Russian Association of Amusement Parks and AttractionsTranslation site

The Russian Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (RAAPA) is the leading professional organization representing the amusement and leisure industry in Russia and the broader CIS region. Established in 1995 on the initiative of Vladimir Alekseevich Gnezdilov, Director of the company “MIR,” with the support of the Russian Ministry of Culture, RAAPA has evolved from a small initiative into a key industry body with significant influence beyond Russia’s borders.

Russian Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (RAAPA) – Российская Ассоциация Парков и Производителей Аттракционов (РАППА)

History & Mission

RAAPA was founded to address the lack of specialized platforms for the amusement industry in the post-Soviet era. Its mission is to develop park and attraction infrastructure and create a legal framework ensuring the safety of visitors and park operators.

Over three decades, the association has grown to represent more than 350–500 enterprises (figures vary by source), including manufacturing companies, parks, family entertainment centers (FECs), and other amusement industry enterprises from Russia, CIS countries, and foreign nations.

Core Activities

1. Standardization & Safety

RAAPA plays a pivotal role in shaping industry safety standards. It has developed and implemented a regulatory framework that formed the basis for the work of Technical Committee TC-427 “Safety of Attractions” under Rosstandart, as well as numerous GOST standards regulating the production and operation of amusement equipment.

2. RAAPA EXPO – The Largest Industry Exhibition

Since 1997 (or 1999 according to some records), RAAPA has organized the “RAAPA EXPO” (International Exhibition of Amusement Rides and Entertainment Equipment). What began as “The All-Russian Exhibition ‘Amusement Parks and Clubs'” with 47–53 participants has grown into one of the world’s top five international amusement industry exhibitions.

• Scale: The Autumn 2025 edition featured 103 companies from nine countries and attracted over 2,000 specialists from 170 cities across Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Uzbekistan, and China.
• Scope: The exhibition covers amusement parks, VR/AR, water parks, slot machines, animatronics, park transport, go-karts, and business automation systems.

3. Education & Certification

• Training Center: Operating since 2006, the RAAPA Training Center has trained over 3,000 specialists from 80 regions of Russia and abroad.
• Certification System: RAAPA operates a Federal-level voluntary certification system for personnel. The “Specialist of Safe and Efficient Operation of Amusement Rides and Devices” certificate is valid for three years across all Russian regions. Certified specialists are authorized to train and certify staff within their own enterprises.

4. Publishing & Media

Since 2006, RAAPA has published the magazine “Attractions and Entertainments”, which serves as a key tool for communication and experience exchange within the industry.

5. Government & International Relations

• Government Cooperation: RAAPA actively collaborates with the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade and participates in the Coordinating Council of Professional Associations, working with federal and regional authorities to protect industry interests.
• Global Memberships: RAAPA is a member of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) and a co-founder of the European Association of Amusement Supplier Industry (EAASI).
• Standardization Committees: The association participates in international committees including CEN (Europe), ASTM F-24 (USA), and ISO TC-254.

Industry Impact & Recent Developments

RAAPA EXPO serves as a vital business platform where regular exhibitors like Game-Keeper, ATTRAPLAST, ITALPARK, and the MIR Group showcase innovations. The business program often includes seminars on park management, investment attraction, and safety automation.

In recent years, RAAPA has expanded its initiatives, establishing the Professional Award in the field of Recreation and Entertainment since 2024 and organizing the Open Meeting of the Entertainment Industry Coordination Council to foster dialogue between industry players and government bodies.