More than 30,000 people have descended on Orlando for this year’s IAAPA Attractions Expo, with 2016’s event boasting the largest trade show floor in its 98-year history.

Exceeding 567,000sq ft, the show will be the largest since 2001, with a number of game-changing products and experiences to be announced, debuted, tried and tested by influential decision makers worldwide.

More than 1,000 exhibiting companies, including almost 200 first-timers, will be showcasing innovations from across the attractions sectors, selling products to more than 18,000 buyers representing theme and amusement parks, waterparks, FECs, zoos, aquariums, science centers, museums, resorts and more.

The show officially begins on Tuesday for the kickoff event, hosted by outgoing IAAPA chair John McReynolds and IAAPA president Paul Noland, though a number of educational seminars and events are taking place today (Monday) and throughout the week.

Plopsa Group CEO Steve Van den Kerkhof will deliver this year’s keynote address, following on from SeaWorld CEO Joel Manby, who in 2015 outlined his vision for the future of the company, including its rebuilding strategy, which has been implemented over the course of the last year.

One of the show’s highlights will take place on Thursday with the annual IAAPA Celebrates event taking place at SeaWorld Orlando. During the session, expo attendees will enjoy exclusive access to some of the park’s premier rides, including Mako and Kraken, while getting the chance to network with some of the industry’s top names. .

Check back with Attractions Management during the week for all the latest breaking news coming from IAAPA 2016