This year’s IAAPA Expo broke all-time records, with 35,100 attractions industry professionals gathering from November 14 to 18 at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center.
The show floor included displays from 1,136 companies and covered 578,460 net square feet, a larger footprint than previous years. To open the additional floor space, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions had to relocate its IAAPA Theater to the North Concourse, said Cameron Jacobs, the organization’s manager of media relations.
According to numbers from IAAPA, 2016 saw the largest trade show in the event’s 98-year history. Higher attendance rates and a larger show bode well for the attractions industry, association officials believe.
“With the largest gathering in nearly 20 years, the success of IAAPA Attractions Expo 2016 is an indication of sustained growth in the industry,” said Paul Noland, IAAPA president and CEO.
Waterpark exhibitors said they felt the boost in attendance, with many booths seeing good traffic and engagement.
“This year more than ever, we were very excited to see many new operators from the hotel/resort segment,” said Chelsea Ogilvie, marketing programs manager at ProSlide Technology. She noticed attendees from new regions such as Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean as well.
Educational seminars held during the show also enjoyed good participation rates. An estimated 11,850 people attended 99 education sessions, including seminars, behind-the-scenes area attraction tours, panel and roundtable discussions and networking lunches.
Organizers added a new Expo Game Changer session for 2016, to help attendees learn how customer-focused companies outside of the attractions industry deliver exceptional experiences, Jacobs said. The inaugural session featured Zappos Cultural Evangelist Jon Wolske.
Some Expo goers also noticed the higher attendance rate.
“Monday’s education sessions were very well attended — so much so, that some sessions had to stop letting people in due to hitting capacity,” said Maggie Warner, digital media/public relations manager at Beachfront Water Parks of Wildwood, N.J. “I think this is a great problem to have, and I’m sure IAAPA is already looking into ways to accommodate more people into these sessions for next year.”
Attendees and exhibitors said they felt this year’s show was a productive one.
“The show was exciting and thriving with new and engaged customers,” said George Panton, marketing and development manager of Water Safety Products.
Each year, the Expo has a positive impact on the local economy, according to IAAPA — this year, by generating an estimated $51.3 million in its five days.
