IAFEC Corner
by Phil DeAngelo
“An experienced organization is one which individuals have the knowledge, skill, desire and opportunity to personally succeed in a way that |
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Imagine. It was just a few short years ago that a group of
people, with a purpose and vision, recognized the need for a specialized organization
capable of addressing and meeting the needs of a specific segment of the entertainment
industry. The segment was family entertainment centers (FEC) and the organization they
founded is today the International Association of Family Entertainment Centers (IAFEC).
The thought, ideas and planning that went into the creation of this association is
surpassed only by the vision and will of the founding organizers, whose plans were
surpassed again by the fruition of bringing the association into reality.
Imagine further how the FEC industry segment has grown, expanded and changed so that today
the association is representative of a multifaceted array of facilities, suppliers, and
others such as developers, investors and those from satellite industries.
It is exactly these characteristics — leadership, vision and the need to evolve
— that personify IAFEC’s body of work over the past few years. It is these
characteristics that will enable us to continue our leadership role in the leisure and
entertainment industry.
It is important to me to relay, and for you to understand, the new mission statement for
IAFEC: “Providing members with the leadership, knowledge, specialized products and
services required for success in the leisure and entertainment industry.”
This statement clearly defines our aggressive approach to the “serious business of
fun” through our desire to expand our leadership role beyond specific FEC industry
matters and into the myriads of satellite industries that comprise the broad-stroke
leisure and entertainment industry. To accomplish this goal, we have developed an action
plan of priorities that will enable us to utilize the considerable talent we have from
within our association as well as trade upon our reputation and standing in our industry
as a progressive and hard-working organization dedicated to our membership and the
betterment on the leisure and entertainment industry.
It is important that I do not pass lightly over the statement of utilizing the resources
from within our association because therein lies the secret to our success to date and the
compass to lead us into the future. IAFEC has always been truly blessed with three very
distinct areas of leadership.
First, through our board of directors, we have been able to attract distinguished industry
professionals who are willing to give of their time and their expertise. Past Presidents
Joey Herd, George Mc Auliffe, Ed Pearson and Harold Skripsky are key examples of the level
of strong leadership that has guided our processes. Our current board, which is the
strongest we have ever assembled, is keenly aware of the opportunities and challenges that
lie ahead for the association. Our members are: Lorien Henry, vice president, Tons of Fun,
Medicine Hat, Alberta; Linda Fernandez, Fun Factory, Kapolei, Hawaii; Harold Skripsky,
Entertainment Mgnt. Services, Naperville, Illinois; Jeff Morton, Celebration Station,
Merillville, Indiana; George Smith, Namco Cybertainment, Bensenville, Illinois, Charles
Smith, Bullock, Smith & Partners, Knoxville, Tennessee; Marc Shade, Frappeurs FunZone,
St. Laurent, Quebec; Dave Schwartz, Namco Entertainment, River Edge, New Jersey. I will
serve as president through 1999 and the better part of 2000.
The second area of strength is our committees and councils, which are manned by a very
dedicated group of volunteers who contribute to the infrastructure of the association by
providing the guidance and input required to produce the volumes of work required to
support our membership needs. For this we are very grateful.
The final area of strength is our home office staff led by Carole Sjolander, executive
director. These people do not have jobs - they have vocations. They truly are the daily
heart and soul of the association.
Let your imagination take you on a journey to explore the seemingly endless potentials for
our association. We believe we have set sail with a mission statement that clearly defines
our course. We believe that the five key words in our flotilla - Knowledge, Skill, Desire,
Opportunity and Vision - will enable us to explore new and uncharted waters in search of
greater opportunities. While our beginnings were humble, our future is unlimited. Just
imagine what we will do!
Phil DeAngelo is president of the International Association of Family Entertainment Centers (603-464-6498), a director of the New Jersey Amusement Association, and is the director of the Oglebay Entertainment Business Institute at the Oglebay Resort and Conference Center in Wheeling, West Virginia. He is also a project coordinator with Family Golf Centers, Inc., based in Melville, New York.