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The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions honored the five winners of its 2002 Service Awards at the General Managers lunch during IAAPA Orlando 2002, the association’s trade show at the Orange County Convention Center.
The Service Awards are given to members who are recognized throughout the amusement industry for their dedication and hard work within the industry and the community. Nominations for outstanding individuals are accepted from facility owners and operators.
Lifetime Service Award
The Lifetime Service Award is given in recognition of an individual for consistent and long-term achievements in the amusement industry. This year’s award was presented with great honor to Geoffrey Thompson, managing director of Blackpool Pleasure Beach Group in Blackpool, England.
Thompson followed in the steps of his father and grandfather, who founded his family business in 1896. He was the first Englishman to serve as IAAPA’s president, in 1996, and has consistently presented the views and opinions of his fellow facility operators in the U.K.
Thompson has served in a number of leadership positions such as chair of the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers, and Attractions (BALPPA) twice, and still serves as its vice president. He was a founding chair of the Europarks, and in 1998 he added the Order of the British Empire to his list of accolades and achievements. Some of the new rides he has introduced while being managing director of Blackpool are Pepsi Max Big One, Ice Blast, and Valhalla.
Meritorious Service Award
The Meritorious Service Award has been awarded to Andy Quinn, director of community relations at Kennywood in Pittsburgh, Pa. This award is given in recognition for meritorious service by an individual, group, or organization that has improved the stature of the industry regionally, nationally, or internationally.
Quinn grew up in the amusement industry business. Service to IAAPA is not new for him or his family. His great grandfather, A.S. McSwigan, was the first president of the National Association of Amusement Parks. Andy is the current chair of the government relations committee and has worked tirelessly to lead this committee through an extremely challenging season.
Phoenix Award
The Phoenix Award, given to an individual or organization responsible for the preservation or rebirth of a cherished part of amusement history, was presented to Dick Knoebel, president of Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pa.
Knoebel’s passion for keeping rides from the past nestled among the trees alongside new rides is evident at the park. From the Lusse Auto Skooters, widely considered the best in the industry, to the relocated Phoenix roller coaster, to the re-created Twister wooden roller coaster, it is easy to see some of the great classic rides in the industry. The salvation and rebirth of the cherished parts of the amusement park history happen every year at Knoebel’s Groves.
Knoebel attended his first IAAPA convention in 1961 and has served as workshop chairman and panelist on several occasions. He has also been the chair of the Exhibitor Awards committee and served on the public relations committee. Knoebel has just completed three terms as IAAPA Hall of Fame chair and is in his third term on the IAAPA Board of Directors.
Public Affairs Award
The Public Affairs Award is given in recognition of an individual or organization that has contributed to the industry by working with government or public affairs to positively enhance the industry. This year’s award was presented to Gary Slade, editor and publisher of Amusement Today, based in Arlington, Texas.
Slade is a coaster fan who has traveled throughout North America in search of the ultimate roller coaster thrills. He has visited more than 500 amusement parks and ridden more than 400 different roller coasters in the United States as well as in Europe, Japan, and Brazil.
His publication has been presenting The Golden Ticket awards since 1998 in recognition of outstanding accomplishments in our industry. These awards have become a positive focus on media reporting in our industry.
Outstanding Service Award
The Outstanding Service Award is given in recognition of outstanding service to an individual or member organization that works to foster the spirit of goodwill, professionalism, and higher levels of performance within the industry. This year’s award was presented to Bobbie Wages, administration director of Lake Compounce in Bristol, Conn.
Wages has played a supporting role for her father, Charlie Woods, and husband, Tom, both past IAAPA presidents, and has served with distinction over the past five years, in the position of IAAPA treasurer. 