IAAPA Expo Europe returned to the UK for the first time in more than a decade, the trade show doors officially opened at ExCeL London on Tuesday, Sept 13, 2022 and came to a close on Thursday afternoon. The general reaction from the majority of exhibitors was very positive.

To recognize Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s long-time relationship with IAAPA, Amanda Thompson OBE was presented with a 75+-year member ribbon to display on her attendee badge all week. This was the first-time ever IAAPA has presented such a ribbon to highlight one of the longest-standing memberships in the Association’s history.

To honor Queen Elizabeth II’s decades of service to country and people, and to pay respects to the Royal Family, the ceremony included a moment of silence for attendees in the IAAPA Theatre.

Visitor numbers were back to the levels expected before the pandemic, with a good spread of diverse attendees from across the industry.

The show started strongly on the Tuesday morning with a healthy flow of visitors which supplied a steady stream of new faces and old friends all day long and continued well into the second day, making the event a successful destination for exhibitors. The final day of the show still enjoyed a good buzz with plenty of foot traffic well into the day.

IAAPA’s provisional figures show the three day trade show hosted 11,474 registered attendees, including 7,510 qualified buyers representing 4,408 buying companies, and 530 exhibiting companies filling more than 15,000sqm of exhibit space. Attendees at IAAPA Expo Europe represented 94 countries led by the UK, France, Netherlands and Germany.

The three days focused on discussing critical business needs, education sessions and panels, networking opportunities, and discovering the latest products and innovations.

Conference attendees were able to participate in 20 education sessions that featured more than 100 industry speakers and veterans. Attendees that missed a session have 30 days to see it online or in the Connect+ application as an added benefit of their registration.

The success of the event shows the current direction of confidence within the industry and you can read a full report on the exhibition along with interviews and product news within the November/December edition of InterPark magazine.

IAAPA Expo Europe 2023 will take place in Vienna, Austria Sept. 25-28. Advance exhibit sales are strong with 350 exhibitors reserving 12,452 sqm of contracted booth space so far.