Katapult, the international guest experience design agency, will present its work on the Pirate Cove theme park resort project at IAAPA Expo Europe 2025.
Pirate Cove is a hypothetical theme park, and the masterplan project has been created to highlight the knowledge, skills, and creativity of the Katapult team.
The proposed attraction offers playful escapism through visitor-led adventures in an explorable and interactive pirate-themed world. An integrated hotel accompanies the attractions in a destination that encourages fun, creativity, and curiosity.
IAAPA Expo Europe is the largest international trade show and conference for the attractions sector in the EMEA, and is taking place in Barcelona from 22 to 26 September. Katapult will be hosted on the Experience UK booth, 2-118.
The Pirate Cove masterplan is shaped by an original story developed by the Katapult team.
“In 1654, Captain Embers and his motley crew stumbled across an abandoned island (it was hidden under an ink blot on their map),” says a representative from the company. “The crew claimed it for themselves and all who sail under a black flag.”
Additionally, the Katapult team has recorded behind-the-scenes content that reveals how they created every detail of Pirate Cove, from insights, creative strategy and story, to mood boards, concept visuals and 3D designs.
Attendees at IAAPA Expo Europe will be able to see the theme park masterplan and explore Katapult’s process, learnings and industry expertise. This includes the team’s work to develop the story, attractions mix, themed environment, and retail and F&B concepts.
“For one curious and creative delegate that visits the Katapult booth, there is a Pirate’s reward awaiting,” says the company.
Insights on Gen Z & Alpha
Katapult will also be hosting an IAAPA Expo Europe EDUSession on 24 September at 12.30 pm, exploring the topic of Generation Z and Alpha.
Robbie Jones, Katapult’s insights director, will be joined by Natalia Bakhlina, partner at Leisure Development Partners (LDP), to discuss how younger audiences are redefining the expectations and demands of theme parks, attractions, experiences and destinations.
The session will reveal more insights into the research conducted and released by Katapult in its 2030 Trends Report. This stated that a third of Gen Z see theme parks and visitor attractions as the main source of joy in their life. Furthermore, a quarter would consider living permanently at the theme park resort.
Attendees can book to attend this session through the schedule on the IAAPA website.
The Katapult team will be at IAAPA Expo Europe all week on the Experience UK stand, 2-118. Jones will be joined by co-founders Dawn Foote and Phil Higgins.
Last month, Katapult shared details of its partnership with Aardman to create two distinctive, immersive experiences featuring the beloved duo, Wallace & Gromit. The market-ready concepts, Wallace & Gromit Dining Experience and Wallace & Gromit’s Shop-N-Go Store, launched at IAAPA Expo Asia 2025.
