Insights and Inspirations from IAAPA: Designing for the Future of Entertainment
Insights and Inspirations from IAAPA: Designing for the Future of Entertainment
COMPANY INSIGHTS | DEC 12, 2024
IAAPA is the premier event for suppliers and companies in the entertainment industry. The show floor is a vibrant and dynamic environment, showcasing a vast array of exhibitors, from world-class roller coaster manufacturers to concessions and arcade suppliers. At Fredricks Design, IAAPA is a highlight of our year. It’s an opportunity to see our hard work on display through our clients’ projects, explore innovative trends, and connect with potential partners who are shaping the future of entertainment.
Our goals for attending IAAPA are threefold: reconnecting with existing clients to celebrate our collaborative successes, discovering exciting companies for potential future partnerships, and staying ahead of industry trends and technology to better serve our clients.
Key Insights from IAAPA
The tradeshow was buzzing with innovation and creativity. Here are some of the key themes that stood out:
Themed Attractions and Storytelling
Themed attractions continue to dominate, with an increased focus on immersive storytelling to create unforgettable guest experiences.
Flexible Ride Systems and Designs
Suppliers are prioritizing modular and adaptable ride systems that allow for greater customization and scalability.
Growth in Dark Rides
Dark rides continue to expand in popularity, offering new opportunities for immersive storytelling through advanced technologies and captivating environments.
Technology Integration
The seamless integration of VR, AR, and cutting-edge tech is reshaping how guests interact with attractions, creating a deeper sense of connection and engagement.
Emerging Trends
Immersive Experiences
VR/AR integration to enhance guest engagement.
Fully themed attractions designed to transport visitors into another world.
Greater emphasis on storytelling and world-building as a cornerstone of attraction design.
Family-Focused Trends
Rides designed with accessibility and approachability for all ages.
Human-scale designs that cater to diverse needs while ensuring comfort.
A growing focus on creating experiences that attract repeat visitors and build generational loyalty.
Accessibility
Moving beyond ADA compliance to create truly inclusive and meaningful experiences for all guests.
Designing attractions that set new benchmarks for accessibility in entertainment.
Networking and Collaboration
The IAAPA tradeshow provided an incredible platform for reconnecting with colleagues and forging new relationships. The layout of the show—centered around exhibits and product displays—enabled quick, impactful meetings with clients and suppliers. These gatherings offered valuable opportunities for brainstorming and feedback, bringing together diverse voices critical to the design and development process.
Networking in such a fast-paced environment can be challenging, but tools like the IAAPA app help streamline communication and connect with key decision-makers. This efficiency allowed us to explore potential collaborations and gain insights into how we can better serve our clients' evolving needs.
How Fredricks Design Helps Clients Leverage These Insights
Many of the trends and innovations showcased at IAAPA are not entirely new but represent ongoing evolutions in the entertainment space. Fredricks Design is proud to have deep expertise in these areas, built through years of delivering innovative solutions for our clients.
Our experience spans themed ride development, animated props, seating modules, and show sets. We are particularly passionate about creating inclusive experiences for guests with disabilities (GWD), always striving to exceed expectations and deliver designs that prioritize user comfort and engagement.
As a Michigan-based company with roots in automotive interiors and furniture development, we bring a unique perspective to seating development, human factors, and ergonomics. This expertise translates seamlessly into our work with entertainment clients, including immersive dark rides and VR-integrated attractions.
Conclusion
Attending IAAPA reinforced the importance of staying ahead in a rapidly evolving industry. At Fredricks Design, we’re committed to leveraging the insights gained from events like IAAPA to push the boundaries of what’s possible in entertainment design.
We look forward to collaborating with our clients to integrate these trends into their projects, creating experiences that delight and inspire audiences. Let’s discuss how we can bring these innovations to life for your next venture—contact us today!
Conor Fredricks
Director of Design
Fredricks Design, Inc.
