Optimism fuels successful IAAPA Attractions Expo 2010

Preliminary estimates indicate 25,000 people from 96 nations, including approximately 14,800 buyers, participated in IAAPA Attractions Expo 2010 at the Orange County Convention Centre, Florida from 15th to 19th November.

The Orange County Convention Centre estimates that the five-day event had a US$47.7 million economic impact on the Orlando/Orange County region.

IAAPA President and Chief Executive Charles Bray explained that "it's good to be back home here in Orlando. We've had a great show. There's an overall sense of optimism in the industry. Exhibit sales were strong and attractions industry leaders came here to buy. We had outstanding participation in our education conference and the social events were a big hit. I think these results reinforce the fact that Orlando is the right location for IAAPA Attractions Expo."

Tara Casey with Canada-based ProSlide Technology Inc. echoed Bray's comments, adding "the showâs been great for us. Orlando makes people happy. We put in a little extra money and went for a bigger booth this year, and weâre so happy we did it."

Buyers from 6,484 amusement parks, waterparks, family entertainment centres (FECs), zoos, aquariums, museums, resorts, independent attractions, and casinos from around the world participated in IAAPA Attractions Expo 2010.

Expo attendees participated in 104 education programs, including sessions on industry trends, behind-the-scenes tours at Orlando attractions, all-day institute programs, and show floor vendor tours.

Attendance at the education program sessions was 8,800. Two highlights of this year's conference included the Rookies and Newcomers program for FECs and the Social Media Symposium. 68 people participated in the day-and-a-half-long Rookies and Newcomers seminar, while attendance at the Social Media Symposium sessions was 520.

The exhibition halls were packed with exhibits from 1,140 companies that displayed their innovative new products and services on 453,100 net square feet of space on the trade show floor. They represented 33 countries and showcased new technologies, thrilling rides, ticketing systems, new food and beverage concepts, games of skill, and much more.

Michael Turner of United States-based Gateway Ticketing Systems (pictured) explained that 'this year you could definitely tell thereâs excitement in the industry about being back in Orlando The activity on the trade show floor was double what we saw (last year). People are willing to open their pocketbooks and spend money again. It was a good show."

The success of this year's IAAPA Attractions Expo means that not only will the event return to the Orange County Convention Centre in Orlando from 14th to 18th November 2011, but the event will be staged in Orlando through to 2019.

More than 100 companies have already reserved their booths on the trade show floor for 2011. The IAAPA Attractions Expo is the worldâs largest conference and trade show for the $24 billion attractions industry. Owned and produced by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) the events serves as the marketplace for amusement parks and attractions industry leaders, decision makers, and visionaries who gather to network, view the latest innovations, and plan for the future.

For more inforation go to www.IAAPA.org/IAAPAAttractionsExpo

Main image courtesy of Durkin Amusements.