I used to take souvenir photos at Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort, now I’m an entrepreneur at European expos

A Fylde coast entrepreneur who began his career taking souvenir photographs and operating roller coasters at Blackpool Pleasure Beach is heading to London after his independent news platform was named an Official Media Partner for IAAPA Expo Europe 2026.

Attractions Daily, founded by Adam Whittaker, is an Official Media Partner for the event running from September 21 to 25 at ExCeL London. The expo is the continent’s premier trade show for the leisure, theme park and visitor attractions industry and will bring together more than 840 international exhibitors showcasing the next generation of rides and resort experiences.

As an official media partner, Attractions Daily will provide live, on-the-ground reporting, press conference coverage and breaking announcements throughout the week. Alongside the Attractions Daily team, Whittaker will speak to key figures from across the industry, including theme park directors, investors and roller coaster designers.

Whittaker's career in the attractions industry began at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, where he started by selling souvenir photographs for rides including The Big One, which was originally the UK's tallest roller coaster, before progressing to operating attractions including the Nickelodeon-themed Lost River log flume and Blue Flyer roller coaster.

"Working at Blackpool Pleasure Beach gave me a real grass-roots understanding of what makes the leisure and tourism sector tick," Adam said. "To take a news platform with its roots in Lancashire and have it recognised on the international stage as an official media partner is a fantastic full-circle moment.

"Lancashire has a rich tourism heritage, and Blackpool in particular is the spiritual home of the UK amusement industry. Being on the show floor in London representing trade journalism with my local background is something I’m incredibly proud of."

Attractions Daily has since grown into a key trade journalism outlet for the commercial leisure sector, reporting on major global resort developments, ride launches and industry breakthroughs. It will cover live reveals at IAAPA Expo Europe 2026 as well as new coaster designs, VR developments, and guest management tech shaping destinations around the world.

Peter van der Schans, Executive Director and Vice President at IAAPA EMEA, added: "Returning to London after four years is both exciting and humbling. The UK is home to IAAPA's largest European membership base and continues to be a market with influence on indoor entertainment trends within neighbouring regions...

“We're proud to come back with our largest Expo to date, creating even more opportunities for connection, collaboration, and inspiration."