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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
OMA completes New Museum transformation with landmark expansion and Oberon restaurant
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.
David Rockwell creates immersive magic destination, The Hand and The Eye
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.
Montana Heritage Center opens with immersive exhibits and US$107 million investment
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
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Universal Destinations and Experiences has launched a new regional theme park model with the opening of Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas.
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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
OMA completes New Museum transformation with landmark expansion and Oberon restaurant
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.
David Rockwell creates immersive magic destination, The Hand and The Eye
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.
Montana Heritage Center opens with immersive exhibits and US$107 million investment
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
Universal launches new theme park model with Kids Resort
Universal Destinations and Experiences has launched a new regional theme park model with the opening of Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas.
San Antonio Zoo reports $283 million economic impact as expansion plans progress
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.
Great Barrier Reef attraction set for AU$180 million reinvention
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.
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
IDEATTACK

IDEATTACK is a full-service planning and design company with headquarters in Los Angeles. [more...]
Painting With Light

By combining lighting, video, scenic and architectural elements, sound and special effects we tell s [more...]
Vekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V.

Vekoma Rides has a large variety of coasters and attractions. [more...]
iPlayCO

iPlayCo was established in 1999. [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
28-29 Sep 2026

Wellness Destination AI Tech Summit – Tourism, Hospitality & Real Estate, 28-29 Sept 2026

Grand Ballroom, METT Singapore, Singapore
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
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