Orlando, Florida, USA
September 4, 2020 – IAAPA, the global association for the amusement attractions industry, announced the cancellation of IAAPA Expo 2020 due to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19. The largest amusement industry event of the year features hundreds of ride manufacturer and industry supplier booths, informational symposiums and who’s who of the theme park world.
“IAAPA Expo serves as the global marketplace for the attractions industry. We recognize this year there are many challenges facing our members from around the world,” Hal McEvoy, president and CEO of IAAPA, said in a press statement. “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. The 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.”
Not only is it very tough to travel right now, meaning suppliers from around the globe would have a hard time even getting to the event, but mass gatherings, especially indoors, are known is increase the risk of spreading the virus.
While some parks were able to open this year, ride manufacturers and various other suppliers that support them have taken a hard hit. With new park projects in the pipeline either pushed back or cancelled, many of those companies simply can’t afford the event nor do they feel it would be worthwhile attending.
This year’s Expo will be replaced by a new event, IAAPA Expo: Virtual Education Conference, which will take place November 16-18 and include 25 sessions, as well as two keynote presentations, focused on current industry needs and issues.
See what our members are saying about how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the theme park industry in our Forum discussion.