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Is IAAPA international enough?
Scott Simpson, Playland’s Castaway Cove, USA:
They do a great job within the United States. They’re very professional and very organised. Everything they do is done exceptionally well. Their international trade shows allow for IAAPA’s tremendous expansion.
Filip De Witte, Bellewaerde, Belgium:
Maybe it seems like they are bit if a US organisation at times, but I think they are making the right efforts to expand internationally. They are trying to involve European people. Personally, I am involved with both the Flemish association and Europarks, and I see myself how difficult it is to get people to become involved with an organisation. Maybe not enough European people are willing to do enough for IAAPA; there’s a lack of participation. I also think they are making the right efforts with the trade show. They want each European organisation to support the EAASI exhibition, and I don’t think we can blame IAAPA if the Italians, the UK and maybe the Germans want their own show.
Liu Jingwang, Chinese Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (CAAPA):
They play a very important role connecting with their members throughout the world; our experiences have been very positive. In fact, we recently partnered with nine other associations in Asia to form a new “global alliance partnership” called IAAPA ASEAN.
Anthony Catanoso, Steel Pier, USA:
Yes. They have broadened their brand awareness by moving into Asian markets with the IAAPA Asian Expo. Their information network is doing an excellent job. In addition, the diversity of their board members is further proof of their comprehensive international representation.
Vladimir Gnezdilov, Russian Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (RAAPA):
IAAPA has a plenty of international members, holds its owns trade shows in Asia and co-owns the European trade show in partnership with EAASI. It is hard to imagine today's world attractions industry without IAAPA and its networking events between industry businessmen from around the world. We joined IAAPA as members in 1992 and I bow to ex-president John Graff, to whom IAAPA owes its worldwide authority.
Rob Norris, IAAPA chairman:
IAAPA is definitely becoming the leading organisation representing a wide variety of attractions from across the globe. Currently over 40 per cent of our facility members are from outside the US. To reflect this growth, the association’s bylaws have been changed so that the board of directors is geographically proportional to the full membership. We recently started a global alliance programme, and have agreements with 18 national/regional associations from around the world. 90 per cent of our members are now served in their native language. IAAPA is also leading the way in the important task of global harmonisation of ride standards. And IAAPA has always been known for having the largest industry trade show in the world. Now with the IAAPA Asian Expo and our partnership in the European Attractions Expo, we fulfill our mission of bringing together buyers and sellers from around the world.
