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A new board and a new identity for IAAPA

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IAAPA Logo

As IAAPA ushered in a new board during this week’s IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando, it also revealed a preview of the fresh look that will take the association into its second century.

Audience members at the Kickoff Event on Tuesday morning (November 13) were first to see the new logo. In 2018, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions is celebrating its 100th anniversary.

For some years now, it has welcomed all kinds of attractions – not just amusement/theme parks. That is made more explicit by the tagline: “The Global Association for the Attractions Industry”. Members will begin to see the new IAAPA branding in materials and communications when it officially debuts this coming January.

Diversity and connection

The decision to update the IAAPA brand was made during a three-year strategic initiative. Surveys revealed how much IAAPA members value diversity. They want to learn from and mix with professionals from all types of attractions – from amusement parks, waterparks and family entertainment centres, to aquariums and zoos, museums and cultural centres – as well as the manufacturers and suppliers who serve the industry.

As such the carousel horse from the previous IAAPA logo has been replaced by a more generic motif featuring a vibrant colour palette designed to represent the diversity of the industry. The burst in the middle apparently represents the sparks of inspiration when we come together.

The bold letters in the new logo overlap to reflect industry strength, connection and unity. Flare serifs at the top of each provide a sense of forward motion. More on the new IAAPA look and accompanying brand story can be found here.

david rosenberg iaapa monterey bay aquarium
David Rosenberg, chairman of the board at IAAPA for 2019

Meet the new board

David Rosenberg has now been inducted as chairman of the board at IAAPA. The vice-president of Monterey Bay Aquarium in California will lead the association in 2019. He is the first representative from the zoo and aquarium community to chair IAAPA. Rosenberg began his career in the attractions industry at Walt Disney World. Prior to his role at Monterey Bay Aquarium, he served in leadership positions at the Hyatt Hotels Corporation.

IAAPA global officers for 2019 include:

Chairman: David Rosenberg, Monterey Bay Aquarium (USA)

First vice-chair: Amanda Thompson OBE, Blackpool Pleasure Beach/Stageworks Worldwide Productions (UK)

Second vice-chair: Ken Whiting, Whiting’s Foods at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (USA)

Treasurer: Charles ‘Hank’ Salemi, Six Flags Great America (USA)

Immediate past chairman: Andreas Andersen, Liseberg Group (Sweden)

President and CEO (ongoing): Hal McEvoy (USA)

The following IAAPA members have also been elected to serve on the board of directors in 2019: Ted Molter, San Diego Zoo Global (USA); Anne Rashford, Museum of Science and Industry (USA); Ash Smart, Harbour Park (UK); Bob Rippy, Jungle Rapids/Wrightsville Farms Management Group (USA).

The following members have also been elected as directors and new committee chairs:

Manufacturer and Supplier Committee: Franceen Gonzales, WhiteWater (USA)

Latin America Regional Advisory Committee:Luciana Periales, Neverland (Argentina)

Asia-Pacific Regional Advisory Committee: Luke Riley, Village Roadshow Theme Parks (Hong Kong)

IAAPA Attractions Expo continues at the Orange County Convention Center until Friday (November 16).

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Owen Ralph

Owen Ralph

Feature writer Owen Ralph has covered theme parks and attractions for over 20 years for publications including blooloop, Park World, World’s Fair, Interpark, Kirmes Revue and Park International. He has also served on boards/committees with IAAPA and the TEA. He grew up just 30 minutes from Blackpool (no coincidence?)

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