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*2010 IAAPA Review!*
November 16th-19th, 2010. Back in Orlando this year and for the next 9 years as well, IAAPA took the industry by storm once again. After last years show which was unique in many aspects I was excited to see how being back in Orlando would affect the show. Now we parked the car and as we approached it was hard to miss the high flying swings and prominent IAAPA sign at the back entrance of the convention center. This is when I got excited as most of the shows I have attended have been in Orlando. It was very easy to see that a lot of the inflatable companies made the move to the outdoor exhibition area. After inquiring why it came down to a simple formula of economics. It was less expensive to display outside and the lower costs allowed manufacturers the chance to display more product than if they had taken larger indoor spaces. Bringing us more product was their main goal. Now on the inside there was still plenty to see in both the inflatable and non inflatable arenas. Walking around the show the first day I was able to see that the crowd was indeed larger than last years show. I stopped and spoke to many of the exhibitors and asked them for first impressions and they all agreed that it was a very good attendance level and they were pleased. At the end of the show I revisited these vendors and the consensus was the same. Great show, high attendance, loads of prospective buyers with high interest levels in making purchases at the show or soon after. IAAPA always seems to put on a good expo. One of the changes I really liked was the interactive screens instead of maps that allowed you to easily find exhibitors. Needless to say the Perky's, Noble Romans and Connies Pizza folks stayed just as busy as ever along with Mini-Melts, Dippin Dots and Itti Bits ice cream vendors. Spiral cut potatoes, sausages and drinks galore keep you filled up. And lets not forget the loads of simulators and rides that one can enjoy. I did notice this year there were fewer rides though and some closed to riders altogether. This is the constant battle with inflatables as we would all like to sample them or at least have children sample them to get target market input.
Gold Medal brought along one of the newly designed manual sno-cone machines. Not a powered unit, but a powerful unit indeed. Lifting the unit you could tell it was designed with quality in mind. The ice produced is more consistent with shaved ice as the blade/cutter design is a band designed to shave rather than chunk the ice. Hey, its all cold and good to me.
	Aqua Ventronics introduced a brand new water game called Beat The Bucket. This is actually a two player game where one participant stands behind the game under the water bucket and defends themselves using a mounted blocker that pivots left and right. The other player attempts to hit the targets which release the bucket of water. The game is made of allow and aluminum so no rust here. It attaches to a standard garden hose or the bucket can be filled manually. For storage the top slides down and the legs fold up, its that simple. I was impressed with the craftsmanship and ease of use.
Remember Games To Go? Well they made their appearance here at IAAPA after being absent for several years. Still building here in the USA and still offering the hooley ball, hoops, t-ball and others. Check them out at their new site www.gamestogosales.com
	A lot of hub-bub surrounded CEC the past few months and they came to IAAPA with a few signature pieces and re-introduced themselves as N-Flatables. Checking out the units they brought along I can see they still use the full blown color graphics and eye catching designs they are known for. I also noticed a lot of folks stopping by the booth to welcome them back. I expect more eye catching pieces and new designs from the crew as they grow the new business and name with the same talent they had.
Indoors while I walked down the aisle I couldn't help from seeing this big blue inflatable looming in front of me. I was curious to see what it was. Upon closer inspection I saw that EZ-Inflatables had taken water balloon battling to the inflatable level. The piece features two stations on each side connected by a large archway that draws attention from quite the distance. Kids were having loads of fun even using the foam balls that were there for display.
	Brothers Grimm Games won an honorable mention for best new product which is a great accomplishment for any company. This honor was for the introduction of their case games they brought out last year. After talking to Teddy and Marty and playing VooDoo Shockwave, the giant shockwave game it is understandable how they take into account the customers critique and strive to continually provide new and improved games.
For a lot of people coming into the show and heading for the inflatables section it was hard to miss the yellow submarine. Of course I thought of The Beatles and started singing it in my head. HEC brought along this nice looking fun center with bounce area, slide and obstacles designed to keep younger children entertained. The great graphics added even more appeal to this unit.
	When you say Rodeo Bull Company (Galaxy America) you think, well, Bull. In this case however we see the concept taken a little different in this newer product featuring an interchangeable surfboard, snowboard and skateboard.
Taking into account Galaxy America's diversity I was shocked when I ran across this unit as well. Outside they had a trampoline trailer with 6 separate trampoline areas. Sides fold up, and off you go. Brought to the U.S. this year its not a new item but new to us. Several hundred have been sold in the UK.
	Always looking for something new we spied these battery operated animals for kids to ride. Tool King had these in their booth and you could see kids riding them around the inflated arena. Bears, tigers, elephants and more. Quite a unique item.
We all look for durable cords to use and MilSpec provides these cords on a consistent basis. As you can see all types of colors, gauges and lengths. They'll even print your company information on them so they are easy to keep track off.
	The zip line has been around for quite awhile in many shapes and using many methods but this year Inflatable 2000 brought it out in an inflatable unit using both constant air and sealed air technology. the sealed air technology helps provide the strength needed to keep the supports upright for use. We saw it in action and it looks fun. The camo theme matches their boot camp obstacle perfectly.
Rentalrides.com is fairly well known for the trailerable rental rides they offer. Dozens of rides and all customizable. The Wrecking Ball shown here seats 12 children/adults and spins as it rocks back and forth. Not for everyone but a great choice for those looking into larger events and needing hard rides.
	One of the reasons a lot of us attend IAAPA is pure fun. Mini amusement parks within the show everywhere you turn. Moser rides is always there to help have that fun as they introduce new rides. Here you can see the gyro loop indoor interactive model. Interactive you say? Yes, you control the ride functions completely so you can twist and turn to your hearts content.
At first I thought this was just a static advertising inflatable until I got up close to take a look and it moved. It seems its an inflatable costume, one of many that are offered. Occupants slip inside while wearing a back pack blower that is quiet yet strong enough to keep the unit inflated around you. The only issue is heat build up inside the costume.
	Kiddie Bumper Boats. Just a few inches of water and a portable tank can make your profits soar. These boats are light weight, easy to move and store and set up is easy as well. More and more companies looking to alter their regular inventory are now starting to use these. 20X20 area with 6 boats is ample for most events. Battery operated and long lasting when using deep charge marine batteries.
Hey, it said Boom A Rang, close enough to my former company name so I had to stop and take a look. For an FEC this would be a nice air hockey game as the design lends itself to being a space saver. We all know space is money. Another fun game to play while we were there. Manufactured by Great American.
	Media Vision out of Canada had this little item tucked away from the rest of the inflatables. I actually ran across it just browsing the show floor. About 20 feet long the graphics can be changed and this game can become an alien attack, a jungle hunt or more. Using air powered guns with foam balls you knock the teeth down which can be easily reset via a reset cable next to the shooting area. Balls roll down back for easy retrieval. It was a fun game to play and I can see this being a big hit.
Amusement Products let us have some more fun in these nice electric powered bumper cars. Comfortable seats, easy to control and loads of fun. Reserved for more traditional amusement park/carnival venues I was told that in some areas they could be used as rental rides with proper set up and attendant in place.
	The first thing that came to mind was 57 chevy. The teal and white water slide here takes traditional tubed water park slides and incorporates them into an inflatable unit. Prominently displayed outside, Happy Jump built this custom unit for a customer and and now offers it to anyone else as pictured or in your own custom colors. They'll even change features if the need arises.

While its hard to cover each and every aspect of the show I can say this much. If you have never attended the IAAPA Expo, you need to go at least once and experience the whole show. Newcomers are awestruck with the amount of exhibitors and products that the show offers. Its an experience that practically everyone enjoys, young and old alike. Many of the items are so unique you may never have a need for them but you would also be surprised at what you can find that may come in handy. Body art, balloon twisting, haunted house decorations, interactive software for running your business, different concession ideas and more. Small rides, pizza options, ice cream, drinks, ticketing options and almost everything imaginable. With the show in Orlando the next 9 years, plan a business trip and family vacation all in one. Visit the forum at www.moonwalkforum.com/forums and you'll find more pics and more info. For more info on IAAPA please visit www.iaapaexpo.com