Orlando, FL, USA — IAAPA Attractions Expo — The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) presented 2013 IAAPA Service Awards for extraordinary contributions to the global attractions industry to Jim Seay of Premier Rides Inc. in Baltimore, Maryland, United States; Julio Vanegas of Carruseles, S.A. in Bogota, Colombia; and Doug Stagner of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Orlando, Florida, United States. The awards were presented at the GM and Owners’ Breakfast, Wednesday, Nov. 20, in Orlando, Florida, during IAAPA Attractions Expo 2013, the largest annual conference and trade show for the global attractions industry.
Lifetime Service Award Winner – Jim Seay, Premier Rides Inc., Baltimore, Md., United States
The Lifetime Service Award recognizes a member, individual, or organization’s continual service to the attractions industry.
Jim Seay brought his aerospace engineering expertise to the attractions industry in 1988 as an engineering and maintenance executive for Six Flags Corporation. In 1996 he became president of Premier Rides with a focus on ride innovation and customer service. Seay and his team helped develop the Linear Induction Motor and Linear Synchronous Motor-powered roller coaster. He has been an active industry volunteer serving on the IAAPA Board of Directors and chairman of IAAPA’s Safety Committee. He has also been a member of the association’s Executive-Finance, Service Awards, and Government Relations Committees. Seay is a passionate industry safety advocate; has testified before Congress regarding industry safety; and has served as Chairman of the ASTM International F24 Global Committee on ride safety standards.
Outstanding Service Award Winner – Julio Vanegas, Carruseles S.A., Bogota, Colombia
The Outstanding Service Award 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.
Julio Vanegas has made it his mission to promote the development of the attractions industry in Colombia and throughout Latin America for more than two decades. Soon after founding the Colombian Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (ACOLAP) in 2005, Vanegas was influential in the development of the first safety law in Latin America based on ASTM F24 International standards committee recommendations – setting an example for the entire region. As general manager of Carrruseles S.A., Vanegas is currently chairman of IAAPA’s Latin American Advisory Committee, has served on IAAPA’s Strategic Planning Committee, the association’s Governance Task Force, and as a member of the IAAPA Board of Directors.
Meritorious Service Award Winner – Doug Stagner, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Orlando, Fla., United States
The Meritorious Service Award is presented in recognition of a member individual’s service to and for the association by advancing the IAAPA mission.
Doug Stagner’s leadership in attractions operations, safety, and guest relations has helped facilities around the world build their businesses and establish the amusement industry’s reputation for delivering high-quality experiences to guests of all ages. Drawing on his experience as corporate senior director of operations at SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Stagner has chaired numerous IAAPA committees since 1999, including the Facility Operations and Education Committees, and has served as a guest speaker on safety and customer service at IAAPA conferences and events around the world. Fostering the development of the next generation of attractions industry professionals around the globe, Stagner lead creation of the IAAPA Institute for Attractions Managers, revamped the IAAPA Institute for Executive Education, and worked tirelessly to develop IAAPA’s new professional certification programs.
