Four Businesses Powering Insight in the Global Amusement Park Industry
Part 2: OCT 2025 Edition
9 OCT
Blog
5 min read
In our first edition, we explored companies paving the way in efficiency. This month, our focus shifts from how parks run to how they think. Across the global attractions landscape, we’ve been keeping our eye on four businesses pushing the boundaries of insight and innovation: IAAPA, Dexibit, Accesso, and Theme Park Science.
Each approaches the industry from a different angle: associations, analytics, technology, and education, yet all are shaping a smarter, more connected future for attractions. These aren’t just companies doing interesting things; they’re the ones helping the rest of the industry see what’s next.
1. IAAPA
As the global association for the attractions industry, IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions) connects more than 6,000 member companies across parks, FECs (Family Entertainment Centres), water attractions, suppliers and manufacturers worldwide.
Their mission centres on inspiring, growing and protecting the business of fun through education, advocacy and community building. IAAPA acts as the industry's knowledge hub, setting benchmarks and providing research on emerging trends. They help members stay ahead of changes in regulations, safety standards and technology. Through annual expos, publications and training programmes, IAAPA shapes decisions that ripple through to millions of park visitors every year.
What We Love About IAAPA
IAAPA isn't just running conferences, they're the thread holding this entire industry together. The conversations they start about safety, sustainability and guest experience become the conversations the rest of us have six months later. What we really appreciate is how they've kept collaboration at the centre of everything, even as the industry has grown more competitive. It's rare to see an organisation this size still focused on lifting everyone's game, not just the big players.
Key Features
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Global network spanning theme parks, water parks, FECs, suppliers and manufacturers
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Training and certification programs for attraction professionals
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Industry standards, advocacy and regulatory support
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IAAPA Expos connecting operators and innovators worldwide
Nola will be at IAAPA Expo 2025, come say hi!
2. Dexibit
Dexibit turns complex venue data into predictions and insights that make sense. Their platform shows operators what's happening right now, why it's happening, and what's likely to happen next. Instead of drowning teams in spreadsheets, Dexibit creates clear visualisations that reveal patterns and opportunities.
The platform handles benchmarking too, so venues can see how they stack up against similar operations and pinpoint where improvements matter most. Whether tracking daily operations or spotting long-term trends, Dexibit gives teams the clarity to respond quickly and plan with confidence.
What We Love About Dexibit
Some analytics platforms feel like they're built for data scientists, not the people running venues. Dexibit gets that storytelling matters just as much as the numbers. They've figured out how to make data feel accessible, even exciting, without dumbing it down. We love that their tools don't just tell you what happened yesterday. They help you understand what to do tomorrow, and that's the difference between a dashboard and a decision-making tool.
Key Features
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Predictive forecasting powered by machine learning
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Real-time operational dashboards
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Data visualisation and benchmarking tools
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Integrations with ticketing, POS and CRM systems
3. Theme Park Science
youtube.com/@ThemeParkScienceOfficial
Theme Park Science is a YouTube channel that digs into the engineering, design and storytelling behind the attractions we all love. They're not selling anything, they're just genuinely curious about how roller coasters work, why they are designed the way they are, and what goes into creating those moments that stick with you long after you've left the park.
Through detailed breakdowns and interviews with industry experts, they make complex concepts approachable for enthusiasts and professionals alike. It's education that doesn't feel like homework, and insight that sparks new ideas.
What We Love About Theme Park Science
They're doing something rare: making technical content that's fun to watch. Whether you're an engineer wanting to geek out over coaster physics or a designer curious about thematic layering, there's something here for you. The passion comes through in every video, and honestly, we'd love to collaborate with them one day. If you're reading this, Theme Park Science, let's chat!
Key Features
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In-depth engineering breakdowns of well-known attractions
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Expert interviews and industry commentary
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Visual storytelling that balances accuracy with creativity
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A growing community of enthusiasts and professionals
4. accesso
accesso Technology Group provides virtual queuing, ticketing and point-of-sale solutions to more than 1,000 venues across 34 countries. Their LoQueue virtual queuing system lets guests reserve their place in line electronically, freeing them to explore food and beverage outlets, retail or other attractions instead of standing in queues.
The platform works with multiple service tiers, allowing parks to offer various pricing options from basic queue reservations to premium ride packages. accesso's technology adapts in real time to changing guest flow and operational conditions, helping parks optimise capacity while improving the overall visitor experience. Beyond queuing, their integrated solutions span eCommerce ticketing and point-of-sale systems that connect the entire guest journey.
What We Love About accesso
What stands out about accesso is how they've connected the dots across the entire guest journey. Most companies focus on solving one problem really well. accesso has built a system where ticketing, point-of-sale and guest flow all talk to each other. It's what lets parks see the full picture instead of juggling disconnected platforms. When your front-of-house systems actually work together, you can make smarter decisions about everything from staffing to pricing.
Key Features
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Virtual queuing systems (LoQueue and Prism) for attractions worldwide
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Multiple service tiers and customisable ride packages
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Real-time capacity optimisation and queue management
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Integrated eCommerce ticketing and point-of-sale technology
Reimagining What's Possible
What links IAAPA, Dexibit, Accesso, and Theme Park Science isn’t a shared product or market segment. It’s a shared mission to make the amusement park industry smarter. Each contributes a different form of intelligence: IAAPA through standards and community, Dexibit through data foresight, Accesso through guest experience technology, and Theme Park Science through research and education.
Together, they are building the connective tissue between creativity and evidence, transforming an industry once driven by intuition into one guided by insight.
At Nola, we believe that is where the real opportunity lies. When parks pair imagination with intelligence, vision becomes execution. By working alongside innovators like these, we can turn scattered signals into strategy and help the industry evolve with purpose, not just speed.
That is why we will continue to spotlight the businesses powering insight. Better data, shared learning, and open collaboration are what make the next generation of experiences possible.
Thanks for reading! Brought you by Nola, a ride capacity management solution for themeparks.
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