Numbers were estimated to be about 25,000 attending the 2010 IAAPA Expo, with 14,800 of those being buyers. This years event had approximatley a 47.7 million dollar impact on the Orange County region. 14,800 of buyers attending were made up of 6,484 theme parks, water parks, museums, zoos, aquariums, family entertainment centers, and more. Attendees of the event attended 104 education programs.
“It’s good to be back home here in Orlando,” said IAAPA President and CEO Charles Bray. “We’ve had a great show. There’s an overall sense of optimism in the industry. Exhibit sales were strong and attractions industry leaders came here to buy. We had outstanding participation in our education conference and the social events were a big hit. I think these results reinforce the fact that Orlando is the right location for IAAPA Attractions Expo.”
The success of the expo being in Orlando will keep it in Orlando until 2019. Nothing official points to where the convention will relocate to, if it does.
An estimated glace at IAAPA Expo numbers:
- A standing room-only crowd of more than 1,400 people attended the Kickoff Event.
- 850 Expo participants attended the Opening Reception.
- A sellout crowd of 400 enjoyed the keynote address by Universal Parks and Resorts Chairman and CEO Tom Williams at the GM and Owners’ Breakfast.
- 2,200 people enjoyed IAAPA Celebrates at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ at Universal’s Islands of Adventure®.
- 150 young professionals attended a reception at Cuba Libre Restaurant.
- Fundraising events held in conjunction with the Expo raised more than $73,000 for Give Kids The World, the Kissimmee, Fla., resort for children with life-threatening illnesses. (www.GKTW.org)
- 150 golfers and sponsors raised $58,000 in the 8th Annual IAAPA International Charity Golf Tournament.
- 90 runners and walkers raised $2,200 in the IAAPA 5K Fun Run & 1K Walk.
- 10 people rode in the first IAAPA Motorcycle Run and raised $2,100.
- Expo particpants purchased raffle tickets for a Honda Civic Hybrid to raise $11,000. John Huish from Huish Family Fun Centers was the lucky winner of the new car.
- 35 people volunteered at the village during IAAPA’s Angels in Action Volunteer Day.
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