INTERVIEW
MARIO MAMON
Mario Mamon discusses his new role as chair of IAAPA, doubling the size of his theme park Enchanted Kingdom in the Philippines and the devastation of Super Typhoon Haiyan
Julie Cramer, journalist, Attractions Management IAAPA ROLE
What does your role as IAAPA chair involve? It involves multiple roles. Aside from presiding over the board and executive fi nance committee meetings of the association, I also travel extensively around the world to represent the association in events and meetings, as well as visit as many member attractions and national associations as possible. Throughout these travels. I promote the ‘One World, One IAAPA’ mantra and talk about the benefi ts I’ve enjoyed as a member of association myself. I’m also helping lead the implementation of IAAPA’s 2013-15 Strategic Plan and the new governance and organisational initiatives that were approved last year by the board.
What’s your background? I wasn’t born into the industry. A little over 20 years ago, my previous life was in agribusiness, sugar cane farming to be exact. We shifted our whole business and lives when our agricultural lands became very expensive to utilise for farming and converted it for other uses. With the capital that we were able to accumulate, we decided on a line of business that was almost pioneering in the Philippines – the attractions business. I like to think my overall experience in
shifting from agribusiness to amusement, including organising, building and managing a theme park from scratch has helped prepare me for this role. I’ve literally gone through a
rollercoaster ride with the business before getting it right after a decade and a half. Most of all, having IAAPA by my side, even before Enchanted Kingdom was opened, will help me bring a lot of
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that allows me to concentrate on various IAAPA businesses and concerns at hand. Even though IAAPA is undergoing
continuous change and evolution into a truly global association, my plans are simple … nothing drastic and revolutionary. I’m focusing on the existing strategic and business plans and gradual implementation of the governance and organisational initiatives. My day-to-day work involves juggling
QUALITY EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN ALL ASPECTS ARE NEEDED AS THE INDUSTRY CONTINUES TO GROW ALL OVER THE WORLD
a schedule that transcends multiple time zones. My regular work schedule would be dedicated as much as possible to running the affairs of Enchanted Kingdom and our other businesses, but as the sun sets over our horizon, I shift and concentrate on matters regarding IAAPA that need my attention and the attention of the executive and fi nance committee and the board of directors. Just as I try to coordinate and
orchestrate our work at Enchanted Kingdom, then to the best of my ability and with the proper advice from my peers, I do the same for IAAPA.
What challenges does the industry face? Current challenges include safety standards development and harmonisation, protection of intellectual property rights, education and training. Safety is our top priority whether it be in rides, facilities, food or merchandise. Safety standards may be different
insights and hands-on experience that I can share in my role as chairman.
What are your plans for the role? Having been part of the IAAPA
“offi cialdom” since I was elected as third vice-chairman in 2010 has helped me prepare for the chairman’s position. Moving through the various leadership roles I’ve developed an understanding
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based on which part of the world you are in. We want to encourage the consistent adoption of the existing safety standards, like ASTM International and EN, around the globe. The protection of intellectual property
rights refers to various rides and attractions, ideas and innovations, which are sometimes copied by different groups from all geographies of the world. There
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