Well, another year is just about over and I might take a chance to recap on where AALARA has been over the past 12 months.

Another successful conference was held in May on the Gold Coast with 275 delegates in attendance.

One of the highlights would have to be the post conference meeting facilitated by AALARA that included many industry representatives from Workcover offices in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and SafeWork in South Australia, The Australasian Showman’s Guild, The Australian Amusement Association, The Institution of Engineers Australia and of course the AALARA delegates.

It’s great to see all sectors of the industry getting together to better understand our business and each other.

AALARA continued efforts for Government support and funding when an envoy headed by Rob Bradley with Greg O’Neill, Kim Hackwood and myself in tow went to Canberra to meet government representatives. Work in this area is ongoing, with Kim working on a submission over the Christmas period.

Some AALARA members attended the IAAPA Asian Amusement Expo in Hong Kong and along with doing their own business, lobbied IAAPA representatives in an effort to secure the IAAPA Asian Amusement Expo in Australia for 2008 or 2009.

The AALARA Seminar series seems to have gone off well with a total of 230 guests joining us to learn, hear industry news and network with new and old friends. I know I had a good night in Sydney, particularly meeting members I had not met before and hearing about their businesses. Great job to all involved. Give us your feedback, should we do more of these? If so, what do you want to hear about?

I’ve just returned from the IAAPA Amusement Expo, held in Atlanta. Wow! I’ve only been once before and again this event did not disappoint, it is a must for those in the amusement and leisure business.

While I found the educational sessions interesting and enlightening it is the trade show that is really amazing. So many exhibits from so many different areas, so many people to meet, so much information to retain, I could have spent weeks there talking and learning.

We met with representatives from many of the industry associations from around the world and of course lots of work went into lobbying to secure the Asian Amusement Expo in Australia in the near future.

Kim continues to receive many emails and phone calls from members every day looking for information, the right place or person to call or just to give some feedback on AALARA and our activities.

Don't forget to put the annual conference in your diary, we're heading back to Conrad Jupiter's Hotel and Casino 8-11 May 2006.

We wish you a safe and profitable holiday period.