Show Daily - Mon, Nov. 14

2011 IAAPA Chairman Bob Rippy Reflects on the Past Year …

by Jeremy Schoolfield

As Bob Rippy’s tenure as Chairman of the IAAPA Board of Directors wound to a close, he took a few minutes to reflect on 2011.

What has your year as chairman been like?
It’s been a great year. We’ve hired a new CEO in Chip Cleary, and we’re real excited to have an industry person as the head of IAAPA. I’ve enjoyed visiting parks and manufacturers all over the world. It’s been more than I ever dreamed it would be.

What stood out the most to you during your travels?
I was reminded how everyone in our industry loves our industry. The people running these parks enjoy going to work every day. I didn’t go to a single one where the person I was talking with didn’t enjoy the industry and what it has to offer its customers. No matter where you go, people tell you, “This is what I love to do.”

What is one great memory you’ll take with you from this year?
Our board meeting in Guatemala was one of the highlights, where our board members from around the world got to visit the wonderful IRTRA parks. It’s special for me being the chairman for our first board meeting ever in Latin America. But all my travels … it’s hard to pick one out they were all so good.
Another highlight was being the chairman to visit our members in Indonesia. It was a great opportunity to visit with the ministers of tourism from Asia Pacific and spread the IAAPA name around the world. We can hopefully help make their lives better and they can certainly help make IAAPA better.

You’ve seen and done a lot over the course of your career, but it seems like this chairmanship added a whole new chapter.
Absolutely. It’s been a fulfilling four years, including my time as a vice chairman. When I look at all the places I’ve been able to go and people I’ve been able to meet in this industry—from the titans to local guys running an FEC—it’s been one of those things I’ll look back on forever.

Is there anything you’ve seen or learned over the year that you will take back to Jungle Rapids?
Really it’s just the philosophy of enjoying our jobs. This year has reinforced the fact that our employees should enjoy what they do as much as they can. That, and we also upgraded our laser tag arena after visiting a facility in Australia.

What are your thoughts on IAAPA as you prepare to hand the chairmanship over to Roland Mack at IAAPA Attractions Expo 2011 in November?
IAAPA is in great shape at this time. Roland will be a fabulous leader for the organization with his background in the industry and operating one of the finest parks in Europe; he’ll bring a lot of expertise to the chairmanship.