From November 13th through November 16th, thousands of people will be walking through the doors at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando for the IAAPA Attractions Expo. With each passing year, the event grows larger and this year is no exception as IAAPA celebrates its Centennial milestone. It will also mark the official two-year anniversary of the launch of the Player One Amusement Group brand.

As amusement gaming continues to thrive, we have seen expansion and growth within a diverse customer and location base, especially in the FEC, bowling, trampoline and theater segments. But when I look back at the evolution of the amusement industry, one thing stands out. It’s that winning today demands more. This industry can be challenging and resource intensive – it’s not easy to consistently provide exceptional experiences! As the market and industry keeps evolving, it will take more to satisfy the changing demands of your business needs and that of consumers.

However, the advancements in technology has been a tremendous catalyst over the past decade, providing consumers with more access, feature-rich equipment both for players as well as operators, immersive gaming experiences, and an abundance of choice. It’s an exciting time for the industry and I am eager to check out the latest and greatest trends to come out from the expo as manufacturers and suppliers gear up to unveil their newest products and offerings.

Staying on top of these trends and having a thorough understanding of the consumer insights related to your segment are critical in developing entertainment experiences that will have a lasting impact on your business.

When I’m walking the floor at IAAPA, I’m constantly evaluating the things I see and experience through that lens. While there are times in business where you have a ‘gut’ feeling about something, often it’s the combination of the data and insights that attribute to this feeling that allow you to be closer to getting it right.

While it is difficult to predict which games will be the “hits of the show” – manufacturers continue to work hard at the development of new product, which bodes very well for our industry.

Attendees at IAAPA will be able to experience an untethered multiplayer VR attraction inside our booth this year, as well as an opportunity to test several new video and redemption games. Without giving away too much and spoiling the fun, there is a strong slate of new immersive video and interactive redemption equipment that will be showcased at this year’s expo that will be relevant across all business segments.

For those who are looking to engage in thought-provoking conversations about the industry and the latest trends, we invite you to swing by Booth #806 on Wednesday from 3pm to 5pm where we’ll be hosting our third annual P1AG Social. Grab a drink on us and network with some of the brightest minds across the industry.

This year’s show is sure to be amazing. We can’t wait to see you all there.

JOHN KOLLINIATIS, VICE PRESIDENT P1AG USA