International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA)
Mar 25, 2010 2:09 PM
Location: Arlington, Va.; Brussels, Belgium; and Morales, Mexico
Website:www.iaapa.org
Markets Served: Attraction, museum, and hospitality
Demographic: Broad; draws from all aspects of attraction design, construction, and operation
AV Membership: Yes
Member Benefits: Annual directory, annual tradeshow and expo
Key networking opportunity: Become a member of market specific committee such as museums and present at the annual tradeshow Key events: November tradeshow in Orlando, Fla.
Don’t miss: The chance to bring your kids to the tradeshow; IAAPA is one of the few that allows kids
IAAPA is the world’s largest trade association for the attractions industry (400
members in 90 countries), which includes operators, systems suppliers, and equipment
vendors for amusement parks, water parks, zoos, aquariums, casinos, resorts,
science centers, and museums—virtually all of which require a significant level of
AV technology and integration for entertainment, interactivity, communication, and
life safety.
David Mandt, IAAPA’s VP of communications, says professional AV membership
(both design professionals and integrators) has grown in recent years as demand
for AV has grown. IAAPA lists AV professionals in its annual Industry Buyer’s
Guide. Check both the high-tech Equipment & Services section and the Theatrical
Entertainment & Supplies category. See the guide at www.iaapa.org.
IAAPA offers approximately 90 seminars and workshops at its three annual
tradeshows—IAAPA Attractions Expo (United States), Asian Attractions Expo (Asia-
Pacific), and Euro Attractions Show (Europe). The November Attractions Expo in
Orlando, Fla., is the largest attractions industry conference/tradeshow in the world—
about 25,000 participants. IAAPA educational session topics are typically determined
by 28 committees within the organization that identify important industry trends
to examine at each tradeshow. Mandt emphasizes that those committees normally
consider topic ideas submitted by members during a call for presentations period
at the end of each year, and he urges AV professionals to be actively involved in
forming and planning workshops for IAAPA tradeshows.
Contacts: Heidi Aulakh, manager of membership marketing, [email protected];
Pete Barto, VP of sales (for tradeshow exhibition), [email protected].
