SHOW REVIEW
IAAPA
2009
An air of optimisim dominated the
IAAPA – International Association of
Amusement Parks and Attractions
– Expo 2009. Held in Las Vegas last
November, Kathleen Whyman asks
some of the attendees about their
experience at the show
on hold and the attractions industry was facing very uncertain
LESLEY MORISETTI
times. While the global economy’s still suffering and the uncer-
Director, economics,
tainty remains, 2009 turned out to be better than anticipated for
AECOM
much of the attractions industry, partly because there had been a
lot of belt tightening in anticipation of a tough year and partly due
to the staycation phenomenon, which helped many attractions
achieve strong attendance levels, particularly in Europe.
I arrived in Vegas eager to see how the city had changed in the Another major factor boosting confi dence at the 2009 IAAPA
15 years since I was last there and vowing that this would be the show was the pace of development of new attractions in Asia. Over
year I’d make time to walk around the IAAPA show fl oor and catch up the past year there’s been a visible shift in enquires away from the
with what’s new. I also arrived armed with a stinking English cold Middle East and Russia/CIS towards Asia, led by China and the
which I generously sent on a global journey – apologies everyone! Malaysian/Singapore developments. We also saw a shift towards
I quickly realised that Las Vegas’ brief fl irtation with being fam- more realistic and serious buyers attending the show, away from
ily friendly (which had coincided with my previous visit) was well some of the more speculative projects.
and truly over. My plans to pop out to have a look at the new hotel For the economics practice at AECOM, the show provided an
developments and the Las Vegas theming also proved challeng- excellent opportunity to launch our new brand and tell our clients,
ing. Sightseeing in Las Vegas requires expedition planning and friends and project partners about the broader integrated services
hiking boots (and that’s just which we can now offer
to leave your hotel). The across AECOM, while reas-
concept of ‘popping’ any- suring them that we’re still
where is doomed to failure the same team they previ-
and exhaustion. Fortunately ously knew as ERA.
I did make it to see O Once again, IAAPA
[Cirque du Soleil’s resident passed in a whirl of meet-
show at Bellagio], which ings (it’s the ultimate
was superb. opportunity to get together
Generally the mood at with clients, discuss
IAAPA 2009 was more opportunities with partner
buoyant than in 2008. companies and generally
Somewhat of a sense of catch up with the rest of the
doom in 2008 was to be attractions industry).
expected, given that at the Sadly, once again, I
time the global economy totally failed to make time
was hit hard, much of to walk the show fl oor
Dubailand was being put Visitors are invited to try out the rides for themselves on the show fl oor and see what’s new.
26 Read Attractions Management online
attractionsmanagement.com/digital AM 1 2010
©
cybertrek 2010
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