Another Amusement Expo is in the books—and what a show it was! Amusement Expo 2025 brought the fun, innovation, and industry connections we all look forward to each year. While attendance dipped ever so slightly (2,300 buyers compared to last year’s 2,500), you wouldn’t have guessed it from the energy on the show floor. In fact, the event’s footprint expanded by 8%, making this the largest Amusement Expo to date. Safe to say that size does matter when it comes to bringing the industry together!
Meaningful conversations, not just foot traffic
From the moment the doors opened, it was clear that this year’s event was all about quality over quantity. Exhibitors and organizers alike raved about the genuine, productive conversations happening at booths across the floor. Sometimes, fewer people means more time to dive into real talk—and this year proved that point perfectly.
Beers, cheers, and celebrating innovation
A standout moment? The Beers & Cheers networking event, proudly sponsored by yours truly—ROLLER! It was the kind of gathering that reminds you why we do what we do: cold drinks, warm conversations, and the buzz of new ideas.
The event also served as the stage for the AMOA Innovator Awards, spotlighting some of the best and brightest product advancements in the industry. If you missed the winners, you can check them out here. Spoiler: The future of amusements is looking very cool.
Leadership that energized the expo
Another spark of this year’s show came from the newly elected AAMA President Beth Standlee. Her passion, experience, and welcoming vibe brought a fresh excitement to every part of the expo—from educational sessions to casual hallway hellos. With Beth at the helm, the future feels energized and inspiring.
Panel insights: Tech + data = smarter venues
One personal highlight? Taking part in the panel discussion “Optimizing Your Venues: Performance, Data, Technology, F&B.” The session, led by Adam Kleinhenz of Shaffer Distributing Company, featured fantastic insights from David Wallace of Turfway Entertainment Management and Vicky Peek of Nickels & Dimes.
We dug into how operators can use tech and data not just to run their venues smoothly but to actually elevate the guest experience. From streamlining operations to unlocking new revenue opportunities, the message was clear: the right tools make a big difference.
I’m also honored to now be part of the AAMA Membership Committee, where I’ll get to continue contributing to this amazing community year-round. Stay tuned for more articles on this exciting new development!
Connecting with the ROLLER community
Beyond the panels and presentations, the real heart of Amusement Expo is the people. It was fantastic to reconnect with long-time partners, meet new faces, and spend quality time with our very own Smooth Operators (aka ROLLER customers). That face-to-face interaction is hard to beat—it’s how we share ideas, learn from each other, and grow stronger together.
Already counting down to next year
At ROLLER, we’re so proud to be part of this thriving, evolving industry. Amusement Expo 2025 reminded us why we love what we do: the people, the passion, and the constant drive to make experiences better.
Here’s to another great year—and to what’s still to come. See you at the next one!
