Press Releases

IAAPA Attractions Expo 2006: Mark Shapiro Accepts Invitation to General Managers and Owners Breakfast

ALEXANDRIA (Jun. 13, 2006) – The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions ( IAAPA) announced today that Mark Shapiro, President and CEO of Six Flags, Inc., will be the keynote speaker at IAAPA Attractions Expo 2006 Annual Conference and Trade Show’s “General Managers and Owners Breakfast”—an exclusive event for amusement and attractions industry leaders being held November 16, 2006.  IAAPA Attractions Expo 2006 is being held November 13-18, 2006 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

“Mark Shapiro’s business philosophy and charismatic personality is a perfect link to this year’s IAAPA Attractions Expo theme “See What’s New. Find What’s Hot. Learn What Works,” said Charlie Bray, IAAPA President and CEO.  “His new concepts and new approaches have generated dynamic results, and at this event he will share his plans for the company, his vision of the fun and leisure industry, and the challenges facing the amusement industry.”

The General Managers and Owners Breakfast provides insightful, thoughtful information to the top professionals of IAAPA’s member manufacturers, suppliers, theme parks and attractions.  The 2005 event featured Bernie Marcus candidly discussing his career and life experiences as the co-founder of Home Depot and his $200 million donation to the Georgia Aquarium.  At the 2006 breakfast, Shapiro will discuss further changes he plans to make to the Six Flags brand and why they are crucial to the future of Six Flags.

Shapiro was appointed as President and CEO of Six Flags, Inc. in December 2005.  He immediately refocused the theme park as an experience geared toward families, introducing a host of changes in 2006, including a true character program, broader family entertainment options, favorite consumer brand-name food, products and services, daily parades and fireworks, and a cleaner, more comfortable and guest-friendly atmosphere. 

Before joining Six Flags, Shapiro was Executive Vice President for Programming and Production at ESPN, where he was responsible for the development, acquisition, and scheduling of all programming for ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, ESPN Classic, ESPNU, ESPN Deportes, ESPN HD and ESPN2 HD, among overseeing all remote and studio production for ESPN's domestic and international entities.  In 2003, Shapiro was named one of the "Rising Stars” in Entertainment Weekly's annual "101 Most Powerful People in Show Business."  In 2004, he was named to the Sporting News' "Power 100," for the second consecutive year and in 2005 was named to Sports Business Daily's "Top 40 Under 40" for the third consecutive year. He is the recipient of two Peabody Awards and sixteen Emmy Awards.

Registration for the General Managers and Owners Breakfast will be available after August 2006.  Only registered attendees of the IAAPA Attractions Expo 2006 may attend the special event.  The cost is $75.00.

As the amusement and attractions industry’s largest worldwide gathering, IAAPA Attractions Expo 2006 offers a solid week of business and fun set within 1 million gross square feet of more than 1,100 exhibitors, educational sessions that are basic to advanced, behind the scenes tours, and networking opportunities.  This is the marketplace where amusement and attraction industry leaders, decision makers and visionaries gather to view and explore new amenities for their facilities.  

The trade show is not open to the general public.  For more information about IAAPA Attractions Expo 2006 please visit www.iaapaexpo.com or call IAAPA at +1 703/ 836-4800.

###

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 safety, efficiency, marketing, and profitability while maintaining the highest possible professional standards in the industry. www.iaapa.org