Iaapa Bonus Issue
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PRE-IAAPA BONUS ISSUE TM www.AmusementToday.com Vol. 14, Issue 8.1 NOVEMBER 2010 $5.00 Numbers ahead of 2009 show IAAPA officials, attendees and exhibitors gear up for annual expo Pam Sherborne marketplace.” resents an 81 exhibitor, nine legends and pioneers to make Amusement Today New is not always the percent increase over the same presentations during the edu- best fit for a new amusement year-to-date number at last cation conference and we are It’s not all about the new, entertainment venue, he said, year’s show. We’ve seen re- anticipating capacity crowds but as the anticipated 25,000 but he sees established parks cord interest in the ‘first-time for the social events, including people from 100 countries de- wanting just that to market to exhibitors pavilion.’ We have the Thursday night celebra- scend upon the 2010 IAAPA existing customers for a new the largest outdoor exhibit tion at The Wizarding World Expo tradeshow floor many season. space since 2003 and more of Harry Potter at Universal’s will look for those new inno- By all indications, attend- than 200 companies have told Islands of Adventure,” Bray vations as well as new twists ees should be able to find a lot us they will showcase brand said. of the old. of new product at the massive new products and services in New on the list of educa- Jack Cook, president, annual IAAPA event that is set the exhibit hall.” tional offerings is the Rookies Bob’s Space Racers, Daytona to begin a 10-year run at the ries represented. But, the Expo doesn’t start and Newcomers program for Beach, Fla., understands that. Orange County Convention “Through Sept. 24, 983 and stop with the tradeshow. family entertainment center “We have been very ag- Center, Orlando, Nov. 15 and exhibitors had reserved more It also will offer over 90 educa- owners and operators. This gressive with new product,” run through Nov. 19. IAAPA than 420,000 square-feet of tional events and ample social day-and-a-half seminar begins Cook said. “Our new games officials are expecting 1,200 space on the trade show floor,” events. Sunday, Nov. 14 at the conven- are completely new. We think exhibitors for the tradeshow said Charlie Bray, president “We’ve lined up some tion center and feature topics that is important in this tough with over 100 product catego- and CEO, IAAPA. “That rep- amazing industry leaders, 4See IAAPA, page 5 IAAPA chairmen share thoughts on industry OUTGOING: Chip Cleary INCOMING: Bob Rippy During the up- What have been some of the Bob Rippy, Jun- year for IAAPA? coming IAAPA Expo biggest accomplishments of IAAPA gle Rapids, Wilming- “IAAPA’s goals for the year set for Nov. 15-19 in this past year? ton, N.C., will take ahead are outlined in the association’s Orlando, Fla., James “This has been a busy year but over as chairman of strategic plan, which was written by “Chip” Cleary will to pick a few I would say: open- the board for IAAPA the strategic planning committee turn over the job of ing the IAAPA Asian Pacific office, during the 2010 Expo and approved by the board of direc- IAAPA chairman to Cleary which will serve our Asian constit- in Orlando, Fla., set Rippy tors. Some of the key areas of focus Bob Rippy. uents more directly; the success of for Nov. 15-19. for that plan include: helping mem- Cleary, Splish Splash/Palace En- the Asian Attractions Expo, which Here, Rippy visited with AT bers through these difficult economic tertainment/Parques Reunidos, Riv- reflects the growth in the market; about his upcoming role and the fu- times; thinking and acting globally erhead, N.Y., took some time with AT seeing our offices around the world ture of IAAPA. while providing member services lo- to reflect on the past year. working with our constituents in cally; providing safety education and 4See CLEARY, page 8 What are the goals this coming 4See RIPPY, page 8 INTERNATIONAL AMUSEMENTPARKS WATERPARKS BUSINESS MIDWAY/CLASSIFIEDS SEE PAGES 17-19 SEE PAGES 20-24 SEE PAGES 25-29 SEE PAGES 30-34 SEE PAGES 35-39 2 AMUSEMENT TODAY November IAAPA Pre-Convention Issue 2010 TM Gary Slade Founder and Publisher [email protected] Orlando’s ten year run With this year’s IAAPA Attractions Expo return- ing to Orlando, after a one-year absence, IAAPA leaders will be challenged to keep the annual gather- ing new and fresh for attendees to return each year. Why one may ask? The 2010 edition of the convention and trade show will mark the beginning of an unprecedented 10-year run in Orlando. Sure this year’s show is easy and appealing. A scheduled evening at Universal Orlando on Thurs- day night to take in the new Harry Potter themed area is the current buzz in the industry...at least for this year. Andrew Mellor But what about future years? A magical week awaits Certainly there is no question that future evening socials will be looked at for both the Walt Disney So the fantastic annual showcase a living so you can write about that is the IAAPA Attractions Expo them,” is something close to the World Resort and SeaWorld Orlando, as well as is almost upon us once again and usual comment and I guess to those perhaps the currently under construction Legoland like many in the industry, I am very not involved in the business, that’s Florida (formally Cypress Gardens), but what about much looking forward to attending how it must look on the surface. But other options? this year’s event. there’s a little more to it than that, as The first ‘IAAPA’ I attended was I’m sure readers will appreciate! In 2008, as part of its Golden Ticket Awards in 1980 when the show was held in Mellor Visiting the U.S. each November event, Amusement Today held a preview night social New Orleans in the old convention “for work” is a real treat and yes, at John Arie’s Fun Spot USA in Kissimmee. To say center (I guess I’m showing my age now). I do make sure I get time to have a look fun was had by all is an understatement. Thirty years on, I think I’ve only missed one around while I’m there. It was brilliant to Fun Spot represents the closest thing Orlando has show since and in that time it has, of course, go to Las Vegas last November for the show to a family owned and operated small park. While developed and grown phenomenally and is (a shame we won’t be going back for the truly the main shop window for all that is foreseeable future!), my first visit to this visiting the theme parks are great, many operators great in this industry. amazing city, but I’m looking forward to in our industry can’t relate to such huge budgets. I was a very young, fresh faced attendee returning to Orlando, in particular because Thus the need to be fair to all IAAPA members by in those days, just starting out on a journal- it will allow me the chance to visit the Harry showing off a smaller facility, like Fun Spot, with an istic career which has seen me remaining Potter section at Universal. Although I’ve evening social. with the parks industry throughout that read a lot about it and heard many hugely time and specializing in a business which favorable comments, I understand it has to Although the IAAPA show may be in the theme has always created much envy among my be seen to be believed; the attention to detail park capital of the world for the next ten years, it friends and others who, when they’ve asked and the way the books and films have been can’t forget it roots: family-owned parks. me what I do or what business I’m involved recreated in the park, by all accounts is just —Gary Slade with, have always said what a great job it stunning. must be. So roll on this year’s visit to the IAAPA “So you ‘test’ amusement rides for Expo. I can’t wait to try out the butterbeer! AMUSEMENT TODAY STAFF On the cover Gary Slade Sammy Piccola Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Accounting / Circulation As an annual tradition, Amuse- (817) 460-7220 AWARD WINNER [email protected] ment Today has highlighted on [email protected] 1997 • 1999 • 2000 • 2002 • 2004 our Pre-Convention issue cover, EDITORIAL the chairmen of IAAPA and the ADVERTISING NEWSPAPER PRODUCTION vice-presidents that will follow in Tim Baldwin the coming years. Featured are: Sue Nichols Stacey Childress / Affinity Communications [email protected] Bob Rippy, 2011 IAAPA chair- (615) 662-0252 Graphic Design man; Roland Mack, first vice P.O. Box 238 [email protected] Scott Rutherford chairman (2012); Will Morey, Pegram, Tenn. 37143 [email protected] second vice chairman (2013) and [email protected] Terry Lind / TLCreative Design newly elected Mario O. Mamon Pam Sherborne Website Design & Maintenance as the third vice chairman (2014). Beth Jenkins (615) 221-5149 [email protected] The cartoon was drawn by AT’s (615) 794-7288 [email protected] longtime cartoonist Bubba Flint, 2040 Belmont Circle John Robinson / W.H.R. Inc. whose work can also be seen in Franklin, Tenn. 37069 Daily E-mail Newsletter Bubba Flint the Dallas Morning News, Dallas [email protected] [email protected] Cartoonist [email protected] Business Journal and the Dallas Cowboys Star.