The first major industry meeting of the year promises a return to form. One of the markers in our post-lockdown world has been how does now compare to the pre-pandemic world. In 2024, most segments of the fair and outdoor event industry – such as attendance, revenue, concert tours and food sales – reached levels either at or above 2019 figures.

Overall, midway providers had a good year, rising costs and workforce issues not withstanding, but a major fly in the ointment has been ride manufacturing. The global coronavirus crisis disrupted global supply chains across industries, not just carnival rides and equipment. But it's that sector where delays and backorders have long lingered, with the one of most visible impacts occurring at the post-lockdown trade shows held by the International Independent Showmen Association (IISA) where ride manufacturers either were no-shows or took just booth space without exhibiting equipment.

With few or no product to show, the outdoor exhibit space was under-utilized, negatively impacting this essential industry trade show. This year will be different, promises Teresa Rimes, Trade Show Secretary, International Independent Showmen's Association. “We have companies back, major ride companies that haven't been here since COVID. Other companies were hit but haven't set up any rides. They couldn't get deliveries in time for the show. There's a whole host of reasons why they weren't able to have rides on display, but this year they are back in force.”

Interviewed just after the New Year, Rimes stated that while attendance for this industry conclave has been growing since 2021, “the ride companies being here is getting everybody excited. People procrastinate so we get a bigger push the closer we get, but we started this year stronger than we did a year ago.”

The annual “Super Extravaganza” Trade Show features the widest array of products pertaining to the outdoor amusement industry The selection of products and services is unsurpassed in diversity and cutting-edge technology, representing essential categories such as food supplies and equipment, concession trailers, electrical supplies, insurance companies, novelty items, plush toys, jewelry and ticketing. More than 300 different exhibits will be showcased this year, featuring both established companies and newcomers. “We have a couple of new inside vendors for soft pretzels, Lemonade and other food items. There's a lot of action in food supplies.”

Of course, rides – the economic engine of American midways – are the Gibtown mainstay and their 2025 restoration exemplifies reinvigorated supply meeting a reconstituted demand. “2024 was a stressful year with the H-2B issues, inflation, and the election. But most carnival had a pretty good year and they are optimistic about “El Presidente”.

New Administration

She of course meant Donald Trump returning to the White House. “Most carnival companies believe he'll be good for the business. They supported and are optimistic that 2025 will be a better than 2024.”

Their coffers refilled by a robust turnout and high spending, carnival companies are refreshing their inventory. “I firmly believe the carnival companies are looking to spend money,” said Kevin Dalton of Dalton Kid Rides. “Nowhere else can I go and get the exposure I get at Gibtown.”

He added that the delays have eased significantly but pointed out that the tight labor market has also impeded ride manufacturers who have had to cut back production. “It's 100 percent due to labor, where we were producing 20 rides, now it's 12-15. We are working to keep delivery time down to a minimum with the manpower we have.”

Kevin Exum, President, Rides USA, an exclusive North and South American agent for three ride companies: Fabbri Park, CBK and Gueven did come to the 2024 Gibtown show, but only with a tent, rides scheduled to arrive were held at port. “Shipping is still a challenge, the pandemic drove shipping costs up. I can't say that it has gotten worse.”

Truth-be-told, purveyors of international rides anxiously sat on pins-and-needles. An expected longshoremen strike loomed for January 15, threatening to close down U.S. ports and hold up Gibtown exhibits. A settlement was reached on January 9, enabling the rides to be at the Gibtown event. Among the rides Exum will be showing include an 18-meter ride, a new Twister, and a Samba Balloon.



But he noted that the company “had a successful IAAPA, people are nervous about the delivery times, but the carnivals and parks are buying. It was a heavy ordering show and I anticipate the same at Gibtown. There's a post-pandemic purchasing boom.”

Hot Categories

The hot category for rides are compact and ease-of-assembly. “People want one trailer rides that can be set up in 6-8 hours. Carnival companies are under pressure from a tight workforce. The demand is for the rides that don't require as much labor.”

“We are optimistic about the post-Covid market situation,” said Irena Zvárová, Sales Manager, Kolmax-Plus. “The volume of orders has been steadily increasing since the pandemic, which suggests that market fear is no longer a predominant factor. “

Kolmax is a company who has had no presence at the show since the pandemic. The 2025 Kolmax footprint at Gibtown will feature two ‘Spinner' rides, two Tea Cup rides, and one Flying Elephants Ride. “Since our last participation in the trade show in Gibtown, the most significant change has been the introduction of our new attraction, the Spinner Ride. It has been a great success in both Europe and the U.S.”



While shipping, delivery and related issues still lag pre-pandemic levels, things are not as bad as a year ago. “Reflecting on the challenges during the Covid period, our current delivery times have improved significantly, especially with better conditions in supply chains. Delivery times for our attractions vary depending on the specific product, but on average, they are around 1-2 years. This improvement has been greatly supported by the fact that we operate three factories—one specializing in Spinner Rides, another in Bumper Cars, and the third in Flying Elephants and children's attractions. Given the increasing volume of orders, we do not anticipate further reductions in delivery times this year.”

The value of restoring its Gibtown presence according to Zvárová, is the one-on-one connection with carnival professionals. “What we value most about the Gibtown trade show is the opportunity to showcase our attractions and products live and on-site, allowing customers to experience them firsthand.”

Post-Pandemic Boom

A year ago, “The market was still conservative,” said Len Soled of Rides 4-U. “Carnivals didn't want to make major investments but that has certainly changed. Our factories are extremely busy. We are maintaining a little bit stronger presence with two major attractions – a big portable pirate ship that holds 32 passengers and is very portable. We are also bringing a new spinning coaster”



With a new administration in the White House – one widely anticipated to be pro-business – plus a healthy fair industry, “All the stars aligned. We are seeing that the carnival companies are more optimistic about the new president. They feel a change is in the air, are more upbeat and enthusiastic about the business.”

Delivery scheduling and delays Soled described as being on a case-by-case basis. “Most lead times are six to eight months, but while others could be out a year or more. But it really depends on the factory.”

“The ride companies have seen a real turnaround,” said Rimes. “Now that all these companies are able to get the supply chain put back together they are ready to come back to Gibtown, and so are the buyers. That's what stopped them from attending past shows but hopefully that will not be an issue. That's good for us and good for the industry. 2024 was a good year, but 2025 will be a real big year. Attendee registration is running very high and our exhibition floor is almost sold out.”

ServSafe Certification

The 2025 Gibtown Trade Show runs Feb. 11- 14, with the exhibition floor open from 10-5 each day of the event. Pre-show events include the annual Super Bowl Trade Show Kick Off Party on Sunday (Feb. 9) and on Monday (Feb. 10), the Annual Big Hearted Jerry's Memorial Golf Tournament.

Wed (Feb. 12) features key events, the most prominent being the H-2B Presentation & Discussion, presented by JKJ Workforce Agency and the Small Business Workforce Alliance, the OABA Hall of Fame Ceremony and the Jamboree Museum Fundraiser. “This year's fundraiser will be bigger than ever,” Rimes declared. “We are extending the hours of the museum which has become a destination.”

The ServSafe Certification Class is held four days of the IISA trade show. Conducted by Dominic Cianciola, educational director for Last Call Training, those completing the half-day course of study receive their National Food Safety Manager certification by the National Registry of Food Safety Professionals.

“The fairs had a phenomenal year,” said Cianciola. “Food concessionaires increased their ability to certify more employees. We are seeing more H2B workers being certified.”

Food safety regulations change every year. They can also differ from state to state, even municipality to municipality, although the trend has been the most severe restrictions soon become the standard. In 2025, the most noticeable trend has been that each food stand must have a ServSafe Certification, whereas before only a manager of crew covering multiple stands needed the training.

“The regulators have become more consistent in the stricter regulations. The certified managers need to be present onsite for each stand. I believe there will be more demand for certification because the labor market is tight so more people will need to have the certification, especially if they are working 14-hour days or working in two shifts.”

Other than the requirement for more certified food handlers on site, the 2025 course covers new Freon requirements for refrigeration units. “The technology is new, it's a big benefit, but it has different handling procedures. Gibtown is a perfect opportunity for carnival companies to certify their workers for the upcoming season.”


For a complete schedule of events, please refer to the schedule below. 

Please note, the times for the SLA St. Louis Gathering and Custom Prints Seminar with Fare Foods was listed incorrectly in the February issue of Amusement Warehouse Magazine.  The SLA St. Louis Gathering will take place on Thursday at 2:30pm and the Custom prints Seminar will take place on Thursday at 1pm.