Tens of thousands of people have flocked to Orlando, Florida, US, for the beginning of the industry's biggest trade show of the year, IAAPA Expo 2024.
Often referred to as the “Superbowl of the industry,” it will see a number of new games launched from a range of companies.
With 565,000sq.ft of exhibition space, 1,100 companies exhibiting, the show was expanded into the North Concourse of the Orange County Convention Center for the first time.
Welcomed by IAAPA vice president and director Michael Shelton, the event began with an opening ceremony that was, in typical IAAPA style, filled with a dash of showbiz.
The theme was “bringing dreams to life” and entertainment took the form breakdancing and roller skaters doing tricks, while circus performers emerged, performing acrobatic stunts with one even shooting a balloon using a bow and arrow with her feet.
Wuthichai Luangamornlert stepped down from role IAAPA Chairman of the Board, calling it “the greatest honour of my life” and thanked all the members before introducing the new chair of the board for 2025, Massimiliano Freddi, who told a funny anecdote about his internship at Disney and encouraged IAAPA members to “change the world, smile after smile.”
President Jakob Wahl gave the final address and announced that there would be a new, personalised website launching for members in January, before announcing that the charity auction for the IAAPA foundation the previous night had raised US$70,000 for industry scholarships, which the association would be matching.
For the grand finale, all performers reemerged and danced to a song from the greatest showman, before a ticker tape finish marked the opening of the show floor and four days of business.
