Visitors to the 2009 show
experienced a feeling of
optimisim about the industry
and saw a lot of smiling faces
the experience depends on your point of view. For those experienc-
BOB ROGERS
ing less work than they’d like, it may seem as though the diffi cult
Founder & chief creative offi cer,
period’s still with us. But for those lucky enough to have a decent
BRC Imagination Arts
amount of work, things seem brighter. Wherever you happen to land
on this continuum, IAAPA 2009 promised good things ahead.
I’d predicted that Las Vegas would be a diffi cult city for IAAPA
and I’ve never been prouder and happier to be wrong. Concerns
IAAPA 2009 was a Rite of Spring. Everywhere there were signs about attendees spending more time at the tables than on the trade
that the industry’s picking up. This was especially true among fl oor or go to the shows instead of the parties in the evening didn’t
master planners, concept designers, economic feasibility consultants come true. It was an extremely successful IAAPA and vali-
and others who generally work the front end of the pipeline. As usual, dated the rising optimism we’ve been feeling for some time.
a number of sessions that touched on this rapidly growing and
CHIP CLEARY
complex issue, which were heavily attended. Online registration
Senior vice president, Palace
continues to grow exponentially for IAAPA, which I believe is refl ec-
Entertainment and IAAPA chair 2010
tive of what’s going on in the attractions industry.
Projects and developments in Asia continue to be the big growth
area and the announcement of Disney’s Shanghai project certainly
supports that. Technological advancements were evident in a lot of
The change in location to Las Vegas for 2009 had a number of new products from rides to novelties.
goals attached to it. Two of those goals were to reinvigorate The mood of the show was energetic and more optimistic than
our constituents and attract new attendees. From early reports the last year. In the US, operators had tough weather in a lot of regions
event certainly seemed to accomplish that, which is great in light of and the economic issues while operators in Europe seemed to
the economic and weather challenges some of our members faced. have a much better year in terms of both weather and business in
The educational sessions were packed, some with overfl ow general, so I think that instilled some confi dence going forward.
crowds, the trade show fl oor was vibrant and the level of interest by In 2008 there was a real sense of foreboding to the unknown. In
buyers was noticeable. There were also some great speakers at the 2009 operators learned what they need to do to survive and prosper
seminars and the energy Las Vegas generates was apparent. in this economy. It may not be any easier, but it’s defi nitely a little less
Comparing the two-fl oor Las Vegas Hall to the one fl oor Orlando nebulous out there. Also, I saw a number of truly new and different
Hall, obviously the Orlando Hall has its advantages. But this was products on the fl oor. There was an upbeat tone where most people
more than offset by the excitement of the whole event in Las Vegas. felt a bottom had been found and perhaps the light at the end of the
One of the hot issues in the industry right now is how to com- tunnel was not a train coming at them. I’d sum it up as cautious opti-
municate with guests who are leaving the traditional advertising of mism. I wish everyone great weather and good economics to
newspapers, tv and radio for internet-based platforms. There were work within until we meet again in November in Orlando.
AM 1 2010
©
cybertrek 2010 Read Attractions Management online
attractionsmanagement.com/digital 27
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