LETTER FROM THE CHAIR
Business as Usual in a Not-So-Good Year
Last month I told you how after visiting with leaders in the attractions industry from Europe and Asia I felt the response to this year’s economic climate was optimistic but well-prepared for worst-case scenarios. Upon returning to the United States, I’m pleased to say I met with much the same attitude from some longstanding owners and operators on the East Coast whom I recently visited.
I traveled with IAAPA President and CEO Charlie Bray, IAAPA Second Vice Chair Bob Rippy, and Bill Alter of W.A. Alter Inc. to several parks and attractions on the New Jersey shore: Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, Jenkinson’s Breakwater Beach and Casino Beach Pier, Atlantic City’s Steel Pier, Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, Gillian’s Funland, and Morey’s Piers (see photo on this page). Surprisingly, the  biggest concern from the operators at these facilities wasn’t the economy, but the weather. Incessant rain during the early summer kept attendance figures lower than usual. Thankfully, August saw a lot of sun and high temperatures, bringing families back out in droves to the seaside locales.
Even more encouraging, these operators (many of them being second- and third-generation owners) are keeping their short- and long-term plans intact— buying attractions, rides, games, etc., although at a more cautious, conservative pace. They’ve seen economic ups and downs come and go, and they know how resilient our industry can be in the face of such adversity. Their response is to just keep doing what they do best: provide excellent guest service, reinforce their commitment to safety and family fun, and plan for the next great year and the year after that. They’ve been through enough troubling times in the past to understand those keys to success.
Many of these operators were instrumental in the formation of an industry association that eventually grew to be the IAAPA that we know today ... and for that, we are grateful!
All the best,
Darrell Metzger, Chairman of the Board
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