The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) revealed plans to take its IAAPA Attractions Expo Annual Conference and Trade Show to Las Vegas in 2009. The IAAPA Attractions Expo is the largest amusement and attractions trade show in the world as more than 24,000 people from 90 countries will visit and more than 1,000 exhibits spread out over a million square feet of convention center space.

During the last 10 years, the IAAPA Attractions Expo has been hosted by Atlanta, Dallas, New Orleans and Orlando. The announcement to take the show to Las Vegas for the first time marks IAAPA’s new, long-term plan for a two-city, East Coast/West Coast rotation for the event. The mid-November show will be held in Orlando in 2007 and 2008.

“Our members, who represent theme parks, water parks, zoos, aquariums, miniature golf courses, family entertainment centers, and manufacturers and suppliers, expressed interest in an East Coast/West Coast show rotation cycle several years ago,” said IAAPA President and CEO Charlie Bray. “We looked at Vegas in the past, but the convention center space simply wasn’t available. Fortunately, that changed and made this exciting new plan possible.”

Orlando and Las Vegas were selected as the two cities in the rotation because they have the convention center facilities large enough to host the show in November and because of their stature as worldwide entertainment mecca.

“In addition to purchasing goods and services, networking with industry colleagues and participating in a number of seminars and professional development programs, our members like to experience firsthand the latest innovations in amusement parks, themed attractions and awe-inspiring stage shows,” Bray said. “Both Las Vegas and Orlando are well-known for providing a variety of these cutting-edge entertainment experiences.”

Jim Seay, president of Premier Rides and chairman of IAAPA’s Manufacturers and Suppliers committee is thrilled that the show is moving out West. The amusement and attraction industry suppliers are extremely supportive of the East Coast/West Coast trade show plan according to Seay. “Las Vegas and Orlando are international travel destinations and we think buyers will make an extra effort to attend,” said Seay. “We’ll probably see people on the trade show floor we’ve never seen before and that’s good for business.”

“We are excited to welcome the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions to Las Vegas and look forward to a long-term relationship,” said Chris Meyer, vice president of convention center sales for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. “IAAPA is another great addition to one of the most diverse convention destinations in the nation, and we will provide all of the exhibitors and attendees with their greatest convention experience yet.”