The annual IAAPA Attractions Expo's first ever visit to Las Vegas last week proved a big success for the international trade association, despite some fears that the economic climate may put something of a damper on the event.

According to the organisers, initial figures show that approximately 24,000 people attended the conference and trade show held in the Las Vegas Convention Centre, of which around 14,700 were buyers from 108 different countries. Indeed, the latter figure is said to be a 17 per cent increase on buyers who attended the previous year's event in Orlando.

Commenting on the figures, IAAPA president and CEO Charlie Bray said: "We had some concerns about the economic conditions of the past year, but Vegas delivered the buyers as we anticipated it would. It may have taken us 91 years to get here, but based on these results, we look forward to our return in 2011."

The expo once again offered visitors a superb shop window of the latest products and services available to the attractions industry, while a comprehensive educational programme, various behind the scenes tours, numerous networking opportunities, social events and much more combined to provide a packed week of activity.

A full report on the IAAPA Attractions Expo 2009 will appear in the January/February issue of InterPark.