IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry, has announced the winners of the IAAPA Individual Achievement Awards and revealed details of the IAAPA Honors ceremony.
The awards are given out yearly to honour outstanding accomplishments in the international attractions industry. They include the IAAPA Service Awards, the IAAPA Young Professional of the Year Award, and the IAAPA Hall of Fame.
Celebrating achievement
The winners have been selected in recognition of their commitment to the international attractions industry, their contributions to the Association’s success, and their work to support the community in achieving its full potential.
This year, the IAAPA Hall of Fame inductees include August Busch III of Busch Entertainment Corporation; the Hartman family; Gordon, Maggie, and Morgan of Morgan’s Wonderland; and Barnette Ricci of The Walt Disney Company.
The winners of the IAAPA Service Awards are Randy Josselyn, ICAE, Service to IAAPA Award, ICON Experiences; Erik Beard, ICAE, Service to the Industry Award, International Ride Training, LLC; and Patrick Hoffman, ICAE Lifetime Service Award, The Hoffman Group.
The IAAPA Young Professionals of the Year are Frank Hamedl, ICAP (North America Region), Fun Spot America; Sebastian Ludwig (EMEA Region), Europa Park; Rhys Wachter, ICAE (APAC Region), DRA Safety; and Samantha Chamorro, ICAP (LAC Region), La Granja Villa.
The official announcement video can be viewed on the Association’s website.
IAAPA Honors
All honourees will be officially recognised during the IAAPA Honors ceremony on Sunday 3 March 2024, at the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, US. Registration for the event is now open.
In addition, the event will also celebrate the winners of this year’s IAAPA Brass Ring Excellence Award and the Liseberg Applause Award.
The event will begin with a networking breakfast and a keynote presentation by Nicolas de Villiers, president and artistic director of Puy de Fou. De Villiers will discuss the important role that imagination plays in Puy du Fou’s narratives.
Sascha Czibulka, executive vice president and managing director of Intamin, will join the esteemed panellists at IAAPA Honors. Czibulka’s experience, which includes leading Intamin’s sales and marketing activities as well as significant involvement with the Association and the M&S community, will offer valuable insights into this conversation on innovation.
Doug Akers, ICAE, vice president of operations, new ventures at Universal Destinations & Experiences; Ken Whiting, president of Whiting Foods; Andreas Andersen, CEO of The Liseberg Group; and Geoff Chutter, CEO of WhiteWater, are leading the discussions.
IAAPA says: “This is one instance where what happens in Vegas will not necessarily stay in Vegas. As we continue to curate the program for IAAPA Honors, attendees can be assured that the inspiration gained won’t be confined to the event’s location. Attendees will leave feeling compelled to make a positive impact knowing that one day they, too, may be in position to be honored for such awards.”
The IAAPA Honors 2024 industry partners include the Kennedy Space Center, Hersheypark, Hershey’s Chocolate World, Boomers Park Signature Drinks, Vancouver Aquarium, Six Flags Great America, Dippin’ Dots, LLC, SeaWorld San Antonio, Puy du Fou France, Puy du Fou España, and Water World.
Earlier this month, IAAPA announced that it has appointed Storm Tussey-Haverly as its first executive vice president and chief membership officer.
