Newsroom
Welcome to Ripley Entertainment's official Press Site! Here you will find the latest news from all Ripley attractions as well as the latest corporate happenings.
To peruse by month, choose from the list at the right. To peruse by attraction type, choose from the list at the bottom of the page.
Ripley's VP of Communications, Tim O'Brien can be reached at obrien@ripleys.com or in his office at 615-646-7465 or on cell at 615-496-5949.
News Articles
Ripley Entertainment’s President Bob Masterson to Chair Board of Directors of International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions in 2008
Posted by Tim O'Brien on November 13, 2007ORLANDO, Fla. (Nov. 13, 2007) -Ripley Entertainment Inc. President Bob Masterson, is the 2008 chairman of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). He was elected to the position during the group's annual attractions expo in Orlando.
Masterson has been with Ripley Entertainment since 1973, as president, since 1989. During those years, Masterson has successfully guided Ripley through a period of unprecedented growth and diversification. Under his watch, Ripley Entertainment has become a global leisure industry leader in trademark licensing, franchising, aquariums, and attraction operations. The company's attractions entertain more than 13 million guests, with its book division selling a million copies each year.
Masterson has extensive experience in leisure concept design, development, and construction. He has many years of hands-on experience overseeing the operation of Ripley's 63-plus properties in 11 countries. Attractions within Ripley Entertainment include the world-famous Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditoriums; Ripley's Aquariums; Ripley's Haunted Adventures; the Guinness World Record Museums; Ripley's Moving Theaters; interactive mini-golf courses; Super Fun Zone arcades; and the latest addition, a Great Wolf Lodge indoor waterpark resort in Niagara Falls, Canada. Additionally, Ripley Entertainment syndicates its TV show and it's 90-year old Believe It or Not! cartoon, that Robert Ripley first drew in 1918, is still seen daily in nearly 200 newspapers in 42 countries.
Masterson, a dual citizen of both Canada and the United States, and has lived in Canada, Europe, Southeast Asia, and the United States. Masterson is the first Canadian leader of IAAPA.
About Ripley Entertainment:
Ripley Entertainment Inc. (http://www.ripleys.com/), keepers of the venerable Ripley's Believe It or Not! brand, is a world leader in location-based entertainment, visitor attractions, licensing, and publishing. With 60-plus attractions in 11 countries, the company welcomes more than 13 million guests annually. In addition to its attractions, the Orlando-based company has publishing and broadcast divisions that oversee projects including the global syndicated Believe it or Not! television show, best selling books, and the popular syndicated comic strip. Ripley Entertainment is a Jim Pattison Company, the third-largest privately held company in Canada.
About IAAPA:
The International Assn. of Amusement Parks & Attractions is the premier trade association for the attractions industry worldwide. Founded nearly 90 years ago, IAAPA is the largest international trade association for permanently situated amusement facilities and attractions and is dedicated to the preservation and prosperity of the amusement industry. IAAPA represents more than 4,100 facility, supplier, and individual members from more than 90 countries. Member facilities include amusement/theme parks, waterparks, attractions, family entertainment centers, arcades, zoos, aquariums, museums, science centers, resorts, and casinos. IAAPA is a nonprofit organization. Funds generated for the association by its involvement in trade shows and other activities are returned to the association to fund services for its members and the industry. IAAPA maintains offices in Europe and the United States.
Contacts:
Tim O'Brien
VP Communications
Ripley Entertainment Inc.
(615) 646-7465 / (615) 496-5949
Obrien@ripleys.com
David Mandt
IAAPA Communications
703-299-5752
dmandt@iaapa.org