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FORREC executive vice president to retire

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Forrec Anthony Van Dam Office

The long-standing company executive has served the firm for three decades

FORREC, a leading entertainment design specialist, has announced the retirement of Anthony M. Van Dam following an extended career at the company. The current executive VP will conclude his position in October 2022.

Van Dam started his FORREC employment in 1988 as a junior designer following his graduation from Ryerson University, more commonly known as Toronto Metropolitan University, with a landscape architecture diploma.

He swiftly progressed through the company, including 25 years as a shareholder. Van Dam spent two decades on the firm’s board and a decade as head of global business development.

FORREC Van Tam Early Career
Van Dam early in his career

Van Dam was also been a board member for the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA), Asia Pacific until 2019. The TEA is a non-profit organisation that represents the world’s top creators, designers, developers, and producers of compelling places and experiences.

For more than 30 years, Van Dam’s strategic thinking and leadership have fostered relationships with FORREC’s most meaningful brand partners and clients. The firm notes that he was instrumental in unlocking the Chinese market, nurturing the territory into one of FORREC’s most substantial and important markets.  

FORREC Van Tam Chimelong 30 Anniversary
Van Dam (far left) celebrating Chimelong’s 30th anniversary in 2019

“Lucky and proud”

Van Dam says: “FORREC has been my home for almost thirty-five years, and I feel incredibly lucky and proud of the small part I played in helping to grow this company into the world-class entertainment design consultancy it is today.

“Through it all, we have managed to maintain our greatest asset, our culture, through integrity, humility, comradery, and hard work. I will always remember my mentors who supported me along the way, and I am excited about the current crop of leaders, who are as strong as we have ever seen. FORREC’s future looks bright indeed.” 

IAAPA Forrec Booth

FORREC president and CEO Cale Heit comments: “Anthony is an industry veteran and recognized global leader in large scale entertainment planning and design.

“As a senior executive and leader of FORREC’s global business development efforts, Anthony’s big picture, strategic thinking and strong leadership in an ever-evolving world marketplace are highly sought after.

“We will greatly miss his expertise and intuition, which helped FORREC build some of the best, most rewarding client relationships.”

Throughout his career, Van Dam has established relationships around the world including Universal Studios, Chimelong Group, OCT Group, Samsung Group, Sunac Group and Vin Group.

FORREC says it thanks Van Dam for his remarkable contributions to the industry and wishes him all the best in his retirement. 

Since 2016, Van Dam has acted as FORREC’s chief representative at its newly-formed Shanghai Representative Office for over five years. The firm has announced that vice president Steve Shah will become the new chief representative for China.

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Adam Whittaker

Adam studied Marketing and Advertising Management at Leeds Beckett University. Originally from Lancashire and now based in Norfolk, UK, you can usually find him appreciating art deco design or on a roller coaster.

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