IAAPA Facts

The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) is the largest international trade association for permanently situated amusement facilities worldwide and is dedicated to the preservation and prosperity of the amusement industry.

IAAPA represents more than 4,000 facility, supplier, and individual members from more than 90 countries, including most amusement parks and attractions in the United States.

Member facilities include amusement parks, theme parks, waterparks, family entertainment centers, zoos, aquariums, museums, science centers, resorts, and casinos.

IAAPA hosts three trade shows worldwide focused on the amusement park and attractions industry--IAAPA Attractions Expo, Asian Attractions Expo, and Euro Attractions Show. Each is the premier attractions industry trade show in its region.

IAAPA publications include FUNWORLD, the association’s monthly magazine, which features the latest attractions news and News Flash, a daily e-newsletter that highlights industry news around the world.

IAAPA offers training for every aspect of the attractions industry and provides all members with opportunities to educate personnel through workshops, onsite seminars, videotapes/manuals, the IAAPA Attractions Management School, and The Institute for Executive Education. At each trade show, IAAPA also offers more than 100 educational seminars and behind-the-scenes tours that cover topics important to the amusement park and attractions industry.

IAAPA is headquartered in the United States and has two branch offices--one in Brussels, Belgium, to service our European membership, and one in Mexico City, Mexico, to serve our Latin American membership. IAAPA ’s global arm extends further more through our Global Alliances partnerships with four international liaison organizations representing Southeast Asia (IAAPA ASEAN); Australia and New Zealand (AALARA); India (IAAPI); and the People’s Republic of China (CAAPA).

IAAPA promotes exceptional amusement park safety standards and maintains a constant partnership with the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) to develop and update stringent amusement ride safety standards and maintenance requirements.

IAAPA’s government relations department reaches out to government bodies in numerous countries to represent the industry on attraction and amusement park legislation and regulations.

Helping children smile. Since 1995 IAAPA has partnered with Give Kids The World (GKTW), a nonprofit organization that provides wish vacations to central Florida for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. IAAPA members also donate gifts, toys, equipment, and supplies to GKTW, and more than 250 facilities provide complimentary admission to their parks for GKTW children through the World Passport for Kids Program.