Show Review
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Attendance held up at this
year’s IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando, the slowly improving economy resulting in more projects moving ahead in the $24 billion global attractions industry. Paul Ruben and Owen
Ralph report from the 93rd annual convention and trade show of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions
This wheel from North American Midway with LED lighting by Maxtron featured in the outdoor exhibiit area
Grafitti Tower by EOS Rides
Crowds gather in the lobby
eld from November 14 to 18 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, this was the show’s second straight year in Orlando after 2009’s hiatus to Las Vegas. Last year the move back to central Florida – theme park capital of the world – resulted in an attendance increase of around a thousand to 25,000, and this year the total was 25,800. Of those visitors, 15,300 were classed as buyers or senior executives. “We tried some new things this year and the results surpassed our expectations on several fronts,” reported IAAPA president and CEO Chip Cleary. “Exhibit sales, buyer attendance, education programme participation and total registration are all up from 2010, which speaks volumes about the strength of the industry. The buying, learning and sharing of ideas that takes place here is simply phenomenal.” With 1,106 companies showing their wares across the North and South halls of the convention centre, exhibitor numbers were down by 34 from last year. Gone are the days when the likes of Zamperla showed almost a mini amusement park worth of rides on its booth, but this is still the show most suppliers pull out all the stops out for, and you won’t see so many exhibiors anywhere else.
A view of the floor as seen from Felimana Luna Park’s carousel
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Attractions featured in the outdoor display area included S&S Worldwide’s new Mini Hu ride, a Soaring Eagle zip line from ex-S&S boss Stan
IAAPA 2011 H
American and Asian visitors keep show strong
Checketts, an ARM Flying Dutchman and Vertigo (Star Flyer), plus a giant wheel on loan from North American Midway equipped with eye-catching LED lighting by Maxtron.
Of course there was plenty going on away from the trade show floor, too. A total of 123 education sessions and tours were held during the week, both at the convention centre and at local attractions including Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Legoland Florida and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. More than a third of visitors (8,850) signed up for at least one session.
Most of IAAPA’s various award programmes were consolidated this year under the Brass Ring heading, with winners receiving their trophies during a 90- minute ceremony at the Peabody Hotel on Wednesday afternoon. New inductees into the association’s Hall of Fame for 2011 included John Collins, Frederick Pearce, Wally Boag and Betty Taylor. With all of IAAPA’s evening receptions moving to a ticketed model this year there was less opportunity for “party hopping” but, who knows, that was a good thing. Free receptions and events were also hosted by, among others, BRC Imaginations Arts, the Hettema Group and KMG.
Events such as the annual IAAPA golf tournament, motorbike ride and fun run raised a total of $81,000 for Give Kids The World, the resort for children with life threatening illnesses in nearby Kissimmee.
DECEMBER 2011/JANUARY 2012
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