Show Review
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IAAPA Attractions Expo S
This November’s IAAPA Attractions Expo maintained its position as the leading international get-together for the theme park and
attractions industry, attracting approximately 26,500 visitors to Orlando. Paul Ruben and Owen Ralph bring you this report
taged by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) at the Orange County Convention Centre (OCCC) from November 12 to 16, this was the third straight year the event was held in Orlando, where it is scheduled to stay until 2019. There maybe wasn’t quite the same buzz on the floor as some previous shows, but nevertheless attendance was up from 25,800 last year and 25,000 in 2010. The record in Orlando, incidentally, is 30,062, set in 2003. A new addition to the show floor for was the IAAPA Theatre, which hosted events including Tuesday morning’s Kick Off Event, the Welcome Reception and Brass Ring Awards. This meant there was slightly less booth space, though there were more exhibitors – 1,176 versus 1,106 in 2011. Meanwhile a selection of flat rides, zip lines and inflatables could be inspected in the largest outdoor exhibition area for 10 years.
ABOVE: As part of IAAPA’s new Intellectual Property policy, photography was resticted on the show floor (don’t worry, we asked permission) BELOW: Funky new
IAAPA signage outside the Orange County Convention Center
Attending Attractions Expo show is always exciting, not just for the exhibition but also for the many networking events and educational opportunities available during the week. This time there were some added fireworks, however, as two exhibitors were served with papers requiring them to appear for legal proceedings, and who subsequently left the show after violating IAAPA’s recently introduced Intellectual Property policy. More details, plus an exclusive interview with IAAPA’s Chip Cleary on page 29. Normality soon returned to the OCCC, as visitors perused 494,770 sq ft (45,965m) of exhibits, and sat in on 115 seminars, panel discussions, half-day symposiums, multiple-day institutes and behind-the- scenes tours. In fact, there was a 14% increase in education attendance this year, with 9,100 people participating in the various sessions.
Party time
Just short of 1,800 people purchased tickets for Thursday night’s IAAPA event at Universal Studios. Sometimes it’s hard trying to check out all the attractions, eat, drink and socialise at such gatherings, but around half the park was available to guests to enjoy on the night – including Shrek 4D, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, The Simpsons Ride, Men in Black Alien Attack and Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. There were official receptions for IAAPA members from a wide range of geographical locations and industry sectors, from Latin America and Asia Pacific to waterparks and family entertainment centres. BRC Imagination Arts, The Hettema Group, Rides 4-U and the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) were among those hosting parties in and around International Drive during the week. “IAAPA Attractions Expo is the one time of year when the amusement park and attractions family gathers to conduct the business of fun and this year was a homerun for the industry,” proclaimed the association’s outgoing president and CEO, Chip Cleary.
“I’ve been coming to this show for many years, and this was one of the best,” commented Alain Baldacci, Wet ’n Wild, Brazil – and a former IAAPA chairman. “It was a good turnout, and the seminars are getting better all the time. It’s a complete trade show; we can find anything we need and want.” “It is tiring on the feet, but it’s been a very interesting show,” remarked Dick Knoebel of Knoebels Amusement Resort in Pennsylvania. “We didn't specifically buy anything here, but did do some research for 2014.”
Still the industry’s no.1! IAAPA continues to raise money for Give Kids The
World, the Florida resort for children with life- threatening illnesses. As a result of a golf tournament, motorcycle ride, fun run and other activities during Attractions Expo, an additional $94,000 will now go towards its running.
Roland Mack (right) hands over the IAAPA chairmanship to Will Morey
24 DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013
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