Will Morey Reaches Milestone as Chairman of the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions (IAAPA)

(Above: Will Morey’s visit to Fantasilandia Amusement Park in Santiago, Chile.From left: 2^nd Vice Chair, Gerardo Arteago Cerda, Fantasilandia, Chile. Chairman of the Board, Will Morey, Morey’s Piers. Back row: 1^st Vice Chair, Mario Mamon, Enchanted Kingdom, Phillipines)

Did you know?: In addition to his roles as President & CEO of the Morey Organization and as a Freeholder of Cape May County, Will Morey is the current serving Chairman of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA).

This year, Morey intends to visit upwards of 50 parks across North America (operations with an emphasis on family-owned and operated facilities) and plans to make eight or more international trips.

Here's more info about his term as IAAPA head...


PRESS RELEASE  

When he took the reigns as chairman of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) in late 2012, Will Morey kicked off an aggressive 2013 member parks and attractions visit “around the world in 100 days” campaign.  

Morey, along with a contingent of IAAPA board members, completed the first of his international trips visiting nine amusement parks and attractions over 12 days throughout Chile and Brazil.

As IAAPA chairman, Morey represents the industry’s leading trade association with more than 4,500 facility, supplier and individual members from 97 countries. By latest estimates, revenues for the global theme park industry are $24 billion with attendance numbers exceeding 770 million. The market in the US comprises roughly half of that with annual revenues of $12 billion and attendance of 300 million.

 “There’s a universal truth in our industry: family fun is a serious business,” said Morey. “And despite the recent economic challenges, we’re finding that our industry is recession resistant because families may visit parks closer to home but they still enjoy spending quality time together at parks and attractions.”

(Above: As part of his South America trip with IAAPA, Morey visits Beta Carrero World in Brazil. From left: 2^nd Vice Chair, Gerardo Arteago Cerda, Fantasilandia, Chile. Chairman of the Board, Will Morey, Morey’s Piers. Back row: 1^st Vice Chair, Mario Mamon, Enchanted Kingdom, Phillipines)

Morey and his brother Jack Morey own and operate the well-known Morey’s Piers & Beachfront Waterparks in Wildwood, NJ, a unique attraction spanning more than 18 acres including three amusement park piers and two waterparks, which employs as many as 1600 people in the summer.  

Will Morey also serves as a Freeholder of Cape May County and oversees Planning, Economic Development, Education and Transportation Infrastructure.  As Freeholder, he is working on multiple tourism infrastructure initiatives throughout the county, including bike paths, improved parking and grand entrances, among others.

Through 2013, Morey will make as many as eight or more international trips to visit parks and attractions that range from Ski Dubai, the Middle East’s famous indoor ski facility, and Resorts World in Singapore to parks and attractions in Phillipines, Indonesia, Colombia and France.  By the end of his term, Morey intends to visit in upwards of 50 parks across North America with an emphasis on family owned and operated facilities.

A highlight of the IAAPA summer schedule is the June 24-27 IAAPA Board of Directors meeting at Morey’s Piers in Wildwood, bringing top industry executives from around the world to experience the New Jersey shore.

One of Morey’s first missions last fall was to lead a group of IAAPA executives to parks impactedby Hurricane Sandy such as Coney Island, Keansburg and Point Pleasant. These fact finding visits served to determine what assistance and services the parks required for their rebuildling efforts.  As part of the post-storm meetings, IAAPA has worked with state and federal officials to help ensure local operators are provided assistance in a timely manner.

For more information on Morey’s Piers, visit www.moreyspiers.com. 

About Morey’s Piers
Morey’s Piers, located on the boardwalk in the Wildwoods, New Jersey is a classic seaside amusement park, family owned and operated since 1969. Voted Top 3 for Best seaside amusement park in the world by Amusement Today, Morey’s Piers has over 100 rides and attractions spanning over eighteen acres along six beach blocks and includes three amusement piers and two beachfront waterparks. Convenient to the major population centers of the Northeast, yet a world apart, Morey’s Piers along with Morey Resorts combines the pure joy of an amusement park, the sights and sounds of a classic boardwalk, outstanding accommodations, together with the rhythm of beach life. Visit them at Surfside Pier, featuring the Ocean Oasis Waterpark and Beach Club at 25th Avenue, Mariner’s Landing Pier, featuring Raging Waters Waterpark at Schellenger Avenue, and Adventure Pier at Spencer Avenue. For more information, visit www.moreyspiers.com or phone (609) 522-3900.

About IAAPA

The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) is the premier trade association for the attractions industry worldwide. Founded in 1918, IAAPA is the largest international trade association for permanently situated amusement facilities and attractions and is dedicated to the preservation and prosperity of the attractions industry. IAAPA represents more than 4,500 facility, supplier, and individual members from more than 90 countries. Member facilities include amusement/theme parks, water parks, attractions, family entertainment centers, zoos, aquariums, museums, science centers, resorts, and casinos. IAAPA is a nonprofit organization. Revenue generated for the association by its involvement in trade shows and other activities are returned to the association to fund services for its members and the industry. The association’s global headquarters is in Alexandria, Virginia, United States. The association maintains regional offices in Brussels, Mexico City, and Hong Kong. www.IAAPA.org