The IISA Trade Show in Gibtown came to an end on Friday after a week of perfect weather and plenty of optimism for the upcoming season.  While traffic never seems busy on Friday, almost every manufacturer said they wound up making a few last-minute deals to put the icing on the cake. 

As part of CarnivalWarehouse.com's trade show wrap-up coverage (part 1 of 2), we take a look at what was purchased at the show or to be delivered this year:

Amusement Devices & Manufacturing (ADM)

Chandler Woodke of ADM said the company had a “great show, with lots of interest from buyers”.  In fact, the company, which has filled a gap in the rental to smaller carnival market as well as some more inexpensive additional pieces for the bigger shows, has seen nothing but positive traffic and comments. 

On the show floor, the Reckless went to TSA Amusements of New York, the Phantom's Revenge Pirate ride was sold to a rental company, Badgerland Midways purchased the Sugar Glider, AAA Amusements bought the Firestorm and Premier bought the Razzmatazz. 

Woodke said several other deals were made at the show and the company will continue delivering affordably priced equipment throughout the season.

 

Midwest Concession Trailers

Scott Pyle of Midwest Concession Trailers, a company that works closely with ADM in the mid-range market, was also busy pushing product out the door.  Badgerland Midways had their new pizza trailer on display and the quickly growing TDK of Pennsylvania bought the duck pond game. 

Pyle said he had a “good last 4 or 5 years”, servicing the carnival and rental market and as prices rise, his affordable, quality concessions will continue to gain in popularity.



 

Dalton Kid Rides

Dalton Kid Rides was enjoying a busy final show day.  In addition to the ride on display, they have 6 rides to build for the coming year.

 

Luna Park

Luna Park is another company enjoying an uptick in business.  Bringing wheels to the show the past couple of years has spurred sales and promoted interest in their product.  Big O Amusements had their wheel on display and SwikaS has a golden edition wheel coming along with a swing tower. 

Other purchasers include Casey's Rides (Swing Tower), Wild Rose, Ace Amusements (swing tower), Palmetto Amusements, and Blue Sky Amusements. 

The company said they were enjoying some good traffic on the final day, which resulted in some orders.

 

ARM

Mike Gill said the company had a good week selling rides.  The company is sold out until July of 2026.  This year, they will be delivering a Steam Punk version of the Rock Star to Skinner's Amusements in Illinois.

 

BATTECH

Albert Frieden said his company had a “decent show and they made some good contacts,  The company will be busy delivering one ride a month for the next 15 months. Popular rides include the Cliffhanger, Zero Gravity, and Downdraft.

Helm and Sons will be getting a Downdraft ride and Belmont Park will take delivery of a Zero Gravity in the near future.

 

Rides USA

Kevin Exum's Rides USA was also busy this week making deals and getting ready to deliver rides.  TSA, Midwest Amusements and Primetime are all getting wheels.  Triple Treat Amusements is taking delivery of a Runaway Train Ride.  Majestic will be getting a Crazy Dance — the only one in the US with raised arms, according to Exum, and Fantasy Amusements will be taking delivery of a Twister ride. 

Exum was still busy on Friday near closing, and he said he was waiting on signatures to close 3 or 4 more deals by show's end.

 

Rides 4-U

Len Soled of Rides 4-U and an enthusiastic supporter of the Gibsonton show, was happy with his company's performance.  Rides 4 U had two one trailer rides on display: a Spinning Coaster and a full-size Pirate Ship, two of the biggest rides to appear in many years. 

On the grounds, TDK was taking possession of the spinning coaster and Soled said the display had generated lots of interest from other companies as well. 

The Pirate ride on display was headed to Poor Jack's Amusements with rides ordered by Stewart's Amusements and Classic Amusements as well.

The Groovy Bus was being delivered to Morris Vivona Jr's unit Amusements of America and a Safari Jeep was going to Circuit of America.  Mini Tagadas were sold to Beauce Carnavale and TDK. A Pirate Jet was sold to Blue Sky Amusements.



Finally Soled said he sold a new Technical Park Street Fighter - not a typo - to Gilette Shows.  More on that development in the coming weeks.

Fredericksen Fun Slides

Jim Fredericksen was busy during the week and year round lending his full support to the Showmen's Museum.  His work and donations have helped to grow the attraction into the fine facility it has become. 

Fredericksen said traffic was “light” at the show but he was able to spend plenty of time with friends and prospective customers. 

On display in his booth was a 90 ft. Slide going to Fun Time Shows in Missouri, a 90' slide for Tinsley's Amusements in IL, a 65' slide is sold to Powers and Thomas and two more at the shop were getting ready to go out.  In all 4 sides were ready to be shipped this year.

 

Wadkins Expo Wheels

Roger Wadkins, Jr. said the company had another “very good show” and the company has been steadily building wheels for many consecutive years.  The company typically put out three wheels a year. 

Wadkins has had excellent interest in his wheels and the company continues to sell to customers old and new year after year. 

The Wheel on display will be going to Durant Enterprises of Ohio.  Upcoming deliveries are going to McDaniel Bros Shows and another will be delivered later in the year.  The company is typically booked in advance, so orders are filled as they are made.  The company typically fills their slots for the coming year.

 

Altitude

A new addition this year, Altitude had a had a Mars Bounce on display.  The ride is similar to that of the Frog Hopper, made by S&S, but larger in size.  While the ride was not sold, the company said they had many nibbles throughout the week.

 

Stay TUNED for PART II of the 2025 IISA Trade Show Wrap Up.