Theme Park Convention IAAPA Attractions Expo 2013 Opens in Orlando with New Thrill Rides, Games, Technology

ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- New thrill rides, immersive games, tasty treats, and time-saving technology are the buzz of IAAPA Attractions Expo 2013, underway through Nov. 22 in Orlando.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131118/DC18801-INFO)

The Expo is the largest annual conference and trade show for the $24 billion global theme park and attractions industry, converting the Orange County Convention Center into a dazzling marketplace of theme park thrills that may debut soon at popular destinations worldwide.

Expo attendees test amusement rides, games, food, and fun showcased by nearly 1,100 exhibitors from five continents. Companies specializing in ride and attraction design, theming, ticketing, technology, ziplines, and more fill a half-million square feet of exhibition space.

Representing 100 nations, more than 26,000 professionals from amusement parks, water parks, zoos, aquariums, museums, and family entertainment centers are at Expo to network and learn about new trends and innovations for 2014 and beyond. Additional details are available via infographics created for the Expo.

The Expo features 80 education sessions, networking events, and behind-the-scenes tours of Orlando's popular destinations including Fun Spot America, LEGOLAND Florida, Epcot, SeaWorld Orlando, Discovery Cove, Disney's Blizzard Beach and Hollywood Studios, and the Kennedy Space Center. The Expo show floor is host to announcements related to new rides debuting in 2014, including rides for Dollywood, Six Flags Great America and the new Sochi Adventure Park opening soon in Russia's winter Olympic city.

IAAPA Attractions Expo 2013 includes keynote presentations by George Kalogridis, president of Walt Disney World Resort and Matt Ouimet, President & CEO of Cedar Fair Entertainment.

Participants will also learn from Will and Jack Morey from Morey's Piers of Wildwood, N.J.; Amanda Thompson, managing director of U.K.-based Blackpool Pleasure Beach; Bob Rippy, president of Jungle Rapids of Wilmington, N.C.; Tom Mehrmann, CEO of Ocean Park Corp. of Hong Kong; Disney legends Jack Lindquist and Lee Cockerell; and Walt Disney Imagineering/Epcot legend Marty Sklar.

IAAPA recognizes the industry's best-of-the-best during an Academy Award-style celebration – The IAAPA Brass Ring Awards – honoring excellence and creativity in entertainment, HR, food and beverage, new products, and more.

Presented by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), the Expo is closed to the public, with media invited. Details, photos, phone interviews with exhibitors available to localize reports. Follow the Expo @IAAPAHQ or #IAAPA, with more at www.IAAPA.org or via 703/299-5127 or 678/358-7476.

CONTACT:
Nicholas Wolaver
for IAAPA 
678-358-7476

SOURCE International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions