Acolap

What Acolap does

Acolap (Asociación Colombiana de Atracciones y Parques de Diversiones) is the national non-profit trade guild representing Colombia's amusement parks and attractions industry. Founded in 2005 and headquartered at Av. 68 #75A – 50 Local 263 C, Barrios Unidos, Bogotá, ACOLAP currently represents approximately 128 member affiliates — 74 park operators and 52 equipment, technology, and service providers — collectively covering 303 to 309 amusement parks, water parks, and entertainment centers across 19 Colombian departments. The association runs a six-person professional team led by Executive Director Angela María Díaz.

ACOLAP's revenue model rests on recurring membership dues from operator and provider affiliates, supplemented by event-driven income from its flagship gatherings, sponsorships, and training services. Its service portfolio comprises the annual Encuentros ACOLAP, the Latin American Amusement Expo (LAAE), specialized consulting, seminars and workshops, technical missions, and free certified training programs in safety, operations, and innovation. The organization also curates the regulatory knowledge base covering Ley 1209/2008, Ley 1225/2008, Resolución 958/2010, and Resolución 0880/2017.

The underlying technology footprint is intentionally minimal: a WordPress-based public website (acolap.org.co), a private member login portal, and a digital distribution partnership with PEC (Parques en Colombia) for park-pass sales. ACOLAP's economic moat is rooted in network effects (membership scale across operators and suppliers), regulatory standing (formal interface role with Colombian authorities for two decades), and ecosystem lock-in via recurring events and institutional partnerships with ICBF, ANATO, and LaLiga Business School.

Name

Acolap

Legal name

Asociación Colombiana de Atracciones y Parques de Diversiones

Website

https://acolap.org.co

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

ACOLAP is the Colombian non-profit trade association representing the country's amusement parks and attractions industry, serving ~128 operator and supplier affiliates across 303 parks through membership services, annual events, regulatory guidance, and training programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industry Trade Association

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Sponsorship, Exhibitor & Partnership Management Services (THAHACAK)

Keywords

• Industry association services
• Amusement park advocacy
• Trade exhibition organizing
• Professional training programs
• Regulatory compliance consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Bogotá

HQ country

Colombia

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: ACOLAP generates revenue through affiliate/operator membership fees from parks and entertainment centers, and provider fees from suppliers in the industry.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Acolap is a non-profit trade association that represents and supports Colombia's amusement park and attractions industry through membership services, industry events (Encuentros ACOLAP and the Latin American Amusement Expo), consulting, training, and regulatory advocacy. It serves 74 operator affiliates and 52 provider affiliates representing 309 establishments by organizing networking events, providing safety and compliance guidance, delivering professional development, and acting as the unified voice of the sector with government and tourism bodies.

Product overview

ACOLAP (Asociación Colombiana de Atracciones y Parques de Diversiones) is a non-profit trade association for Colombia's amusement park and entertainment industry, not a technology product company. The organization offers a portfolio of services including: Encuentros ACOLAP (annual industry conferences), the Latin American Amusement Expo (LAAE) trade exhibition, specialized consulting services, seminars and workshops, technical missions, and free training programs for sector employees. These services support industry representation for 125+ member companies and 300+ affiliated parks across Colombia, promoting sustainable development, safety, and innovation in the entertainment sector.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Latin American Amusement Expo (LAAE): The premier trade exhibition organized by ACOLAP dedicated exclusively to the amusement park and attractions industry in Latin America. Now in its 10th edition, it serves as a platform for business generation, strategic alliances, and investment opportunities in the sector.
• XVI Encuentro ACOLAP & X LAAE 2026
• Mi Primer Parque

Products and services

• Encuentros ACOLAP Annual academic conference bringing together national and international speakers to analyze trends, share experiences, and promote knowledge exchange in the amusement park and entertainment industry. With sixteen editions held, it serves as the key update platform for the sector.
• Latin American Amusement Expo (LAAE) The commercial trade exhibition organized by ACOLAP that brings together operators, suppliers, and companies in the amusement parks and entertainment centers industry in Latin America. The only specialized commercial exhibition in Latin America dedicated exclusively to the amusement park and attractions industry, serving as a platform for generating business, strategic alliances, and investment opportunities.
• Consultorías Especializadas (Specialized Consulting) Technical and strategic accompaniment services for the development of amusement parks and entertainment centers, integrating key aspects such as design, safety, operation, innovation, and business management in the entertainment industry.
• Seminarios y Talleres (Seminars and Workshops) Specialized training spaces focused on different operational areas of amusement parks and entertainment centers, designed to share technical knowledge, sector experiences, and practical tools applicable to the industry.
• Misiones Técnicas (Technical Missions) Training experiences designed for each category of amusement parks, water parks, and entertainment centers, enabling knowledge of operation, innovation, and management models applied to the entertainment industry.
• Programas de Formación (Training Programs) Free academic programs aimed at strengthening the competencies of collaborators in the amusement parks and entertainment centers sector, with specialized content and certification in safety, operation, and innovation.
• XVI Encuentro ACOLAP y X LAAE 2026 The largest event in the Colombian amusement park sector, held in Cali from July 29-31, 2026, bringing together the entire entertainment and tourism value chain with an academic agenda covering operation, safety, human talent, finance, and visitor experience.
• Mi Primer Parque Social initiative by ACOLAP in partnership with ICBF (Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar) providing first-time recreational experiences at amusement parks for children, girls, and adolescents, promoting recreation as a fundamental right. Brings together over 10 affiliated parks to serve approximately 1,890 children annually.

Quantifiable outcome

• 9.9% sector sales growth in 2025
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ICBF (Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Joint 'Mi Primer Parque' initiative providing recreational experiences for over 1,800 children from ICBF. Demonstrates the social responsibility of the amusement park industry and positions parks as spaces for integral child development.
• ANATO (Asociación Colombiana de Agencias de Viajes y Turismo)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 February 2026ACOLAP participates in ANATO's Vitrina Turística (Tourism Showcase) for the third consecutive year (2026), promoting the entertainment and theme park sector to the broader tourism industry at Colombia's most important tourism fair at Corferias.
• LaLiga Business SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Strategic alliance for the XVI Encuentro ACOLAP 2026 under the theme 'De clientes a fans', bringing international expertise in customer loyalty and fan conversion from the sports entertainment industry to Colombia's amusement park sector.
• Latin American Amusement Expo (LAAE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026X edition of LAAE, the only specialized commercial exhibition in Latin America dedicated exclusively to the amusement park and attractions industry. Partnership advancing over 60% in commercial exhibition space for the 2026 event.
• Manillas para EventosminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Gold Plus sponsor. Colombian company specializing in manufacturing and commercialization of security wristbands and bracelets for identification and access control at events, parks, nightclubs, hotels, and recreational centers.
• Global Amusements IncminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Gold sponsor. International company specializing in sale and distribution of arcade games, redemption games, simulators, kiddie rides, and prize machines. Also offers spare parts, technical support, and consulting for FEC, arcade, and family entertainment center operators.
• KalkomatminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Gold sponsor. European company founded in 1997 specializing in design and manufacture of arcade games including boxing, kick, and air hockey machines. Operates in over 100 countries.
• Magnetic CashminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Gold sponsor. Company specializing in cashless solutions for the entertainment industry, developing payment systems, access control, and operational management through hardware and software platforms.
• PEC (Parques en Colombia)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerDigital platform that connects users with theme parks, water parks, and entertainment centers in Colombia, facilitating the purchase of passes and promotion of recreational experiences across different destinations.
• Open EnglishminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic ally supporting the association's initiatives and programs.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions): Global trade association serving the amusement park and attractions industry with advocacy, training, and the IAAPA Expo—the world's largest amusement industry trade show. Closest functional analog to ACOLAP, operating at a global rather than national scope with the same membership-fee-plus-event revenue model.
• AIMS International: International association of amusement industry manufacturers and suppliers, focused on safety standards, education, and B2B networking for equipment providers serving amusement parks. Directly comparable to ACOLAP's provider-affiliate (52 supplier affiliates) membership pillar and safety/regulatory mandate.
• World Waterpark Association (WWA): International trade association for the waterpark industry, providing member education, safety standards, and the annual WWA Show. Mirrors ACOLAP's combination of advocacy, safety regulation guidance, and large member-facing events for a vertical subset of the attractions industry.

Others

• WhiteWater West Industries: Major global manufacturer of water park and amusement attractions, including slides, play structures, and integrated park design. Functions as a strategic supplier whose members (and ACOLAP's provider affiliates) participate in LAAE; a key enabling participant in the ecosystem ACOLAP orchestrates.
• ANATO (Asociación Colombiana de Agencias de Viajes y Turismo): Colombian trade association for travel agencies and tourism operators, and ACOLAP's strategic partner at the Vitrina Turística. Serves as an ecosystem connector rather than a direct competitor, channeling tourism demand into ACOLAP-member parks and validating the association's go-to-market approach.

Regional players

• Showmen's Guild of Great Britain: Long-standing British trade association representing showmen, fairground operators, and amusement equipment providers. Operates the same guild/association model as ACOLAP for a different geography, with comparable functions in advocacy, training, and collective member representation.
• Asian Amusement & Leisure Attractions (AALA): Regional industry body for the Asian amusement and attractions industry, organizing the Asian Attractions Expo and supporting member parks across Asia-Pacific. Closest international analog to ACOLAP in structure and event-driven member engagement, but serving Asia rather than Latin America.
• SindParques (Brazil): Brazilian national trade association representing theme parks and amusement operators, with comparable functions in advocacy, training, and industry events. The most direct LatAm counterpart to ACOLAP, but operating in a different national market with its own regulatory and competitive context.

Emerging players

• Themed Entertainment Association (TEA): International non-profit association for the creators of themed experiences—designers, producers, and operators of theme parks, museums, and branded attractions. Overlaps ACOLAP's domain on the design/creative side of amusement parks and runs Thea Awards and TEA Summit, but does not focus on park operations or LatAm markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/acolaporg
• Facebookfacebook.com/ACOLAP
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/acolap

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Acolap