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IAAPA Attractions Expo
Cautious optimism in Orlando
The weather was chilly but business attendance of more than 33,100 set there in Varney of Merlin Entertainments deliver the
was a little warmer on the floor of 1997. IAAPA, however, is now organising more keynote address, while 300 participated in
IAAPA Attractions Expo 2008 – despite shows outside the US and its decision to switch Thursday evening’s IAAPA Gala. Just as much
a predictable drop in attendance. its Euro Attractions Show to a new date just fun were some of the exhibitor parties held in
Owen Ralph and Paul Ruben report weeks ahead of Orlando of may have and around International Drive.
from the show floor accounted for some of the loss from Europe. This year’s 125 educational sessions and
While some industry sectors experienced a behind-the-scenes tours attracted a record
T
his, the 90th annual convention and trade decline in attendance, however, buyers from 8,200 people, while 1,500 trade show
show of the International Association of zoos, aquariums, museums and science centres attendees got a whistle-stop tour of the industry
Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) were up. at Tuesday morning’s kick-off event.
was held for the second consecutive year at the The number of exhibitors increased marginally Of course there’s no better time to do all this
Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, over last year, from 1,147 to 1,154. But the than at what for many attractions operators is
Florida, from November 17 to 21 (Monday to overall size of the show continues to shrink, and the end of their season. But what of predictions
Friday). The show itself kicked off on Tuesday, there were a some notable gaps on the show for 2009 and beyond?
preceded and complemented by a wide variety floor. In total, exhibits covered 482,550 sq ft of "The industry is showing itself to be very
of educational sessions, social functions and floor space compared to 512,738 sq ft in 2007. resilient," observed Jim Seay of Premier Rides.
fundraising events including Sunday’s Give Kids A continuing trend was the reduction in the "Even though the economic situation was
The World Charity Golf Tournament, where a number of working rides and exhibits, with pervasive, at the end of every discussion the
commendable $64,000 was raised. hardly any equipment on display this year focus turned back to the success of the past
Preliminary attendance figures released by outside. The extortionate fees charged by show season and enthusiasm for the next." Premier
IAAPA suggest the world’s largest annual get- services provider Freeman to bring equipment Rides also received one of several exhibitor
together for the $24 billion amusement park inside made many exhibitors think carefully awards handed out during the show, for the
and attractions industry hosted an estimated about how much they actually wanted to show technology used on its Revolver Coaster.
24,000 people from a record 100 nations. Yet on to the floor. In fact, one exhibitor even Like Premier, several exhibitors showed their
little over half of those (“over 13,000”) were started a petition against the charges. confidence by mounting massive exhibition
classed as “buyers” – a curious admission that displays. Special mentions must to go to Creative
may explain the quiet aisles inside the exhibition Networking Opportunities Kingdoms for its MagiQuest booth, where the
hall. Park World can offer only anecdotal But in an age when you can see most new company was showcasing its new AquaQuest
evidence, but often it felt – and quite a few things on the internet anyway, events like this still game for waterparks, and to 3DBA and its
exhibitors agreed – like the last day of the show, perform one essential function: Networking. partners for an impressive display combining
even when it wasn’t. Nearly 800 industry professionals got-together Alterface, Kraftwerk, nWave, Falcon’s Treehouse
This year’s attendance was down around after the show on Tuesday to enjoy the Opening and new company MIT in one long line.
2,500 from 2007, when the Expo was also held Reception, 375 attended the General It’s rare for a park operator to exhibit at events
in Orlando, and far below the record Managers’ and Owners’ Breakfast to hear Nick like this, but the OCT Group from China chose
IAAPA Attraction Expo to make its first ever trade
show appearance with a fresh-looking booth.
“We are here to promote our brand and let the
world know there is an OCT in China,” revealed
OCT Tourism vice-president Wang Gang.
”However, we also want to promote our
supplementary businesses including OCT
Cultural Performance, OCT Tourism Planning
and our Konka television brand. Over the years
we have made acquaintances with many
companies exhibiting at this show and we look
forward to meeting and learning from our friends
so that when we go back to China we can apply
new ideas and technologies to our parks.”
It appears there are new projects happening
right now, and not just in China: "The quality of
the customers we saw was very good," offered
Horst Ruhe of Maurer Söhne. "They spoke of
concrete projects we didn't expect. We have
orders from an Italian amusement park, and for
a Sky Loop in 2010 for China."
"The show far exceeded our expectations,"
added Dick Chance of Chance Morgan. "We
JANUARY 2009
25
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