IAAPA Expo 2021 wraps up today, Nov. 19. Both exhibitors and attendees reported they were glad to be back at the show, the first in-person iteration of the event since 2019. Despite a smaller-than-usual crowd, mainly attributed to ongoing international Covid restrictions, exhibitors were pleased with the crowd that did show up – ready to buy and see what’s in stock. According to IAAPA, there were 27,399 total registrants and 20,394 qualified buyers among the 882 exhibiting companies. In 2019, there were 42,200 attendees and 27,900 qualified buyers (updated numbers are available at www.iaapa.org/expos/iaapa-expo). Because of a continued backlog of…
Author: Matt Harding
Triotech won the IAAPA Brass Ring Award for Best New Product in the Major Ride/Attraction category for their Hyper Ride, an innovative interactive media-based dark ride. They also won second place for the Best Exhibit for a booth their size. “For Triotech, this is an amazing recognition for the hard work and creativity of our dedicated team,” said company President and CEO Ernest Yale. “We aim to create attractions that are unique and fun for guests while providing a sound investment for operators. Hyper Ride hits the mark in that regard.” The ride is an anchor attraction at facilities and…
According to the Laconia Daily Sun, New England’s arcade patriarch Bob Lawton died at the age of 90 on Nov. 11. The paper said he passed peacefully while at Concord Hospital-Laconia surrounded by family. The Ohio native is credited with founding his Funspot FEC in 1964 when he and his late brother John bought 21 acres in Weirs Beach, N.H., and expanded it into what he claimed was the largest arcade in the world at 70,00 square feet. Wrote the paper: “Working at Funspot was Bob’s love and passion. He could easily be found somewhere in the building or at…
Peppa Pig Theme Park will be a certified autism center when it opens on Feb. 24, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Executives announced the news at an IAAPA press conference. The Winter Haven, Fla., attraction is working with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards to get the designation. Its sister park, Legoland Florida, and the resort’s three on-property hotels will also be certified. “On the website, there’ll be a lot of information for parents with autistic children to be able to identify the types of rides and attractions that are going to be suitable for the child,”…
CTM Group, a portfolio company of Z Capital Partners/Z Capital Group, recently announced that it has acquired the family entertainment assets of Theisen Vending. According to the press release, the portfolio is mainly children’s rides, carousels, games and cranes. “We are pleased to expand our footprint with the acquisition of this established portfolio of family entertainment assets in attractive locations across the United States and Puerto Rico,” said CEO David Bishop. “We look forward to continuing to digitally transform our business and to strategically add to our portfolio offerings with stellar assets like the Theisen rides and attractions.” Learn more at www.ctmgroupinc.com.
A large, busy trade show floor was a sight for sore eyes after no IAAPA Expo in Orlando since November 2019. Though international travel remains light, there was a sizable crowd on Day #1 of the show (yesterday, Nov. 16). Exhibitors reported the overall quantity of attendees appeared to be down a bit, but the many who made it are either buying or are ready to buy. Brand-new product from manufacturers was also less than usual as they continue to struggle with Covid-related issues and freight being held up at the ports. It was a big challenge for nearly all…
VRsenal has teamed up with U.K.-based developer Blackwall Labs to release Rhythmatic as an unattended 2-player VR music rhythm game for FEC operators. It’s at IAAPA Expo in booth #1606 if you’re in Orlando. In the game, players don a fully automated VR headset and proceed to “slash their way through a rhythmic barrage of colored orbs while keeping time to the beat of an impressive variety of fresh, thumping music.” Up to four cabinets can be linked together for eight players, which VRsenal says is the world’s largest unattended virtual reality game attraction. “Operators now have an option to…
After launching their award-winning Mobile Wallet at IAAPA Expo 2019, Embed is back at this year’s show with a new innovation – their KIOSK+ machine. You can visit booth # 606 to see it for yourself. With a lean footprint, the skinny KIOSK+ “enables operators to maximize their game room floor revenue per square foot,” Embed says. “We have a clear vision of the FEC of the future, and KIOSK+ is a product that will transform what FECs are willing to accept from their business solutions providers,” said CEO Renee Welsh. That means “no more space-consuming bulky kiosks,” she added.…
Photo booth manufacturer Digital Centre has an IAAPA show special for its 25th anniversary year. At their two booths, #124 and #1821, they’re showing their latest photo booth, Starlight. They claim the machine kills 96.4% of bacteria and is equipped with an ION air purifier to eliminate viruses that may have been trapped inside. While those are the Covid safety features, the new unit also comes with a nice lighting design, too. Plus, it was built with “Smart Smell Technology,” which DC says leaves a pleasant odor in the photo booth. They’re also featuring their selfie photo mask that debuted…
Among the many innovations at Semnox’s IAAPA booth #412 are their Tixera Park Solution products – from kiosks and readers to RFID lockers. The Tixera Park Solution in particular is a comprehensive ticketing and park management system with a focus on streamlining operations, simplifying processes and providing seamless guest experience. Semnox is showing their Xcess Readers and Xter Readers, the Komplete Kiosk and Kinetic Kiosk, and their brand-new Radian Smart Wristbands (see coverage on this in Instant RePlay, Nov. 12), among other products. Learn more at www.tixera.com or www.semnox.com.