IAAPA Europe 2026: Four Trends Shaping the Attractions Industry
IAAPA Expo Europe 2026 brought together ride manufacturers, attraction operators and suppliers from across the globe. The conversations of the week pointed in one direction: the attractions industry continues to invest, and projects are becoming larger, more complex and more experience-driven.
In this article, we outline four developments shaping the sector and what they mean for engineering.
In short:
- Operators continue to invest in new rides and attractions, while many industrial sectors face economic pressure.
- Theming, lighting and storytelling increasingly influence structural, mechanical and electrical design.
- Accessibility is becoming a design requirement from concept stage onwards.
- Growing project complexity increases the need for specialised engineering knowledge and flexible capacity.
Why ACE attended IAAPA Europe 2026
Our goal was to strengthen ACE's presence in the attractions and entertainment industry and to be recognised as a reliable engineering partner.
New rides, immersive experiences and increasingly ambitious projects demand a combination of technical expertise, innovation, safety and operational efficiency. At IAAPA, we wanted to:
- Meet key OEM ride manufacturers, attraction operators and industry stakeholders.
- Understand their current and future engineering challenges.
- Show how ACE supports them with engineering expertise and flexible engineering capacity.
- Strengthen existing relationships and build new ones.
The week exceeded expectations. It confirmed that there is strong potential for ACE to expand its activities in the attractions market.
Four trends shaping the attractions industry
1. Optimism and continued investment
The biggest surprise of the week was the level of optimism. While many traditional industrial sectors face economic challenges, the attractions industry remains focused on growth. Operators keep investing in new attractions and experiences to draw visitors and encourage repeat visits.
2. The guest experience drives design
Engineering is no longer only about functionality and safety. Aesthetics, theming, lighting and storytelling increasingly influence design decisions, and the guest experience extends far beyond the ride itself. The "Instagrammable" factor is now a real way for parks to stand out: guests want moments they can share on-site and online.
3. Accessibility and inclusion
More organisations are exploring how attractions can offer enjoyable experiences to a wider and more diverse audience. Inclusivity is becoming an integral part of attraction development rather than an afterthought.
4. Strong demand for specialised engineering support
As projects grow larger and more technically complex, ride manufacturers and operators need engineering partners who combine specialised knowledge with the flexibility to add capacity when a project requires it.
Engineering beyond technology
Successful attractions are created when technical excellence and experience design work together from the earliest stages of a project.
Every project must balance safety, reliability, aesthetics, operational efficiency, maintainability and guest experience. The most effective engineering solutions solve complex challenges in a practical and elegant way, without unnecessary complexity. This is how ACE approaches every engineering project, whether we support ride manufacturers, attraction developers or operators.
Before attending IAAPA, my goal was to better understand the key players in the attractions industry and position ACE as a trusted engineering partner. The week exceeded expectations, giving us valuable insights, strengthening existing relationships, and opening doors to new partnerships that can support our long-term growth in this exciting market.
How ACE supports attraction projects
ACE supports ride manufacturers, attraction developers and operators throughout the lifecycle of attraction projects. Our engineering disciplines include:
- Mechanical engineering: design of ride systems, mechanisms and components.
- Structural engineering: design and redesign of support structures.
- Electrical engineering: schematics, control and distribution panel design, component sizing.
- Project engineering: technical coordination from concept to installation.
- Safety engineering: risk assessment and technical compliance.
- Flexible engineering capacity: specialists who integrate into your team when a project requires it.
Our approach is practical and robust: solutions that balance safety, reliability and maintainability with the guest experience, without unnecessary complexity.
Frequently asked questions
What were the main trends at IAAPA Europe 2026?
Continued growth and investment, a stronger focus on guest experience (theming, lighting, storytelling and shareable moments), accessibility and inclusion, and rising demand for specialised engineering support.
Why does the attractions industry need external engineering partners?
Projects are becoming larger and more technically complex, and few companies have specialised ride and attraction engineering experience. External partners provide expert knowledge, flexibility and extra engineering capacity when it is needed.
How does ACE support the attractions industry?
ACE supports ride manufacturers, attraction developers and operators with mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, project engineering, safety and flexible engineering capacity, throughout the lifecycle of attraction development projects.
Looking for engineering support for your next attraction?
From mechanical and electrical engineering to project engineering, safety and specialised engineering capacity, ACE supports organisations throughout the entire lifecycle of attraction development projects.
Curious how ACE can support your next attraction, ride or entertainment project?