Enchanted Kingdom president becomes first Asian to chair IAAPA
MANILA, Philippines - Enchanted Kingdom chairman and president Mario O. Mamon will be the first Asian and proudly the first Filipino to head the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions or IAAPA. Mamon, who is currently the 2013 IAAPA first vice chairman, will begin his term as IAAPA chairman in November 2013.
IAAPA is the most prominent global association of the amusements and attractions industry. It is also the largest international trade association for permanently situated amusement facilities and attractions worldwide and is committed to the perpetuation and success of the amusement industry, and was founded over 95 years ago in the United States. It represents over 4,500 suppliers, facilities and individual members from more than 90 countries. Member facilities include amusement/theme parks, attractions, water parks, arcades, zoos, family entertainment centers, museums, aquariums, discovery/ technology centers, casinos and resorts, the most notable of which include Disney, Universal Studios, Merlin Entertainment (Legoland, Madame Tussauds, etc.) and the Blackstone Group (Seaworld, Busch Theme Parks, just to name a few.).
Mamon brings to IAAPA a vast of wealth of experience of over 20 years as the founding chairman and concurrent president of Enchanted Kingdom, and as founding president of the Philippine Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions or PhilAAPA. Through Mamon’s able leadership, he is expected to lead the IAAPA towards a continuous path of expanding, increasing and upgrading its membership and making it a truly global association with a special focus on the Asia-Pacific Region, the amusement and attraction industry’s fastest growing geography.
In a previous interview, Mamon admitted that he was not born into the amusement and attractions industry. Having had a background in agribusiness management as a result of his undergraduate degree, he started his professional career as a sugar cane farmer, and never imagined that he would venture into, no less fall in love with, the theme park business. He said that with the amusement and attractions industry, he has found his niche. It is in this industry that he will spend the rest of his productive life, hoping to pass it on to the next generation. He hopes to fulfill his dream of converting Enchanted Kingdom from a standalone theme park into a wholesome family leisure destination resort.
This coming November, Incoming IAAPA chairman Mamon will lead the members of IAAPA during the Annual IAAPA Attractions Expo to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, undisputedly the amusement and attractions capital of the world. Mamon is expected to meet with key global players in the amusements and attractions industry to share and exchange information on the industry’s prospects and opportunities especially in the Asian region. Mamon’s chairmanship also strengthens the image of a global IAAPA. He is also expected to continue to promote the development of the culture of safety among the industry players. As incoming IAAPA chairman he also aims to strengthen promotion and members’ support for the programs and advocacies shared by all IAAPA members.
