Volume 2, No. 22. November 26, 2002
IAAPA Report
Live
and help live
To have one of the longest-playing James Bonds in the house addressing the International
Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions membership at the 84th Annual
Convention and Trade Show in Orlando, Florida, the same week the latest edition
of the spy franchise was opening at movie theaters around the country was apropos
synergy. It was one Roger Moore himself stumbled upon during a press conference
following his appearance at the What’s New Theater opening the IAAPA Trade
Show last week.
Moore, the UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, recalling childhood memories of visiting
Dreamland amusement park in Margate, England, described theme parks as “a
children’s world, for grown-up children as well, like Bond films.”
Moore called the 40-year, 21-film franchise “quite amazing,” and he
likened the special effects and escapism fantasy of the movies to the special
effects and escapism fantasy of theme parks, with both mediums taking audiences
“right to the edge, yet knowing they are secure.” Then he brought
those similar missions of Bond and amusements back to his personal mission of
saving children’s lives in the poorer corners of the world.
“It goes to that point that children are entitled to the right to play,
the right to listen to fairy stories, and Bond is one,” Moore said.
Moore was at IAAPA promoting the association’s new partnership with UNICEF
in a campaign called “Your Change for a Real Change,” a charity drive
that allows individual facilities to set their own ways and means of raising
money to support UNICEF’s food, immunization and education initiatives.
Moore contended that IAAPA is uniquely suited to such a mission. Amusement parks
and zoos are a safe haven for children of all ages in the more affluent societies.
It is fitting, then, that such attractions can share some of their and their
patrons’ affluence to help give children in war-torn and disaster-shorn
societies a meal, a hospital, a schoolhouse—safe havens in their particular
situations.
In addition to celebrating the UNICEF initiative with Moore’s presence—after
What’s New Theater the erstwhile Bond cut the ribbon for the exhibit hall’s
opening and the next day addressed the General Managers and Owners Luncheon
with a rollicking recounting of his career—IAAPA unveiled another social
service initiative: partnership with the International Institute for Peace Through
Tourism. The not-for-profit organization was founded in 1986 as a counter to
terrorism targeting tourism venues. It stages international forums and promotes
programs that help dismantle barriers to tourism around the world. IIPT does
not seek funds, just awareness, which parks can do by celebrating different
cultures or organizing activities encouraging visitors from other cultures.
Introducing IAAPA to both initiatives was John Graff, who upon retiring as president
of IAAPA last year has since volunteered to serve as an officer in IIPT. He
has also taken the job of coordinating IAAPA’s three-pronged social services
efforts, the third prong being Give Kids The World. “Nothing will be a
diminution of our enthusiastic support of Give Kids The World,” he said
at What’s New Theater.
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