The International Association for the Leisure and Entertainment Industry (IALEI) is about to become history. Officials from the family entertainment centre (FEC) trade body have confirmed that all the required approvals are in place as they prepare to dissolve IALEI and merge its membership into IAAPA (the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions).
The IAAPA board met on September 29, followed three days later by the IALEI executive committee. The transition team, made up of members of both associations, will guide the formal transition of member services in the weeks ahead.
As a result of the deal, all current IALEI members will automatically qualify for IAAPA membership starting November 1, as well as free registration for the upcomning IAAPA Attractions Expo in Las Vegas. During the event, they can participate in a 16-session education track for family entertainment centres (FECs) at no additional cost. An FEC Reception which also be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center from 6 to 8pm. on Wednesday, November 18.
Starting in 2010, ex-IALEI chairwoman Dorothy Lewis will chair a reconfigured IAAPA’s FEC committee. The FEC section of the IAAPA website (www.iaapa.org/FEC) will be upgraded. The association also promises to conduct research similar to the IALEI State of the Industry report, plus stage a minimum of four free “webinars” for FEC members in 2010.
IAAPA also becomes formerly involved with the Fun Expo trade show, working closely with coin-op trade bodies the American Amusement Machine Association (AAMA) and the Amusement & Music Operators Association (AMOA). The 2010 event, managed by William T Glasgow, will take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center from March 8 to 12 (education programme) and March 10 to 12 (exhibits).
Approximately 600 family entertainment centres or suppliers are members of IALEI, 375 members of IAAPA, and approximately 80 companies are members of both.
