IAAPA

[coasterfreak101]

Where and when is IAAPA held? I just watched to BONUS on the 2001 DVD and saw it. It looks like a blast!!!

[coaster1]

2006: Atlanta

2007: Atlanta

2008: Orlando

2009: Atlanta

2010: Orlando

2011: Orlando

2012: Orlando

2013: Orlando

 

Usually is the third week of November, the week before Thanksgiving from Monday to Saturday with the tradeshow exhibition show trade-floor open Wed-Sat.

 

Also it's a business tradeshow, not for playing around, although there are some places that allow you to play .. just expect alot of business stuff and dressing in business dress (Shirt, Tie, Slacks)

[ebl]

I always get a kick out of how a lot of enthusiasts want to go to the IAAPA show because they think that it's a big display put on just for them! It's a business trade show! Vendors are there to sell their rides, shows, and other amusement park-related items, not to answer questions from a bunch of kids!

 

The show did make its way out to L.A. in 1993, and I was going to go, but the cost was rather high (I think nearly $200 if I recall), so I didn't. Also, because the L.A. Convention Center is rather space-challenged for that event, it won't be out here any time soon.

 

Eric

[DRWP2005]

Yeah the show is pretty big, and expensive to get into. It doesn't matter if your a member or not its expensive (although a bit cheaper if you are a member) Like said earlier, its a tradeshow with companies trying to get new clients, not just answer a bunch of questions. A few people from my park usually get to go, and hopefully one day they'll ask me. Although my odds are better in getting asked to go to the WWA show (World Waterpark Association) which is also a trade show and expensive to get in to...this year its was $300 for a member, $500 for a non-member, and that just gets you into the trade show, it doesn't include any seminars. You can also take various classes and gets different certifications, and yup you guessed it...its extra $$$ too.

[CoasterFanatic]

Like many other trade shows the entry fee is very cost prohibitive. Why do you think that is?

 

I attended IAAPA in 2001, and I will probably go back one day.

[robbalvey]

I have attended IAAPA several times - 1997, 2001, 2002, 2003. And while it looked fun on the video (Mainly becuase of the SCAD tower and the inflatables people having nothing to do on the last day of the show) I really don't like going. And the last two times I went, I think I was at the show for MAYBE about 4 hour total.

 

Why? Because I know what it's like having done CES and E3 for the past 17 years of my life having a bunch of people that I KNOW are just there for fun coming up and asking me questions like "Why is this game better than this other one", "Are there any cheats?", "When will it be coming out for my PSP?", etc, etc, etc.

 

When we go to IAAPA, there might be a couple of people we have meetings with for specific features or reasons, but overall, we don't really talk or bother many of the vendors at ALL!

 

I honestly urge most people NOT to go to IAAPA if all you want to do is 'check stuff out' and get the free food. You can see just about as much on website updates!

 

--Robb "I hope this doesn't come across as rude, because I'm not meaning to be, but the show REALLY is for people in the industry who have hundreds of thousands of dollars to spend." Alvey

[ParkTrips]

I am going this year because it will be just a few miles from me and I've never been. I just want to walk the floor once and see all the new stuff. I just want to do it at least once. I'm too shy to go talk to these people and bug them anyways

[coaster1]

Don't see how the cost is expensive. In 2001 the entry fee for pre-registration was I believe $20 and then the private party was $65 at IOA. This year it was $70 fro pre-reg, $90 until Oct 15th and $120 onsite.

 

Fairly cheap, but again, it is a buisness meeting and when we went we had a good time with people wanting to talk to us, but otherwise we didn't bother anyone.

[coasterguy618]

I've always wanted to go to one of the IAAPA shows.

 

BTW, do you need a special pass to get in?

[coaster1]

You have to be apart of a IAAPA member organization or pay the outstanding fee for non-members.

[buttonman700]

I'm with Robb here. I've been 12 times. And while the show has grown and improved over the years, the past two years have been rather, blah.

 

The industry is in a slump in my opinion, heres hopng this changes.

 

No IAAPA for us this year, we are opting out and instead attending the Transworld halloween show!

 

Oh, and if you are going, don't be a pest, there is nothing more irritating than trying to have a converstion with a vendor and have someone just juimp in with their opinion, or just interupt. it has happened to me more than once. there is a lot to see and alot to learn, and there's a lot of great people watching. I've met some very interesting peole at the show, not by barging in on a conversation, but by just sitting back and being myself.

 

Sometime I'll share my 'box of bolts' story with you.