Press Releases

IAAPA Creates New Communications Services Dept.

Amusement Park Industry Reacts to Growing Public Relations Needs with Communications Services Reorganization

ALEXANDRIA, VA. USA (Sep. 22, 2003) – The International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions ( IAAPA) formally completed the reorganization of its Communication Services Dept. for more effectively managing a growing number of organizational goals. An unparalleled safety record, significant milestones in scientific research and cutting edge technology are included in a comprehensive communications strategy. Industry image, crisis and policy communications as well as web content will now be handled in-house rather than sourced to multiple vendors. This action will allow IAAPA senior leadership direct implementation of the communications strategy that includes crisis media response, proactive media planning, and increased research and analysis.

"To accomplish our objectives, IAAPA has moved very deliberately," Clark Robinson, IAAPA president stated. "We believe we've assembled a quick strike communications team, skilled in crisis and issue management. It will operate in concert with the Association's other departments to protect IAAPA member's interests in the media and provide solid research to support industry positions."

In the spring of 2003, IAAPA made the move to hire Vice President of Communications, Beth Robertson, to oversee the construction of a versatile communications team that could accomplish a diverse set of internal and external public relations objectives. Robertson's unusual profession experience includes more than 16 years of crisis communications, strategic planning and issues management, coupled with media relations, website management and on-air broadcast experience.

Robertson has handpicked several key team members from other organizations, while retaining IAAPA communications veteran, Joel Cliff to act as the team's Technical Writer. Jay Kalathil, IAAPA's new Web Manager brings his technical expertise, from concept to execution, to improve overall interactivity of IAAPA's Internet site.

This new department -now fully staffed -- includes the ability to respond to press coverage with the industry point-of-view and foster communication networks within IAAPA that allows members to take advantage of their Association's new assets. The department will also leverage information technology to monitor media reports and update IAAPA members to developing stories in their geographic regions at a moments notice.

"Small, cohesive communication teams that can react quickly to change are more important now then ever before," says Beth Robertson, IAAPA's new Vice President for Communications Services. "Managing information traveling at the speed it does today requires thoughtful but quick small group decision making. We have hit the ground running in an industry where the stakes are extraordinarily high."

As the keystone of the new department, Vice President of Communication Services, Beth Robertson's diverse professional background prepared her for taking over the leadership of the Association's communications outreach that includes concept planning, strategy, crisis and issue management. Additionally, Robertson is responsible for website content, white papers, news advisories, press releases, and other select publications and press materials. Add to this her role as the Association's primary spokesperson and the job is not small. Robertson brings a wealth of experience to IAAPA, having worked as the Public Relations Officer for the Prince William County Park Authority in Virginia, as well as a variety of public and private agencies. She has extensive crisis management and crisis communications experience, is very comfortable in front of a camera, having hosted several television programs and has solid tourism experience. Robertson holds a BS in Parks & Recreation Administration and Communications from Penn State University and began her career as a Walt Disney World College intern in 1983. She resides in Gainesville, Virginia with her husband Kevin.

Joel Cliff puts his five years of IAAPA experience to work as Technical Writer, primarily responsible for researching, analyzing, and writing about key industry issues, which affect IAAPA members. In addition, Cliff monitors industry statistical trends and other critical data to support IAAPA's strategic media plan. His diverse professional background includes association management, successful media outreach, and government relations experience on and off Capitol Hill. Prior to joining IAAPA in 1998, Cliff held a variety of press and policy positions with the U.S. House of Representatives, the NFL Players Association, the U.S. Commerce Dept., and the U.S. Senate. Cliff holds a graduate degree in Journalism from Ohio University and B.A. in Foreign Service from Penn State University. He currently resides in Silver Spring, Maryland, with his wife Tracy and two sons Aidan, 3 and Sean, 6 mos.

In his role as IAAPA's Web Manager, Jay Kalathil has overall responsibility for the Association's three web portals as well as adapting new information technologies for increasingly more efficient membership communication. From concept to execution, he will be responsible for improving the overall interactivity of IAAPA's Internet site to improve the timeliness and flow of information to the association's members. His technical expertise will allow IAPPA and its departments to directly manage web content and make it more responsive to membership needs by delivering an array of information products. To this newly created position, Kalathil brings 8 years of software engineering, e-business development, and extensive content management and creation. Kalahtil has built at least 30 e-business websites from the ground up. He holds a Master's in Computer Science from the Institute of Human Resource Development In Electronics in India. He currently lives in Herndon VA, with his wife Sunitha and 7-month old daughter, Arya.

IAAPA is the largest international trade association for permanently situated amusement facilities worldwide. The organization represents over 5,000 facility, supplier, and individual members from more than 85 countries. IAAPA strives to help members improve their efficiency, marketing, safety, and profitability while maintaining the highest possible professional standards in the industry.

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IAAPA is the largest international trade association for permanently situated amusement facilities worldwide. The organization represents over 4,500 facility, supplier, and individual members from more than 90 countries. IAAPA strives to help members improve their efficiency, marketing, safety, and profitability while maintaining the highest possible professional standards in the industry. www.iaapa.org