IAAPA Attractions Expo 2016 Opens, Bringing New Thrill Rides, Food, Immersive Games, and Technology to a Theme Park Near You

By | November 14, 2016

img_0127ORLANDO, Fla. – New thrill rides, immersive games, fun foods, and emerging technology are the buzz of IAAPA Attractions Expo 2016 underway in Orlando through Nov. 18.

IAAPA Attractions Expo is the largest annual conference and trade show for the $39.5 billion global theme park and attractions industry. The must-attend event converts the Orange County Convention Center into a multisensory marketplace of experiences that will soon arrive at popular attraction destinations worldwide.

This year’s show floor is the largest in the event’s 98-year history and includes several announcements related to new rides debuting in 2017. A list of major ride and park press conferences is available at www.IAAPA.org/ExpoPressEvents.

The future of roller coaster design, dark ride development, water slides, immersive experiences, food and beverage, theming and design, ticketing technology, and more is on display by more than 1,000 companies.

Representing 100 nations, 30,000 professionals from water and theme parks, family entertainment centers (FECs), aquariums, zoos, museums, science centers, resorts, and more attend Expo to build relationships, test new innovations, and learn best practices. Attendees and media often view breaking news from the industry in real time at Expo.

Sneak peeks of what may appear in amusement parks next year and beyond, include previews of SeaWorld’s new rides for 2017, a new “Storm Race” water slide virtual reality experience, updates to the “Cloud Coaster” cart-less roller coaster, details about the newest Andretti Indoor Karting and Games location are expected to create buzz. Additional information about what’s new on the “nine miles of aisles” show floor is available at www.IAAPA.org/SneakPeek.

The Expo features more than 100 education experiences including behind-the-scenes EDUTours of popular Florida destinations, such as The Crayola Experience, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, Fun Spot America, Kennedy Space Center, and SeaWorld Orlando.

The event features keynote presentations or panel discussions by industry veterans, including Bob Rodgers of BRC Imagination Arts, Dick Kinzel of Cedar Fair, Maribeth Bisienere of Disney Springs and ESPN Wide World of Sports, Steve Van den Kerkhof of Plopsa Group, Craig Russell and Nancy Seruto of Shanghai Disney Resort, Richard Nunis of Walt Disney World, and Marty Sklar and Bob Weis of Walt Disney Imagineering. IAAPA’s new Game Changer session features Zappos Culture Evangelist John Wolske speaking about how the company delivers superior customer service and employee rewards.

On Wednesday, IAAPA recognizes the industry’s best-of-the-best during a special celebration – The IAAPA Brass Ring Awards – honoring excellence and creativity in areas including entertainment, new products, food and beverage, and human resources.

Presented by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), the Expo is open to media and closed to the public. Exhibitor details, photos, and phone interviews are available to localize reports. Follow the Expo @IAAPAHQ or #IAE16, with more at www.IAAPA.org or via 703/299-5127 or 678/358-7476.