IAAPA Moving World Headquarters To Sunny Orlando

IAAPA, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, just announced today that next year it will relocate its global headquarters from Alexandra, Virginia to Orlando Florida!

Founded in 1918, IAAPA is the largest international trade association for permanently located amusement facilities and attractions and is dedicated to the preservation and prosperity of the attractions industry. The non-profit organization represents more than 5,000 attractions, suppliers, and individual members from 100 countries. Member facilities include amusement/theme parks, water parks, attractions, family entertainment centers, zoos, aquariums, museums, science centers, and resorts and more. During the week long trade show, attendees have the opportunity to purchase, test, and review new products such as simulators, arcade games, food, slides, rides, and zip lines.

The trade show extends outside to the “Outdoor Exhibits” area. The Outdoor exhibits contain products such as Ferris Wheels and inflatables, that are too large to fit inside of the convention center.

IAAPA moving its global headquarters wasn’t the only announcement. Over the years, the IAAPA Attractions Expo has moved around from Chicago to New York, Atlanta, and even Las Vegas before landing in sunny Orlando. IAAPA also announced the trade show will take place at the Orange County Convention Center through 2030! The associations previous agreement was to take place in Orlando through 2025. Each year, the expo generates over $50 million for Orlando. Over those extra five years, over a quarter of a billion dollars will be generated for Orlando.

The IAAPA Board of Directors approved the headquarters relocation and convention agreement extension during meetings held in Barcelona, Spain in conjunction with the association’s European conference and trade show, Euro Attractions Show 2016.

IAAPA President and CEO Paul Noland released in a statement:

“In an effort to keep up with the rapid growth of the global attractions industry over the past 10 years, we have expanded our regional offices, increased the products and services we offer our members, added staff, expanded our training and professional development programs, and hosted record-breaking trade shows around the world. We have outgrown our headquarters office so now is the time to put infrastructure in place to support the association and the industry for the future. Orlando is not just a place to have fun, it’s also a great place to conduct serious business and that’s a winning combination for IAAPA,”

So what exactly is there for professionals to learn at the IAAPA expo? In addition to testing new products, attendees can also attend more than 100 informational seminars, luncheons, round table discussions, behind-the-scenes tours, day-long institutes, and half-day symposiums. These organized functions are provided to keep attraction industry professionals, management, and CEO’s up to date with the latest developments.

“Attractions industry professionals have a great opportunity to expand their knowledge at IAAPA Attractions Expo,” said Rebecca Turner, IAAPA’s vice president of education, professional development, and training services. “These programs will give attendees a competitive edge and a sneak peek at the future of the attractions industry.”

IAAPA will celebrate its 100th year in 2018. The IAAPA Attractions Expo is normally held annually at the Orange County Convention Center the week before Thanksgiving attracting more than 28,000 attendees. The 2016 expo, which takes place November 14-18, is expected to reach 30,000 attendees!

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