IAAPA cancels 2020 expo in Orlando
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From the press release:
IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry, today announced the cancellation of IAAPA Expo 2020 in Orlando, Florida. In addition, the association is launching a new virtual conference for global attractions industry professionals so that they can take part in many of the education sessions originally planned to take place at IAAPA Expo.
“IAAPA Expo serves as the global marketplace for the attractions industry. We recognize this year there are many challenges facing our members from around the world,” said Hal McEvoy, president and CEO, IAAPA. “Together with input from members, exhibitors, the IAAPA Board of Directors and our team, we have decided to cancel this year’s Expo due to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19. The continuing barriers to international and domestic travel coupled with the evolving guidance on mass gatherings, and members’ need to focus on their businesses helped lead to this decision.”
“While we are disappointed we are unable to meet in-person this year, we are already looking ahead to IAAPA Expo 2021 in Orlando,” McEvoy continued, “We also appreciate the patience, support and commitment from our dedicated IAAPA Expo exhibitors. The IAAPA team has already pivoted to address finding new ways industry manufacturers and suppliers can connect with their customers to promote their products, discover new trends, and make plans for the future.”
Read the entire press release from IAAPA.
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Well, but even then, when I go to technical conferences (for software development), it's true that many of the best conversations occur between sessions and at meals, or later in the bar. I totally get that. But the virtual content that happens live facilitates a fair amount of that, and sometimes the Twitter or Slack prove useful in simulating the hallway interactions.
We're trying to figure out how this works best now at my job, as we're having an "off-site" meeting for two days (read: work from a different room). Part of it will just be having open Zoom rooms that specialize in topics. We'll see how it goes.
bigboy said:
I think he meant “educational” as in having a training element, not pertaining to the field of education.
I totally get that. I was providing an example from my expertise to show that yes technically the conference can be held but it's certainly not the same. Our annual conference this year is a keynote speaker followed by two breakout sessions. In the past it was a two day event with a keynote speaker and then roughly 10 breakout sessions. Plus a great lunch. So again not nearly enough opportunities to network and debrief. But it's free this year so I guess I can't complain too much.
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