The annual IAAPA Attractions Expo took place in Orlando, Florida, last week, with amusement and leisure industry leaders from around the world coming out on top at this year's Brass Ring Awards.

Although event organiser the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) has yet to release final attendance figures, around 27,000 people from 100 countries are thought to have attended the Attractions Expo in 2014.

The expo, which will be held at the Orange County Convention Centre every year until 2025, once again offered participants a plethora of products and services – indeed everything an attraction venue might need for successful operations.

While the trade show itself was the focus of attention, a host of other activities were also held alongside the exhibition.

"A comprehensive education programme allowed attendees to learn from the experts and covered key subjects of park and attraction operation, while numerous networking and social events have all contributed to another highly successful IAAPA Expo," said InterPark editor, Andrew Mellor.

Highlights of the event included a keynote address from Ripley Entertainment president Jim Pattison, at the GM and Owners' breakfast; the new IAAPA Connects event at New Fantasyland at Disney's Magic Kingdom; and IAAPA Celebrates at Universal Orlando, where visitors got the chance to see the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley during an exclusive visit for expo attendees.

As ever, IAAPA singled out the industry's leading lights at its annual Brass Ring Awards, which took place in conjunction with the Attractions Expo.

The awards were presented to amusement parks, waterparks, zoos, aquariums, museums, family entertainment centres (FECs) and suppliers from around the world to honour excellence in food and beverage, games and retail, human resources, live entertainment, marketing, new products and operations.  

Boondocks Food and Fun in Kaysville, Utah, scooped the Top US FEC award, with TimeZone in Queensland, Australia, taking the top spot in the international category.

In the Games and Retail Excellence category, the 'Old Hong Kong Coca-Cola Ring Toss' at Ocean Park in Hong Kong was named as best game experience, while Tokyo Disneyland's 'Once Upon a Time' light show taking the Brass Ring for Best Multimedia Spectacular.

This year, Triotech was chosen as the 2014 award recipient for the Best New Product in the Major Theme/Attraction Park category for its Interactive Dark Ride. The specific ride is Wonder Mountain's Guardian that was installed at Canada's Wonderland in May 2014.

"This is second year in a row that we have won a Brass Ring Award and we are extremely honoured," said Ernest Yale, president and CEO of the Canada-based company. "We continue to push the envelope and create thrills for guests and it is especially nice to be acknowledged in such a way."

ProSlide Technology took the Best Waterpark Ride award for BehemothBowl 40 + TornadoWave, which combines bowl and funnel elements in rapid succession to make an unforgettable ride.

Click here to view the full list of 2014 Brass Ring Award winners.

InterPark will be publishing a full report and pictures of this year's IAAPA Attractions Expo in our January/February issue.