Live and help live
To have one of the longest-playing James
Bonds in the house addressing the International Association
of Amusement Parks and Attractions membership at the 84th
Annual Convention and Trade Show in Orlando, Florida, the
same week the latest edition of the spy franchise was opening
at movie theaters around the country was apropos synergy.
It was one Roger Moore himself stumbled upon during a press
conference following his appearance at the What’s New Theater
opening the IAAPA Trade Show.
Roger Moore, the UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador,
recalling childhood memories of visiting Dreamland amusement
park in Margate, England, described theme parks as “a children’s
world, for grown-up children as well, like Bond films.”
Moore called the 40-year, 21-film franchise “quite amazing,”
and he likened the special effects and escapism fantasy
of the movies to the special effects and escapism fantasy
of theme parks, with both mediums taking audiences “right
to the edge, yet knowing they are secure.” Then he brought
those similar missions of Bond and amusements back to his
personal mission of saving children’s lives in the poorer
corners of the world.
“It goes to that point that children are
entitled to the right to play, the right to listen to fairy
stories, and Bond is one,” Moore said.
Moore was at IAAPA promoting the association’s
new partnership with UNICEF in a campaign called “Your Change
for a Real Change,” a charity drive that allows individual
facilities to set their own ways and means of raising money
to support UNICEF’s food, immunization and education initiatives.
Moore contended that IAAPA is uniquely suited to such a
mission. Amusement parks and zoos are a safe haven for children
of all ages in the more affluent societies. It is fitting,
then, that such attractions can share some of their and
their patrons’ affluence to help give children in war-torn
and disaster-shorn societies a meal, a hospital, a schoolhouse—safe
havens in their particular situations.
In addition to celebrating the UNICEF initiative
with Moore’s presence—after What’s New Theater the erstwhile
Bond cut the ribbon for the exhibit hall’s opening and the
next day addressed the General Managers and Owners Luncheon
with a rollicking recounting of his career—IAAPA unveiled
another social service initiative: partnership with the
International Institute for Peace Through Tourism. The not-for-profit
organization was founded in 1986 as a counter to terrorism
targeting tourism venues. It stages international forums
and promotes programs that help dismantle barriers to tourism
around the world. IIPT does not seek funds, just awareness,
which parks can do by celebrating different cultures or
organizing activities encouraging visitors from other cultures.
Introducing IAAPA to both initiatives was
John Graff, who upon retiring as president of IAAPA last
year has since volunteered to serve as an officer in IIPT.
He has also taken the job of coordinating IAAPA’s three-pronged
social services efforts, the third prong being Give Kids
The World. “Nothing will be a diminution of our enthusiastic
support of Give Kids The World,” he said at What’s New Theater.
Bonded
Waiting for his moment in the spotlight,
Roy Gillian, chairman of IAAPA’s Hall of Fame Committee,
stood in the wings of the What’s New Theater next to IAAPA
Second Vice Chair Jane Cooper. On stage, as a video montage
showed the new attractions installed in the past year, performance
artist Jean Francois was making his flourishing conclusions
to one of his paintings, then headed off stage.
Seeing Gillian, the painter enthusiastically
approached the owner of Gillian’s Wonderland Pier in Ocean
City, New Jersey, and said, “I love watching you as 007.”
Gillian, a little shocked to learn he was being mistaken
for Roger Moore, didn’t respond, but Cooper said, “Oh, no,
this is our 007.”
Roy was slightly embarrassed by the incident,
but his wife, Patricia, was pleased. “I’ve always said he’s
my James Bond,” she said. “I’m glad somebody else said it
because I’ve been saying that for years.”
