IAAPA Expo in Orlando Set to Move the Industry Forward

IAAPA EXPO IS THE PLACE where attractions industry professionals will come together to share and discover new ideas, technologies, products, and services to reignite their businesses and inspire one-of-a-kind guest experiences. The global attractions industry’s premier event will be held Nov. 15-19 at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando, Florida. Here, attendees made up of industry leaders, decision-makers, and innovators will explore IAAPA Expo’s expansive trade show floor and participate in special events featuring keynotes from industry executives, education sessions and programs, EDUTours, and more. IAAPA Expo will present the attractions industry’s creativity, ingenuity, and resiliency, as professionals connect and learn best practices from one another.

New Opportunities Down Every Aisle

The trade show floor at IAAPA Expo will be open Nov. 16-19 and spread across the North and South Concourses of the OCCC, featuring more than 700 exhibiting companies displaying state-of-the-art products and services in food and beverage, show production and design, games and arcades, rides and equipment, operational services, family entertainment, water parks, inflatables, and more. Qualified buyers—including high-level executives, general managers, operators, and owners— will browse the trade show floor looking for the next business innovation that will thrill guests and elevate their attractions.

Engaging Education Programs

IAAPA Expo attendees can take part in more than 90 educational experiences available throughout the week. The Education Conference, taking place Nov. 15-18, is designed specifically for attractions professionals, offering valuable insights and lessons from industry leaders and experts during education sessions, roundtables, and panel discussions.

With sessions covering a range of topics—such as entertainment, facility operations, human resources, marketing, and safety—attendees can customize their education schedule to fit their individual learning objectives.

IAAPA Institutes and Symposia will guide attendees to new ideas, perspectives, solutions, and practices through single-day and multiday interactive programs geared toward family entertainment center (FEC) operators, attractions managers, and leaders. Learning lunches will bring together attendees from specific areas of business to discuss issues related to their interests and hear from keynote speakers over lunch.

Exciting Special Events

Attendees can also connect with industry professionals during several special events, which include Lunch and Learn, Kickoff Event, IAAPA Awards Winners Celebration, GM and Owners’ Breakfast, Game Changer, IAAPA Celebrates, receptions for member constituencies and regions, and charity events benefiting Give Kids The World Village.

EDUTours Explore Central Florida Attractions

IAAPA Expo’s EDUTours offer IAAPA members the unique opportunity to explore local attractions, including Fun Spot America and SeaWorld Orlando. From guided behind-the-scenes tours to presentations from attractions professionals, participants can see how facilities create memorable guest experiences while learning about operations best practices.

New at IAAPA Expo: EDUTalks

PRESENTED LIVE on the trade show floor’s EDUTalk Stage, these 15-minute sessions will feature speakers who will offer tips, tricks, and insights on topics such as professional development, sustainability, safety, technology, and the guest experience. Highlights from the schedule of more than 30 EDUTalks include:

Getting Promoted Means Getting Noticed

Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2 – 2:15 p.m.

Establishing a personal brand can make all the difference when chasing new opportunities. Whether it’s searching for a job, finding clients, or landing a promotion, leveraging your personal brand offers a competitive advantage.

Blurring the Lines: Creative Operations Align with Meow Wolf Exhibits

Tuesday, Nov. 16, 4:40 – 4:55 p.m.

Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return has been welcoming guests in Santa Fe, New Mexico, for over five years and has now created new experiences in Las Vegas and Denver, Colorado, with opening dates in 2021. Transitioning from a hometown operation to a larger-scale exhibition in an established market brings new challenges and opportunities. This Meow Wolf study offers insights and learnings translatable to any organization.

Top 5 Tips to Maximize Your Contacts and Meetings From IAAPA Expo 2021

Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2:30 – 2:45 p.m.

Learn tips and actions to take once you leave the trade show floor from a veteran food and beverage industry partner and find out what to do when following up with leads.

Trust the Numbers: Tips for Using Data to Drive Results

Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2:55 – 3:10 p.m.

Discover best practices for analyzing data and turning insights into actions to get the maximum benefits from numbers. Learn how to look for trends and use data to make operational decisions with confidence.

Fear Factors: Creating Terrifyingly Brilliant Guest Experiences

Thursday, Nov. 18, 10:55 – 11:10 a.m.

Horror, haunts, and scare tactics are an increasingly popular trend in attractions, but not all attractions have to be scary. Learn how to tap into fear as a tool to connect guests to your attraction.

Creating Leadership Culture in the Attractions Industry

Thursday, Nov. 18, 4:30 – 4:45 p.m.

Learn about the necessary tools to build a leadership culture within your organization by identifying the management skills and specific knowledge needed to achieve success and by exploring high-potential organizations’ characteristics, relevant key performance indicators, and how to get there.

• IAAPA Expo Health and Safety Policies:

IAAPA is focused on providing a safe and healthy environment for attendees, exhibitors, and team members at IAAPA Expo. IAAPA is working closely with partners at the Orange County Convention Center and Orlando Health to develop and implement a comprehensive plan focused on a safe and successful IAAPA Expo 2021. IAAPA is also following the latest guidance and recommendations for large groups and meetings from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Visit IAAPA.org/IAAPAExpoFAQ for health and safety guidelines.