Page 26 - The Outdoor Showman JUL-SEP 2018

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF AMUSEMENT PARKS AND ATTRACTIONS (IAAPA)
CELEBRATING THE PAST
While the amusement industry has origins dating back to the 1500s, it was not until the early 1900s that the businessmen working in the growing amusement park business, began to come together to share ideas and discuss issues facing their businesses. In 1918, a committee of these park operators gathered in New York City to discuss the industry. At the end of the meeting, a Park Division within the National Outdoor Showmen’s Association was created. This marked the beginning of the group that would grow into the IAAPA we know today.
For the past 100 years, IAAPA has grown alongside its members. Below is a brief snapshot of the association’s activities and how it has been a part of the global attractions industry.
The 1920s brought success and prosperity to many, and family-owned amusement parks began to open. Today, they remain the heart and soul of the industry. Roller coasters added new thrills and experiences to parks with drops, twists and turns, providing experiences unlike any other. During this time, a group of industry leaders came together to create a new organization devoted to serving the best interests of America’s amusement parks. The Showmen’s Association changed their name and the National Association of Amusement Parks (NAAP) was formed. Based in Chicago, Illinois, the organization’s first trade show was held in 1921, complete with 42 exhibitors.
The annual meeting continued to grow — featuring educational sessions and a growing number of exhibitors. In 1923, the first European attendees took part, and Pleasure Beach in Blackpool, United Kingdom, became the association’s first international member.
The Great Depression affected the entire country, and hundreds of amusement parks closed worldwide. By 1939, Billboard reported fewer than 400 parks remained in operation in the U.S. — about half the number that existed 30 years earlier. During this time, parks began to turn away from adding new rides, and attractions and began to focus on adding live entertainment, particularly big band dances, while creating promotions to help drive attendance.
The 1940s brought a turning point in the attractions industry. When World War II ended, record levels of business and investment helped new manufacturers enter the industry and facilities expanded their guest experiences. In 1943, NAAP celebrated its 25th anniversary, and in 1946, the trade show sold out. The association’s international membership expanded as Copenhagen, Denmark, and Liseberg in Gothenberg, Sweden, joined four years later in 1947.
The 1950s brought the post-war baby boom and growth of suburbia in the U.S. Kiddielands began to open near shopping centers. These kiddielands are viewed as the first family entertainment centers, which today remain the fastest-growing segment in the industry. In addition, a new type of attraction —theme parks — became global destinations. Disneyland, which opened in 1955, set the bar for theming and storytelling.
In 1958, the association’s Summer Meeting was held in Europe. Members toured Tivoli Gardens, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Munich’s Oktoberfest, and the Brussels World’s Fair. They saw an industry that was rebounding after World War II and celebrated intricate flower beds, elaborate landscaping, innovative lighting, music, and flashy new rides with thousands of electric lights.
The 1960s brought continued change. The opening of Six Flags Over Texas in 1961 introduced the concept of the regional theme park. Soon new genres such as marine-life parks, studio tours, and water parks began to open. European ride manufacturers developed colorful, flashy rides — Himalayas, Bayern Kurves, Giant Ferris wheel, and a new generation of portable steel roller coasters. These new rides were in great demand and played a critical role in the continued globalization of the industry.
In 1962, at the annual convention, the name of the association was changed to International Association of Amusement Parks (IAAP) — just one word away from the name we know today.
With a continued focus on international members, Leonard Thompson of England’s Blackpool Pleasure Beach was added to the IAAP Board of Directors in 1968, becoming the first director from outside North America.
As the 1970s dawned, the industry was vastly different than the one that existed just a decade before. New facilities such as Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, Kings Island in Cincinnati, Ohio, Magic Mountain near Los Angeles, California, and Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey, became the new industry anchors. Theme parks began to spread around the globe with the debut of Europa- Park and the Walibi chain in Europe, Ocean Park in Asia, and Dreamworld in Australia. And as theme parks grew, so too did the timeless appeal of the roller coaster. Parks began to add taller, faster, and more thrilling coasters, and guests began to experience looping roller coasters.
Serving the
Business of Fun
2018 has been an exciting year for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). For 100 years, the association has served and supported the global attractions industry. Throughout the year, IAAPA has been focused on celebrating its history, while looking ahead to the future.
24 THE OUTDOOR SHOWMAN JUL-SEP 2018