Between September 12-15, in the United Kingdom's most significant political, financial, cultural, and artistic hub, London, the IAAPA Expo Europe took place. This event is dedicated to the amusement industry. With an area of over 15,000 square meters, the IAAPA Expo Europe 2022 featured more than 470 exhibiting companies with a diverse range of products, outdoor and indoor playgrounds, services, and new technologies.
Returning to London for the first time since 2011 with a program filled with state-of-the-art technology, IAAPA provided one of the best exhibitions to date, showcasing the latest industry developments, new product showcases, and services. This year's edition included a four-day educational conference with top industry professionals, offering unique perspectives on sustainability, guest experiences, technology, and safety.
"We are thrilled to bring this year's show to London," said Peter van der Schans, Executive Director and Vice President of IAAPA EMEA. "Our European membership comes with the advantage of changing the Expo's location each year. Hosting this year's show in a world-class destination like London provides the global attractions industry the opportunity to showcase their brands as we continue to recover."
What is IAAPA?
IAAPA is the most prominent trade association representing the amusement industry. For over a century, it has connected companies and people, offering meaningful experiences to beneficiaries around the world.
IAAPA hosts global events and conferences that spread successful ideas and practices, valuable tools and resources for smarter, safer, and more profitable businesses, providing beneficiaries with surprising and delightful experiences.
Founded in 1918, IAAPA represents the industry's main attractions, suppliers, consultants, and individual members from over 100 countries. Members include professionals (manufacturers and suppliers) from amusement parks, theme parks, water parks, family entertainment centers, zoos, aquariums, science centers, museums, and cruise lines.
What's New at IAAPA Expo Europe, September 12-15?
The Waterboyz team returns from IAAPA with ideas and solutions for professionals, municipalities, public, and private institutions. Waterboyz Romania's CEO, George Toda, alongside sales department members Flavius Jaja, Alexandru Apostol, Cătălin Onciuc, Irina Ursu, and Roxana Toda, brings innovations to the entertainment industry.
1. We learned from IAAPA Expo Europe organizers that this year's edition was the most successful. What was different from previous years?
First and foremost, we must consider the fact that this is the first edition after the pandemic. Everyone was eager to see new products, receive new information, and establish new relationships. Thus, the event's magnitude was much larger both in terms of awareness and the provided area, as the exhibition hall was impressive. In addition to the multitude of exhibitors, there were new and innovative equipment and technologies, all of which help us bring technological trends to Romania. These include new products, technologies, working methods, and materials.
2. IAAPA Expo Europe is an event dedicated to leisure industry professionals, with 470 exhibiting companies present. What caught your attention in particular?
There was a virtual reality arena that we liked very much, of the cordless type. You were in a well-defined perimeter with other teammates. We were pleasantly surprised by the very good graphics and a very fair price. It's evident that from year to year, technology improves, and prices become more accessible. A second aspect was that more and more companies are choosing the profit-sharing route. Why? Because they have more chances to penetrate multiple markets and choose this option to profit-share with partners in that respective country. Here we're talking about large-scale projects such as summer tubing, sky installations, zip lines, and other such major projects, or smaller-sized equipment such as electric boats, mini-trains for children, themed photo booths that can be customized based on the park they are placed in.
3. Will there be new products in Waterboyz's product portfolio?
Certainly, there will be. This was our purpose at this expo: to return with new partnerships. One of the most important partnerships is the profit-sharing with large-scale installations. Another product we want to bring to the Romanian market is cordless VR. Two years ago, we experimented with various VR technologies, but they were not as well developed. The technology in 2022 for virtual reality is very advanced. The resolution is optimized, as is the storyline. The movement in the game is smoother, easy to get into and play, and there aren't many pieces of equipment to wear—only a playing headset and a joystick; there are no sensors attached to you. It doesn't cause dizziness like other VR experiences, and you're always aware of your game teammates. In essence, you experience the nascent metaverse. You see your own avatar in the game.
4. Technology is part of everyday life. What suggestions do you have for representatives in Romania's leisure industry?
Don't oppose the new flow of technology; embrace it and incorporate it into your daily activities. However much we resist, technology is and will be a part of our lives. We look at all sectors, even the most conservative manufacturers... and what do we see? Everyone has started using touchscreens, LEDs, QR codes. We want comfort and all the benefits wrapped in a new aura. Embrace technology and use it in all aspects of your activities.
We want to be the number one choice for institutions interested in offering sustainable playgrounds to the community or for companies looking to add value to their ongoing business. Waterboyz is an innovation promoter:
• The most well-known company in Romania in the field of playgrounds;
• One of the most reliable amusement suppliers in Romania;
• Special Award for Involvement in Educational Infrastructure awarded by the SME Council;
With experience in providing over 500 playgrounds to Romania, we're with you in all processes, from consultation, design, acquisition, installation, and maintenance, and we can offer you the most efficient solutions!
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