Jakob Wahl is the new president and CEO of IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry. In this role, Wahl oversees the 94-member team of the association in Orlando, Brussels, Hong Kong, Mexico City and Shanghai. He is in charge of the association’s executive management and daily operations, in addition to serving as the IAAPA board of directors’ top strategic advisor on all issues pertaining to the association’s mission, activities, events, and goods and services.
On serving as IAAPA’s president and CEO, Wahl told blooloop: “It has been a great journey. I’m working with a great team, working for a wonderful association with many amazing members throughout the world.” He added: “Now, my goal is to build upon this solid foundation, to be dynamic and to develop our association in a way that we have the same relevance for our members in five years.”
Wahl first joined IAAPA in 2009 as the organisation’s programme manager for Europe before serving as head of communications and manager of special initiatives for Europa-Park in Germany from 2013. In 2017, Wahl rejoined IAAP as vice president and executive director of IAAPA EMEA, leading the organisation’s team in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. In 2021, he was promoted to executive vice president and chief operations officer of the association.
“We are developing the strategic goals and shaping IAAPA to be the voice of the industry and to be a leader in the industry for years to come. We want to put the focus on safety and sustainability, and to further develop our events and our services for the members, to ensure they fully benefit from their membership,” Wahl said.
One person who nominated Wahl said he “possesses the ability to shape the destiny of an industry that brings joy to millions around the world”.