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NEWS
First ever IAAPA North America Trade Summit to focus on VR and 'authentic reality'
POSTED 01 Mar 2023 . BY Tom Walker
The first ever IAAPA North America Trade Summit will be held in San Diego Credit: IAAPA
IAAPA will host its first-ever North America Trade Summit this month
Taking place in San Diego, California, from 20 to 23 March, the four-day event will feature seminars and an exhibition
The keynote will be given by George Walker, CEO of The League of Extraordinary Dining
Walker will outline how the popularity of virtual reality is shifting into a desire for what he calls "authentic reality"
Attendees to IAAPA’s first-ever North America Trade Summit will hear about how the visitor attractions industry has evolved from a service economy into an experience economy.

Taking place in San Diego, California, from 20 to 23 March, the four-day event will feature a keynote speech from George Walker, CEO of The League of Extraordinary Dining. The League of Extraordinary Dining – a new company that merges themed design with experiential dining.

Walker will outline how the popularity of virtual reality is shifting into a desire for what he calls "authentic reality" – and how technology enhances the guest experience, rather than drives it.

Other speakers include Erika Kohler, interim executive director, San Diego Zoo; Jim Lake, president, SeaWorld San Diego; and Troy Sacco, SVP of Sales & Marketing, Five Star Parks & Attractions.

As well as a programme of seminars, the Trade Summit features networking opportunities and an exhibition for industry suppliers.

“The first-ever IAAPA North America Trade Summit is sure to inspire all who attend,” said Michael Shelton, vice president and executive director, IAAPA North America.

“It is a rare opportunity to learn from industry leaders, connect with attraction suppliers and visit top attractions in the San Diego area for a behind the scenes look at how other members are adapting to our ever-changing landscape.”
RELATED STORIES
  TEA announces 2022 Thea Award winners, with Disney, Futuroscope, Kevin Murphy and Roland Mack among those honoured


The Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser experience at Walt Disney World, Orlando, is among the winners of this year's Thea Awards.
  FEATURE: Show review: IAAPA Expo Europe


The industry came together in London to meet, celebrate and plan. We round up some of the show’s highlights
  Jakob Wahl appointed IAAPA's chief operating officer


Jakob Wahl has been named executive VP and chief operating officer of global attractions industry body IAAPA.
MORE NEWS
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while remaining actively involved with the company.
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
+ More news   

COMPANY PROFILES
TechnoAlpin Indoor

TechnoAlpin is the world leader for snowmaking systems. With the Indoor snow division, TechnoAlpin c [more...]
Painting With Light

By combining lighting, video, scenic and architectural elements, sound and special effects we tell s [more...]
Sally Corporation

Our services include: Dark ride design & build; Redevelopment of existing attractions; High-quality [more...]
Alterface

Alterface’s Creative Division team is seasoned in concept and ride development, as well as storyte [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
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NEWS
First ever IAAPA North America Trade Summit to focus on VR and 'authentic reality'
POSTED 01 Mar 2023 . BY Tom Walker
The first ever IAAPA North America Trade Summit will be held in San Diego Credit: IAAPA
IAAPA will host its first-ever North America Trade Summit this month
Taking place in San Diego, California, from 20 to 23 March, the four-day event will feature seminars and an exhibition
The keynote will be given by George Walker, CEO of The League of Extraordinary Dining
Walker will outline how the popularity of virtual reality is shifting into a desire for what he calls "authentic reality"
Attendees to IAAPA’s first-ever North America Trade Summit will hear about how the visitor attractions industry has evolved from a service economy into an experience economy.

Taking place in San Diego, California, from 20 to 23 March, the four-day event will feature a keynote speech from George Walker, CEO of The League of Extraordinary Dining. The League of Extraordinary Dining – a new company that merges themed design with experiential dining.

Walker will outline how the popularity of virtual reality is shifting into a desire for what he calls "authentic reality" – and how technology enhances the guest experience, rather than drives it.

Other speakers include Erika Kohler, interim executive director, San Diego Zoo; Jim Lake, president, SeaWorld San Diego; and Troy Sacco, SVP of Sales & Marketing, Five Star Parks & Attractions.

As well as a programme of seminars, the Trade Summit features networking opportunities and an exhibition for industry suppliers.

“The first-ever IAAPA North America Trade Summit is sure to inspire all who attend,” said Michael Shelton, vice president and executive director, IAAPA North America.

“It is a rare opportunity to learn from industry leaders, connect with attraction suppliers and visit top attractions in the San Diego area for a behind the scenes look at how other members are adapting to our ever-changing landscape.”
RELATED STORIES
TEA announces 2022 Thea Award winners, with Disney, Futuroscope, Kevin Murphy and Roland Mack among those honoured


The Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser experience at Walt Disney World, Orlando, is among the winners of this year's Thea Awards.
FEATURE: Show review: IAAPA Expo Europe


The industry came together in London to meet, celebrate and plan. We round up some of the show’s highlights
Jakob Wahl appointed IAAPA's chief operating officer


Jakob Wahl has been named executive VP and chief operating officer of global attractions industry body IAAPA.
MORE NEWS
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while remaining actively involved with the company.
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
Efteling expands family offer with new Hooghmoed drop tower
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford– Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism inv
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
TechnoAlpin Indoor

TechnoAlpin is the world leader for snowmaking systems. With the Indoor snow division, TechnoAlpin c [more...]
Painting With Light

By combining lighting, video, scenic and architectural elements, sound and special effects we tell s [more...]
Sally Corporation

Our services include: Dark ride design & build; Redevelopment of existing attractions; High-quality [more...]
Alterface

Alterface’s Creative Division team is seasoned in concept and ride development, as well as storyte [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT NEWS
ATTRACTIONS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
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