Volunteerism, cooperation, and advancement of common goals are cornerstones of any association. Countless, hardworking industry professionals dedicate their time and talents to making IAAPA a progressive, proactive, and strong organization. Committees represent our membership and support our mission, vision and strategic plan. Each committee and subcommittee creates an annual work plan with objectives they plan to achieve each year. Meet the current IAAPA Committee members and consider your role is shaping the future of the industry.

To learn more about serving on an IAAPA Committee, please watch the “Should I apply to serve on an IAAPA Committee” webinar featuring Wuthichai Luangamornlert, First Vice Chair of the IAAPA Board of Directors, and David Mandt, IAAPA Chief Governance Officer. This previously recorded webinar explains the role of a committee member and how to apply.

Getting Started

1. Discover which committee's purpose best meets your area of expertise. Read the full list of committee descriptions for more information on your potential role.
2. Members interested in volunteering must complete the committee volunteer application form. Committee volunteer applications for 2024 will be accepted from June 1 – October 1, 2023. Please read our eligibility requirements before filling out the committee volunteer application. Members will be invited to join a committee based on areas of expertise and geographical location.
3. Complete the Committee Volunteer Application Form 

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility

To be eligible for a committee chair or member position, candidates must be members in good standing during their full term. 

Committee chairpersons are selected from the facility, manufacturer, or lifetime classifications as defined in the IAAPA bylaws. 

Committee chair and member individual qualifications include:

• Proven performance in their field
• Commitment and time to serve
• Understanding of teamwork
• Personal communication skills
• Conversational English language skills

Appointment

All committees and task forces work under the guidelines of the strategic priorities and business plan. The board chair, in consultation with the President/CEO and Immediate Past Chair, appoints all committee and task force chairs; except as otherwise provided in the bylaws, all committee chairs are appointed for terms of one year. A task force chair can be appointed for a term equal to less than one year but not greater than one year. A committee chair may serve up to three consecutive terms.

The committee chair selects committee members. Committee members, as committee chairs, are appointed for terms of one year. Committee members will serve no more than three consecutive terms.

Committee List and Descriptions

IAAPA has five types of committees: board, strategic, regional advisory, constituency, and awards plus a series of subcommittees. The committees described below are open to volunteers. Those interested in joining a committee must fill out our volunteer application form.  

Board Committee

Governance - Recruits new second vice chair, treasurer and board members and recommends the slate of candidates to the board of directors for annual election; assesses the board’s current composition and identifies missing qualities and characteristics; employs recruitment plan and continuously cultivate new board prospects; orients new board members to ensure they understand and fulfill their responsibilities; reviews and recommends governance policies to the board of directors for action; reviews and makes recommendation to the board of directors if necessary when a code of conduct or Whistleblower policy violation has been alleged. 

Global Strategic Committees 

These committees advise and implement strategic programs on a global scale. Their work is directed by the board through the strategic and business plans. 

Education - Recommends policy and provides strategic direction for all global association education, professional development, training, and certification programs.

Safety -Recommends policy and provides strategic direction on safety matters and represents the association on various standards writing and other safety related groups on a global scale.

Security -  Works collaboratively in sharing security best practices, and current security information, training opportunities, and programs, across all entities IAAPA represents.

Sustainability - Guides the association in all matters related to the long-term sustainable management of the association, develop strategies focused on inspiring global members to follow a sustainability agenda, and to facilitate the development of services and products supporting the sustainability agenda with membership.

Regional Advisory Committees

A regional advisory committee recommends programs and services for a particular geographic region. The chairs of the regional advisory committee must be board members. 

Each regional advisory committee may have the following regional subcommittees to support key initiatives: safety, membership, education, manufacturer and supplies, government relations, security, and media and PR.

Asia Pacific Advisory - Recommends direction and strategies on programs and services for Asian members including IAAPA Expo Asia. 

EMEA Advisory - Recommends direction and strategies on programs and services for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa and IAAPA Expo Europe. 

Latin America and Caribbean Advisory - Recommends direction and strategies on programs and services for Latin American members. 

North America Advisory - Recommends direction and strategies on programs and services for North America members.

Regional Subcommittees

Each regional advisory committee may have the following subcommittees: safety, membership, education, manufacturer and supplier (M&S), government relations, media and PR, and security. Formation of regional subcommittees is based on the region’s needs. Subcommittees will be composed of members from the corresponding geographic region.

•  Education Subcommittee – Oversees all education offers including regional events, webinars, and expos. Committee members define sessions, presentations, and speakers.
• Government Relations Subcommittee – Keeps members up-to-date on policies and relevant regulatory developments with the region. Subcommittee members contribute substantively to the policymaking process (including mitigating risks for IAAPA members) and address legislative and regulatory issues relevant to their region.
• Manufacturer and Supplier Subcommittee – Develops programs and services to recruit manufacturing and supplier members. Committee members recommend strategies for expos in their region including venues for future show locations.
• Media and PR Subcommittee – Provides insight into the region and recommends strategic press and public relations strategies.
• Safety Subcommittee – Discusses safety standard updates, determines important positions on related questions, helps prepare for IAAPA’s safety events, and works to constantly improve the outstanding safety record for the attractions industry.
• Security Subcommittee – Subcommittee members discuss developments in security, determine how IAAPA can positively influence conditions for the industry, and help members learn from each other.

Global Constituency Committees

A constituency committee represents a specific membership segment on a global scale. Its purpose is to support the strategic programs as directed by IAAPAs strategic priorities and business plans.

Amusement Parks and Attractions - Develops programs to provide services to and recruit amusement parks and attractions members. 

Family Entertainment Centers - Develops programs to provide services to and recruit family entertainment center members.  The committee also organizes the Brass Ring - Top FECs of the World awards program.

Manufacturers and Suppliers - Develops programs to provide services to and recruit manufacturers and supplier members. The committee oversees the work of the Space Allocation Subcommittee which works to assign exhibit space locations to exhibitors for IAAPA Attractions Expo.

Museums and Science Centers - Develops programs to provide services to and recruit museum and science center members. The committee oversees museum and science center-related education programs at IAAPA Expo.

Space Allocation Subcommittee - Provides guidance and input for the process of assigning exhibit space location to exhibitors for IAAPA Expo.

Water Park - Develops programs to provide services to and recruit water parks members.

Zoos and Aquariums - Develops programs to provide services to and recruit zoos and aquariums members.

Awards Committee

Evaluates and selects recipients for association awards on a global scale.