The 2007 AALARA Conference & Trade Exhibition brochure should have arrived on your doorstep in the past fortnight.

If you have not received a copy please contact the AALARA office and we will send you one straight away.

I have great pleasure in personally inviting you to participate in 'The Future Is In Your Hands', an inspiring and informative conference and trade exhibition that will bring together a host of exciting speakers to present a stimulating programme that will inspire, educate and challenge you!

We are extremely excited at the line up of top industry professionals who will be presenting at this years conference including Greg Shaw, CEO of Macquarie Leisure Trust; Marshall Vann, Executive Director/CEO of MFS Living and Leisure; Robert Masterson, IAAPA 1st Chair / President Ripley Entertainment Inc; Charlie Bray, CEO of IAAPA; Todd Coates, managing director of Bridgeclimb; Craig Lovett, executive director of Cleanevent International; and Franceen Gonzales, chairman of the World Waterpark Association / corporate director of Aquatics Great Wolf Resorts USA to name just a few.

I am very pleased to announced that the traditional trade exhibition will return in 2007 and it will be packed exhibitors showcasing their new rides, software technology, products and services. Exhibitors include:

Ride and attraction manufacturers: Visa International SRL, Moser Rides SRL, Antonio Zamperla SPA, Ride Trade/Intamin Transportation, Josel Wiegand GmbH & Co. KG (Alpine Slides), Mondial Rides, Fastline Pty Ltd (Go Karts), Extreme Engineering (Rock Climbing Walls).

Aquatic attractions and softplay: Waterplay.

Food concessions and food equipment: Coca Cola, Nestle Ice Cream, Eagle Boys Pizza, JL Lennard Food Equipment, Streets Ice Cream, Snowie.

Digital photography & technology: Fuji Film, Vanbar Digital Imaging, Atomiq Pty Ltd.

Ticketing technology and software: Gateway Ticketing Systems Inc.

Insurance: Altiora Insurance Solutions and more.

A fun evening social programme will keep you busy at night starting on Sunday with a poolside get together at dusk. Catch up with old friends and meet many of the new operators in the industry, on Monday evening we visit a Gold Coast icon Dracula’s Cabaret Restaurant to view their latest show and enjoy dinner and then on Tuesday evening we'll enjoy a three course dinner, dancing and entertainment at our gala dinner.

If you have the energy on Wednesday and are ready to experience first hand the exciting new attractions on the Gold Coast we will take you for a behind the scenes look at to some of Australia's leading theme parks and attractions, including Warner Bros. Movie World's new Batwing Space Shot ride and the Gold Coast's latest theme park White Water World.

I am sure you have also heard that Conrad Jupiters & Casino has undergone a AUS$53m refurbishment and now offers even more in the way of bars, restaurants and casino entertainment.

I can't wait and look forward to catching up with you all in May for that drink.

Michael Collins

President AALARA