IAAPA Individual Achievement Awards

Award Description

The IAAPA Hall of Fame is the pinnacle of attraction industry awards, recognizing those exceptional individuals who have made significant contributions to the industry with global impact. It serves as a testament to their unwavering commitment, outstanding achievements, and industry legacy. The IAAPA Hall of Fame distinguishes individuals who through pursuing their dreams have greatly benefitted the industry.Criteria

Criteria

To be considered for the IAAPA Hall of Fame, a nominee must meet the criteria below.

• Have been associated with the attractions industry for a minimum of 10 years
• Affiliated with a theme or amusement park, water park, family entertainment center, zoo, aquarium, museum, science center, resort, or other attraction, manufacturer, supplier, or consultant
• Contributions with global impact within two or more IAAPA regions
• Contributions in one or more of the following areas:
  • Innovation
  • Education
  • Leadership
• Influence both inside their organization and within the industry in a manner that will continue to be of value in the future
• Examples include contributions to the attractions industry at large such as:
  • An individual who has contributed to the success and inspiration of other global industry leaders.
  • A design or invention of material equipment, processes, or technical services.
  • An innovation in conjunction with attractions, rides, exhibitions, entertainment, food, merchandise, games, engineering, safety, or other area critical to the success of the attractions industry.
  • A significant, industry-focused literary contribution.
  • An industry altering marketing campaign.

Examples are required to support criteria.

IAAPA Membership past or present is preferred but not required.

• Include 2-4 recommendation letters that reinforce and illustrate the nominees contribution to the industry in the region. While writing the letters, please consider how the nominee's innovation/invention has positively impacted your own business.

Application Materials

• Nominee photo, preferably a headshot
• Description of Nominee's Industry Contribution and Involvement
• Timeline of significant dates of Nominee’s work

Application window

• May 28 – August 18 

The IAAPA Service Award recognizes individuals who have volunteered their time and expertise in order to better their communities, IAAPA, and the attractions industry as a whole. Recipients of these awards have demonstrated that they embody the dedication and leadership required to make a meaningful impact on the industry.

Award Description

The IAAPA (Regional) Service Award honors individuals who have made substantial contributions of service to IAAPA and the industry within their region. They are often seen as trusted resources and mentors, providing valuable insights and guidance to others in the field. Recipients of this award have typically held numerous volunteer positions with IAAPA. Service award winners embrace the IAAPA values of passion, respect, transparency, courage/innovation, and inclusive/value collaboration.

This award may be presented to one member in each of IAAPA’s member regions, dependent on number and quality of applications.

Criteria

To be considered for the IAAPA (Regional) Service Award, the nominee must provide service within their region, and exemplify IAAPA’s core values of passion, respect, transparency, courage/innovation, and inclusive/value collaboration.

In addition, the nominee should align with a majority of the examples below:

• Have mentored or developed future leaders and/or been impactful in education of others.

• Have held numerous IAAPA volunteer positions. Examples of volunteer roles with IAAPA include:

  • Show Ambassador

  • Committee or Task Force member/chair,

  • Mentor

  • Presenter at events or webinars

  • Authored articles/books

• Made a significant contribution to the attractions industry through their service and through their areas of expertise.

• Have worked to promote industry standards such as safety, guest satisfaction, or innovation.

Application Materials

• Include 2-4 recommendation letters that reinforce and illustrate the nominee’s contribution to the industry in the region.
• Nominee photo, preferably a headshot
• Description of Nominee's service and involvement both in the region and within IAAPA

Application Window

May 28 – December 1

The IAAPA Young Professional of the Year Award honors members who demonstrate a dedication to the attractions industry through strong leadership, teamwork, and integrity, while continually developing their knowledge and experience, necessary in this ever-changing business. The Young Professional must also be a strong advocate of IAAPA’s mission to support, grow, and nurture the amusement park and attractions industry.

Award Description

The IAAPA (Regional) Young Professional of the Year Award honors members who demonstrate a dedication to the attractions industry early in their industry career through strong leadership, teamwork, and integrity, while continually developing their knowledge and experience, necessary in this ever-changing business. This award may be presented to one member in each of IAAPA’s member regions, dependent on number and quality of applications.

There must be a minimum of three (3) nominations per region for category to be awarded.

Criteria

To be considered for the Young Professional of the Year award the individual must exemplify IAAPA’s core values of passion, respect, transparency, courage/innovation, and inclusive/value collaboration.

In addition, the nominee should align with a majority of the examples below:

• Meets IAAPA’s definition of young professional: Individuals 35 or younger (i.e. they may not turn 36 in the calendar year where the winners are being selected (not when the award is presented).
• Employed full-time by a member company or as an individual IAAPA member.
• Held a lead (people or project management) position for one (1) or more years in their organization.
• Have held two (2) or more IAAPA volunteer positions. Examples of volunteer roles with IAAPA include:
• a. Show Ambassador
• b. Committee or Task Force member/chair
• c. Mentor
• d. Presenter at events or webinars
• e. Authored articles/books

Application Materials

• Provide two (2) – four (4) letters of recommendation that confirm the individual’s contributions including examples of teamwork, integrity, and leadership. It is recommended (but not required) that references come from senior management of a member company and/or other IAAPA members.
• Nominee photo, preferably a headshot
• Detailed description of the achievements and contributions that qualify the nominee for this award.

   

Application Window

• May 28 – December 1

Start nomination for the IAAPA Young Professional Award