Vekoma Rides, the Dutch roller coaster specialist, has opened a new and extended office in Orlando, US, strengthening its presence and demonstrating its commitment to serving its growing client base in the region.
The new office at 420 South Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando will serve as the company’s official headquarters for its operations throughout the Americas, and is set to create new jobs over the coming 18 months.
Ricardo Etges, VP of Sales & Marketing, Americas, says: “Our new and expanded office is a result of our growth in the market and a testament to our solid plans to increase our presence and our support to local customers in the Americas market. We needed more space to accommodate our increasing number of team members, as well as to create room for further growth of the local group.”
“We have a clear customer-centric mentality at Vekoma and we are always looking for ways to better service our clients,” says Anne-Mart Agerbeek, CEO of Vekoma Rides. “Having a team in Orlando to support our clients and to enhance our position in the local market is critical.”
International growth
The opening of the Orlando office accompanies Vekoma’s ongoing efforts to enhance its presence in key international markets.
Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company has a global reputation for innovation in the development and manufacture of roller coasters and other major amusement attractions. Its portfolio includes some of the sector’s best known rides, and projects at parks across the world. It has been significantly expanding its presence in the US since 2020.
This has included the growth of its local team in a range of disciplines, and the design and installation of innovative rides across the region, such as Good Gravy! at Holiday World, Big Bear Mountain at Dollywood, Snoopy’s Soap Box Racers at Kings Island, TRON Lightcycle Run at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, and The Flash: Vertical Velocity at Six Flags Great Adventure.
A number of new projects in the region are in the pipeline for the coming years.
Jakob Wahl, CEO of IAAPA, says: “Vekoma’s growth in Orlando reflects both their commitment to the industry and the strength of the relationships built through IAAPA. From a one-person team to a growing regional headquarters, they’ve shown what’s possible when innovation and collaboration come together.
“We’ve been proud to support their journey and look forward to seeing how they continue to help shape the future of the attractions industry.”
Regional partnerships
Vekoma and the Orlando Economic Partnership (OEP) began working together following a meeting at the IAAPA Expo. OEP has supported the selection of the office location by identifying and visiting potential sites and enabling meetings with key stakeholders, such as the City of Orlando.
Tim Giuliani, president and CEO of the OEP, says: “Vekoma’s decision to relocate in Orlando underscores the region’s global reputation as a hub for the attractions and tourism industry — not just for destination experiences, but for the companies that power them behind the scenes.”
The project is the result of the partnership between the OEP, the City of Orlando’s Economic Development Division, and Foundry Commercial, which served a pivotal role in securing the new office.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer says: “Orlando continues to be the place where companies like Vekoma choose to grow and thrive. As a global leader in the attractions industry, their expansion here reinforces our city’s reputation as a hub for innovation. We’re proud to welcome Vekoma Rides Americas’ headquarters to downtown Orlando and look forward to supporting their continued success.”
In 2024, Vekoma Rides had an unparalleled year in terms of projects completed globally. The company recently shared its highlights, such as the installation of new and varied rides, from family-focused to high-thrill attractions.
