Fantasy of Flight General Manager Named Vice Chairman of the Board and Awarded Outstanding Attraction Member for 2009 at the Florida Attractions Association Annual Conference
Kim Long Enters Three-Year Commitment to Serve as Vice Chairman, Chairman-Elect, then Chairman of the Board for FAA
Fantasy of Flight General Manager Kim Long was elected to the newly created position of Vice Chairman of the Board for the Florida Attractions Association (FAA) and was also named Outstanding Attraction Member for 2009 at the organization’s annual conference and trade show held in Sarasota, Fla. May 27-29.
Long, who has been with Fantasy of Flight since 2004, will begin her term as Vice Chairman effective immediately and will serve in this role for one year. She will automatically move into the role of Chairman-Elect for the 2010-2011 year, and then assume the position of Chairman of the Board for 2011-2012.
The Fantasy of Flight General Manager also received one of only two Chairman’s Awards, “the highest honor bestowed by Florida’s attractions industry on its members,” from FAA Board Chairman and Gatorland President & CEO Mark McHugh. Named Outstanding Attraction Member for 2009, Long was recognized for her ongoing commitment to the mission of the FAA and its members. She held an at-large position on the FAA board for the Central Florida district for two years.
"Kim exemplifies the true meaning of an Outstanding Attraction Member through her dedicated support of our state's largest industry on numerous fronts. She has worked hard with us on major governmental issues in Tallahassee, as well as her tireless work on the FAA board. We're also very excited that she has accepted a significant leadership role as Vice Chairman of this prestigious board," said McHugh.
Both Long and the FAA Outstanding Associate Member of the Year recipient Linda Higgins of FPIS, Inc. received an etched plaque and FAA wristwatch. Their names also will be inscribed on the award wall in the association’s Tallahassee office.
As Long begins her term as Vice Chairman of the Board, FAA leadership is confident in her abilities.
“The Florida Attractions Association is fortunate to have many outstanding leaders. Kim joins a select group of attraction industry Statesmen,” said Bill Lupfer, President & CEO of the Florida Attractions Association. “Her contributions to our association have been exemplary, and I'm confident her vision and energy will serve the Florida Attractions Association and our industry well.”
While she is modest about her contributions to the association so far, Long is eager to make progress in her new leadership role. “I am excited and honored to continue serving the Florida Attractions Association as its Vice Chairman, and later as Chairman Elect and Chairman of the Board,” said Long. “With so many issues, mainly the economy, currently affecting the attractions industry, I am eager to continue working with the rest of the board to develop strategies and strengthen programs that support our members.”
In addition, Long recently was recognized by her hospitality and tourism industry peers with the “Innovative Marketing Award” from Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing at a luncheon that took place Thursday, May 14 as part of National Tourism Week. Long was chosen for the award based on her creativity in bringing new business to Fantasy of Flight, Central Florida’s premier aviation attraction, as well as to Polk County. Among her accomplishments cited at the awards luncheon was the creation of Fantasy of Flight’s Roar n’ Soar, a family-friendly festival which she helped bring to life two years ago. The experienced marketer also was lauded for her attendance-building marketing campaign in conjunction with the inaugural season of the Central Florida Collegiate Invitational at Polk County’s new Lake Myrtle Sports Complex.
The Florida Attractions Association was founded 60 years ago in 1949 by five attractions to promote and advance the interests of the attractions industry. First formed as a committee of the Florida Public Relations Association to ensure quality, fair pricing and ethical operations, it has since grown to a membership of 90 leading attractions, 74 allied members (those in businesses related to the attractions industry), 35 state parks, and three affiliate members.