Orlando, FL, USA (November 19, 2014) — The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) recognized the 2014 IAAPA Service Award winners during the GM and Owners’ Breakfast at IAAPA Attractions Expo 2014 on Wednesday, Nov. 19, in Orlando, Florida. The awards honor individuals for their extraordinary contributions to the global attractions industry. The 2014 recipients are Mats Wedin, formerly of Liseberg in Gothenburg, Sweden; Rob Norris, of Seabreeze Park, Rochester, New York, United States; Franceen Gonzales of WhiteWater West Industries in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada; and Ted Molter of San Diego Zoo Global in San Diego, California, United States.
Lifetime Service Award Winner
Mats Wedin of Liseberg in Gothenburg, Sweden, was awarded with the Lifetime Service Award, which recognizes a member, individual, or organization’s continual service to the attractions industry.
A former chairman of Liseberg, Mats Wedin has been an attractions industry executive for more than 25 years. He has actively served on several national and international committees and global task forces, becoming a key player in bringing the industry together on a national, regional, and worldwide level. Wedin has been a long-term supporter of IAAPA’s global mission and was instrumental in the emergence of IAAPA as a truly international association while he served as a world council director and member of the association’s globalization task force. Wedin was IAAPA Chairman of the Board in 2007 and chairman of the IAAPA European Regional Advisory Committee. He also served on IAAPA’s executive and finance, governance, and strategic planning committees.
The Board of Directors Service Award
Rob Norris of Seabreeze Park in Rochester, New York, United States, was recognized with the IAAPA Board of Directors Service Award, which was created to recognize a member’s exemplary service on behalf of or as a member of the IAAPA Board of Directors.
Rob Norris is a trusted advisor to the IAAPA Board of Directors and served as the association’s Treasurer since 2011. He is currently chairing a task force to analyze the IAAPA membership structure to enhance the association’s positioning as a global organization and he is a member of two task forces developing exciting new member programs. Norris is a member of IAAPA’s executive and finance and strategic planning committees and serves as chair of the compensation committee.
Outstanding Service Award Winner
Franceen Gonzales of Whitewater West Industries in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, received theOutstanding Service Award, which is presented in recognition of a member individual who works to foster the spirit of goodwill, professionalism, and higher levels of performance within the industry.
An attractions industry executive for 25 years, Gonzales is a dedicated leader and contributor to the industry as an educator and volunteer. She is a trusted advocate for safety within the global attractions industry, and has worked on issues such as the development of a model aquatic health code, and has served on the ASTM International F24 Committee. Gonzales is an active industry volunteer and has served on several IAAPA committees, including the board of directors, and the safety, membership, and the strategic planning committees. She has also led within the attractions industry as the former chairman of the World Waterpark Association and as a member of the board of directors for AIMS (Amusement Industry Manufacturers and Suppliers) and the National Swimming Pool Foundation in Canada.
Meritorious Service Award Winner
Ted Molter of San Diego Zoo Global in San Diego, California, United States, won the Meritorious Service Award, which is presented in recognition of a member individual’s service to and for the association by advancing the IAAPA mission.
Molter is the founding chairperson of the IAAPA Foundation Board of Directors. Since 2001, Molter has served on the IAAPA Board of Directors, and the executive and finance, governance, education, and marketing committees. As chair of the education committee, Molter was instrumental in retooling the IAAPA Institute for Executive Education and creating IAAPA’s professional development certification program. He also moderated and served on panels during IAAPA Attractions Expo. An attractions industry executive for 20 years, Molter is dedicated to promoting safe operations, global development, and the commercial success of attractions and parks.
