AIP Conference & Industry Awards 2026 Recap

We just got back from the AIP Annual Awards in Leeds, and it's hard not to come away buzzing. The Royal Armouries was packed with operators, suppliers, and the people who make the UK indoor play scene what it is.

As always, the AIP team did a brilliant job of pulling everyone together under this year's theme, "The Wonders of Play." AIP has always felt more like a family reunion than a trade show, and 2026 was no different.

What people were talking about

A few themes came up again and again on the show floor.

AI was on a lot of operators' minds. Most of the sessions touched on it at a high level, but the conversations we had at the booth were a lot more practical. People wanted to know what AI could actually do for their venue day to day, not in theory. It was a great chance to walk people through ROLLER iQ, the attraction industry's first AI-powered assistant, and show what it looks like in action.

There was also plenty of chat about VAT (specifically, the push for a permanent 0% rate on children's activities) and what it could mean for operators if it lands. It's the kind of policy conversation that reminds you how much this community is working hard to advocate for the industry.

The awards evening

By the time evening rolled around, the venue had been completely transformed for the Gala Dinner and Awards. Operators, designers, and teams were recognised across 11 categories for the work they've poured into the industry this year.

Watching the winners take the stage is one of those moments that puts the rest of the day's industry chat into perspective. There's a lot of heart in this sector, and the awards make that really clear.

Hearing from the people who use ROLLER

One of the highlights of the day was catching up with customers face to face, including Anna Standing and Jon Standing, owners of the Laughing Ducks Soft Play Centre in Coldstream, Scotland. When asked about using ROLLER, Jon summed it up:

Thanks for a great day

Huge thanks to the AIP team for putting on another fantastic event, and to everyone who stopped by the booth, said hi, or shared what they're working on. The conversations we had are the reason we keep coming back.

See you next year!