IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry, opened the doors to its annual trade show in Orlando, Florida yesterday, as IAAPA Expo 2022 gets into full swing. The conference began on Mon 14 October, with the trade show floor opening to attendees on Tues 15 at 10 am. During the week, there is a packed agenda of educational sessions, panel discussions, networking opportunities and special events.
The trade show floor, which covers over 515,000 square feet of exhibit space and includes 1,080 exhibiting companies, features the best of the industry, with the latest products and services from across a variety of sectors on show.
There are nearly 34,000 registered participants, including 23,154 qualified buyers representing 10,652 buying companies.
Opening ceremony breaks records
Tuesday also saw the official opening ceremony, where the 2023 Chairman of the Board of Directors was welcomed and this year’s Hall of Fame inductees were celebrated. Speaking during the event, Michael Shelton, vice president and executive director of IAAPA North America, said the size of this year’s show compared to 2021 shows the strength of the industry:
“I can say the attractions industry continues to build on its recovery and IAAPA Expo 2022 is the place to share news, meet new potential business partners, and connect in a way that can only happen at an IAAPA event.”
Ken Whiting, president of Whiting’s Foods at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, concluded his term as the 2022 Chairman of the Board and welcomed Jim Pattison, Jr. president of Ripley Entertainment, as the incoming chairman.
Outgoing IAAPA president and chief operating officer Hal McEvoy also address the packed theatre space, saying:
“2022 has been a remarkable year for the global attractions industry even with challenges.” He also recapped some of the 100 events held throughout IAAPA’s global regions and then invited Jakob Wahl to the stage to make his first IAAPA appearance as the association’s next CEO and president.
To finish the opening ceremony, Pattison welcomed partners from Guinness World Records to the stage, as attendees broke a world record for the most people launching streamer cannons simultaneously by setting off 1,116 cannons at once, celebrating the official opening of the show.
The opening ceremony was streamed live on Connect+, IAAPA’s new app, which allows virtual attendees from across the globe to take part in the annual event as well.
