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We Carry On
It has been an honor to serve as your chairman this year. I’ve always considered my career and personal life one big journey; this year, as I sat in the proverbial chairman’s seat, I enjoyed another turn in that journey—one that I will cherish forever.
Since being elected IAAPA Third Vice Chairman in 2008, I’ve had the opportunity to help lead the strategic direction of the association and make decisions that impact and benefit companies just like mine: a small business looking to improve, grow, and thrive in today’s ever-changing world.
But I couldn’t have done it alone, and so I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to those who made this year enriching and fun.
 I’d like to thank Chip Cleary for stepping in as IAAPA’s new president and CEO and for clearing a strong path for the association, as well as to the professionals on the IAAPA staff who lent their support and guidance on a host of projects this year.
I’d like to thank Ricardo Castillo and the professionals at IRTRA for hosting IAAPA’s June board meeting in Guatemala and showing us their world-class facility.
To my fellow board members: Thank you for volunteering your time and lending your expertise to the association’s mission and goals. I’ve enjoyed our meetings, discussions, and collaboration on strategic issues affecting the global attractions industry.
Most of all, thank you to my staff at Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park for allowing me to serve on the board this year. It’s with your confidence and support that I was able to give my attention to the strategic matters of IAAPA’s vision and mission.
Looking to 2012, I’m excited to watch Roland Mack of Europa-Park and Mack Rides lend his expertise and guidance to the board as its chairman. The Mack family has a long and storied history in this industry, and Roland provides a unique perspective, as both an owner/operator and manufacturer/ supplier. Additionally, as our membership grows in Europe, the handson services and product needs increase. Roland’s experience as an international businessman will certainly yield great things to IAAPA’s overall international growth plans.
Thank you to all those who have helped make my year as chairman such a successful and fulfilling one.
Sincerely,
Bob Rippy, Chairman of the Board
Ride Safety—All You Need to Know: Statistics, safety tips, training information, design technology and standards, plus much more is available at www.IAAPA.org/pressroom/AmusementRideSafetyIndex.asp.
News Flash Archives: Interested in browsing industry news from the past three years? Visit IAAPA’s members-only archive of News Flash, the association’s e-newsletter that includes summaries from recent news items related to the attractions industry at www.IAAPA.org/members. Login with your member ID and password, then browse by month and year.
IAAPA Promotes Member News: IAAPA continues to promote “What’s New” in the industry annually. The publicity campaign in the U.S. for 2011 generated approximately 52 million impressions in outlets across the country, including AAA magazine, AOL Travel, AP-Florida, AP-National, Austin American-Statesman, MSNBC.com, and USAToday.com. IAAPA will distribute a worldwide 2012 preview release at IAAPA Attractions Expo 2011 and immediately begin promoting the 2012 new attractions around the world at the start of the new year.
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