2023 Education Conference & Annual Meeting Edition
NEAAPA Newsletter
Ron Gustafson and Gary Slade To Be Inducted into NEAAPA Hall of Fame NASHUA, N.H. — Two industry greats, Ron Gustafson and Gary Slade, will be inducted into the NEAAPA Hall of Fame on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 during the organization’s 110th Anniversary Education Conference and Annual Meeting at the Sheraton Nashua Hotel. Gustafson, most recently at Quassy Amusement and Waterpark, announced his retirement in October 2022 as the park’s director of marketing and public relations. Ron Gustafson Slade is the owner and publisher of Amusement Today, the amusement industry’s news leader for over 25 years. Always Interested in the Industry From a young age, Ron developed an interest in the attractions industry. Growing up in Western New York, he would visit Midway Amusement Park with his family. “Then I would go home and build rides out of Tinker Toys and other things that I could use”, said Gustafson. While an intern at the Jamestown Post-Journal, he would write articles about the industry. He went on to be a sports writer and did feature articles. He got his first writing award from the Associated Press for a feature about skydiving. Ron volunteered for the Chautauqua County Volunteer Fireman’s Gala Days, promoting what at the Continued on Page 2
Gary Slade Inside This Issue Hall of Fame Inductees Hall of Fame Members Welcome to the Annual Meeting Ron Gustafson Retired New IAAPA CEO MVR Acquires US Thrills Rides Outdoor Factory Partnership OVG Launches Nautilus Sally Ride at Funtown Lake Compounce Live Music New Betson Arcade TEA Selects RWS Entertainment
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