“While we are disappointed we are unable to meet in-person this year, we are already looking ahead to IAAPA Expo 2021 in Orlando,” said Hal McEvoy, president and CEO, IAAPA.
The cancellation of the annual IAAPA Expo was announced Sept 4, 2020 from IAAPA’s global headquarters in Orlando. IAAPA is an international association for the attractions industry. The IAAPA Expo in Orlando is the largest trade show and convention for the industry it serves and has been a mainstay on the business calendar for many years.
“Together with input from members, exhibitors, the IAAPA Board of Directors and our team, we have decided to cancel this year’s Expo due to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19,” said McEvoy. He cited “continuing barriers to international and domestic travel coupled with the evolving guidance on mass gatherings, and members’ need to focus on their businesses helped lead to this decision.”
The association is launching a new, IAAPA Expo Virtual Education Conference to take place November 16-18, the same week IAAPA Expo was originally planned for. This will include many of the education sessions originally planned to take place at IAAPA Expo. The virtual conference will include 25 sessions and two keynote presentations and feature leading industry professionals. Additional details and registration information will be available online at IAAPA.org.
McEvoy expressed appreciation for “the patience, support and commitment from our dedicated IAAPA Expo exhibitors. The IAAPA team has already pivoted to address finding new ways industry manufacturers and suppliers can connect with their customers to promote their products, discover new trends, and make plans for the future.”
Current contracted IAAPA Expo 2020 exhibitors are advised to contact the IAAPA Global Sales Team at ExhibitSales@IAAPA.org to discuss options related to the cancellation and next steps. IAAPA is moving forward with plans to host IAAPA Expo Asia 2021, scheduled to take place in Macao, China, June 7-10, IAAPA Expo Europe 2021 in Barcelona, Spain, Sept. 28-30, 2021, and IAAPA Expo 2021 in Orlando, Florida, Nov. 16-19, 2021.
About IAAPA
As the largest international trade association for permanently located attractions, IAAPA unifies the attractions community, connects people to learn and grow together, and strives to promote the highest professional standards for excellence and safety around the world.
Founded in 1918, IAAPA represents more than 6,000 attraction, supplier, and individual members from more than 100 countries. Members include professionals from amusement parks, theme parks, attractions, water parks, resorts, family entertainment centers, zoos, aquariums, science centers, museums, manufacturers, and suppliers.
The association’s global headquarters is in Orlando, Florida, US. IAAPA also maintains offices in Brussels, Belgium; Hong Kong, China; Shanghai, China; Mexico City, Mexico; São Paulo, Brazil ; and Alexandria, Virginia, US. Additional information is available at IAAPA.org or through IAAPA’s social media channels: @IAAPAHQ #IAAPA