IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry, has appointed Ahmed Zakaria as its director of operations for the Middle East. The association has also announced its plans to open a local office in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Zakaria brings over two decades of experience in the MENA region’s exhibition and event management sector. He was formerly general manager at MICE World, a Dubai-based company that specialises in conferences and exhibitions for the public sector and semi-governmental organisations. Zakaria also held the position of general manager at Informa PLC, where he developed and ran business portfolios for conferences, exhibitions, and training programmes in the Saudi Arabian market.
Strengthening membership in the Middle East
Zakaria will have a key position in the IAAPA EMEA team, drawing on his extensive experience in vertical and horizontal businesses to strengthen and expand the association’s membership reach in the Middle East region.
His arrival will enable the organisation to improve services to members, enhance links with industry in the Middle East, and expand future IAAPA trade events. Zakaria earned a bachelor’s degree in law from Cairo University in Egypt. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Dubai and the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE).Â
Peter van der Schans, IAAPA EMEA executive director and vice president, says: “I am excited to have Ahmed join the IAAPA team and look forward to exploring new opportunities in the Middle East by having a local office available to interact with members and industry partners. Our education and trade events have grown significantly in recent years, and this is evident as we close the 2024 Middle East Trade Summit in Abu Dhabi with 45 exhibitors and 400 attendees.”
Earlier this month, IAAPA announced the recipients of the IAAPA Individual Achievement Awards and revealed details of the upcoming IAAPA Honors ceremony. These awards are given out each year to recognise outstanding accomplishments in the global attractions sector. They include the IAAPA Service Awards, the IAAPA Young Professional of the Year Award, and the IAAPA Hall of Fame.
