Get Involved in Safety Week!

The inaugural Attractions Safety Awareness Week, May 31-June 8, will provide an excellent opportunity to showcase the extraordinary importance of safety in our industry. But you don’t have to take my word for it. Here is a letter from IAAPA Government Relations Committee Chairman and member of the association’s board of directors, Will Morey, president of Morey’s Piers in Wildwood, New Jersey:


Dear IAAPA Member:

As you know, the attractions industry in America is very safe. IAAPA’s leadership in instituting mandatory reporting for all United States members has yielded solid data for us to confidently support this claim. However, while surveys show the majority of our guests “feel safe” about their park visits, most know little about the lengths we all go to earn their confidence. Additionally, a substantial number of key government officials on federal, state, and municipal levels know little about the science and operational practices that make our parks and attractions a safe family recreational activity.

To enhance the knowledge base of both government officials and interested park visitors, at the recommendation of the IAAPA Government Relations Committee the association has officially established an industry-wide “Attractions Safety Awareness Week” to be held May 31-June 8, 2008.

The week is designed to follow a multifaceted educational approach to informing legislators and the public about our safety record and amusement park safety practices. To reach a broad geographic audience—and because there is no substitute for on-location visits to fully understand the industry’s commitment to safety—we ask that you participate in this initiative in this inaugural year. To help you organize your week, we have created a Safety Awareness Week tool kit, which serves as a guide for planning your facility’s week. Ultimately, though, the extent to which your facility participates is entirely up to you.

All items in the tool kit are available for download on the IAAPA safety web site. Additionally, IAAPA staff is available to assist you in planning your activities before and during Safety Week. You can reach both Randy Davis and Stephanie Thienel in the Government Relations department at gr@iaapa.org or +1 703/836-4800.

Please join us in communicating our industry’s safety record and practices. Even if you provide a briefing and behind-the-scenes tour to just one governmental official or interested visitor, you will be assisting IAAPA and yourself in building a solid base of information among the industry’s constituent groups.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We very much look forward to your participation in Attractions Safety Awareness Week.

Sincerely,

Will Morey
President, Morey’s Piers
Chairman, IAAPA Government Relations Committee


Several IAAPA members have already agreed to participate, including those present at the NEAAPA Annual Meeting. Planned activities include hosting meetings with federal, state, and local officials; inviting interested guests on behind-the-scenes tours of facilities; and providing fact sheets detailing the industry’s safety record and/or tips for safely visiting an attraction. If you are interested in participating, please e-mail me for more information or visit the Industry Safety page. Also, if you choose to participate, be sure to send us your feedback!