Nearly 22,000 people from 89 nations attended, slightly less than the “more than 22,000” who visited Atlanta in 2005. This year’s attendance was also a drop of more than 9,500 people from the record of approximately 31,500 in Orlando back in 1997.

Exhibitors numbers were down too: Roughly 1,050 this year, versus 1,200-plus in 2005. However, attendees came from 12 more countries, with visitors from South East Asia up by 61 per cent over last year. Anecdotal reports from some exhibitors suggested a continuing decline in the number of Middle East visitors, perhaps for obvious reasons, and even South America.

In addition to attending the trade show, IAAPA members from around the globe participated in a more than 130 educational and networking events in record numbers, in fact support was double that last year. That’s 5,800 places, perhaps not unique names, taken up in seminars, workshops and behind-the-scenes tours of local attractions,

Nearly 800 Expo participants kicked off the trade show at the Welcome Reception. 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. On Friday night, more than 500 attendees enjoyed a spectacular gala at the Georgia Aquarium, highlighted for many by a screening of Deepo’s Undersea 3D Wondershow, Gary Goddard Entertainment’s delightful new 3D film.

Serious buyers

Bob Masterson, president of Ripley’s Entertainment and chair of the IAAPA convention and trade show advisory committee reckoned the 2006 Expo to be a resounding success. “Serious people were here, and the numbers were strong,” Masterson believed. “Exhibitors tell me they’ve done more business at this show than they’ve ever done before.”

“The show has been better this year than last for us,” admitted Stan Checketts of S&S Power, “but this hasn’t been a good show because attendance seems to be down.”

Paul Nelson of Waldameer Park echoed Checketts’ perception. This has been a good show, but it appears to be light in attendance. But there are a lot of things to look at and buy.”

Was there much new? Depends on what you were looking for. But then is there much new available in the industry right now?

Two halls, two shows?

The show was again located again in two separate halls joined by an enclosed walkway, with content switched from last year. The first hall, Hall B, was the home of ride guys, while Hall C was split roughly 50/50 between inflatable manufacturers and theming, design and technology specialists. The split seemed more logical than last year, though it’s possible some visitors missed one hall.

“You know, one year someone is going to exhibit something really amazing in among the inflatable section and we’ll all miss it!” smiled Tony Christopher of Landmark Entertainment, a prominent exhibitor in the ‘creative’ side of Hall C.

Located in the same area was Gary Goddard Entertainment. “Being in this section of the floor,” offered Gary Goddard, “we aren’t getting as many visitors, but those who stop and talk are more serious buyers. For us, the show has been good.”

“I’ve not seen a lot new yet,” remarked buyer Martin Booth of The Tussauds Group, walking the floor on the second day of the show. “But things aren’t like they were are they? You can see almost everything at a trade show on your PC these days.”

“IAAPA is always a great resource for us,” offered Brad Thomas of Silver Dollar City. “We can always find fresh ideas. One of the significant points of this association is the relationship we build with other parks, other attractions and vendors.”

“This show has been as spectacular as ever,” smiled Dick Knoebel of Knoebel’s Amusement Park. “Contrary to what many people think, I like Atlanta.”

Atlanta blues?

“Our first day was slow,” admitted Alberto Zamperla of Zamperla Inc, “but the second day was very good, with buyers from all over. Many negotiations are underway, but nothing has been signed yet.”

“The response has been good,” said Jack Mendes of Bob’s Space Racers. “Like most exhibitors we were concerned about going back to Atlanta for a second year, but that hasn’t proven to be a problem.”

“The quality of our detailed discussions with visitors is improving,” observed Wolfgang Richter of Huss Park Attractions, “telling me the interest is there. The market is coming back.”

Len Soled of Rides-4-U noted that “There is not a lot of foot traffic at the show, but buyers that are on the floor are serious buyers.” Representing Italian suppliers such as SBF/Visa, he sold everything on his stand.

“We are very happy and proud to win an exhibitor award,” added Augusto di Santi of SBF, which was awarded ‘Best New FEC Ride’ for its Traffic Jam attraction. “We sold the ride on display before the show to an American customer and we have since taken orders for four or five more. People like the theme.”

“We have been very busy,” explained Peter van Bilsen of Vekoma Rides Manufacturing. “We have has with six people on the floor all busy talking to clients. The visitors were all of high quality and a lot of existing projects have now come alive so we received many new orders. With our new factory in China, this is a good start.”

Not everyone was happy, however. “I won’t be coming to IAAPA again in a hurry,” moaned Brian Reid of Scottish stunt show specialist Falcon Entertainment. “It costs us far too much money, especially due all the hidden costs from the organisers, and we just don’t see enough business here to return.”

Slow but steady

“I expected to see more people here but we’ve sold two rides and are close to selling another two so I cannot say the show is bad,” reported Jack Souilljee of KMG/Innorides. “If your business depends only on IAAPA though, there is something wrong.”

Michael Flanigan or Sartori was either being very frank, or putting a brave face on it: “I don’t believe deals are really done at the show. Orders may be signed, but it’s the final process of something that started elsewhere. The customer will say ‘let’s sign it at IAAPA’!”

“Overall we’re pleased we exhibited this year,” acknowledged Erin Sellner of Sellner Manufacturing, “but we’re looking forward to returning to Orlando.”

“Success builds upon success,” concluded Mats Wedin, president of the Liseberg Group in Sweden and the new chairman of the IAAPA board. “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, including Seville, Bangkok, and especially Orlando.”

In 2007, the IAAPA Attractions Expo moves back to the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida, where it will stay for two years. However, the trade show begins a day earlier than usual, running Tuesday through to Friday. November 12 to 16.

VIVA LAS VEGAS

Those grumbling about Atlanta as a choice of venue in 2005/6 will no doubt be relieved to see the IAAPA Attractions Expo return to Orlando next year, but looking further ahead there is an equally exciting prospect on the cards for 2009: Las Vegas.

During the past decade, the industry’s largest trade show has visited Atlanta, Dallas, New Orleans and Orlando, but now IAAPA has announced a new, long-term plan for a two-city, East Coast/West Coast rotation. The association looked at Las Vegas previously, but the space simply wasn’t available because of an electronics show, which has now departed.

“Las Vegas and Orlando are international travel destinations and we think buyers will make an extra effort to attend,” reckons Jim Seay of Premier Rides, and chairman of IAAPA’s manufacturers and suppliers committee. We’ll probably see people on the trade show floor we’ve never seen before.”

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