Press Releases

IAAPA Attractions Expo 2005 Takes Business of Fun Seriously

 

ATLANTA , GA (USA) (Nov. 19, 2005) - Amusement park and attractions industry leaders from 77 countries closed a business-oriented and popular IAAPA Attractions Expo 2005 Annual Conference and Trade Show, November 19, 2005.  The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions ( IAAPA), announced preliminary figures showed more than 22,000 in attendance.

“This year’s attendees were serious about doing business, and came from around the globe to buy,” states J. Clark Robinson, president and CEO.   “ Atlanta has been a terrific host and we look forward to returning in 2006 for another great show.”

Attendance from Eastern Europe and the Far East showed a dramatic increase.  There was a 43% increase in attendees from the Far East and a 104% increase from Eastern Europe. 

Attendees gathered at the Georgia World Congress Center to try out the latest and greatest amusement products and services, many on display for the first time. Educational sessions and facility tours were offered, as well as unsurpassed networking opportunities at various social gatherings.

First-time exhibitor, Tasty Tates, Inc. had great buyer interest.  Tasty Tates boasted their Spudmasters Colossal Chips products as the largest chips with their special seasoning.  “We collected a lot of good leads this year,” said Toni Eversmeyer, the company’s Chief Operations Officer.  “We plan to return to the Expo in 2006, because this seems like the place to meet the people we need to market to.”

Custom Candy Concepts president Barry Bass said, “We’ve had a phenomenal show. Quality and level of interest has been high throughout the show and that is what counts the most.”

Premier Rides President Jim Seay was emphatic that the advantage of Atlanta was the ability to keep attendees attention.  “ Atlanta is a very conducive city to having buyers stay on the floor for longer periods of time.  It is evident because we saw buyers multiple times during this show,” Seay said.

Attendance from family entertainment centers saw a sizable increase, as well as attendance from the hotel and resorts, public recreation parks, themed entertainment, casino and gaming and theater, arenas and stadiums sectors.

Nearly 400 industry professionals attended the Attractions Management School and 600 joined tours to popular attractions within the Atlanta area.
Special ticketed events were popular as well: the General Managers and Owners breakfast, featuring Home Depot co-founder and Georgia Aquarium benefactor Bernie Marcus, on Thursday, November 17, greeted almost 200 guests; the Welcome Reception on Wednesday, November 16, hosted nearly 600 attendees; and the Thursday Night Social at Stone Mountain welcomed a party of 760.

“The quality of both Thursday and Friday nights’ events was extremely high and well-received by IAAPA members which helped put buyers in a great mood,” Seay also added of his Expo observations.
Responding to attendees wishes for a social gathering, IAAPA hosted the first Friday Night Extravaganza, November 18.  The sold-out event overwhelmed party-goers with spectacular themeing, entertainment and more.  A live auction benefiting Give Kids The World added excitement to the night as friends and business colleagues tried to out-bid each other for items including many travel packages to the Superbowl and the Master’s Golf Tournament.  Attendees were surprised when several exhibitors offered prizes on the spot to be auctioned including trips to Greece and Acapulco, a vintage Jiminy Crickett marionette and more.  Overall, the Live Auction raised $92,000.

Give Kids The World Village also benefited from other show events including the third annual golf tournament which raised more than $42,000 and its annual silent auction which netted over $25,000.

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IAAPA is the largest international trade association for permanently situated amusement facilities worldwide. The organization represents over 4,500 facility, supplier, and individual members from more than 90 countries. IAAPA strives to help members improve their efficiency, marketing, safety, and profitability while maintaining the highest possible professional standards in the industry. www.iaapa.org