IAAPA Attractions Expo 2017 Opens, Bringing New Thrill Rides, Technology, Immersive Games, and Fun Food to Theme Parks Everywhere

ORLANDO, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- New thrill rides, immersive attractions, virtual reality experiences, emerging technology, and fun foods are the buzz of IAAPA Attractions Expo 2017 underway in Orlando through Nov. 17.

IAAPA Attractions Expo is the largest annual gathering for the global theme park and attractions business. The annual event brings every facet of the industry together to discover what is new and to make investment decisions for the coming years. A virtual midway, complete with more than nine miles of aisles, transforms the Orange County Convention Center into the epicenter of the business of fun.

This year's Expo truly is the place where news happens with many exciting announcements about new rides and attractions opening at parks in 2018 taking place on the tradeshow floor ? more than 65 new rides open next year, with details available at http://bit.ly/2hlSa2N.

Attendees will be the first to learn what's next for Silver Dollar City, Six Flags Over Georgia, and SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment and many more.  Amusement ride manufacturers Intamin, Mack Rides, Rocky Mountain Construction, Skyline and S&S Worldwide will share in these announcements.   Amikoo Resort Destination Theme Park, scheduled to open in Mexico next year, will also share updates. The complete list of press conferences is available at www.IAAPA.org/ExpoPressEvents.

The future of roller coaster design, dark ride development, water slides, immersive experiences, food and beverage, theming and design, ticketing technology, and more is on display by more than 1,000 exhibiting companies. Conversations are flying about anticipated Expo products and services, including LAI Games' virtual reality experience, Racket Studios' new video karaoke booth, Cloward H2O's Aquaticartm Experience, an underwater driving adventure, and Dator Inc.'s cutting edge ticketing software system. Additional information about what's new is available at www.IAAPA.org/SneakPeek.

Representing 100 nations, 32,000 professionals from water and theme parks, family entertainment centers (FECs), aquariums, zoos, museums, science centers, resorts, and more attend Expo to build relationships, test new innovations, and learn best practices.

The Expo features more than 100 education experiences including behind-the-scenes EDUTours of popular Florida destinations, such as Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Fun Spot America, SeaWorld Orlando, Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Volcano Bay Water Theme Park.

The event features keynote presentations or panel discussions by industry veterans, including Merlin Entertainments CEO Nick Varney, Herschend Family Entertainment CEO Jane Cooper, and Bob White, COO of Australia's Village Roadshow Theme Parks. IAAPA's popular Game Changer session features former Disney executive Duncan Wardle speaking about creating a culture of innovation.

IAAPA recognizes the industry's best-of-the-best during the IAAPA Brass Ring Awards honoring excellence and creativity in entertainment, merchandise, marketing, food and beverage, and human resources.

Presented by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), Expo is open to media and closed to the public. Exhibitor details, photos, and phone interviews are available to localize reports. Follow the Expo @IAAPAHQ or #IAE17, with more at www.IAAPA.org or via 703/299-5127.

Contact:

Susie Storey: [email protected], +1-703/299-5127
Nicholas Wolaver: [email protected], +1-678/358-7476

SOURCE International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA)