election of the current board of directors for a further term of two years, representatives from Bertazzon, I.E. Park, Fabbri, Lamborghini, FC Fabbri, Sartori and Ferretti being appointed.

Michele Bertazzon (Bertazzon) was re-elected as president of the association and Andrea Munari (I.E. Park) as vice-president. Luigi Ferretti was elected as secretary and treasurer.

Among the topics to be discussed at the meeting was ANCASVI’s desire to end its differences with the European Association Amusement Supplier Industry (EAASI) and encourage all Italian manufacturers to join together within ANCASVI to help and benefit each other and the industry as a whole.

Indeed, a widening of the membership to include all Italian manufacturers has been recognised as a priority for the association and passed by the general assembly for the future of the organisation.

It has also recently concluded with the Italian Ministry Ministero Attivita Produttive (MAP), recognition of the association as the country’s national representative for the amusement manufacturing industry.

“This is a very important step for ANCASVI,” said vice-president Andrea Munari. “Among other things it provides us with direct access to funding designated to our industry to help promote Italian ride manufacturers overseas. We are now working on how best to use this so we can all benefit.”

The assembly also confirmed ANCASVI’s continued support of the Technofolies Show in Genova, which debuted on the show calendar in October 2005. This year’s event will again be held in October and the association will be involved as a sponsor, with many members taking part.

It was also agreed that ANCASVI would continue to work closely with other European based trade associations which represent manufacturers in various countries, including ALES-UK and Afemo (Spain), while also promoting the existence of a broader based, open, democratic and transparent European association.

Attendees at the assembly were also given information on the financial situation of ANCASVI as at the end of 2005, the association having successfully carried out a previous mandate to sponsor and fund the work of the CEN TC152, in conjunction with Italian customer associations (ANESV-AGIS, Unionparchi, ANSVA and SNIVS), which will have great benefits for ANCASVI and all European industry associations.

The funds required to pay all the technicians and the European Secretariat of CEN TC152 who have worked on the proposals and discussions relating to the draft European legislation are now in place and ANCASVI remains in a very stable financial position.

“ANCASVI is now in its 19th. year,” said Andrea Munari, “and we are all looking forward to the association’s 20th. anniversary in 2007 in a very strong position and with clear plans for what we would like to achieve in the future, for the organisation as a whole and for the members.” Details: Andrea Munari (vice-president) at [email protected]