AIMS INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCES SAFETY AWARD RECIPIENTS
Patty Beazley Awarded 2024 Safety Award; Jim Seay To Receive Prestigious Lifetime Contribution Award
[DALLAS, TX] September 7, 2024 – AIMS International, the unmatched leader in amusement safety education recognized two amusement industry veterans at Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards last night. Patty Beazley of International Ride Training was awarded the 2024 AIMS International Safety Award and Premier Rides’ Jim Seay was awarded the prestigious AIMS International Lifetime Contribution Award.
Improvements to safety come in many forms: the design and implementation of new products and technology, the development of safety education programs and training, and through exemplary leadership in influencing others. The AIMS International Safety Award is presented annually to the individual or organization that demonstrates leadership, innovation, and foresight in improving safety in the amusement industry.
Beazley, a native of Nashville, Tennessee, is a managing member of International Ride Training, LLC and When Pigs Fly: Creative Operational Concepts, LLC. She has over 40 years of operational experience in the areas of amusement rides and water park safety, educational facilitation, leadership training and human resource functions.
Patty began her career at Opryland USA Theme Park in Nashville, Tennessee as a front-line employee. When Opryland closed in 1997, Patty was the Director of Operations. She then took on the role of General Manager at Nashville Shores Water Park. She has serviced the amusement industry since 2002 as a consultant. During this time, she has serviced over 90 clients worldwide.
Patty graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology. A former full time secondary and post-secondary instructor and guidance counselor, she continues to teach as an adjunct faculty member for a local college. Patty served as the Education Chairperson and Seminar Director of Amusement Industry Manufacturer and Suppliers (AIMS) from 2007 – 2014.
She is a member of ASTM International, International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) and the World Waterpark Association (WWA). Patty was awarded the Harold Chance Award for Best Presentation at the AIMS Safety Seminar in 2004; Antonio Zamperla Safety Award in 2005 and Best Presentation at the WWA Seminar in 2005. She has had published works in various industry publications. In September of 2018, Patty was the feature article of Amusement Today, “Women of Influence.”
“After 40 years in the business, Patty continues to be instrumental in pushing the industry to greater levels of safe operation through education, training, and auditing of amusement facilities and attractions around the world,” said Tony Claassen, AIMS International Board Secretary. “Patty’s past contributions and continued passion for safety and greater education in the amusement industry makes her an ideal candidate for the 2024 AIMS International Safety Award.”
Presented for only the third time in its 30-year history, The AIMS International Lifetime Contribution Award recognizes outstanding dedication and service to AIMS International.
Jim Seay is president and owner of Premier Rides, building highly innovative thrill rides that incorporate cutting-edge tech like magnetic launch systems. Premier Rides’ attractions have been loved globally by hundreds of millions of guests and its work is recognized by Guinness World Records.
A Cornell University graduate, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical / aerospace engineering and did graduate studies at Cal State University Long Beach. He was an aerospace engineer at Hughes Aircraft Company working on stealth technologies, then was an engineering and maintenance executive at Six Flags before joining Premier Rides in 1995 as executive vice president of engineering and becoming president in 1996.
Seay spends much of his time volunteering to ensure the industry is as safe as possible. He is past chair of the IAAPA Global Safety Committee and past chair of ASTM Global Ride Safety Committee F24devloping and refining global ride safety standards. He has testified before the United States Congress on industry safety and is often interviewed in print and TV including major national network evening news.
Seay has been honored with numerous awards including the IAAPA Lifetime Service Award. For his contributions to the field of global voluntary standards, he received the ASTM International William T. Cavanaugh Memorial Award, and in 2019 received the ASTM Award of Merit along with the honorary title of Fellow.
Seay serves as Chairman of the IAAPA Foundation Board, is a member of the AIMS International Board, the Themed Entertainment Association, and several regional associations. He has served on many philanthropic boards in Baltimore, Maryland including the National Aquarium, The Pride of Baltimore, singer/actor Mario’s The Mario Do Right Foundation, the Signal 13 Foundation, and the Living Classrooms Foundation. Seay is also a supporter of Give Kids the World Foundation and is a founding sponsor of the annual IAAPA Charity Motorcycle Run benefiting Give Kids the World.
“Jim has been a passionate supporter of AIMS and industry safety for many years both individually and through his company Premier Rides. He has contributed the work of the AIMS board and continues to provide a balanced and challenging view,” said David Bromilow AIMS International Past President. “Jim always makes himself available when it comes to amusement safety and contributes to serve industry safety committees setting standards across the industry.”
Past winners of the prestigious AIMS International Safety Award include:
2023 – Jeff Abendshien and ASTM F24 Committee
2022 – CW Craven
2021 – Hugo Loyola
2020 – John Riggleman
2019 – Ronald E. Burback
2018 – Patrick Hoffman
2017 – Har Kupers
2016 – Harold Hudson
Past winners of the prestigious AIMS International Lifetime Contribution Award include:
2019 – Gary Slade
2018 – Mark Moore
2006 – Pat Hoffman
Early bird registration for the annual AIMS International Safety Seminar opens on September 12. The 2024 seminar will take place January 12-17 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Orlando, Florida.
To learn more visit aimsintl.org today.
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About AIMS International
AIMS International is a non-profit 501(c)(6) trade association dedicated to improving amusement industry safety through leadership in education. AIMS International provides educational courses and certification programs for ride inspectors, operations, aquatics and maintenance personnel through its annual Safety Seminar and at other venues throughout the year. AIMS also serves to inform its members on issues relating to the amusement industry and presents an Annual Safety Award recognizing a person or organization that has made a significant impact or contribution in improving safety in the amusement industry.
Additional details about AIMS International are available by visiting www.aimsintl.org.
