More than 41,000 buyers, suppliers and representatives of the attractions sector from more than 100 countries came together in Orlando, Florida, for the biggest attractions expo in IAAPA’s history. Attractions Management was in attendance.
Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2018, IAAPA shattered its own attendance record, with more than 41,000 people converging on the Orlando for the annual Expo
Showcasing more than 1,100 exhibiting companies, the trade show floor for this year’s IAAPA Attractions Expo was the largest in its history, with more than 55,000sq m (592,000sq ft) of exhibition space. For the first time in Expo history, the show floor extended beyond the walls of the convention centre into outdoor structures created just for the event. Dubbed the “Exploration Station”, the new area was dedicated to more than 140 companies exhibiting at IAAPA for the first time.
Education sessions played a big part once again at this year’s Expo, with presentations by leading operators on topics including industry trends, new technology, marketing and more.
Defy definition Bob Chapek, chair of Parks, Experiences and Products at Disney, delivered this year’s keynote speech.
Speaking during the GM and Owners’ Breakfast, Chapek offered personal insight into his more than 25 years of leadership at the global entertainment giant: “When Disney opened its first park in 1955, it set a new standard. Since that day we’ve invented and reinvented nearly every aspect of this industry, setting new standards along the way.”
Chapek spoke about Disney’s upcoming Star Wars lands, saying the anticipated new additions will “defy definition”.
He also revealed for the first time details about the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy rollercoaster ride at Epcot.
“This will be a storytelling coaster,” said Chapek. “Each individual cab will be programmed to direct your eye to the story happening around you. You’ll be fully immersed from the minute you launch.”
Celebrating a century IAAPA celebrated its 100th year in style, as Universal Studios Florida hosted a special event on 15 November. Open only to IAAPA attendees, the week’s major networking session featured a special music set performed by Canadian rock band ‘The Barenaked Ladies’.
“IAAPA’s mission is to connect attractions professionals with each other and with new and innovative ideas,” said IAAPA’s new president and CEO, Hal McEvoy. “All that and much more happened in Orlando. It was an incredible week for us.”
IAAPA Attractions Expo by the Numbers
1,151 companies displayed innovative new products and services on 600,375sq ft (55,776sq m) of trade show floor space
26,000 qualified buyers attended the show
15,128 people participated in 149 education experiences which included multiple-day institutes and symposia, behind-the-scenes EDUTours at area attractions, panel and roundtable discussions, and constituency lunches
More than 3,600 people attended IAAPA Celebrates at Universal Studios Florida
Expo participants raised US$120,000 for Give Kids The World Village through a golf tournament, motorcycle ride, fun run and walk, individual and corporate donations, and a hole-in-one challenge
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2019 issue 1
More than 41,000 buyers, suppliers and representatives of the attractions sector from more than 100 countries came together in Orlando, Florida, for the biggest attractions expo in IAAPA’s history. Attractions Management was in attendance.
Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2018, IAAPA shattered its own attendance record, with more than 41,000 people converging on the Orlando for the annual Expo
Showcasing more than 1,100 exhibiting companies, the trade show floor for this year’s IAAPA Attractions Expo was the largest in its history, with more than 55,000sq m (592,000sq ft) of exhibition space. For the first time in Expo history, the show floor extended beyond the walls of the convention centre into outdoor structures created just for the event. Dubbed the “Exploration Station”, the new area was dedicated to more than 140 companies exhibiting at IAAPA for the first time.
Education sessions played a big part once again at this year’s Expo, with presentations by leading operators on topics including industry trends, new technology, marketing and more.
Defy definition Bob Chapek, chair of Parks, Experiences and Products at Disney, delivered this year’s keynote speech.
Speaking during the GM and Owners’ Breakfast, Chapek offered personal insight into his more than 25 years of leadership at the global entertainment giant: “When Disney opened its first park in 1955, it set a new standard. Since that day we’ve invented and reinvented nearly every aspect of this industry, setting new standards along the way.”
Chapek spoke about Disney’s upcoming Star Wars lands, saying the anticipated new additions will “defy definition”.
He also revealed for the first time details about the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy rollercoaster ride at Epcot.
“This will be a storytelling coaster,” said Chapek. “Each individual cab will be programmed to direct your eye to the story happening around you. You’ll be fully immersed from the minute you launch.”
Celebrating a century IAAPA celebrated its 100th year in style, as Universal Studios Florida hosted a special event on 15 November. Open only to IAAPA attendees, the week’s major networking session featured a special music set performed by Canadian rock band ‘The Barenaked Ladies’.
“IAAPA’s mission is to connect attractions professionals with each other and with new and innovative ideas,” said IAAPA’s new president and CEO, Hal McEvoy. “All that and much more happened in Orlando. It was an incredible week for us.”
IAAPA Attractions Expo by the Numbers
1,151 companies displayed innovative new products and services on 600,375sq ft (55,776sq m) of trade show floor space
26,000 qualified buyers attended the show
15,128 people participated in 149 education experiences which included multiple-day institutes and symposia, behind-the-scenes EDUTours at area attractions, panel and roundtable discussions, and constituency lunches
More than 3,600 people attended IAAPA Celebrates at Universal Studios Florida
Expo participants raised US$120,000 for Give Kids The World Village through a golf tournament, motorcycle ride, fun run and walk, individual and corporate donations, and a hole-in-one challenge
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2019 issue 1
OMA has completed a major transformation of New York's New Museum, creating a larger
cultural campus that combines expanded exhibition spaces with learning, performance,
hospitality and public programming.
A US$50 million (£44.2 million, €51.2 million) transformation of Chicago's historic McCormick
Mansion has created a new destination that combines live magic, immersive theatre, dining and
private membership under one roof.
The Montana Historical Society has officially celebrated the opening of its new Montana
Heritage
Center, a US$107 million (£79 million, €92 million) destination that combines immersive
storytelling with cutting-edge audiovisual technology to bring the sta
San Antonio Zoo has reported a US$283 million economic impact for 2025, following a decade-
long transformation programme that has seen almost US$200 million invested into the Texas
attraction.
Plans for the AU$180 million redevelopment of Reef HQ Aquarium in Townsville, Australia, are
progressing, with the project set to transform the attraction into a global centre for reef
education and conservation.
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Disney has reaffirmed its commitment to investing US$30 billion in its US parks and cruise
business by 2033, using new America250 celebrations to underline the role its attractions play
in supporting jobs, tourism and economic growth.
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme
that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi-
day destination.
+ More news
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