Out with a bang! This year’s IAAPA Attractions Expo finishes up today, and all indicators point to it being a big win for all involved. Over 40,400 total people were registered to attend the massive show with IAAPA reporting 25,500 qualified buyers on the floor. Those numbers reflect a genuine and intentional growth plan from an association that also celebrated its 100th anniversary at this event.
Reports from exhibitors and attendees alike lauded the show for its focus on new products and buying. VR companies were scattered throughout more traditional entertainment offerings and there was an overall feeling of innovation throughout. With products and companies exceeding expectations everywhere, choosing this year’s Brass Ring Award winners must have been a doozy.
Jake’s Unlimited in Mesa, Az., won the Top FEC in the World award, while ICE won an Image award for its booth, which was packed with colorful games like the company’s magical new Waterfuls. QubicaAMF won a Brass Ring for its Hyper Bowling concept as did Laserforce for its Gen 8 Infinity laser tag system. Hologate, in partnership with Creative Works, also took accolades and a first place Brass Ring for its VR attraction.
On top of a successful Attractions Expo, IAAPA had other big news to celebrate. For starters, they’ve broken ground on their new global headquarters in Orlando (you can see the construction, along with concept art, above). The IAAPA staff had worked in a leased building in Washington, D.C., and now resides in the SeaWorld administration buildings while their own new building is in the works.
This 22,000 sq. ft. HQ is only a 15-minute drive from both Orlando’s airport and the Orange County Convention Center, and is expected to be a resource for IAAPA members who visit the city. It’s expected to be open to the public by July 2019. “We want all of our members have a place to work and connect when they’re here in Orlando,” said IAAPA VP of North America Operations John Hallenbeck.
For more information, photos and a wrap-up of this year’s IAAPA Expo, look to RePlay’s December issue.
