The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) has created a new position focused on building the group's inventory of attractions industry information.

The amusement trade body has hired Melissa Teates as director of industry research and analysis.

She will oversee economic impact studies for the global attractions industry, financial and benchmarking reports for the association's constituencies and industry performance reports and forecasts.

"Our members have expressed the need for more attractions industry information, and we responded," said IAAPA president and CEO, Paul Noland.

"Melissa will play a vital role in providing research findings and data that will aid members in their decision making and allow the association to more effectively represent the industry to governments and press."

Teates has 20 years of experience in business research, analysis, writing and project management. Most recently, she was director of research for the American Society of Travel Agents.