IAAPA Committees and Task Forces Applications

Volunteerism, cooperation, and advancement of common goals are cornerstones of any association. Countless, hardworking industry professionals dedicate their time and talents to making IAAPA a progressive, proactive, and strong organization. Task forces and committees represent our membership and support our mission, vision, and strategic plan. Each task force and committee create an annual work plan with objectives they plan to achieve each year. Meet the current IAAPA Committee members and consider your role is shaping the future of the industry.

Interested in serving on an IAAPA Committee? Watch our webinar, "Should I Apply to Serve on an IAAPA Committee or Task Force," featuring Wuthichai Luangamornlert, Chair of the IAAPA Global Board of Directors, and David Mandt, IAAPA Chief Governance Officer. This recorded session explains the role of a committee member and details the application process.

To apply for a 2025 IAAPA Task force or committee, please complete the volunteer application. The deadline to apply for a task force or committee is Tuesday, October 1, 11:59 p.m. EDT.

Requirements

Eligibility

To be eligible to serve on a task force or committee, candidates must be IAAPA members in good standing during their full term.

Task force and committee members qualifications include:

Proven performance in their field
Commitment and time to serve
Understanding of teamwork
Interpersonal communication skills

Appointment

All task forces and committees work under the guidelines of the strategic priorities and business plan. The global board chair, in consultation with the President/CEO and Immediate Past Chair, appoints all task force and committee chairs; except as otherwise provided in the bylaws, all committee chairs are appointed for terms of one year. A task force chair can be appointed for a term equal to less than one year but not greater than one year. A committee chair may serve up to three consecutive terms.

The task force and committee chairs select task force and committee members. Committee members, as committee chairs, are appointed for terms of one year. Committee members will serve no more than three consecutive terms. Task force members will serve the term of the project.

Expectations

As a member of an IAAPA Task Force or Committee, one is expected to:

Understand the strategic priorities and business plans of IAAPA and how they relate to the task force or committee’s work plan.
Actively participate in meeting discussions and work, fulfilling individual assignments.
Make decisions that are in the best interest of the association, prioritizing IAAPA’s interests over personal or company interests.
Avoid anti-trust discussions that could potentially reduce competition in the industry.
Foster an open, diverse, and inclusive environment, steering clear of harassment and discriminatory behaviors.
Avoid or disclose any conflicts of interest that may arise during their tenure.
Act as ambassadors of IAAPA, maintaining confidentiality of information.
Remain an IAAPA member in good standing and commit to serving on the task force or committee for the entire duration of their term.
Understand the task force or committee meeting schedule and commit to attending all meetings.
If there is a travel commitment, they should understand it and agree to it.

In summary, the role requires a strong commitment to the association, active participation

Committees Lists and Descriptions

IAAPA has five types of committees: board, strategic, regional advisory, constituency, and awards plus a series of subcommittees. The committees described below are open to volunteers. Those interested in joining a committee must fill out our volunteer application form.

Board Committee

Governance - Recruits new second vice chair, treasurer and board members and recommends the slate of candidates to the board of directors for annual election; assesses the board’s current composition and identifies missing qualities and characteristics; employs recruitment plan and continuously cultivate new board prospects; orients new board members to ensure they understand and fulfill their responsibilities; reviews and recommends governance policies to the board of directors for action; reviews and makes recommendation to the board of directors if necessary when a code of conduct or Whistleblower policy violation has been alleged.

Global Strategic Committees

These committees advise and implement strategic programs on a global scale. Their work is directed by the board through the strategic and business plans.

Awards - Evaluates and selects recipients for association awards on a global scale.
Education - Recommends policy and provides strategic direction for all global association education, professional development, training, and certification programs.
Safety -Recommends policy and provides strategic direction on safety matters and represents the association on various standards writing and other safety related groups on a global scale.
Security - Works collaboratively in sharing security best practices, and current security information, training opportunities, and programs, across all entities IAAPA represents.
Sustainability - Guides the association in all matters related to the long-term sustainable management of the association, develop strategies focused on inspiring global members to follow a sustainability agenda, and to facilitate the development of services and products supporting the sustainability agenda with membership.

Regional Advisory Boards

A regional advisory board recommends direction, strategies, programs, events, and services for a geographic region. IAAPA currently has four (4) regional advisory boards: Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), Latin America, Caribbean, and North America. Chairs of the regional advisory boards are selected through the board election process and serve as members of the global board.

Regional Task Forces and Committees

Each regional advisory board will determine the task forces and committees needed to advance the strategic priorities of the region. The task forces and committees will be evaluated annually and adjusted to meet the changing needs of the region. Task forces and committees can be focused on professional disciplines, constituencies, and special projects. Task forces and committees will be composed of members from the corresponding geographic region and/or representatives critical to the success of the region’s events and programs.

Each region will have committees focused on:

Education
Safety/Security
Sustainability

Regional Education Committee – Oversees all educational offers including regional events, webinars, and expos. Committee members define sessions, presentations, and speakers. This committee will also provide input and feedback for global programs developed by the global professional development and certification committee.
Regional Safety and Security Committee – Works to improve safety and security in the region. The committee recommends policy and provides strategic direction on safety and security matters; facilitates the sharing of best practices; oversees the collection and analysis of safety and security information; advises on relevant education and training programs; and provides input on global safety standards.
Regional Sustainability Committee – The purpose of the regional sustainability committee is to guide the region in all matters related to the long-term sustainable management of the Association, develop strategies focused on inspiring members to follow a sustainability agenda, and to facilitate the development of services and products supporting the sustainability agenda with membership. In doing so, the committee will work in close alignment with all other regional committees focusing on issues linked to the sustainability agenda.

Global Constituency Committees

A constituency committee represents a specific membership segment on a global scale. Its purpose is to support the strategic programs as directed by IAAPAs strategic priorities and business plans.

Amusement Parks and Attractions - Develops programs to provide services to and recruit amusement parks and attractions members.

Family Entertainment Centers - Develops programs to provide services to and recruit family entertainment center members. The committee also organizes the Brass Ring - Top FECs of the World awards program.

Museums and Science Centers - Develops programs to provide services to and recruit museum and science center members. The committee oversees museum and science center-related education programs at IAAPA Expo.

Water Park - Develops programs to provide services to and recruit water parks members.

Zoos and Aquariums - Develops programs to provide services to and recruit zoos and aquariums members.

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