IAAPA Attractions Expo 2014 participants raise more than $120,000 for Give Kids The World Village
By amusementtoday | December 5, 2014
The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) and attractions industry professionals raised more than $120,000 for Give Kids The World (GKTW) Village in Kissimmee, Florida, during IAAPA Attractions Expo 2014. IAAPA Attractions Expo 2014 is the largest conference and trade show for the attractions industry and took place in the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, Nov. 17-21. GKTW is a nonprofit resort that provides cost-free vacations for children from around the world with life-threatening illnesses and their families.
The money was raised through private donations and the following fundraising events: 12th Annual IAAPA International Charity Golf Tournament, 5th Annual Motorcycle Ride, 5K Fun Run and 1K Walk, and Chance-to-Win Raffle.
“We greatly appreciate our longstanding partnership with IAAPA and its members, and we are so thankful for the continued support,” said Pamela Landwirth, president of GKTW. “The outpouring of support from IAAPA and the attractions industry as a whole allows us to continue to create smiles and inspire hope for our Wish families.”
12th Annual IAAPA International Charity Golf Tournament
The 12th Annual IAAPA International Charity Golf Tournament drew 127 attractions industry professionals who enjoyed a round of golf at Hawks Landing Golf Course at the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort on Sunday, Nov. 16. The foursome of Andrew Callies, Jason Kielmann, Shawn Kirsch, and Christian Vozza, all from Congo River Golf in Orlando, Florida, won the tournament.
5th Annual IAAPA Motorcycle Ride
Thirty-eight motorcycle enthusiasts toured Orlando’s scenic landscape on Sunday, Nov. 16, during IAAPA’s fifth annual motorcycle ride for GKTW. Orlando Harley Davidson served as the ride’s starting and ending point.
IAAPA’s 5K Fun Run and 1K Walk, Footprints From the Heart
On Thursday, Nov. 20, 153 people participated in the IAAPA 5K Fun Run and 1K Walk held at the Give Kids The World Village.
Ethan Knoebel, of Knoebels Amusement Resort, won the men’s 5K race, finishing with a time of 17:06. Gina Claassen of Herschend Family Entertainment won the women’s race, finishing the 5K in 20:58.
The highest individual fundraiser for the 5K Fun Run and 1K Walk was Joanna DelMoral of the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA); she raised $1,300.
Chance-to-Win Raffle
Throughout the week, Expo participants entered the Chance-to-Win raffle in hopes of winning a four-to-five-night Royal Caribbean cruise by donating to GKTW at the organization’s Expo booth at the Orange County Convention Center.
A list of golf tournament sponsors, motorcycle ride sponsors, and fun run sponsors is available at IAAPA.org.
IAAPA also partners with GKTW for the World Passport for Kids Program, which enables Wish families who stay at the Village to visit a participating amusement park or attraction for up to a year following their stay. IAAPA member attractions from around the world participate in the program. Additional information about the program is available at www.IAAPA.org/about-IAAPA/community-outreach.
