IAAPA Expo: Busch Gardens Tampa 'Takes the Tigris Cake' at the Show

© SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment

Busch Gardens Tampa and Premier Rides are super excited over the development of Tigris, the theme park's new launched roller coaster.  Opening in 2019, Tigris will be Florida's tallest launch coaster, hitting a maximum height of around 15 stories above the park.

To help show just how excited Premier Rides is to be building Tigris at Busch Gardens Tampa, they baked a cake!  No really!  The photo above shows a model of the Tigris coaster train, but believe it or not it's made of cake.

Scott and Carol were there for the unveiling of the Tigris cake, which was presented by Andrew Schaffer, Director of Design and Engineering at the park, and Jim Seay of Premier Rides.

When complete, Tigris will feature three launches that will send the train roaring to the top of the ride at more than 60 miles per hour.  While at the top riders will slowly move through a heartline roll, totally inverting at 150 feet in the sky.  The rest of the course features steep dives and a non-inverting loop.

IAAPA Expo: Luboo Looks to Make Lost Children a Thing of the Past

© Luboo

A new exhibitor at the recent IAAPA Expo, Luboo is planning to enter the North American market in late 2019 with a new technology that will allow parents to keep track of their kids while at amusement parks and other busy public spaces via a wristband and mobile app.

"Luboo is the first rental, wearable tracking wristband for parents and caregivers of young children at large events and venues (made by parents, for parents).  Luboo wants to alleviate anxiety in parents of young children by providing a low cost solution to find a wandering child at the press of a button in crowded, public spaces - empowering parents and caregivers and saving resources for the venue."

As a benefit to the property operator, the technology also gives "anonymous, aggregated real-time tracking data of the young visitors it tracks back to the venue so they can learn more about their young guests and their movements in order to better improve their services."

Scott & Carol Present IAAPA 2018 - The Al Weber Foundation

IAAPA 2018

The IAAPA Foundation impacts the success of the attractions industry by developing a stronger workforce and building the next generation of industry leaders.This mission cannot complete our mission alone. It takes a village, and in that spirit, we ask for your help in achieving our goal to change the lives of young people.

The IAAPA Foundation’s mission is to inspire life-changing careers in the global attractions industry by cultivating tomorrow’s leaders,” said IAAPA Foundation Chair Jane Cooper during a press conference at IAAPA Attractions Expo. “This is something all of our members can embrace.”

The IAAPA Foundation, formed in 2010, is supported by IAAPA members. This year, the foundation announced partnerships with JA Worldwide and the University of Central Florida Rosen College of Hospitality Management to help nurture and develop young, talented students with interest in joining the attractions industry.

                                             

The Rosen College students receiving the new $7,000 scholarships are in the school’s Attractions Management Track; they are: Bridget Frost, Matthew Temmer, and Ashley Kaczor. In addition, the foundation will connect industry executives with Rosen classrooms while also bringing Rosen professors out into the industry to help facilitate enhanced learning opportunities for both sides.

Your financial support brings us closer to our goal and allows us to expand our programs. Donate by check use this form, or go to http://www.iaapa.org/iaapa-foundation/make-a-donation.

Al Weber, Jr. PhD was the founder, president, and CEO of Apex Parks Group, a member of the IAAPA Board of Directors, and a passionate supporter of education. The Al Weber Memorial Fund was established in his honor and all donations are used solely for educational purposes.

Your financial support brings IAAPA closer to their goal and allows them to expand their programs.