What is IAAPA?
IAAPA is the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. In other words, the coolest place to visit on the planet.
You walk into this place and you see interactions, rides, attractions, experiences, and food not even released yet. This is a look into the future, of FUN. Companies in the amusement industry come here to show off their new additions to the field, and potential customers can purchase their services. Also here are related fields, like POS systems, marketing, and other systems.
What to Expect?
Well, just plan more than one day and bring a really big bag. The amount of attractions here is insane, and a high percent of them are high high quality and super innovative. You are going to leave with a bag full of freebies and brochures over awesome ideas you can wait to reach the public.
VR
This is absolutely an attraction on the rise as you will see many businesses innovating and showing their new additions to this field. Every row of vendors will at least have one VR. But because there are a lot does not mean they are all similar. Each business changes the experience, and it is awesome. Some add vests that allow you too even feel the wind brushing against your skin, some add headsets allowing you to physically be right next to a second player, but through your VR be miles away forcing you to yell to hear each other. The innovation in this field is inspiring.
Lasertag, Bowling, Go-Karts
I combined these because I really see them as a basic. They are the basic things you see at a basic entertainment center. They are basic, but they are being innovated. Go-Karts are being revamped here amazingly, basically turning the game into Mario Kart with new technology. Some companies like Battle Company are turning laser tag into an entirely new thing, allowing for GPS tracked battle royale game modes. Bowling is even being innovated with projection tracking, allowing your ball to have a projected "trail" behind it on the floor as it rolls.
Innovation
And of course, there are things that do not even exist. I have blogged about Lucky Putt in the past which is insane variation of mini golf. There are companies that allow you to create your own Wipe-out or ninja-warrior course. There are stands that create AI robots that actually move around and talk to guests. This place will blow your mind with innovation and new ideas.