It’s that time of the year again when over 26,000 attendees check out the newest innovations in the amusement industry. 6D simulators, free-style coke machines, funnel cake sticks, lazer break through, electronic ticketing systems, or a new rollercoaster. If you have recently been to an amusement park, a fun center, or a carnival, chances are that you have witnessed one of these products. Have you ever wondered how did they get that idea? Or why did they choose that? Well, we have your answer; IAAPA.
The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) is IAAPA Attractions Expo is the premier global event held annually at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. IAAPA offers the “latest and greatest” for the $24 billion dollar attractions industry including theme parks, water parks, haunted attractions, fun centers, zoos, aquariums, museums, science centers, resorts, and casinos. IAAPA 2013 will feature more square footage of exciting new product and service innovations for the global attractions industry than any of its Expos in the past 10 years!
“Wear your comfortable shoes,” advises IAAPA President and CEO, Paul Noland. “There are too many business-building ideas to count in the nine miles of aisles at IAAPA Attractions Expo 2013!
Highlights of IAAPA 2013 include a behind-the-scenes tour of Epcot at the “Disney at Dawn” event, the IAAPA Celebrates event at SeaWorld Orlando’s newest attraction “Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin,” behind-the-scenes tour at Legoland and more!
IAAPA helps their members improve efficiency, marketing, safety, and profitability of their amusement businesses.
During the week long tradeshow, attendees have the opportunity to review, test, and purchase products such as simulators, rollercoster harnesses, inflatables, arcade games, carnival food, slides, and ziplines.
The massive trade show exhibits cover every inch of the convention’s one million square foot building. In fact, IAAPA is the largest international trade association for permanently situated amusement facilities worldwide.
Not only does the trade show cover the entire million square ft indoor show floor, it also extends outside to the “Outdoor Exhibits” area. The Outdoor exhibits contain products such as Ferris Wheels and inflatables, that are too large to fit inside of the convention center.
In addition to testing new products, attendees can also attend more than 85 informational seminars, luncheons, round table discussions, behind-the-scenes tours, day-long institutes, and half-day symposiums. These organized functions are provided to keep attraction industry professionals, management, and CEO’s up to date with the latest developments.
Vendors from all over the world will display their new products, ideas, and technologies this week. Everything that can be seen at an amusement park or attraction will be on display! Even giant Angry Birds…
The organization represents more than 4,300 facility, supplier, and individual members from more than 97 countries. Because of this, IAAPA’s tradeshow is exclusive from the public. Over the next week, Dan, Erik, and Racheal will be providing updates of IAAPA’s show floor as well as live coverage of new and innovative products for 2014.
IAAPA Attractions Expo – November 18-22. www.iaapa.org
Follow along and see all our live coverage this week on twitter: @BehindThrills
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Videos 2012:
More IAAPA photos below:
Main Entrance
Trade show Floor
Brett Bertolino (Terror Behind The Walls) testing out a virtual rollercoaster.
Climbing gym and ziplines for testing on display
Multi-view video game testing
Buzz Miller from Pittsburgh tests out new technology
Great Coasters mfg displaying their builds
Real working /wearable touch screen display
Ice cream serving robot
Inflatables on display
New roller coaster models for sale
Samples of the latest carny food is available for taste testing
iPhone + Mechanical Bull = AWESOME!
Ride model for attractions to see what their new ride could look like. Kennywood purchased a version of this in 2011
