As we observed in Part I of our 2024 Gibtown Trade Show wrap up, most manufacturers and suppliers had a very good year at the show. With so many options on hand, buyers were able to choose from a wide selection of attractions.

What few criticisms were heard came from manufacturers who missed a few of the larger carnivals who were unable to attend the IISA's annual event, either because they didnt make it to Florida this year or they attended the OABA show the week prior, and were mostly companies that sold larger, more expensive equipment to a very select clientele.  Comments from the owner of Fabbri are one example as is Len Soled's plea for the group to come together in 2025.

In the meantime, let's take a look at what was sold or being delivered in the coming year:

Luna Park

Luna Park Rides' Isabel Smith said the company had a “pretty good show, comparable to last year”.  They had a wheel on display, which has been a mainstay of their recent sales.

Purchases and deliveries for the company included:

Family Fun Shows, J&J Rides, Bluegrass Rides, Snyder's Attractions (their wheel was on display in Gibtown), Robertson Amusements, Egyptian Expositions, Action Packed Parties, Ace Amusements, and Tommy's Midway, Inc.

The company has accelerated production so that it is able to deliver equipment in a timely manner in the Post-Pandemic market.   Currently, they are filming time slots for mid-2025.

 

Equipment Solutions International

ESI had one of the biggest displays at the show this year and according to Steve Lisko and his son, Steven, the gambit paid off with lots of interest and sales.

The Scooby Doo Train “Dark Ride” was a special hit, sales includes Peachtree Rides, List Family Amusements, Primtime Attractions, Campbell, Mitchell Bros. and Albion Amusements.

The Balloon ride was purchased by Strates Shows and a version was sold to Reithoffer Shows and Peachtree Rides.

The Family Swings were also a popular sale with versions going to Mitchell Bros., Sheridan Amusements, All Canadian Entertainement, Midwest Rides and Corey Moore.

The Swan game on display was sold to Steve Ianni who will be bringing it to Powers' Great American Shows.

Both Liskos were very encouraged by sales at the event and said the show was “very good.”

 

Rides 4-U

Len Soled's Rides 4-U had a smaller display than normal this year as he felt obligated to participate in both the Trade Show in Gibtown and the OABA roundtable, both of  which he said were “worthwhile”.

Sales at the show included TK Amusements ordering a Spinning Coaster, Poor Jack Amusements ordering the company's first portable 32 passenger Pirate ride, and Rick Haney (Fundways of Illinois) with the purchase of a Mini Break Dance. The Pirate is scheduled to be showcased at IAAPA Expo 2024 in Orlando.

Soled also debuted drawing for the new version of the Swinging Gym called Rock N Roll that he will be rolling out shortly.  The ride has generated quite a bit of interest from shows who are interested in the updated version of a legendary attraction.




Soled said he “hopes the groups can get together to save Money for vendors who can't afford to live the dream in Tampa for two weeks”.  

Despite the controversy between the groups and the double weeks, Soled said Rides 4-U would be “back bigger and better for next season.”

 

Fabbri Rides

Fabbri, one of the companies that sells higher end attractions, lamented the split of the OABA and the IISA.  He said he missed a few of the larger show owners who are the majority of his customers, citing Ray Cammack Shows and NAME specifically.

They will be delivering three rides to the US this year:

A Booster ride to Tom and Mary Talley of Talley's Amusements; A Pirate Ship to Jolly Shows of Annapolis, MD; and a 50 meter Booster ride to a Missouri Park.

Tom Talley and the Joseph family of Jolly Shows were all on hand at the IISA trade show this year.

 

Technical Park

Fabio Martino is a big fan of the IISA Trade Show.  He loves the casual atmosphere and the opportunity to spend time with his clients without being rushed by huge crowds like in IAAPA.  This gives him the opportunity to build relationships so he can sell products down the road.

He will be delivering two Street Fighter Revolutions in October of 2025 to US clients and credits the affordable price of the ride for its brisk sales. Technical Park has seen a upsurge lately in US sales and they hope the trend will continue.  The company recently delivered a Street Fighter to Amusements of America and another is on its way to Penn Valley Shows.

 

Bertazzon

Another Italian Manufacturer present at the show was Bertazzon.  After making a slew of deliveries in 2023, they are working on sales for 2025 in the US.  They said it was good to meet their clients face to face and they should have some exciting sales to announce for 2025.

 

Satori

Marco Saegnago just finished delivering and installing a ride to the Tampa Zoo.  The Convoy ride is expected to be a big hit with the attraction.

At the Trade Show, Satori was able to make many connections and they hope this meeting will result in sales coming soon.  They are currently taking orders for 20205 deliveries.

 

Kolmax Plus

Kolmax had some huge selling years at the IISA Show and after an brief absence after the pandemic when travel restrictions were in place, they are back once again.  The company's Jack Souilljee had nothing but positive comments about the convention this year, taking orders and connecting with his US customers.

In all, four Jumbo Elephant rides were sold at the show to Reithoffer Shows, Houghton Carnival of Pennsylvania, Marenna Amusements and West Coast Amusements.

Spinner Rides (also referred to as Break Dance) were sold to Rockwell Amusements and at the end of the show, another deal was in the works for Modern Midways.  

A Tea Cup ride was sold to Scott's Amusements and Reithoffer Show, which will rack on the same trailer as their Jumbo Elephant ride.

“We had a very good show”, said Souilljee.  He said that next year, the company planned to take more space at the trade show and come wit 4-5 rides on display.