IAAPA Expo adds drone shows, Halloween market, Hall of Fame soiree
New activities have been incorporated into the IAAPA Expo, which returns to the Orange County Convention Center in November.
“With growth comes innovation, and we are thrilled to bring so many new and exciting additions to IAAPA Expo this year,” Jakob Wahl, president and CEO of the Orlando-based International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions trade group, said in a news release. “Our North America team has truly outdone themselves. There are a number of creative activations that can only be seen at an Expo.”
Among this year’s additions are:
• Legends: A Hall of Fame Celebratory Affair: The gathering will salute new honorees and benefit the IAAPA Foundation. The evening will include fine dining, live and silent auctions, entertainment and recognition of past Hall of Fame members. New inductees include Dick Chance of Chance Rides; Geoff Chutter, CEO of WhiteWater, a water-park manufacturer; Rick Hunter, water-park innovator; and Clark Robinson, former president and CEO of IAAPA. The session, listed as “elegant cocktail attire,” is 7 p.m. Nov. 18; individual tickets are $300.
• Drone Show: The 15-minute production will be seen at 6:15 p.m. and 8:05 p.m. on Nov. 19 and at 6:15 p.m. on Nov. 20. IAAPA says the display “could potentially set another new Guinness World Record.”
• IAAPA Street Market: Tastings from first-time food and beverages exhibitors will be featured in the convention center’s North Concourse.
• IAAPA Haunting Grounds: Exhibitors display ways to add Halloween events in North Concourse.
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• Women in the Industry Networking Lunch: Leaders talk about ways to champion women and equality in the industry. The event is at noon on Nov. 20; tickets are $59 for members and $99 for nonmembers.
• Monopoly: IAAPA Edition: Classic board game gets upsized on the Expo floor with manufacturers and suppliers via the IAAPA Expo Insider Booklet.
• Oscar Sort: The AI-powered Recycling Assistant: Six kiosks enable participants to show a potentially recyclable item and then be guided to the proper disposal bin.
• Also included: Digital Signage Innovation Lab, an attendee lounge, Global Professional Development Center, Innovation Stage for industry announcements and EDUTalk Stage in the South Concourse.
IAAPA Expo runs Nov. 18-21. The expo floor, which opens Nov. 19, is sold out with more than 1,100 wall-to-wall exhibitors this year, again extending into the convention center’s parking lot. About 40,000 attendees are expected.
The gathering includes educational sessions, networking, behind-the-scenes tours of Orlando attractions, and the trade floor, which features ride manufacturers, souvenir vendors, suppliers, food and beverage sources, operations experts, breaking news conferences and more for the industry.
For more information, go to IAAPA.org.