IAAPA Expo 2025 has officially concluded, marking a record-breaking year for the global theme park industry.
The premier event once again united thousands of professionals from around the world for five action-packed days of education, networking, and innovation. Held 17 – 21 November at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando, Florida, this year’s Expo surpassed all previous attendance records and reaffirmed its position as the must-attend gathering for industry leaders.
IAAPA Expo 2025 welcomed 38,520 verified attendees, drawn from a total of 43,840 registered participants, setting a new benchmark for participation. The trade show floor also featured almost 29,000 qualified buyers representing over 20,000 buying companies from across 102 countries.
Spanning more than 550,000 square feet of exhibit space, this year’s Expo showcased cutting-edge innovations from more than 1,100 exhibitors, representing the full spectrum of the global attractions community, including amusement and theme parks, water parks, family entertainment centres, zoos, aquariums, museums, resorts, and cruise lines.
“IAAPA Expo continues to grow not only in scale, but in global impact,” said Jakob Wahl, President and CEO of IAAPA. “Each year, we set new goals, see new technologies, partnerships, and creative ideas that are shaping the future of the attractions industry. The energy and innovation showcased in Orlando this week reaffirm IAAPA Expo’s role as the heartbeat of our global community.”
Education and announcements
Beyond the show floor, IAAPA Expo 2025 featured more than 170 educational events led by top industry leaders, offering fresh insights on guest experience, safety, technology, and more. The education conference also included EDUTours to Port Canaveral for an exclusive look aboard a Royal Caribbean ship, as well as to LEGOLAND® Florida Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld Orlando, where they explored behind-the-scenes operations, best practices, and innovative guest engagement strategies.
The Expo also drew widespread media attention across the region and beyond. Major announcements included:
- SeaWorld Orlando unveiling a new Vekoma dark ride, SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep.
- Dollywood debuting NightFlight Expedition, utilising an innovative ride system in partnership with Mack Rides.
- Six Flags Over Texas revealing the ‘Tormenta’ coaster, manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard Inc (B&M).
- Rocky Mountain Construction announcing new single rail coaster coming to Family Kingdom Amusement Park
Zamperla partnering with Morgan’s Wonderland on “The WingZ,” an accessibility-friendly ride, underscoring IAAPA’s commitment to inclusion and innovation.
Meaningful impact
Behind the scenes, the IAAPA Expo Press Office hosted more than 300 journalists, with national coverage in outlets including E! News, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, FOX Business, and CNN.
The IAAPA Foundation made a meaningful impact throughout Expo, raising more than $188,000 through on-site contributions from Sunday’s motorcycle run and Monday night’s IAAPA Legends: A Hall of Fame Celebratory Affair. With IAAPA’s matching donation, the total reached over $376,000, supporting global scholarships and educational initiatives that equip and develop the next generation of attractions industry talent.
Continuing the momentum of IAAPA Expo, the association will debut IAAPA Expo Middle East in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in March 2026. The inaugural event will bring together industry leaders from across the MENA region and beyond to spotlight innovation, technology, and investment opportunities shaping the future of leisure and attractions in the Middle East. From immersive design concepts to sustainable operations and integrated resort developments, the Expo will serve as a dynamic new platform for collaboration, learning, and growth in one of the world’s fastest-evolving markets.
IAAPA Expo 2026 will be held 16th – 20th November next year, and will expand across the North, South, and West concourses of the Orange County Convention Center, allowing the show to be almost 50% larger than this year. The expansion follows what IAAPA deems to be ‘the event’s strong performance’, and continued demand from more than 200 companies waiting to exhibit.
IAAPA recently elected nine new members to its Global Board of Directors, with terms set to begin in 2026.
