The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions celebrated its centennial by breaking records at its premier event.
The organization reported that this year’s IAAPA Attractions Expo had more attendees and took up more space than any in its history. Approximately 42,000 attractions industry professionals attended. This included 26,600 qualified buyers from amusement parks, waterparks, family entertainment centers, zoos, aquariums, museums, science centers, resorts, and other attractions from around the world.
More than 15,000 professionals took part in the education program held at the site, which included 149 courses, multiple-day institutes and symposia, behind-the-scenes tours at local attractions, panel and roundtable discussions, and constituency lunches.
Known among other things for its displays of fully operational amusement park rides, the convention occupied more than 600,000 square feet of space at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center. A total of 1,151 exhibitors showed their wares.
New to the show was the Exploration Station, a custom-built outdoor structure that housed more than 140 exhibitors.
“There is no better way to celebrate IAAPA’s centennial anniversary than with a remarkable and record-breaking Expo,” said IAAPA President and CEO Hal McEvoy.
At the Expo, IAAPA presented a number of Brass Ring Awards to all segments in the amusement industry, including waterparks.
First place for Major Ride/Attraction costing more than $3 million went to SlideWheel by wiegand.maelzer GmbH.
For Waterpark Ride/Attractions, FusionFortress 17 by WhiteWater West Industries received the award for the over $2 million category. For Waterpark Ride/Attractions under $2 million, FlyingSAUCER 45 by ProSlide Technology took first place, while Aqua Race Kart by Kart took second.
WhiteWater received two other awards. It’s Vantage earned second place for Technology Applied to Amusements, Class B. Another attraction, Orbiter, gained the second-place Best New Product Concept Award: Major Ride Attraction.
Fundraisers also took place at the event. IAAPA held a golf tournament, motorcycle ride, fun run and walk and a hole-in-one challenge to generate donations for Give Kids the World. Through these events and corporate donations, approximately $120,000 was raised.
Additionally, about $50,000 was collected for the IAAPA Foundation through a silent auction. The funds will support the Al Weber Scholarship Fund.
The group also rolled out a new logo and branding for its conventions.
The logo incorporates a broad palette of bright colors to represent the diversity of professionals and organizations within the global attractions industry. A burst in the middle signifies sparks of inspiration. Flares represent forward movement.
IAAPA’s three global expos will be renamed next year. The Asian Attractions Expo becomes IAAPA Expo Asia; Euro Attractions Show will be named IAAPA Expo Europe; and IAAPA Attractions Expo is now IAAPA Expo.
