IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry, has announced Luciana Periales, CEO of Neverland Park in Argentina, as second vice chair of IAAPA’s Board of Directors for 2024. She will serve as the first vice chair of IAAPA in 2025 and will then lead the global association for the attractions industry as the chair of the board in 2026.
The appointment was made ahead of IAAPA Expo Europe in Vienna, Austria, at a Board of Directors meeting on 23 September. Periales is carrying on her family’s legacy in her role at Neverland, a park founded by her uncle, where she has demonstrated a strong commitment to the park’s evolution and continued innovation. The firm now owns 30 attractions in Argentina and Spain.
Periales has been a volunteer and committee member with IAAPA for over ten years, She has served on the Association’s Family Entertainment Center, Strategic Planning, and Service Awards committees, and the IAAPA Board of Directors as the chair of the Latin America, Caribbean Regional Advisory Committee.
“Luciana Periales was chosen as the second vice chair for the 2024 IAAPA Board of Directors because of her deep industry roots and innovative leadership as CEO of Neverland, a successful group of entertainment centers,” says David Rosenberg, chair of the 2023 Governance Committee. “Luciana’s passion, expertise, and commitment to making a positive impact make her an exceptional choice to help steer IAAPA and the attractions industry toward a dynamic future.”
New board members for 2024
Seven new board members will begin their service in 2024. This includes:
EMEA Regional Advisory Committee Chair Director (2024-2026) – Håkon Lund
Håkon Lund is the president and owner of Lund Gruppen in Norway, a four-generation family business founded in 1895. The corporation runs parks in Norway and Sweden under labels such as Lunds Tivoli, Kongeparken, Skånes Djurpark, Festdager, and Landstreff Stavanger. He has served on the IAAPA EMEA Regional Advisory Committee for several years and presented at IAAPA events.
North America Regional Advisory Committee Chair Director (2024-2026) – Denise Beckson
Denise Beckson is Morey’s Piers’ vice president of government affairs and human resources in Wildwood, New Jersey. Beckson has worked in parks and attractions for over 30 years. Safety, education and training, aquatic operations, risk management, food and beverage, HR and talent acquisition, and government relations/public affairs are her specialties.
She has served on many IAAPA committees and led them, including the Global Government Relations and Global Education committees. She spent a three-year term on the IAAPA Board, was a member of the headquarters relocation task team, and advocates for the industry on state and federal concerns and educates lawmakers and regulators about attractions.
Facility Member Director (2024-2026) – Su “Dale” Zhan Hang
Su “Dale” Zhan Hang is group vice president of Chimelong Group, the parent business of Guangzhou Chimelong Tourist Resort, which owns significant Chinese amusement parks and attractions. Under his father, Chimelong Group chairman Su Zhigang, he has worked on big development initiatives. He is a director of the Guangdong Federation of Young Entrepreneurs, vice president of the China Tourism Chamber, and vice president of the Guangdong and Macao Federation of Industry and Commerce.
Facility Member Director (2024-2026) – Neil Dwyer
Neil Dwyer is the vice president of operations for Qiddiya Investment Co. – Six Flags Qiddiya in Saudi Arabia. He has almost 20 years of experience in numerous attractions firms and truly understands the sector, having worked in theme parks like Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Camelot, IMG Worlds of Adventure, and Global Village. As strategic development manager, he shapes Saudi Arabia’s Six Flags Qiddiya theme park’s vision, growth strategy, and operational strategies in a fast-growing market.
Dwyer has served on committees, subcommittees, task forces, led education sessions, and participated in education material development as a subject matter expert for IAAPA.
Facility Member Director (2024-2025) – Gina Claassen
Gina Claassen is the corporate safety director for Herschend Family Entertainment in the United States and has been with the company for 25 years. Claassen has a long history of involvement with IAAPA including serving on the IAAPA Board of Directors in 2023. She has been an IAAPA Expo Show Ambassador, served on the exhibitor awards, facility operations, and IAAPA Expo program planning committees, and has led education sessions at numerous IAAPA events.
Best exhibits at IAAPA Expo Europe 2023
IAAPA has also announced the winners of the IAAPA Brass Ring Best Exhibit Awards at IAAPA Expo Europe 2023.
Brass rings, now associated with greatness, were first hung on carousels in the 1800s to challenge riders. Riders who grabbed a ring on the carousel received a prize, usually a free ride. Most rings were iron, but a handful were brass, thus getting one was desirable and celebrated. The IAAPA Brass Ring Awards honour this legacy by honouring worldwide attractions sector excellence. These are among the industry’s highest honours. Booth design, branding, staffing, product, and appeal were evaluated.
Winners from IAAPA Expo Europe 2023 are as follows:
- 9-27 square meters, First Place, accesso/VGS, Booths A-2825 & A-2827
- 9-27 square meters, Second Place, Xtraice, Booth C-512
- 36-54 square meters, First Place, P&P Projects, Booth A-617
- 36-54 square meters, Second Place, Petro Art Production, Booth B-1225
- 63 square meters and larger, First Place, ProSlide Technology, Inc., Booth A-1301
- 63 square meters and larger, Second Place, The Seasonal Group, Booth B-427
“Out of a remarkable 148 applications, these exceptional exhibitors have truly set a standard of excellence and made a difference to the show floor,” says Jakob Wahl, president and chief executive officer for IAAPA. “Their innovation, creativity, and dedication are remarkable and a testament to the spirit of innovation at IAAPA Expo Europe and the importance of the attractions and amusements community.”
IAAPA Expo Europe will take place in 2024 in the RAI Amsterdam from 23 – 26 September next year.
