By Dennis Speigel
During these 53 years, I have always looked forward with great anticipation to attending the IAAPA Expo to see what’s new and exciting, but most of all to meet my friends from around the world in our wonderful industry who attend each year.
It is truly amazing to see how IAAPA has grown since those early days. When I first began going to IAAPA, total attendance was just over 1,000 people. Today, we are approaching 40,000 attendees from over 120 countries.
Each year, we see new technologies developed and displayed, which positively affect and enhance our entertainment programs in ways that were unknown 20 years ago. Technological advancements are what have allowed us to improve our operating programs at basically every level, including admissions, food and beverage, rides safety, and show quality. Each year, the exhibits and improvements on display are truly amazing.
As an example, just a short five or six years ago, we began seeing how drones could not only help from a safety and security standpoint, but how they have also become a huge part of the entertainment program. There was an amazing drone show in Orlando this year put on by Sky Elements Drone Shows. It broke Guinness World Records by displaying the largest aerial image of a flag formed by multi-coloured rover drones.
In addition to this, we saw new highly themed roller coaster cars unveiled, such as the Top Thrill 2, manufactured by Zamperla and to be operated in 2024 at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. SeaWorld unveiled its Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) snowmobile-themed vehicle for its new Penguin Trek attraction, opening in 2024 in Orlando.
It was announced that over 1,100 companies exhibited their wares during the IAAPA Expo. These exhibitors consumed more than a half million square feet in display area.
Always one of the major highlights of the exhibition is the leadership breakfast where, this year, Scott O’Neill, CEO of Merlin Entertainments, presented his new leadership philosophy for the company, having just taken over the company within the last year. The Merlin story is an incredible example of our industry spreading fun around the world.
There are numerous parties and evening events hosted during IAAPA by both the association and manufacturers and suppliers. One of the most popular events that is looked forward to by invitees is the Ripley Entertainment – Premier Rides annual themed suite that is held over the three main nights of the convention. It is fair to say that many a business deal is originated at the suite by the operators and suppliers. It is always a wonderful and entertaining suite to meet and say hello to friends.
While the IAAPA show is always a 9 on a scale of 10, over the last couple of years, changes have been made to some of the programs, such as the opening ceremony where the award programs have been pared back as in 2022 and not even presented at the main exhibition show in 2023. This year, the association decided to change its opening program, eliminating the awards such as Meritorious Service Award, Lifetime Achievement, and Hall of Fame inductees said to be given at a subsequent new meeting held in Las Vegas in March of 2024. In my opinion and many other people from whom I heard, this change was an error. The level of importance given to these awards and the people to whom they are given should be presented at the industry’s largest exhibition and opening forum. This includes the “in memoriam” presentation which showcases our industry colleagues who have left us and this was also omitted from this year’s exhibition.
The management of the association, when questioned why these changes were happening, indicated that they wanted to try something new. I am the first one to say I believe change is good and absolutely necessary. For the presentations of Awards discussed above, these need to be presented at the industry’s largest global show and forum, Orlando IAAPA.
All in all, the 2023 show was very good, but as an industry, let’s never lose sight of the fact that our industry has always been an association of “members serving members”. Our leaders from within the parks and manufacturer segments, when given the responsibility of serving on the board and committees, must always be vocal and participative in major decisions. That’s why they are in these advisory roles.
They need to speak up particularly when an announcement in planning of actions being worked on are not well accepted by members in the inner circle. Keep in mind IAAPA Orlando is the “Big Dog” among our global satellite exhibitions. Big honours deserve to be awarded at the Big show. If it ain’t broke… don’t change it.
About ITPS
ITPS……”WHERE FUN IS A SERIOUS BUSINESS,” is globally the leisure industry’s leading independent, full-service consulting firm. Founded by Dennis Speigel in 1983 and located in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, ITPS is uniquely qualified to assist in all aspects of leisure project development and has worked on over 500 projects and in over 55 countries since its inception. Always on the forefront of new trends, ITPS is experienced to assist in all aspects of any new project or existing facility. They can be reached at [email protected]. ITPS is celebrating 41 years of service to the amusement industry in 2024.
Images: ITPS
