What a difference a couple of weeks makes!
When I last wrote about the current U.S. health care reform debate, the situation looked rather bleak for seasonal employers. Since neither the House nor the Senate bill specifically addressed the treatment of seasonal workers under the proposed employer mandate, IAAPA and other seasonal industries were trying to convince leadership to define “full-time employee” in a way that excluded temporary seasonal workers. This task was proving especially difficult since House and Senate leadership decided to forgo a traditional conference committee and instead reconcile the two bills through closed-door, private negotiations with the White House.
As you’ve most likely heard by now, on Tuesday (Jan. 19) the voters of Massachusetts elected Republican Scott Brown to fill the late Teddy Kennedy’s senate seat, causing the Democrats to lose their 60-vote “super majority." This election has resulted in a very different environment for the consideration of health care legislation. Yesterday, Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced she did not have the votes in the House to pass the Senate health care bill, which would have been the simplest way for the Democratic majority to enact health care reform.
At this point, it looks like both chambers of Congress will have to go back to the drawing board and craft new health care reform legislation that is smaller in scope. While we have heard nothing definite on the contents of this legislation, it may be limited to insurance providers and not contain the employer mandates and increased taxes previously seen.
IAAPA is monitoring the situation closely and will advise its members to take further action when it is necessary. If the new legislation contains employer mandates, we will continue to seek a workable solution for employers of seasonal workers.
Should you have any questions about this or other pending legislation, please feel free to contact us.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Call for Presentations: IAAPA Attractions Expo 2010
A couple little things are hard for me to believe today:
1. IAAPA Attractions Expo 2009 in Las Vegas ended more than two months ago already. Time is going fast. And, on that note …
2. The IAAPA education department is already planning for this year's Expo in Orlando, starting with the annual call for presentations. By checking that link, anyone who has an idea for a seminar at this year's conference can get all the details about categories, deadlines, content, etc. Deadline for submissions is Monday, Feb. 8.
Share the knowledge!
1. IAAPA Attractions Expo 2009 in Las Vegas ended more than two months ago already. Time is going fast. And, on that note …
2. The IAAPA education department is already planning for this year's Expo in Orlando, starting with the annual call for presentations. By checking that link, anyone who has an idea for a seminar at this year's conference can get all the details about categories, deadlines, content, etc. Deadline for submissions is Monday, Feb. 8.
Share the knowledge!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Six Flags Over Georgia's Job Fair Draws Hundreds
These photos of Six Flags Over Georgia's weekend job fair certainly caught my eye. According to park spokesperson Kendall Kelton, hundreds lined up Saturday morning for the annual event.
Kelton said in a statement there are jobs to fit any applicant and the park will work to accommodate people's schedules, including students. With U.S. unemployment still hovering around 10 percent, seems to me people will be more than willing to accommodate SFOG. As you can tell from the photos below released by the park, the line of applicants stretched literally as far as the eye could see.
Kelton said in a statement there are jobs to fit any applicant and the park will work to accommodate people's schedules, including students. With U.S. unemployment still hovering around 10 percent, seems to me people will be more than willing to accommodate SFOG. As you can tell from the photos below released by the park, the line of applicants stretched literally as far as the eye could see.
Monday, January 11, 2010
More to Learn: Social Media Webinar Wednesday
How big of a deal is social media anyway?
During IAAPA Attractions Expo 2009 this past November, IAAPA reached capacity during an education session on using these ubiquitous online tools to communicate with customers. So we're reprising the content from the trade show into a webinar Wednesday at 1 p.m. Register now and find out what the buzz is about.
In the meantime, I caught up with one of this week's speakers, Paula Werne of Holiday World, who shares some straight talk on how important these tools are and why operators need to be tuned in.
This webinar is a continuation of a maxed-out session at IAAPA Attractions Expo 2009. Why do you think social media is such a hot-button issue right now?
Did you ever see the old movie “The Blob?” That’s what social media is. This ever-growing, oozing, moving glob of scary stuff. Unfortunately, a lot of folks run from it screaming. So when a couple of communicators from smaller parks offer to talk about what chunks they’ve successfully lobbed off of this monstrosity, it catches their attention.
There’s not a social media rulebook or textbook. But we can learn the basics from each other. Sort of like guitar—how many of us actually took guitar lessons? Most of us can play at least a few songs—enough to impress others around the campfire—thanks to our friends teaching us. We want to show how we started our social media programs, step by step, and hopefully reduce the anxiety so many seem to feel.
Why is it so critical for attractions managers to understand and use these networking tools?
This is how people communicate. They’re texting like crazy; they’re on Twitter; they want to be your Facebook fan. They want to hear from you, and if you’re not talking to them, they may move on to another attraction that is actively tweeting, etc. Social media is not a fad; if you’re waiting for it to pass by you may wait yourself right out of those improved attendance numbers your owners want.
Social media is also increasing how members of the news media communicate. Reporters might pick up a story idea from one of your tweets, embed your YouTube video in their article, or you might catch a lead off of a reporter’s Twitter feed. Just be assured that you'll miss out on opportunities if you're not plugged in.
What advice can webinar participants expect to take from this session and apply to their businesses right away?
What I hope everyone carries away is we are not tech geeks. We are communicators. As communicators, we must be determined to learn how to use the tools our audience is using. That doesn’t mean we need a degree in computer engineering. Starting a Twitter account takes about five minutes. A little longer for Facebook. YouTube the same. Fear not the technology, and don’t get all wrapped up in “where will I find the time?” As a communicator, you’ll find time—because it’s fun! And isn’t having fun part of every IAAPA member's brand?
To register or learn more on IAAPA’s e-learning programs, click here.
During IAAPA Attractions Expo 2009 this past November, IAAPA reached capacity during an education session on using these ubiquitous online tools to communicate with customers. So we're reprising the content from the trade show into a webinar Wednesday at 1 p.m. Register now and find out what the buzz is about.
In the meantime, I caught up with one of this week's speakers, Paula Werne of Holiday World, who shares some straight talk on how important these tools are and why operators need to be tuned in.
This webinar is a continuation of a maxed-out session at IAAPA Attractions Expo 2009. Why do you think social media is such a hot-button issue right now?
Did you ever see the old movie “The Blob?” That’s what social media is. This ever-growing, oozing, moving glob of scary stuff. Unfortunately, a lot of folks run from it screaming. So when a couple of communicators from smaller parks offer to talk about what chunks they’ve successfully lobbed off of this monstrosity, it catches their attention.
There’s not a social media rulebook or textbook. But we can learn the basics from each other. Sort of like guitar—how many of us actually took guitar lessons? Most of us can play at least a few songs—enough to impress others around the campfire—thanks to our friends teaching us. We want to show how we started our social media programs, step by step, and hopefully reduce the anxiety so many seem to feel.
Why is it so critical for attractions managers to understand and use these networking tools?
This is how people communicate. They’re texting like crazy; they’re on Twitter; they want to be your Facebook fan. They want to hear from you, and if you’re not talking to them, they may move on to another attraction that is actively tweeting, etc. Social media is not a fad; if you’re waiting for it to pass by you may wait yourself right out of those improved attendance numbers your owners want.
Social media is also increasing how members of the news media communicate. Reporters might pick up a story idea from one of your tweets, embed your YouTube video in their article, or you might catch a lead off of a reporter’s Twitter feed. Just be assured that you'll miss out on opportunities if you're not plugged in.
What advice can webinar participants expect to take from this session and apply to their businesses right away?
What I hope everyone carries away is we are not tech geeks. We are communicators. As communicators, we must be determined to learn how to use the tools our audience is using. That doesn’t mean we need a degree in computer engineering. Starting a Twitter account takes about five minutes. A little longer for Facebook. YouTube the same. Fear not the technology, and don’t get all wrapped up in “where will I find the time?” As a communicator, you’ll find time—because it’s fun! And isn’t having fun part of every IAAPA member's brand?
To register or learn more on IAAPA’s e-learning programs, click here.
Friday, January 8, 2010
U.S. Health Care Reform Update
I have no doubt that as business owners and operators, U.S. IAAPA members have been paying attention to the recent health care debate in Washington. We’ve been paying attention, too, as this legislation has the potential to impact every U.S. IAAPA member. Below are some of the steps we’ve taken on health care legislation:
• In July, IAAPA President and CEO Charlie Bray sent a letter to the entire U.S. Senate highlighting our concerns about seasonal workers. We focused on the Senate because the Finance Committee was working on its bill at the time. The bill passed by the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee (known as the HELP committee) contained an exemption for seasonal workers but it was limited to extremely small businesses.
• During August and September, IAAPA joined forces with two other associations that represent seasonal workers to meet with key Senate offices and discuss the problems facing employers. These meetings included the offices of Senators Cantwell, Cornyn, Ensign, Enzi, Hagan, Lincoln, Menendez, Mikulski, Nelson, and Snowe.
• Although many of the staff we met with on the Senate side expressed sympathy for or at least interest in the difficulty of seasonal employers in addressing health care, no champion was identified to press our cause. On the House side, Representative C.A. (Dutch) Ruppersberger (D-MD-2) volunteered to champion our position. He contacted Speaker Nancy Pelosi about the issue.
• Each week during August, IAAPA conducted grassroots activities, facilitating contact between U.S. IAAPA members and Members of Congress. These included a survey to get an idea of how many seasonal employees our members employ, a list of town hall meetings and talking points on the issue, information on scheduling meetings in the district or state, and action alerts for phone calls and e-mails to Congress.
• In October, we expanded our coalition in an effort to gain broader support. In addition to IAAPA, the group grew to more than 40 associations and businesses. This coalition sent a letter to every Member of Congress outlining the issue and supporting a seasonal worker amendment to the House bill proposed by Representative Erik Paulsen (R-MN-3). This amendment was not included in the version of the bill that passed the House. However, Representative Pete Sessions (R-TX-2) included the letter in the record so that it is part of the legislative history of the House bill.
Outlook
Health care reform is sweeping legislation that will impact most employers in the United States in some way. IAAPA is particularly concerned about the provisions that relate to the temporary and seasonal workers the attractions industry hires during peak seasons.
While both the House and Senate bills are silent specifically on seasonal workers, the treatment of such workers will most likely be determined by the definition of “full time.”
The House bill does not define “full-time employee,” and instead directs a newly created “Administrator” to determine what is “full time.” The Senate bill defines “full-time employee” as working 30 hours or more per week, as averaged over one month.
A related provision that is problematic for IAAPA, and more generally employers of temporary and seasonal workers, is a provision in the Senate bill which requires employers to enroll their employees in their health care plans within 30 days or pay the penalty for not providing health insurance.
Now that both chambers have passed their respective bills, the process of reconciling them into one bill that both chambers can agree on begins. Instead of using the traditional method of reconciliation, a conference committee, House and Senate leadership, along with the White House, opted to use an informal process where leadership will meet to work out the differences in the bills and then both houses will adopt the final, agreed-upon language as amendments to their respective bills.
While leadership has some major issues to work out, including if the bill will include a “Public Option” (a government-run health insurance plan), IAAPA is continuing to work with like-minded industries to address seasonal workers in the final legislation. If you'd like to help our effort, you can contact House and Senate leadership through our Grassroots Action Center.
As always, stay tuned to the blog and www.IAAPA.org/government for updates on the situation.
• In July, IAAPA President and CEO Charlie Bray sent a letter to the entire U.S. Senate highlighting our concerns about seasonal workers. We focused on the Senate because the Finance Committee was working on its bill at the time. The bill passed by the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee (known as the HELP committee) contained an exemption for seasonal workers but it was limited to extremely small businesses.
• During August and September, IAAPA joined forces with two other associations that represent seasonal workers to meet with key Senate offices and discuss the problems facing employers. These meetings included the offices of Senators Cantwell, Cornyn, Ensign, Enzi, Hagan, Lincoln, Menendez, Mikulski, Nelson, and Snowe.
• Although many of the staff we met with on the Senate side expressed sympathy for or at least interest in the difficulty of seasonal employers in addressing health care, no champion was identified to press our cause. On the House side, Representative C.A. (Dutch) Ruppersberger (D-MD-2) volunteered to champion our position. He contacted Speaker Nancy Pelosi about the issue.
• Each week during August, IAAPA conducted grassroots activities, facilitating contact between U.S. IAAPA members and Members of Congress. These included a survey to get an idea of how many seasonal employees our members employ, a list of town hall meetings and talking points on the issue, information on scheduling meetings in the district or state, and action alerts for phone calls and e-mails to Congress.
• In October, we expanded our coalition in an effort to gain broader support. In addition to IAAPA, the group grew to more than 40 associations and businesses. This coalition sent a letter to every Member of Congress outlining the issue and supporting a seasonal worker amendment to the House bill proposed by Representative Erik Paulsen (R-MN-3). This amendment was not included in the version of the bill that passed the House. However, Representative Pete Sessions (R-TX-2) included the letter in the record so that it is part of the legislative history of the House bill.
Outlook
Health care reform is sweeping legislation that will impact most employers in the United States in some way. IAAPA is particularly concerned about the provisions that relate to the temporary and seasonal workers the attractions industry hires during peak seasons.
While both the House and Senate bills are silent specifically on seasonal workers, the treatment of such workers will most likely be determined by the definition of “full time.”
The House bill does not define “full-time employee,” and instead directs a newly created “Administrator” to determine what is “full time.” The Senate bill defines “full-time employee” as working 30 hours or more per week, as averaged over one month.
A related provision that is problematic for IAAPA, and more generally employers of temporary and seasonal workers, is a provision in the Senate bill which requires employers to enroll their employees in their health care plans within 30 days or pay the penalty for not providing health insurance.
Now that both chambers have passed their respective bills, the process of reconciling them into one bill that both chambers can agree on begins. Instead of using the traditional method of reconciliation, a conference committee, House and Senate leadership, along with the White House, opted to use an informal process where leadership will meet to work out the differences in the bills and then both houses will adopt the final, agreed-upon language as amendments to their respective bills.
While leadership has some major issues to work out, including if the bill will include a “Public Option” (a government-run health insurance plan), IAAPA is continuing to work with like-minded industries to address seasonal workers in the final legislation. If you'd like to help our effort, you can contact House and Senate leadership through our Grassroots Action Center.
As always, stay tuned to the blog and www.IAAPA.org/government for updates on the situation.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Sneak Peek: January 2010 FUNWORLD
It's a new year and (slightly) new look for FUNWORLD in 2010. The January issue probably isn't in your mailbox yet, but the digital edition is available right now here.
On the cover this month is 2010 IAAPA Chairman of the Board Chip Cleary, who spoke with News Editor Keith Miller about his career and his thoughts on leading the association in the coming year.
This issue also features a 22-page special section highlighting IAAPA Attractions Expo 2009 in Las Vegas. Included is coverage of educational seminars, keynote addresses, new products from the trade show floor, and much more.
We've redesigned the front of the magazine a little bit this year. Departments Editor Marion Hixon’s Quick Hits section is now one page bigger, to include even more news items and fun photos from throughout the industry. Out & Back, meanwhile, is a new section that takes our previous section, Industry Notes, to another level of depth.
As always, thanks for reading FUNWORLD. If you have any questions or comments regarding anything about the magazine, feel free to e-mail me.
Happy New Year!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Roy E. Disney (1930-2009)
From The Walt Disney Company:
Roy Edward Disney, son of Disney Studios co-founder Roy O. Disney, and nephew of Walt Disney, passed away today (12/16/09) at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach, California, following a year-long battle with stomach cancer. He was 79 years old. Disney was a successful businessman, philanthropist, filmmaker, and award-winning sailor, who played a key role in the revitalization of The Walt Disney Company and Disney's animation legacy. He was associated with the Company over a 56-year period, and from 1984 – 2003, served as vice chairman of the Company's board of directors, and chairman of the Studio's Animation Department. In recent years, he held the title of director emeritus and consultant for the Company.
You can read the rest of the Disney statement here.
There is also a lengthy piece by the Los Angeles Times here.
Roy Edward Disney, son of Disney Studios co-founder Roy O. Disney, and nephew of Walt Disney, passed away today (12/16/09) at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach, California, following a year-long battle with stomach cancer. He was 79 years old. Disney was a successful businessman, philanthropist, filmmaker, and award-winning sailor, who played a key role in the revitalization of The Walt Disney Company and Disney's animation legacy. He was associated with the Company over a 56-year period, and from 1984 – 2003, served as vice chairman of the Company's board of directors, and chairman of the Studio's Animation Department. In recent years, he held the title of director emeritus and consultant for the Company.
You can read the rest of the Disney statement here.
There is also a lengthy piece by the Los Angeles Times here.
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