IAAPA Expo Asia 2019

Erik Beard
Managing Member & General Counsel
International Ride Training LLC


Erik Beard is a managing member & general counsel to International Ride Training LLC. IRT is a consulting firm focused on ride operations safety & is the home to the International Ride Operator Certification (iROC) program, the only third-party certification for safe & professional ride operations in the world. IRT also conducts third-party ride operations audits, assists with standard operating procedure development, & consults on compliance with ASTM standards & local legal requirements for ride operations. IRT also offers ADA compliance consulting to the attractions industry as well as front-line compliance training through the "ADA FAQ" training program, a program Erik created and which is the amusement industry's first front-line training program focused on ADA compliance. Prior to joining IRT in June 2018, Erik was a practicing attorney for thirteen years, most recently serving as counsel in the law firm of Wiggin & Dana with a practice focused on product liability, amusement / leisure counseling & litigation, & general business litigation. He has represented & advised amusement parks, trade associations, & industry suppliers with respect to the Americans With Disabilities Act, amusement ride & aquatic safety matters, & in legislative & regulatory matters before the Connecticut Department of Public Safety. Having spent several years working for two of the largest amusement park operators in the world, Cedar Fair Entertainment Company & Universal Orlando, he has a unique hands-on, high-level day-to-day operating experience in this industry & is a frequent speaker at amusement industry events & trade shows. Erik serves on the Board of Directors of the New England Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions & on the Government Relations Committee of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. Erik received his J.D., magna cum laude, from George Mason University and received his B.A. from The Catholic University of America.

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