IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry, held its annual IAAPA Expo in Orlando last week, where attractions industry professionals from 104 different countries came together to learn what’s new, share best practices, and network with their peers. There were 36,882 registered attendees at IAAPA Expo 2022 including 25,561 qualified buyers representing 11,869 buying companies, and 1,077 exhibiting companies.
“We set out this year to bring a fresh and innovative Expo experience to showcase the best of the attractions industry and we certainly accomplished that,” says Michael Shelton, executive director and vice president for IAAPA North America.
“We proudly welcomed more than 36,000 attendees, filled more than 518,000 square feet of exhibit space and presented more than 100 on-site educational sessions. The incredible speakers and content presented along with the largest trade show in the industry surely inspired all who attended.”
Busy trade show
The event began on Mon 14 November and featured a programme of educational sessions, tours, special events, panel discussions and more. For example, there were EDUTours at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Walt Disney World’s Blizzard Beach. IAAPA Expo 2022 also offered over 50 networking opportunities and hosted a variety of charity events benefiting Give Kids The World.
Attendees raised over $157,000 through the 19th Annual IAAPA International Charity Golf Tournament, the 12th Annual IAAPA Charity Motorcycle Run benefiting Give Kids The World, and the 16th Annual IAAPA Footprints From the Heart 5K Run/1-Mile Walk Benefiting Give Kids The World Village. 108 golfers, 23 motorcycle riders, and 401 runners took part.
On Tuesday 15, the trade show opened, following an opening ceremony for the record books, as audience members successfully undertook a Guinness World Record attempt to have the most people launch streamer cannons simultaneously. The trade show ran for four days, as a wide range of companies showcased the latest products and innovations.
“It has been wonderful to see the continued recovery of the global attractions industry,” says Hal McEvoy, IAAPA’s president and chief executive officer. “I’m proud of our team, partners, and volunteers for executing a great show in Orlando that benefits our members and our community.”
The annual IAAPA Celebrates event took place on Thursday at Universal’s Islands of Adventures theme park, complete with speciality food and beverage as well as private access to almost a dozen rides and several themed sections within the park.
IAAPA Expo 2023 will take place in Orlando from 13 – 17 November, and 227 exhibitors have already reserved booth space for next year’s show.
During the show, IAAPA announced the recipients of the 2022 IAAPA Brass Ring Awards, with an in-person celebration taking place for the first time since 2019.
