Each year in November, a huge trade show kicks off in Orlando: the IAAPA Expo. This large event brings together professionals from across the attractions industry, covering everything from attractions and technology to food service, operations, maintenance, safety, retail, and more.
Each year, Equip attends IAAPA not only to show off our utility for park operators, but also to see what is changing across the industry and make connections with the people responsible for the equipment that keep these facilities operating.
If this is your first time going to IAAPA, you may be feeling a little overwhelmed with everything you need to know before you arrive. That’s why we created this handy guide—to help you learn what to expect, how to prepare, and what to look for on the show floor at one of the attractions industry’s biggest events. Follow along with us as we give you an overview of the ins and outs of IAAPA.
What Is the IAAPA Expo?
For those working in the amusement and attractions industry, IAAPA is probably already on your radar. But if you’ve never attended before, it can be difficult to know exactly what you’ll be walking into, especially if you’re a first-time attendee.
IAAPA stands for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, a global association that represents professionals in the attractions industry. Each year, IAAPA hosts its annual North American expo in Orlando, Florida, allowing tens of thousands of professionals and exhibitors from across the country to come together to learn about changes in the industry and make connections with one another.
However, there’s more to IAAPA than just rides and fun. The trade show floor features professionals and exhibitors from all sides of the industry, such as the attractions themselves and the technology behind them, food and beverage services, maintenance, theming, and even equipment that’s utilized behind the scenes. Beyond just the trade show floor, IAAPA also offers educational sessions, networking opportunities, and special events for attendees.
How Big Is IAAPA?
For those of you who have never attended IAAPA before, it can be a little hard to picture just how large the Expo is. 2026’s event will feature:
1,100+ exhibitors
40,000+ attendees
170+ educational events
And for the first time ever, IAAPA is expanding into the West Building of the Orange County Convention Center, which increases the show floor space by nearly 50%. This expansion adds more than just space—it also includes more exhibitors, products, education, and experiences across the Expo.
What this means for first-time attendees is: don’t expect to be able to see everything on the IAAPA floor in just a few hours, or even a single day. It is worth looking at the floor plan and planning ahead, as there are exhibitors and education sessions spread across multiple buildings.
One thing to keep in mind is, you don’t have to visit every booth to have a productive IAAPA. But you should plan ahead for such a large event, meaning it’s important to think about what you want to learn, which companies are top priority to meet, and what challenges you’re looking to find solutions for, all before you ever set foot into the event. Planning can help you spend time where it matters most.
What Will You See at IAAPA?
No matter what your role is, at IAAPA you’ll find yourself perusing everything from new attraction technology to equipment used to keep a park operating behind the scenes.
Attractions & Rides
Get ready to see more rides than you ever thought possible under one roof at IAAPA. From roller coasters to flat rides to family and water attractions, there’s plenty to take in, whether that’s mini examples of the rides themselves or photos and VR videos of the ride experience. The Expo is a great opportunity to see new concepts, technologies, and equipment that are being used to develop new attractions of all sizes.
Technology
The role that technology plays is increasingly important in the attractions and amusement park industry. At IAAPA, you can expect to see guest experience technology (like electronic kiosks for ticketing), interactive attractions, and automation—all designed to improve how guests interact with a facility.
Food & Beverage
Amusement parks and other attractions always have new and exciting food and beverages available, so it’s no wonder that you’ll find the full spectrum of these services at IAAPA. Expect to see food service equipment, concessions equipment, and mobile food operations, just to name a few.
Retail & Guest Services
Retail and guest services are an important part of the attractions industry, whether it’s the merchandise guests take home or the equipment utilized to serve them. Expect to see kiosks, retail fixtures, POS equipment, and other guest-facing products at IAAPA.
Operations & Maintenance
While guest-facing booths are common, not everything is designed for a guest’s eyes. The Expo also features things like maintenance equipment, facility supplies, safety equipment, and other products that can be used to keep parks and attractions operating. Learn more in our blog, “Why Should Facilities and Operations Managers Attend IAAPA?”.
Looking Beyond the Attractions
There may be a lot of attention on the newest rides or the latest guest-facing technology, but that doesn’t mean you should overlook what goes on behind the scenes. Attractions depend on more than just what a guest sees—equipment also needs to be maintained, stored, protected, and kept ready for use.
That’s part of the reason that Equip attends IAAPA each year. Not only do we get to see the equipment that supports the attractions themselves, but we also get to see the different challenges in the industry as well as the way that manufacturers and operators are solving them.
How to Prepare for Your First IAAPA
With tens of thousands of attendees, IAAPA can quickly become overwhelming if you’re not aptly prepared. A bit of preparation can help you make the most of your time on the trade show floor even if you’re not planning out every single moment on an itinerary.
1. Know What You Want to Get Out of the Show
Before you arrive, think about your goals for IAAPA and what you’re looking to get out of the expo. For instance, are you hunting for new equipment, learning about the latest industry trends, or searching for a solution to a specific operational challenge? Having a few ideas in mind for what you want to accomplish at the show will make it much easier for you to decide where and how to spend your time.
2. Review the Exhibitor List Before You Go
It’s always a good idea to review the exhibitor list before you arrive, that way you can identify companies that you already know as well as exhibitors that are offering products or services relevant to your work. Once you review, it’ll be much easier to identify the booths you want to visit ahead of time.
3. Build a Short List
While there’s no need to plan every minute of your visit, it’s still a good idea to figure out your short list of must-see exhibitors, education sessions, and events. This way, you’ll have a starting point but still have room to see other things that you discover along the way. You can also take time to schedule important meetings so that you can plan the rest of your time around them.
4. Leave Some Room for Exploration
It’s a fantastic idea to have some exhibitors and events in mind before you go, but that doesn’t mean you should limit yourself. Give yourself some time to purely explore the trade show floor—you may come across new technology, a new supplier, or even a solution that wasn’t on your radar yet.
5. Wear Comfortable Shoes
This may be the most important part of our guide—IAPPA is massive, and with the expansion into the West Building this year, it’ll be even larger than in the past. Because you’ll be doing a lot of walking, it’s imperative that you wear comfortable shoes for this event.
6. Take Time to See Everything
It can take some time to get from one area of the show to the other, so it’s essential that you give yourself enough time between meetings and sessions. Decide what sessions you want to attend beforehand to ensure you see everything that you want to.
7. Bring the Kids Along
IAAPA is one of the very few tradeshows this is kid-friendly, and admission for those 17 and younger is free. Kids must be registered when they are on-site and wear an ID wristband at all times, but they’re free to enjoy the rides and the fun food and drinks you’ll find on the tradeshow floor.
What Equip Looks for at IAAPA
There’s so much to see at IAAPA, but everyone comes to the expo looking for something different. For Equip, Inc. we pay attention to the equipment and operations that make everything function. We particularly look for:
· New equipment applications: what new equipment is being introduced, and how is it being used? New equipment can come along with new protection and storage requirements.
· Equipment protection: What type of new equipment needs to be protected from the weather, overnight exposure, or other problems that come along with high-traffic environments?
· Customization: Many equipment applications don’t fit a standard cover solution, with unusual shapes and access requirements.
· Industry connections: It’s vital for us to connect with park operators, manufacturers, suppliers, and other industry professionals at IAAPA. These conversations give us insight into the challenges in the industry and where we’re headed.
For years, Equip has worked with parks and attractions, providing custom covers for equipment used in high-traffic environments. IAAPA gives us an annual chance to see what’s new in the industry, learn what park operators need, and bring those lessons back into our own work.
Making the Most of Your Time at IAAPA
Planning before the show can make it easier to get value out of your time at IAAPA. Ensure you have these three stages in mind:
Before the show:
Make your list of priorities for the expo.
Look through the exhibitor list and mark down which companies you want to visit.
Take a glance through the education sessions and choose which ones you want to attend.
Schedule important meetings in advance.
During the show:
Take notes and photos when possible.
Ask as many questions as you can and talk to the exhibitors on your shortlist.
Save some time to explore booths that you didn’t plan for.
Pay attention to solutions that could apply to your own facility.
After the show:
Follow up with newly-made contacts.
Organize your notes and photos while the information is still fresh.
Review the products, vendors, and ideas that caught your attention at IAAPA.
Turn what you learned into changes or improvements for your park or facility.
Your First Time at IAAPA: Have Fun!
While it can be overwhelming to attend your very first IAAPA, it’s also meant to be a good time as well. With so much to see and do, it can be tough to decide where and how to spend your time. We hope that our overview helped you get the basics down.
Come see us in 2026—we’ll be at booth W1911!
IAAPA FAQs
Is IAAPA only for amusement parks?
No, IAAPA isn’t only for amusement parks, although that is one of its focuses. IAAPA is for anyone who operates or runs an attraction of any sort, or those who serve those attractions through things like guest services or food and beverage. Kids are also welcome at this all-ages tradeshow.
Do you need to plan your IAAPA visit in advance?
Yes, it’s a very good idea to plan your IAAPA visit well in advance. Hotels fill up fast close to the event, and getting transportation to and from Orlando can be costly as well. It’s important to plan your visit as far ahead as you can to ensure you have enough time to see everything that you want to see.
What can you see at IAAPA besides rides?
There’s plenty to see and do at IAAPA besides perusing the latest amusement park rides. From guest-facing technology to food and beverage to guest services, there’s something for just about everyone who works in a high-traffic public location.
Custom Covers for Amusement Parks and High-Traffic Facilities
Looking for custom covers for water parks, zoos, and other attractions? We specialize in custom commercial covers built for attractions.
📧 Email: info@equipinc.com 📞 Call: 719-599-0300
Request a quote today and keep your assets covered, protected, and ready for anything.
