“Today, real science has been heard,” said Gary Story, president and chief operating officer of Six Flags, Inc. “The public deserves the truth and we in this industry have a responsibility to reassure the public with solid scientific evidence.”

Rhea Seddon, M.D., assistant chief medical officer with The Vanderbilt Medical Group and a former NASA Astronaut, said, “I have analyzed the data. I have studied the science. I am a mother of four children and I know, without a doubt, that enjoying the thrills of an amusement park is one of the safest activities that I can enjoy with my family.”

“Our panel concluded that there is no proof that roller coasters cause neurological injury and there is no significant public health risk associated with amusement park attendance,” said Robert Harbaugh, M.D., with the section of neurosurgery at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, and a member of the AANS. Harbaugh explained that the panel included experts in cerebrovascular disease, neurological trauma, medical neurology, emergency medicine, clinical epidemiology, biostatistics, roller coaster engineering and astronautics. The panel reviewed and analyzed data on gravitational forces, injury statistics of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, literature on the physiology of acceleration, background literature on the types of neurological injuries that have been reported to be associated with park rides, and the results of a national survey of neurosurgeons conducted by Neuro-Knowledge, a program of the AANS.

Harbaugh said the overall injury rate at amusement parks as reported by the Consumer Product Safety Commission is significantly lower than that of other activities, such as sleeping in bunk beds, and riding skateboards, sleds or bicycles. Any claims that theme park-related neurological injuries are increasing are not substantiated by any of the available evidence, he said.

On behalf of Exponent, one of the world’s leading scientific engineering research firms, Lee Dickinson, Ph.D., stated, “Our study showed, on the basis of all known scientific evidence, that roller coasters are safe. We looked in detail at G-forces, government data, Six Flags data and medical literature. We did not find anything to suggest that a public health issue exists. In particular, G-forces on roller coasters are not a problem and the available government data does not support a problem. For these reasons, Exponent concluded that, based on all available evidence, fixed-site amusement parks and roller coasters are safe.”

Both the AANS and Exponent found that, contrary to inaccurate reports in the news media, G-force levels have not increased on roller coasters over the last 30 years.

The reports are on the Internet in a PDF format and can be downloaded at:
www.emerson-associates.com/safety/articles/AANSreport.pdf
www.emerson-associates.com/safety/articles/ExponentReport.pdf

IAAPA Buys Asian Amusement Expo
In an effort to continuously provide additional benefits, member facilities and suppliers, IAAPA recently acquired sole ownership of the Asian Amusement Expo (AAE), having purchased from both Terrapinn and the American Amusement Machine Association (AAMA) their interests in the expo. Terrapinn will continue to manage the show on behalf of IAAPA, and AAMA will continue to endorse the show.

“IAAPA has always valued its role as an integral part of this important exhibition,” says Clark Robinson, IAAPA’s president, “and this move was just the logical next step in supporting our members involved in Asia by ensuring that the AAE remains the premier industry event in the region.

“The Asian amusement industry holds much promise, and the AAE is a key component in our efforts to serve and help grow that industry, now and in the future. We are committed to making this great show even better, with expanded educational offerings and a targeted focus on the amusement and attractions segment, all at a reasonable cost to both exhibitors and attendees,” says Robinson.

The exhibition is entering its twelfth year, and AAE 2003 will be held July 15-18 at the Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Center.

New Food Service Video Tape Available
The “Welcome to Food Service” video is a great training and presentation tool for food managers and supervisors. This 20-minute video covers six different subject areas in food service:
• Guest Relations
• Food Safety
• Food Presentation
• Using Kitchen Equipment and Materials
• Cash Handling
• Working as a Team
Shot on location at Lake Compounce in Connecticut, the video looks behind the scenes at a busy amusement park’s restaurants, concession stands, and food carts to illustrate how your employees can provide the best in food service. The video comes with a comprehensive trainer’s guide that includes suggested training formats and activities to help you with role-playing and team-building ideas. This product will also appeal to younger audiences.

Also available is the “Welcome to Food Service” CD-Rom, so you can tailor the program to your particular attraction.

The videotape and trainer’s guide are available in English and Spanish.

A special thanks goes to Jerry Brick, director of food, beverage, and retail at Lake Compounce, for all his help in producing this new IAAPA product.

2003 Exhibit Space Now Available
IAAPA wants to thank all the 2002 exhibitors for creating the second largest trade show in association history. IAAPA Orlando 2002 attracted more than 29,000 attendees searching for the best products and services for their parks and attractions.

And now it’s time to begin planning and preparing for this year’s show. Senior exhibitors who have at least five years of experience exhibiting at the trade show may now apply for booth space.
A completed, signed contract and 50 percent deposit must be received in-house by February 28, 2003, to be considered for allocation in the first space allocation meeting in March.

The general deadline for a 50 percent deposit and a signed contract for all IAAPA members is May 2, 2003. Space will be assigned the second week of June.

To see this year’s current floor plan on the web, go to www.expocadvr.com/shows/iaapa/03orl.html. Exhibitors will be able to follow both space allocation meetings live on the Internet.

IAAPA Staff Helps Provide Needed Cheer in Kosovo
On December 11, 2002, 32 boxes of warm clothing, stuffed toys, reading material, and homemade baked goods were mailed from IAAPA due to arrive in Kosovo in time for Christmas.

The recipient was Staff Sergeant Christopher Fritz, U.S. Marine Corps, Fourth Civil Affairs Group (CAG), located in Kosovo. Chris is a liaison between military forces, civilians, and civilian authorities. As peacekeepers, CAG is directly involved in rebuilding the infrastructures of local schools, roads, and hospitals and bringing stability to the region.

Longtime IAAPA staff member Mandy Fritz is accustomed to all that goes with being a military wife—even celebrating Christmas without her husband. This is one of three Christmases spent without him. Technology, however, has allowed them to stay in touch. Sharing photos of their new baby boy, Brandon, over e-mail makes the distance somewhat easier to bear. Technology also played a role in creating a groundswell of staff support for the goodwill project she initiated.

Mandy shared photos of Chris’s immediate surroundings and the children in Kosovo with all the IAAPA staff members. The photos were heartbreaking, showing demolished buildings, shorn vegetation, and waiflike children in need of warm clothing.

This led to an idea among staff to try to make this Christmas special for the Marines away from home and the children of Kosovo. The staff responded overwhelmingly. Receptionist Sallie Fox said it best, “What better way to celebrate the spirit of the holiday season than with an expression of caring and giving.”

Chris responded, too, as the boxes started arriving, “I hope you and your staff enjoy these photos as much as we enjoyed handing the [goodies] out. Again, thanks to all of your fellow staff members for their assistance in helping make this holiday season a better one for the needy kids of Kosovo.” The Marines based on Camp Monteith, a U.S. Army installation, worked closely with the local civilian organization in dispersing clothing and toys to many of the 250 children in a local orphanage.

Planning and Goal Setting Create Sales Opportunities
Even though exhibitors have just finished calling all the leads from IAAPA Orlando 2002, it’s already time to start preparing for IAAPA Orlando 2003.

Veteran exhibitors know that preparation is what it’s all about. Successful trade show participation starts months before the actual event.Setting definite, reachable, and pertinent goals starts the whole process. Exhibitors who don’t know what results they want from the trade show can’t set a realistic budget because spending is goal driven rather than the other way around.

Companies that consistently experience success at the show seem to be honest about what results are expected and maintain their flexibility as the trade show cycle continues. Those goals drive the size of the booth as well. Goals and a realistic budget can and do change as the show nears—planning is a consistent, dynamic process.

Goals don’t always have to include sales initially, but they must lead to sales in the long run. Consider long-range goals like industry positioning and market leadership. Plan and prepare to meet company goals using a calendar. A trade show without a time frame is useless.

Know the paperwork and payment deadlines for vendors and the general show contractor as well as for IAAPA. If you miss deadlines you will pay more money for all goods and services.
Proper early planning, goal setting, and being calendar driven will result in a successful IAAPA Orlando 2003.
—Next month: Tips on Sponsorships and Marketing.

Convention Web Site News
2002 Exhibitors Stay Current and Connected Through March 2003 IAAPA created a service for exhibitors last year called iaapaorlando.com, a virtual expo online presence for IAAPA exhibitors beginning July 1, 2002, at the convention, and through March 2003.

Exhibitors can continue to add or change a second sales contact name, e-mail address, and also update company information to the current site. E-mail addresses are linked to the company listing. Exhibitors can also choose up to four product categories that are searchable online.

Enhancements to iaapaorlando.com listings that are available for purchase include your company logo, product photos, and press releases. Contact Melanie Joss to learn how to add to this year’s iaapaorlando.com listing and build booth traffic for IAAPA Orlando 2003 at 440/446-9483 ext. 10, or e-mail: melanie@tmiexpos.com.

Anyone around the world can contact IAAPA Orlando 2002 exhibitors using the internet. The current site will be active through March 2003.
Point your Internet browser to www.iaapaorlando.com and click on “Who’s Exhibiting.”