IAAPA Orlando 2003 Positive Barometer for the Industry The outstanding attendance figures confirm what many longtime industry insiders were privately predicting after only a few days of witnessing the frenzy of commercial activity at the IAAPA Orlando 2003 Convention and Trade Show. IAAPA’s 85th show was the second largest in association history. About 30,062 attendees made the trip to the beautiful new North/South building of the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) to wade through a world of new, cool, and even a few revolutionary products, many of which were being exhibited for the first time. “The outside space is the best we have ever offered,” said David Lee, vice president of conventions of IAAPA. Additionally, attendees made good use of professional management seminars, training sessions, and multiple workshops conducted from November 17 to 22 at the OCCC. “We went into this year’s show with some optimism,” said outgoing IAAPA Chairman John Collins. “But we couldn’t have predicted this would be one of our greatest shows ever.” Many of this year’s exhibitors agreed with the chairman’s assessment. “Incredible show, tons of leads… our best show ever,” said Global VR’s John Hill. “We sold 400 to 500 ‘Drivers,’ our simulated arcade game. This is our ninth year, and we’ll definitely be back.” Richard Long with Benchmark Games, Inc., agreed, saying that this year’s group of attendees were not “tire-kickers.” “There is nothing like IAAPA’s trade show,” said Sally Corp. Chairman & CEO John Wood, whose company has been attending this show for 25 years. “IAAPA —to me—is Christmas.” Buyers came from 87 countries to view the products and services of 1,253 exhibitors in 530,955 net square feet of exhibit space. Of those buyers, 79.1 percent were U.S. and 20.9 percent were international. This year’s show also offered more than 50 heavily attended educational sessions, which included IAAPA’s Attractions Management School and facility tours of SeaWorld Orlando, the Disney Institute, Universal Islands of Adventure, Discovery Cove, and the Walt Disney World Resort. Ticketed events also did well. Those included the General Managers and Owners breakfast, which featured industry legend Buzz Price greeting 266 guests, the International Reception for 518 attendees, and the Thursday Night Social at Universal Studios, which hosted 3,013 people. New Staff at IAAPA Jaime Schmidt joined IAAPA in October as the new coordinator in the Education, Professional Development & Training department. She was previously employed with the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds and brings with her many talents. Her background is in events management, but she’s also a trained chef, which means great treats for the office! Schmidt started shortly before our annual convention and had a wonderful time adjusting to not only a new job, but also the overwhelming experience that is the IAAPA Convention and Trade Show. The amusement industry is one that promotes fun, and we carry that theme over into that very special event. But despite the hectic schedule, Jaime enjoyed the experience. “It was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen,” she says. While working at IAAPA, Jaime will be going back to school part-time in the fall to finish her degree in events management. She adds: “I think I have the perfect job, I love the people and the diversity of what I get to do every day. And best of all, I get to work with people who run theme parks and attractions for a living. What could be better than that?” In September, Corey J. Connors was hired to serve as IAAPA’s new government relations manager. He will be the primary staffer for the association’s political action committee and the regular liaison to Time to Learn, the extended-school-year organization to which IAAPA belongs. He will also assist Vice President of Government Relations Randy Davis with a variety of the department’s other substantive and operational issues. Corey comes to IAAPA from the government relations division of Smith, Bucklin & Associates, a major association management firm in Washington, D.C. In that capacity, he worked for the government relations departments of several trade associations. He has also worked on the staff of U.S. Senator John McCain and recently earned his master’s in political management from the George Washington University. Along with this thorough background in government relations, Corey brings to the association a great enthusiasm for the industry, having been a ride operator at Kennywood in Pittsburgh, Pa., for several summers. John Elderkin was hired in September as assistant editor to IAAPA’s Funworld magazine. John’s background is in writing and academia. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he taught social studies and ESL classes at a public high school in Atlanta for four years and was awarded a Fulbright teaching exchange to London, England. He lived there for two years and wrote educational features for The Times of London and occasional pieces for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Upon his return to the States, John entered graduate school at the University of Florida in Gainesville and received an MFA in fiction writing, then taught composition and literature classes at the College of Charleston in South Carolina. Ready to transition out of the teaching profession, John moved to the D.C. area this summer and says he looks forward to developing feature stories for Funworld. “If the trade show is any indication,” he says, “there are some great stories waiting out there.” Hall of Fame Inductees for 2003 The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions announced its 2003 Hall of Fame inductees during the “What’s New Theater,” prior to the opening of the trade show floor on Wednesday at the Orange County Convention Center. The 2003 inductees are: Roberto Ortiz Founder of Parque de Diversiones in San Jose, Costa Rica, Dr. Roberto Ortiz is a world-renowned children's physician who has created and directed this innovative and successful amusement park, the proceeds of which are contributed to the funding of the country’s National Children’s Hospital. Werner Stengel Werner Stengel of Munich, Germany, has been active in the amusement industry for nearly four decades, having begun designing amusements in 1964. His designs have been used for many popular amusement rides that are still used today. Stengel’s ride designs often employ spinning, and he is known for innovative dark rides. Alpenblitz, Bayernkurve, Polyp, Enterprise, and Big Wheels all bear the stamp of this industry pioneer. He is responsible for more than 180 designs located at 700 international attractions. A New and Improved Carousel of Capitals In a continuing effort to increase the value of IAAPA membership, Carousel of Capitals—the association’s quarterly government relations e-newsletter—has received a facelift as part of a recommitment to provide its audience with timely insight on critical public policy issues facing the global amusement industry. The October 2003 edition can be found under the “Government Relations” section of our web site www.iaapa.org, and the January 2004 issue should be arriving within the next couple of weeks. We hope you enjoy the new and improved Carousel of Capitals, and, as always, we appreciate any editorial feedback you may have regarding this publication. Buzz Price Speaks at the GM Breakfast One of the Industry’s most influential and well-known figures addressed IAAPA’s Annual Convention and Trade Show attendees at the General Managers and Owners Breakfast on November 20, 2003, in Orlando, Fla. Harrison “Buzz” Price—author of the recently released book Walt’s Revolution: By the Numbers —shared a variety of colorful highlights from his amazing 50-year career that has shaped the look and feel of contemporary amusement parks around the world. From his roots working with the Disney brothers transforming 2D stories into memorable 3D fantasy theme parks to his current vocation as one of the industry’s preeminent economic consultants, Buzz Price is a living legend. This event, which has previously been held as a luncheon, was aimed at senior facility executives and included presentation of the prestigious IAAPA Service Awards for excellence in service to the amusement industry. This year’s award categories include Lifetime Service, Outstanding Service, Meritorious Service, Best Promotion, Public Affairs, and The Phoenix Award annually given to an individual or organization responsible for the salvation or rebirth of a cherished part of amusement park history. The General Managers and Owners Breakfast was sponsored by AEST INC., Pax Design Co., and SEASAC. Blackpool Pleasure Beach Contributes to IAAPA-UNICEF Partnership IAAPA and UNICEF are continuing to partner on the “Your Change for a Real Change” campaign, a three-year fundraising program designed to support UNICEF’s worldwide immunization activities. At IAAPA Orlando 2003, Blackpool Pleasure Beach handed over a $20,000 check for UNICEF following its summer season event on behalf of the global children’s organization. In delivering the check, Geoffrey Thompson, Blackpool’s managing director, said, “I am delighted we were able to support UNICEF this year. We believe we have a close synergy with UNICEF’s work in supporting early childhood development. Every child has the right to play, and we fully endorse this notion—after all, we are in the business of making fun for children and adults alike.” Outgoing IAAPA Chairman John Collins received the funds on behalf of UNICEF: “The Change partnership has inspired participation from our member parks across the globe, and this generous contribution by Blackpool Pleasure Beach is a major and welcome response to this campaign. I sincerely hope it will spur even more facilities to get involved.” Blackpool’s fundraiser consisted of a widely distributed coupon, the redemption of which resulted in a donation of part of its value to UNICEF. Chinese Delegation Meets in Orlando During the annual trade show an official visit from the leaders of the Chinese Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions met with several key IAAPA staff, including President Clark Robinson, to discuss the development of the industry in Asia and the possibility of hosting the IAAPA Asian Expo in 2005 in China. Mr. Yu Changjia, president of CAAPA and general manager of Guangzhou Dongfang Amusement Park and chair of Tian’an Hotel Co. Ltd.; Mr. Liu Jingwang, executive vice president of CAAPA and general manager of Beijing Shijingshan Amusement Park; and Mr. Bi Jianbin, vice president secretary of CAAPA and general manager of Beijing Shibaolai Amusement Equipment Co. Ltd. were among the CAAPA officials present. EASSI and IAAPA Pen Deal IAAPA and the European Association Amusement Supplier Industry (EAASI) have signed a letter of intent to form a new company that will own and manage what will be Europe’s largest industry show. This new event will represent all amusement parks, fairs, manufacturers, carnivals, and attractions throughout Europe. The show and its educational programs will enhance relationships within the industry by providing one voice toward future improvement. “The strength of the partnership comes from combining IAAPA’s role for the industry worldwide and EAASI’s expertise in the European market,” said Clark Robinson, president of IAAPA. A final agreement between the two organizations is to be completed in the coming weeks. Many Trade Show Functions Benefit Give Kids the World The show’s activities benefiting Give Kids The World were all extremely well received and, most important, they collectively raised $54,000 for the Village. These activities included the GKTW charity golf tournament sponsored by Harris Miniature Golf, which welcomed 117 players, the IAAPA Ladies Lunch & Fashion Presentation, which had 75 attendees, and a very popular Silent Auction.