The ROLLER team had a blast in the Netherlands, meeting professionals from all corners of the attractions industry at IAAPA Expo Europe 2024. Hosted at the RAI convention center in Amsterdam, the event was an amazing opportunity for operators, suppliers, and innovators to connect, share ideas, and discover the latest trends shaping the future of attractions and entertainment.
Read on for event highlights, key takeaways, and insights on what’s next for the attractions industry.
Event highlights
With over 18,500 sqm of exhibition space, 650+ exhibitors, and a wide variety of educational sessions, IAAPA Expo Europe 2024 didn’t disappoint! From interactive product demonstrations to insightful discussions on the latest industry innovations, the expo was a hub of learning and collaboration.
Known for its vibrant culture and high concentration of amusement parks, The Netherlands was an ideal location for this year’s European event. Operators from major European theme parks like Efteling, Toverland, and even the renowned electronic dance festival Tomorrowland were in attendance, showcasing cutting-edge technology and best practices in the attractions industry.
Luke Finn, ROLLER’s Founder and CEO, with the ROLLER team
The ROLLER team, led by our CEO Luke Finn, was front and center, engaging with industry leaders, operators, and attendees from all over Europe. Our booth was buzzing with discussions about how ROLLER's technology can help venues streamline operations, increase revenue, and delight guests.
Brad McNamara (Oxygen) and Craig Shackleton (ROLLER) are all smiles at the ROLLER booth
4 key takeaways: What’s trending in the industry?
IAAPA Expos are a great opportunity to dive deep into the current trends and challenges in the industry. Here’s what we learned from the discussions at our booth:
1. Operators seek all-in-one solutions
Managing multiple systems remains one of the top pain points for operators across the industry. Many visitors expressed frustration with juggling separate platforms for ticketing, marketing, and guest management. There’s a clear shift toward finding a single, streamlined solution—something ROLLER has long championed with our all-in-one attraction business software. This approach helps venues manage everything from one place, improving efficiency and simplifying operations.
2. The power of marketing automation
The ROLLER team had several insightful discussions with operators about the growing need for marketing automation. As operators continue to prioritize enhancing the guest experience, they are looking for smarter ways to engage customers, personalize marketing efforts, and drive repeat visits through automated campaigns based on customer data.
With ROLLER’s CRM software, venues can easily personalize marketing content to target guests with experiences they love, driving both engagement and revenue.
Read more: 5 Proven Attractions Marketing Ideas
3. Crowd control and guest flow optimization
For larger attractions, guest behavior analysis—particularly around crowd control and concession placement—was a key focus. By strategically optimizing guest flow, operators can enhance the visitor experience, avoid bottlenecks, and boost revenue through well-placed concessions.
ROLLER streamline capacity management with features like timed-entry ticketing to help manage entry flows and control attendance numbers. This ensures your venue fills every available spot without compromising the guest experience.
4. Analytics driving decision-making
More operators are relying on data and analytics to guide decision-making. However, manual data analysis can be time-consuming, often involving the tedious process of exporting data, creating reports, and interpreting the results.
At our booth, visitors showed interest in using our software to gain deeper insights into guest behavior and business performance. Luke and the team showcased our powerful Analytics tool that can help operators save up to 125 hours per year. With pre-built dashboards and visual reports, operators gain instant access to the insights they need—freeing up valuable time to focus on growing their business and enhancing the guest experience.
Looking ahead
We’re already looking forward to the next IAAPA Expo in Orlando in November! The energy from Amsterdam has us excited to connect with even more industry pros in Florida.
If you missed us at IAAPA Europe, don’t worry! We’d love to chat about how ROLLER can help your venue streamline operations, boost revenue, and enhance guest experiences.
- Save time: Make processes easier and boost staff productivity.
- Increase revenue: Improve booking efficiency and drive sales with data-driven strategies.
- Delight guests: Ensure seamless, enjoyable interactions from start to finish.
Excited about what’s next? Book a demo to see how we can help your rink thrive.
