Press Releases

20,500 Attend IAAPA Attractions Expo 2006

ATLANTA (Nov. 18, 2006 - Revised Feb. 1, 2006) – Twenty thousand, five hundred people from 86 nations attended the IAAPA Attractions Expo 2006 Annual Conference and Trade Show at the Georgia World Congress Center Nov. 15-18, 2006. Hosted by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), the annual event is the largest conference and trade show for the amusement park and attractions industry in the world.

Total attendance for the trade show was similar to that of the successful 2005 show, also held in Atlanta. One thousand fifty-five companies and organizations exhibited on the trade show floor representing everything from rollercoaster designers and candy companies to sun tan system suppliers, water park architects and video game manufacturers. The number of attendees from Southeast Asia increased 36 percent at this year’s show versus last year while attendance from casino/gaming-related companies increased 18 percent.

In addition to attending the trade show, IAAPA members from around the globe participated in a more than 130 educational and networking events. Attendance at the educational and networking events increased 49 percent when compared to the 2005 event. More than 5,800 people participated in seminars, workshops and behind-the-scenes tours of area attractions. Mark Shapiro, president and CEO of Six Flags Inc., addressed a group of more than 300 industry leaders at the General Managers and Owners Breakfast. Five hundred leaders and their guests enjoyed a spectacular gala at the Georgia Aquarium and nearly 800 Expo participants kicked off the trade show at the Welcome Reception.

“Atlanta really rolled out the red carpet for us,” said Charles Bray, president and CEO of IAAPA. “City leaders, the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Georgia World Congress Center all went out of their way to make us feel welcome and that certainly contributed to the success of this year’s show.”

Bob Masterson, president of Ripley’s Entertainment Inc. in Orlando, Fla., and chair of the IAAPA convention and trade show advisory committee agreed that the 2006 expo was a resounding success. “Serious people were here, and the numbers were strong,” Masterson said. “Exhibitors tell me they’ve done more business at this show than they’ve ever done before.”

EXHIBITOR SUCCESS STORIES
“We had a very good show,” said J.R. Minick of Minick Associates Inc. in Dallas, Tex., “We had better traffic here at the booth than we’ve had in five years. The people we’ve had at the booth seemed like developers who were ready to do things. Hopefully some of those are going to turn into business.”

Jim Seay of Premier Rides in Millersville, Md. agrees. “This show exceeded our expectations and we were far busier than we were last year,” said Seay. “The highlight of the show for us was the packed press event held at our booth announcing the attraction suppliers for the new Hard Rock theme park in Myrtle Beach, including the innovative attractions that Premier Rides is designing for the project.”

Amber Oetting, of J.M. Smucker Co. in Orrville, Ohio explained that this year was her company’s first trip to the IAAPA Attractions Expo. “It was unlike any trade show I’ve ever been to,” said Oetting. “We had one person who came to the booth, asked some questions, then called his distributor on his cell phone and ordered four cases of our product right on the spot; it was amazing!”

Augusto de Santi, export area manager for ride supplier S.B.F.-Visa Group in Padova, Italy, said his week got a serious jumpstart when they sold their new Traffic Jam ride right off the floor before the show even opened. “The Traffic Jam seems to be greatly appreciated, and people are very interested,” de Santi said. “We are very happy.”

Robert van Meijden of Skytrack, which is based in the Netherlands, was another first-time IAAPA Attractions Expo exhibitor and he was surprised at the quality of buyers he met in Atlanta. “We did not know what to expect coming here,” said van Meiiden. “But we have had five very serious hits and after the show we are going to be visiting parks to begin discussing contracts.”

Screen Yo Body (sic) sunscreen spray station supplier, Chris Lotterhos from Collierville, Tenn. said his company also enjoyed a successful show. “We secured more than 30 contracts in the first three days. A good four days here can make your year.”

UPCOMING IAAPA TRADE SHOWS PLANNED FOR SPAIN, THAILAND AND ORLANDO
Building on the successful 2006 show, IAAPA will host several additional trade shows for the industry next year. The Euro Attractions Show 2007, co-hosted by the European Association - Amusement Supplier Industry (EAASI), is scheduled to take place in Seville, Spain, Jan. 30-Feb.1 and the IAAPA Asian Expo 2007 will take place in Bangkok, Thailand, June 27-29.

The IAAPA Attractions Expo 2007 Conference and Trade show moves to Orlando, Fla., next year. The event, scheduled for Nov. 12-16, 2007, will take place in the Orange County Convention Center and will remain there for both 2007 and 2008. Las Vegas will host its first IAAPA Attractions Expo in 2009.

Mats Wedin, president of the Liseberg Group in Sweden and chairman of the IAAPA board of directors, said he was happy with the 2006 expo. “Success builds upon success,” said Wedin. “And I’m confident that we will be able to continue to build on the success that we have had here in Atlanta as we move into the future with all of our upcoming tradeshows for 2007 – in Seville, Bangkok, and especially Orlando.”

IAAPA is the largest international trade association for permanently situated amusement facilities worldwide. The organization represents over 4,100 facility, supplier, and individual members from more than 90 countries. IAAPA strives to help members improve their safety, efficiency, marketing, and profitability while maintaining the highest possible professional standards in the industry. www.iaapa.org