Press Releases

IAAPA Announces Service Award Winners at General Managers and Owners Breakfast During IAAPA Attractions Expo 2007

ORLANDO, FLA. (Nov. 15, 2007) – International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) presented Service Awards to Arturo San Roman, Patrick L. Hoffman, Jack Mendes, Bob Bennett, and Patty Bennett Wednesday, Nov. 14, at the IAAPA Attractions Expo 2007 General Managers and Owners Breakfast.
The Lifetime Service Award recognizes a member individual or organization’s consistent and long-term achievements serving the association and the attractions industry. This year’s Lifetime Service Award recipients are Bob and Patty Bennett, fixtures of the industry for many years who have both served on the New Jersey Amusement Association board of directors.

Bob Bennett worked at Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, N.J., United States, when he was 17 years old and returned each summer, even after joining the Navy. Eventually, he joined the Wynne family in owning Casino Pier and built Water Works Water Park with them in 1986. Bob sold Casino Pier several years ago, but is still involved with several businesses in Seaside Heights.

Patty Bennett was literally born into the business, with her family-owned and operated businesses on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights. She started working at 14 years old and learned the business by working with her parents at Fred’s Skilo, which they built. Patty decided to make the industry her life’s work and was a co-operator of Strand Skilo for 37 years, until 2005.

Both Bob and Patty Bennett have worked on behalf of the industry before the state legislature in Trenton, N.J., and the U.S. Congress. In addition, Patty has served on the IAAPA Government Relations and Hall of Fame Committees.

The Meritorious Service Award recognizes a member individual or organization that has advanced the IAAPA mission of “serving the membership by promoting the safe operation, global development, professional growth, and commercial success of the attractions industry.” This year, Arturo San Roman of Balneario Ixtapan in Mexico City, Mexico and Patrick L. Hoffman of Six Flags Inc. were honored with the award.

Arturo San Roman found success after more than three years of lobbying for the implementation of long-weekend holidays in Mexico. In 2006, Monday observations were approved for four national holidays in Mexico. As a result, San Roman’s work resulted in a 2.5% increase in attendance for Mexico’s attractions industry. He has been a member of IAAPA since 1994 and served as president and treasurer of the Association of Mexican Waterparks.

Patrick “Pat” Hoffman started in the industry in 1969 in maintenance and construction at Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio, United States. He later started his own consulting company offering ride safety and maintenance consulting to the industry. After working at Coulter, Hoffman & Associates, he became vice president of K&K Insurance Group, Leisure Division, which he helped found. For three years, Hoffman and his wife ran Fun Spot Amusement Park and Zoo in Angola, Indiana. He found a home at Six Flags Theme Parks in 2000 where he now serves as vice president of safety and risk management. Hoffman is a longtime member of the IAAPA Safety Committee and a frequent presenter at safety workshops.

The Outstanding Service Award is presented in recognition of a member individual or organization who works to foster the spirit of goodwill, professionalism, and higher levels of performance within the industry on a regional, national, or international level.  This year, Jack Mendes of Bob’s Space Racers received the Outstanding Service Award.

Jack Mendes has been a member of IAAPA for more than 30 years. He was a founding member of the Manufacturers and Suppliers Committee, as well as chair of that committee from 1997 – 2004. He is known as an industry innovator who is focused on developing markets and new products; a trait that has fueled his success. Mendes has been a critical force in the planning and implementation of the IAAPA Attractions Expo and currently serves as chair of the Space Allocation Committee.

Awardees are chosen by Service Awards committee members: John Wood from the Sally Corporation, Dona Bertus from Jeff Bertus Leisure, Harold Hudson of AAPRA Associates, Kelven Tan of the Singapore Sports Council, Bob Logan with Innovative Leisure Partners, and Fernando Reyes of La Feria Chapultepec.

IAAPA Attractions Expo 2007
The IAAPA Attractions Expo 2007 is the largest conference and trade show for the amusement park and attractions industry in the world.  With its theme “Expand Your Universe” the show will draw an estimated 25,000 people from more than 85 countries from the amusement and leisure industries to the Orange County Convention Center from Monday, Nov. 12, through Friday, Nov. 16. The trade show floor will be open Tuesday, Nov.13 through Friday, Nov.16. IAAPA Attractions Expo 2007 offers a solid week of business and fun. More than 1,000 exhibitors will display their products and services in 500,000 net square feet of exhibit space. The event will also include educational sessions, behind-the-scenes tours, marquee social events and networking opportunities. This is the marketplace where amusement and attraction industry leaders, decision makers and visionaries gather to network, view the latest innovations, and plan for the future.  

About IAAPA
IAAPA is the premier trade association for the attractions industry worldwide.  Founded almost 90 years ago, IAAPA is the largest international trade association for permanently situated amusement facilities and attractions and is dedicated to the preservation and prosperity of the amusement industry.

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