Funworld April 2008

Q & A

Andreas Veilstrup Andersen

IAAPA Executive Director,
IAAPA European Operations

IN FEBRUARY Andreas Veilstrup Andersen became IAAPA’s executive director of European operations, marking the first step in the association’s plan to significantly increase its presence in Europe. Most recently the chief operating officer forTivoli Gardens in Denmark, Andersen sat down with FUNWORLD during his first few weeks on the job to discuss his new position and what it means for IAAPA and its European members.

FUNWORLD: How do you describe your new role with IAAPA?
ANDREAS VEILSTRUP ANDERSEN: IAAPA decided it needed an enhanced presence in Europe; expanding the scope and services it offered directly from Europe. I’ve always looked at IAAPA as being a very professional organization, and really the only one that could lift the attraction industry’s agenda internationally.When I heard about IAAPA’s plans to expand in Europe, I got very excited. We need a stronger voice in Europe, and my hope is that I will be contributing to that new voice. It’s important, especially with the EU becoming stronger and people traveling more. Attractions face the same issues all over Europe, and therefore I think there is definitely a need for that stronger presence.

FW: What made you want to take this position?
AVA: I’ve worked with the Association for Danish Amusement Parks, and that was good fun. I enjoy the industry; I’ve always been crazy about riding roller coasters and visiting parks. When I worked with the Danish association, I got the chance to work with great people whom I learned a lot from. It was three very good years, and my approach to this job is much the same. This position is also a way for me to stay in the industry, because I had come as far as I could at Tivoli. So I was faced with a decision: Should I shift trade or stay in the business? This was an opportunity for me to stay in the business and get involved with an organization I admire to help solve the task I feel is needed.

FW: How do you describe IAAPA’s goals for Europe?
AVA: They’re very similar to IAAPA’s overall goals: We must create relevant products for the European membership, thereby gaining more members. Safety is also a big issue in Europe and will only become increasingly more so in the coming years. Government relations will also be important; the national associations do a good job promoting their agendas, but we really need to identify our issues to the EU as a whole. The Euro Attractions Show (EAS) is also very important because it’s not just a trade show, it’s a platform for all our products and gets people together to determine what IAAPA should be doing in Europe.

FW: How do you plan to facilitate those goals?
AVA: My first step is to begin a dialogue with our members in Europe—I need to be listening and learning a lot. For the next few months I will be the traveling sponge, trying to obtain all the input I can and then through that process create a business plan for Europe with measurable goals and strategies.

FW:What do you hope to achieve in your first year on the job?
AVA: I want the members to realize we are committed to Europe. I also want EAS to continue the path that’s already been set out for it, because it’s a good product and will be one of the fundamentals of success for IAAPA in Europe.

It’s important that we keep our objectives simple and focused at the beginning so our new projects are well realized. I want to make sure every step we take is a good step, and well implemented. Contact Andreas at aandersen@iaapa.org.