IAAPA begins registration for 2020 Expo in Orlando
The Orlando-based International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions is moving ahead with its preparations for its annual gathering at the Orange County Convention Center in November as originally scheduled.
There will be adjustments within the conference in response to the coronavirus pandemic, officials say.
“After months of stress, challenge and global uncertainty, we look forward to holding a safe event that will help industry professionals strengthen relationships and make important business decisions to lay the foundation for continued success,” said Hal McEvoy, IAAPA’s president and CEO. “Now more than ever, moving forward and looking to the future is critical to our industry, and IAAPA Expo is the right place to do just that.”
Last year’s IAAPA Expo featured more than 42,000 registrants, a record high. The centerpiece of the event is the trade-show floor, where vendors display wares and services, ranging from stuffed animals to roller coasters to water-slide filtration systems to new desserts.
IAAPA, which is not open to the general public, is a major draw for vendors, theme park journalists and attractions operators. Some years, Disney, Universal or SeaWorld hold news conferences to reveal new updates during the expo, too.
IAAPA will follow recommendations for large groups and meetings from the CDC and the convention center, said Susan Storey, director for global communications.
“While we are still several months away from Expo, and we know recommendations may change, current plans include the implementation of physical distancing measures, strict sanitization and cleaning protocols, and hand-sanitizing stations and more,” she said.
More event and speaker details, including additional safety precautions, will be announced as the Expo dates approach. The conference takes place Nov. 16-19, and the trade show floor will be Nov. 17-20.
The organization has more than 6,000 individual and group members from theme parks, amusement parks, water parks, resorts, family entertainment centers, zoos, aquariums, science centers, museums, manufacturers and suppliers.
For registration fees and more information, go to IAAPA.org.
Like much of Orlando’s tourism industry, the convention center, the nation’s second-largest, has been hurt with the coronavirus pandemic as events were canceled this spring.
According to figures as of mid-May, nearly 30 shows at the Orlando venue had been canceled, resulting in a combined estimated economic impact of $637.9 million. Another 20 shows were postponed, delaying an impact estimated at $425.7 million, the Orlando Sentinel reported.
Instead, the convention center’s parking lot was used as drive-through virus testing.
ITEC appoints new executive
The Orlando-based ITEC Entertainment has named Russell Bury as its new vice president of engineering of North America, a move which helps strengthen its technology division, the company said.
“In his new role, Russell is responsible for ITEC’s engineering, technical design and advanced and integrated technology solutions with a focus on the leisure, hospitality, and entertainment markets,” the company said recently in a press release.
Bury’s career includes working for the Sweden-based telecommunications company Ericsson, Warner Brothers, AV Technology as well as ITEC where he was previously the Asia Pacific Regional Manager.
ITEC does planning, creative design, entertainment technology and more services for theme parks, mixed-use spaces, retail and other projects.
“Carefully orchestrated technologies and control systems have a significant impact on guest immersion and are becoming more applicable to many other applications,” said ITEC Technologies CTO and Founder, Marc Plogstedt, in a news release. “We are confident in Russell’s ability to lead this burgeoning area and build upon ITEC’s more than 30-year heritage in designing engineering systems for some of the most complex and demanding projects in the world.”