Give Kids the World Village – a cost-free resort for children with life threatening illnesses – will enter its 22nd year in partnership with IAAPA at the organisation’s annual expo, with a number of initiatives and events lined up for this year’s show.

On Sunday 12 November ahead of the show’s official launch, IAAPA will host its 15th annual International Charity Golf Tournament at the Hawk’s Landing Golf Club. There is a registration rate of US$200 (€170, £150) per golfer, with proceeds from the event going to Give Kids the World.

On the same day, IAAPA will host its 8th annual Motorcycle Ride, with industry colleagues meeting up for a mass drive through of the Orlando area at US$100 (€84, £76) per person, with proceeds again going to Give Kids the World.

The Give Kids the World booth will follow the theme for this year’s expo – Creation Nation – offering an interactive fundraising opportunity for those in attendance. For a US$20 (€17, £15) donation to the charity, visitors to the booth will be able to write their name or a message on a star, which will then be put on the booth itself. Additionally, donors will be given a blinking star pin, showing that they “helped create the hope that inspires happiness”. A US$100 (€84, £76) donation to the booth will earn “Art From the Heart” – which is handprint art created by children.

Also taking place on the trade show floor, the QubicaAMF booth (606) will offer those who donated to Give Kids the World a five frame game of Monster Factory – a bowling game where hitting more pins will unlock more customisation options for a virtual monster creation. If players match the monster created by the system, they will win US$5,000 (€4,200, £3,800), with a matching charity donation also going to Give Kids the World.

For those who haven’t had enough exercise exploring the giant trade show floor inside the Orange County Convention Centre, at 7:30am on Thursday 16 November, IAAPA will host a 5k run or 1k walk, journeying through Give Kids the World Village itself. Registration fees are US$35 (€30, £26) for individuals or US$30 (€25, £23) for teams of five or more people.

“Year after year, I’m overwhelmed by the incredible generosity of the entire IAAPA family,” said Give Kids The World Village president and CEO Pamela Landwirth, speaking to Attractions Management. “For more than 20 years, IAAPA and its member have opened their hearts to us, ensuring that our precious guests experience dream vacations they’ll never forget.”

For more on Pamela Landwirth and Give Kids the World, check out the Q4 2016 edition of Attractions Management, available online here.

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