By Jim Carchidi
Orlando is home to some of the world’s most famous theme parks, but it's also home to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) and its ultimate industry meet-up.
The show
The 2025 IAAPA Expo will happen at Orange County Convention Center, November 17-20. The event has convened here since 2010 with more than 1,100 exhibitors and nearly 40,000 industry professionals from around the world. No subject is too big or small as the event showcases innovations for theme parks, resorts, water parks, museums, and zoos.
Each IAAPA Expo turns the convention center’s North/South building into the ultimate attractions showroom where vendors and creators offer industry professionals the chance to test, review, and buy their products. Thrill ride technology shares space with bounce houses, animatronics exhibits, and the latest midway games. And if it’s too big to display inside, there’s an outdoor exhibit area by the parking lot. But IAAPA offers more than a convention.
Industry innovations and networking opportunities bring attractions professionals from around the world to the IAAPA Expo.
Full-size rides exhibits are arranged at indoor and outdoor display areas.
IAAPA also features exhibitors specializing in museum and science center attractions.
Behind the scenes
Founded in 1918, IAAPA promotes the success of its industry by providing members with research, education, training, and networking opportunities that include expos in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The association represents 6,000 members from 100 countries. When it outgrew its former headquarters in Virginia, Florida’s attractions hub provided the ideal permanent location to connect with the industry.
The move to Orlando began in 2017, creating high-wage jobs and a commitment to host the expo at Orange County Convention Center through 2030.
IAAPA Expo may seem like a great family getaway, but it’s a members-only event that fosters business growth through seminars, panel discussions, and special group tours of local theme parks. Among the 2025 expo programming is a panel discussion with the creative minds behind Epic Universe. The expo itself represents an estimated $93 million in local economic impact through attendee spending on lodging, food, entertainment, and transportation.
More to come
Project updates and announcements from theme park industry leaders make every IAAPA Expo a noteworthy event with news outlets and bloggers posting daily reports from the exhibit floor. Tune in to The Orlando Real on YouTube and Instagram for more on IAAPA Expo 2025.
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