Skip to main content

IAAPA Presents 2008 Service Awards to Dick Kinzel, John Collins, and Bob Logan

News

Awards Honor Tireless and Selfless Efforts on Behalf of Attractions Association

The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) announced Dick Kinzel, John Collins, and Bob Logan as winners of its 2008 Service Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19. The awards were presented at the General Manager and Owners’ Breakfast during IAAPA Attractions Expo 2008 and included the Lifetime Service Award, the Meritorious Service Award, and the Oustanding Service Award. Each recipient of the Service Awards has given in many different ways to the attractions industry and has done so tirelessly and selflessly for the greater good.

The Lifetime Service Award recognizes a member individual or organization’s consistent and long-term achievements serving the association and the attractions industry. The 2008 Lifetime Service Award went to Dick Kinzel, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Cedar Fair in Sandusky, Ohio, United States.

Dick Kinzel began his career in 1972 as a food service manager at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. He was promoted to director of park operations in 1975 at Cedar Point and in 1978 became the president and general manager of Valley Fair. He was named president and CEO of Cedar Fair in 1986 and in 2003, became the company’s chairman of the board. In 2006—the same year Kinzel was inducted into the IAAPA Hall of Fame—he orchestrated the company’s purchase of the Paramount Parks chain. Kinzel has served on multiple IAAPA committees, including Executive, Finance, Strategic Planning, and Nominating, among others. He is widely respected in the industry as an exemplary operator.

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 basis. The 2008 Outstanding Service Award was presented to John Collins of John Collins Leisure in Cotswolds, United Kingdom.

John Collins entered into the business at an early age, purchasing Barry Island Pleasure Park in Barry, United Kingdom, with his brother Patrick. After beginning work with the Wales Tourist Board, he became a founding member of the Association of Welsh Tourist Attractions. Collins is active in the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions (BALPPA), serving on its management committee for more than 25 years and twice as its national chairman. He has acted as the UK delegate to and as the president of Europarks, as well as serving on IAAPA’s board of directors, advisory board, and as Chairman of the Board in 2003. All these service positions show Collins’ commitment and his peers benefit greatly from his understanding of the attractions industry.

The Meritorious Service Award recognizes a member individual or organization that has advanced the IAAPA mission of serving the membership by promoting the safe operations, global development, professional growth, and commercial success of the amusement parks and attractions industry. The 2008 Meritorious Service Award was presented to Bob Logan of Innovative Leisure Partners in Houston, Texas, United States.

Bob Logan was a member of the Six Flags team for most of his career and now serves as the chief operating officer of Innovative Leisure Partners. Logan now splits his time between Houston, Texas, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Personifying volunteerism, he has actively participated in the attractions industry for more than 35 years and has served on IAAPA’s Board of Directors, as well as its Waterpark, Exhibitor Awards, and Service Awards committees. Logan’s reputation is that of refining and improving the quality of each program for which he has been responsible.

About IAAPA Attractions Expo 2008

The IAAPA Attractions Expo 2008 is the largest conference and trade show for the amusement park and attractions industry in the world. With its theme “Success in Every Direction, ” the show will draw an estimated 25, 000 participants, representing amusement and theme parks, family entertainment centers, waterparks, zoos, aquariums, museums, casinos, resorts, developers, themed entertainment designers, consultants, manufacturers, and suppliers, to the Orange County Convention Center from Monday, Nov. 17, through Friday, Nov. 21. The trade show floor will be open Tuesday, Nov. 18 through Friday, Nov. 21.

IAAPA Attractions Expo 2008 offers a solid week of business and fun. More than 1, 000 exhibitors will display their products and services in 1 million square feet of exhibit space. The event also includes 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, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, 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.  IAAPA represents more than 4, 300 attraction, supplier, and individual members from more than 90 countries.

Contact Information
Press Office: +1 703/299-5127
David Mandt: dmandt@IAAPA.org
Marion Hixon: mhixon@IAAPA.org
Nicholas Wolaver: nicholas.wolaver@edelman.com
Rachel Rosenberg: rachel.rosenberg@edelman.com

See also:
IAAPA Annual Charity Golf Tournament Raises $64, 000 for Give Kids The World
IAAPA Inducts Three Attractions Industry Innovators in Hall of Fame at Expo 
accesso(SM) Wins 2008 Best New Product Award From IAAPA for Revolutionary Online Ticketing and Ecommerce Solution

Share this

More from this author

Your web browser is out of date. Update your browser for more security, speed and the best experience on this site.

Find out how to update