IAAPA is coming up!! Who's going?
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Well, it's that time of year again. PPP has come and gone (unfortunately I wasn't able to attend :( ) but IAAPA is coming up and I get to go!! Yay for me! ;) My first IAAPA. So who's going? It looks like such a fun convention. What's it like? When are all the rides and things operating and where are they located? I just have so many questions, I don't know where to begin! Anyways, just thought I'd see who was planning on attending.
Justin
It's a trade show. Trade shows suck.
I don't understand why people get excited over it, actually. I'm personally dreading it, and only going because I set the precedent of covering it for CoasterBuzz.
You'll see hundreds of tiny vendors that sell uninteresting things like ticket machines and cash registers, lots of rides you've already seen and the giant ballpit ball washer (because kids put those things in their mouth... yuck).
Keep in mind that the point of trade shows is to hookup buyers and sellers. It's a business to business affair. Don't show up dressed like a slob and stay out of the way of people conducting business.
I'll be there first day, and spend the rest of the week doing tourist stuff with Stephanie.
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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
"There's nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, when it's all in your mind. You gotta let go." - Ghetto, Supreme Beings of Leisure
Jeff said:
(because kids put those things in their mouth... yuck).
After the other kids have peed their pants while in the pit....
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If the shoe fits, find another one.
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Kind of hard to take a post as objective if a park or coaster name is part of the "user name"
Jeff, you might say that trade shows suck, but for someone who's never experienced it before it's something new and exciting. Sure, there will be lots of people doing business, lots of bland products (Giant ball washer sounds interesting though ;)) and lots of rides that I've already seen before, but the whole thing will be new to me, so I know I'll have fun. Plus I'll get a chance to meet and talk with people I've never talked with before. As well as some friends I haven't seen in awhile. So yes, while I agree that for some it might be uninteresting, to me it's a chance to see the industry outside the parks. Which is something I don't regularly get a chance to do.
Justin
I was planning on going to my frist this year too. Then I checked my piggy bank and realized I bought a real pig, and he ate all my money. :( So now I have to listen to Legendary go on&on&on...............&on for the next year about how great it was.
Everyone I've known that has been to one have always said there great to be at. Also that it takes like two day to go through it all? Remember Jeff not all of us are high up in the business of coasters as you so we don't see this stuff.
You can bet next year I'll be there, I'm going to plump my pig up, sell him and use the bacon to for that trip.
Well, let me shed some more light on the IAAPA expo.
What Jeff said is true, but I'm not sure you realize how much it is a meeting place for companies than an enthusiast show. This show makes or breaks companies like mine in where if I don't have any projects lined up by the time I leave, I have NO WORK for the coming year. Over 70% of the attendees purchase goods or services at the expo every year.
And, I have found that most companies wont even say one word to you unless they know you already or you are a potential buyer. They come their to conduct business and if they have a choice of either speaking to a park about a ride or talking to you about one of their rides, they will definitely choose the former. Now, some people like Stan Checketts and the folks over at S&S love to chat with enthusiasts, so be sure you stop by their booth. But, people like Intamin, Giovanola, and others aren't so open to chatting with enthusiasts unless they have time.
Also, if you plan on going that Saturday, be prepared for pandemonium. At last count, there were over 30,000 people registered for the convention and all of the media will be there that day to cover the expo.
Coker and I will be there on Wednesday-Saturday with some vacation days tacked on the end for some R&R. If anyone wants to hang with us for a while on the days we aren't conducting business, let me know.
If you do end up going to the convention, expect to be very bored after about 4 hours or so. But, there is a new food area at the expo this year, so go sample all of the cuisine available...
If anyone has any other questions, don't hesistate to ask.
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I hear a train a comin'
Comin' round the bend :P
TR2k3....GET READY!
We had a great time last year! Met with a lot of very interesting people, the SCAD tower was great, and you eat a lot of bad food! =) We were actually amazed at how many of the 'industry people' we had never met before kept saying "hey, we love the photos and videos!" That blew us away. It was my 3rd IAAPA and we had such a good time at the show and just hanging out in Orlando. There are pics and video from last years show on our site.
Look forward to seeing other Cbuzzers there!
--Robb
And, oh, yeah..Robb Alvey's 2002 Coaster Videos are now available.
www.themeparkreview.com
I'm sure Robb and the gang won't be hard to spot ;)
See you guys there!
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I hear a train a comin'
Comin' round the bend :P
TR2k3....GET READY!
Steph and I will be there Wednesday, maybe part of Thursday. The rest depends on when (and if) I can hook up with my big interview. I guess we'll see!
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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
"There's nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, when it's all in your mind. You gotta let go." - Ghetto, Supreme Beings of Leisure
Hey Jeff.. let me know the days you will be there. Coker and I will take you and Steph out for dinner or something....
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I hear a train a comin'
Comin' round the bend :P
TR2k3....GET READY!
Oh no, I think we'll be taking you out to "cut da rug." We're supposed to dine with one manufacturer in particular, but the rest of the nights were out to party and hoochie-watch. It has been a long time since our last real vacation.
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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
"There's nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, when it's all in your mind. You gotta let go." - Ghetto, Supreme Beings of Leisure
Giant Ball Washer...you mean I can FINALLY get these things clean??
How much is airfare to Orlando again? ;-)
Edit: BaSSiStiSt that is too funny.
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Joey Ciborek, Florida Coaster Club, Member
"WE RIDE ALL YEAR!!!" www.FloridaCoasterClub.com , www.CoasterJoe.com
"It's like an addiction" Me, The Discovery Channel, Ultimate Guide: Roller Coasters 5/27/02
*** This post was edited by Alantis104 on 10/18/2002. ***
*** This post was edited by Alantis104 on 10/18/2002. ***
BaSSiStiSt said:
Giant Ball Washer...you mean I can FINALLY get these things clean??
How much is airfare to Orlando again? ;-)
LOL Bass! ;) We know where your mind is most of the time, this just confirms it.
Justin --who'll be taking lots of photos of the Giant Ball Washer ;)
Justin - make sure you take pics of the washer when it's being demo'd, OK?
Moosh - suddenly has "that" AC/DC song running thru his mind....
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Sig under construction - big announcement coming soon!
Heh. I would just like to go anyway! Maybe next year. :-)
Tina Nelson
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Feel The Adrenaline....
www.intenserides.com
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