Alleging Conflict Of Interest, IALEI Removes White And Seninksy From Seminar Planning Roles

HILLSBORO, NH - (posted Feb. 20) The executive committee of the International Association for the Leisure and Entertainment Industry has dismissed leisure facilities consultant Randy White of White Hutchinson Leisure & Learning Group (Kansas City, MO) from his post as chairman of IALEI's education committee. IALEI also dismissed White and Frank Seninsky of Alpha-Omega Group (New Brunswick, NJ) from serving on the Fun Expo Academy committee, which planned seminars for that trade show. Both men had served in their respective volunteer posts for at least three years. Contacted by VENDING TIMES, executive director Carole Sjolander of IALEI cited conflict of interest issues for both individuals as the reason for the dismissals. According to both sides, the allegation was triggered when Seninsky and White announced a three-day educational conference called Foundations Entertainment University (April 29 - May 1, Itaska, IL). Also participating in Foundations is Frank Price of Birthday Party University (Holly Springs, NC). Price, however, was not on the IALEI Fun Expo Academy committee and has not been dismissed from any post. He said his relationship with Fun Expo has not been impacted by the contretemps. White, Seninsky, and Price have argued that Foundations did not compete with Fun Expo because it's slated to occur at a different season and different section of the country. Sjolander said all three can still participate in Fun Expo's educational seminars as presenters.