The IAAPA Expo Europe 2024, the premier event for the leisure and attractions industry, wrapped up on September 26 at the RAI Amsterdam with unprecedented success. This year’s expo witnessed the highest number of registered attendees in the region’s history, solidifying its status as a must-attend event for industry professionals.
Over the four-day conference, approximately 17,370 attendees gathered to network with peers, exchange best practices, explore the latest innovations, and experience some of the Netherlands’ most unique facilities. The expo provided an invaluable platform for professionals to connect and stay abreast of emerging trends in the amusement industry.
This year’s event also welcomed 13,195 qualified buyers representing 11,529 buying companies, alongside more than 680 exhibiting companies. The expo made history by surpassing the EMEA record for the largest trade show floor ever, occupying over 18,000 square meters of venue space.
Peter van der Schans, executive director and vice president for IAAPA Europe, Middle East, and Africa, remarked on the event’s success:
“Amsterdam’s vibrant attractions market makes it an outstanding host city. Its rich history and blend of traditional and cutting-edge experiences create the ideal setting for IAAPA Expo Europe. The record-breaking achievements of this year’s expo are a testament to the unwavering support of our members, partners, and exhibitors. We deeply appreciate their commitment to our industry.”
A highlight of IAAPA Expo Europe is always its robust education conference, and this year was no exception. The expo featured an impressive lineup of 60 educational sessions with 200 speakers from 20 countries. These EDUSessions covered a wide range of topics, including workplace culture, emerging trends, guest satisfaction, revenue optimization, safety, sustainability, and best practices for small facilities, providing attendees with valuable insights to enhance their operations.
Jakob Wahl, president and chief executive officer of IAAPA, expressed his enthusiasm:
“The magnitude of IAAPA Expo Europe continues to demonstrate the positive impact of our industry and how much we can learn from each other. We are thrilled to see our community come together in person time and time again to exchange ideas and showcase the future of the attractions industry.”
Looking ahead, the excitement continues as IAAPA Expo Europe 2025 is scheduled to take place from September 22-25 in Barcelona, Spain. Anticipation is already building, with 553 companies having contracted a total of 18,009 square meters of exhibit space.
