IAAPA Expo 2024 – It’s a Wrap!
(eap) After four well-attended trade show days, IAAPA Expo 2024 has just ended at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando (Florida, USA). The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) has already announced the results for this year’s trade show edition: a total of 41,429 attendees were recorded (2023: 41,236), 37,066 of whom participated as “verified attendees” (*trade show participants, for whom an actual badge was issued; 2023: 36,173). Leisure professionals from all over the world gathered once again for the annual industry event in the world’s “theme park capital” of Orlando to find out about new products, technologies and trends for leisure and amusement facilities of all kinds at the booths of over 1,100 exhibitors. According to the official figures, around 27,000 buyers from a total of over 20,000 companies were among the trade visitors.
“This year’s IAAPA Expo was truly a celebration of community and collaboration within our industry. Bringing together professionals from every corner of the globe, we saw firsthand the power of shared passion, knowledge, and creativity, IAAPA Expo is more than just an event; it’s a place where ideas come to life and where lifelong connections are made. Watching the energy and excitement of attendees reminded us why we do what we do – to inspire, to innovate, and to create memorable experiences that bring joy to people everywhere,” is the resumé of Jakob Wahl, President & CEO of IAAPA.
The expo’s supporting program included more than 140 learning opportunities, new complementary formats such as the “Haunting Grounds” and the “Street Market” in the North Concourse of the exhibition building, numerous networking and evening events as well as various charity events. During the Opening Ceremony to kick off the trade fair on Tuesday, Italian Massimiliano “Massi” Freddi, founder and CEO of Wonderwood, officially took over as IAAPA Chairman (also read our recent interview with Massimiliano Freddi in EAP 6/2024).
The date for the next IAAPA Expo in Orlando has been set for November 17-21, 2025. Read all about the highlights from the show floor, exciting innovations and developments in our next issue of EAP, which will be published on January 2. ■
