Volume 1, No. 21. November 16, 2001
Top secret
When outgoing IAAPA Chairman Bill
Sims thanked John Graff for his 22 years serving as the association's CEO and
president, the What's New Theater audience joined in with a spontaneous standing
ovation. If only they knew what was still to come.
Graff certainly didn't. After the inductions of Bill Koch (Holiday World and
Splashin' Safari in Santa Claus, Indiana), Wilbert Morey (Morey's Pier in Wildwood,
New Jersey) and J. Henk Bemboom (Pony Park Slagharen in The Netherlands), the
Hall of Fame Committee announced John Graff as the newest recipient of IAAPA's
most exalted honor. "I counted the ballots, so you may think I rigged this,"
Graff told the audience, who once again were on their feet and remained standing
throughout the presentation. "But I had no idea."
The secret was kept from him so well—despite all the IAAPA staff and committee
members who knew—that John questioned the wisdom of his children, Andrea
and Chris, coming to the show's opening day. They, along with his wife, Kay,
joined him on stage as he received the honor. "I don't usually cry, but I teared
up," Chris said of the video chronicling his father's life and career, culminating
in a series of photographs of John fellowshipping with industry players from
a wide range of nations. "This whole thing meant so much to him, we're so proud,"
Chris said.
"It's a job someone should pay a fortune to have," John said of his tenure.
"I've been so fortunate to have the opportunity."
Back to
THE LOOP