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International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions

International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions
IAAPA logo.svg
Abbreviation IAAPA
Type 501(c)(6) non-profit organization
36-2079990
Headquarters Alexandria, Virginia, U.S.
Coordinates Coordinates: 38°48′13″N 77°03′26″W / 38.8036808°N 77.0573128°W / 38.8036808; -77.0573128
Area served
Worldwide
Services Amusement Industry Association, Trade News, Trade Shows
Paul Royce Noland
John McReynolds
Subsidiaries IAAPA Foundation,
EAS USA,
The Euro Amusement Show
Revenue (2013)
US$ 17,377,538
Expenses (2013) US$ 15,977,166
Staff (2013)
38
Volunteers (2013)
100
Mission To serve the membership by promoting safe operations, global development, professional growth, and commercial success of the amusement parks and attractions industry.
Website www.iaapa.org

The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, simply known as IAAPA, represents nearly 5,000 amusement industry members, located in 99 countries worldwide, and operates several popular global amusement industry trade shows. Its annual IAAPA Attractions Exposition, based in Orlando, Florida, is recognized as the world's largest amusement trade show by both the number of attendees and exhibitors along with providing members insight into current amusement trends, laws, operational advise and industry methodology. The IAAPA also helps to promote both guest and ride safety guidelines standards, in conjunction with ASTM International, and assisting its members to uphold the highest amusement industry, safety and professional standards.

IAAPA represents all styles of location-based entertainment facilities including amusement parks, theme parks, family entertainment centers, arcades, museums, water parks, aquariums, science centers, zoos and resorts. IAAPA also represents industry equipment manufacturers, distributors, operators, industry suppliers and service providers.

In early 1917, after ten years of periodic attempts to join their collective voices together, amusement park and other outdoor entertainment representatives from all over the United States gathered at the Congress Hotel in Chicago, Illinois, to discuss the possibility of organizing an association for their industry in keeping with the slogan “Common Defense and Common Advancement.” From this meeting emerged the National Outdoor Showmen’s Association (NOSA). In 1918, it officially became the first national organization in the United States for all segments of the amusement park and outdoor entertainment industry.

Prior to 1918, other formalized organizations represented the outdoor amusement industry, but were essentially confined to a single segment, like fairs, circuses, or carnivals. These groups included the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE), the Carnival Managers’ Association, and the Showmen’s League of America (SLA). The SLA and IAFE are still in existence today.

The immediate task confronting NOSA was to protect the industry from unjust legislation and to promote its best interests where needed. NOSA worked hard at its designated task and succeeded in eliminating the amusement tax on outdoor amusements, as well as obtaining special consideration from the government regarding deferments from military service for amusement men because of the importance of recreation to the armed forces and civilian population. As time went on, however, it became evident the amusement park segment of the association was carrying most of the responsibility, both financially and otherwise. Eventually, the membership in NOSA gradually decreased until it consisted almost solely of amusement park owners and managers.


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