IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry, has appointed Massimiliano Freddi, as the second vice chair of IAAPA’s Board of Directors for 2023. Freddi will then serve as the first vice chair of IAAPA in 2024 and as the chair of the board in 2025. He is the founder and chief executive officer of Wonderwood on Lake Maggiore, Italy, and was chosen for the role during a meeting of IAAPA’s Board of Directors on 11 September, ahead of IAAPA Expo Europe 2022 in London.
“Massi is a dreamer and doer, and his 20 years of experience and success confirms he’s well suited to be IAAPA’s second vice chair,” says Andreas Andersen, the chair of IAAPA’s Governance Committee. “His combination of attractions management and development, with career highlights and passion in education and inspiring others, result in future board leadership that is as much about honoring tradition as it is about supporting and sustaining growth for IAAPA and for IAAPA members around the world.”
New board members
In addition, IAAPA has named nine others who will be taking on new leadership positions, including seven who are new to the board.
Andrew Bolstein, senior vice president of operations at Shanghai Disney Resort, will serve as IAAPA’s Asia Pacific Regional Advisory Committee Chair Director (2023-2025). Bolstein has served on the IAAPA APAC Regional Advisory Committee for four years and helped to develop the association’s COVID-19 Reopening Guidelines.
Xavier Lopez, president and founder of KidZania, will become the Latin America Regional Advisory Committee Chair Director for 2023 – 2025. Lopez has been active in IAAPA since 1998. He has served on the Latin America Advisory Committee, the Latin America Safety Committee, the Membership Committee, and on the IAAPA Board of Directors.
The Manufacturer and Supplier Committee Chair Director (2023-2025) will be Jeroen Nijpels, managing director, owner and founder of JNELC. Nijpels has served on the Marketing and PR Committee, the Space Allocation Committee, the Global and EMEA Manufacturers and Suppliers (M&S) Committees, and the EMEA Regional Advisory Committee. He was on the Board from 2007-2009 and currently chairs the IAAPA EMEA M&S Committee. Nijpels is also a member of the IAAPA Foundation Board and the IAAPA Service Awards Committee.
Pia Adlivankin, chief executive officer and managing director of Linnanmäki Amusement Park, will be Facility Member Director for 2023 – 2025. Adlivankin has presented at a number of IAAPA Expo Europe events, as well as hosting both in-person and virtual events at Linnanmaki.
The Facility Member Director (2023-2025) will be Jason Freeman, corporate vice president of public safety and risk management for Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, LLC. Freeman has been involved with IAAPA since 1988 and has participated in the IAAPA North America Safety, Global Safety, and Government Relations Committees. He chaired the Global Security Committee and the COVID-19 Task Force and received the 2021 IAAPA Meritorious Service Award.
Ali Alsuwaidi, COO at Global Village, will be Facility Member Director for 2023 – 2025. He is a member of the IAAPA EMEA Advisory Board and has participated in the IAAPA Leadership Conference. Alsuwaidi has been working with the IAAPA EMEA team to establish a Middle East exhibition and entertainment award function in the region.
The Past Chair Director (2023 – 2025) will be Gerardo Arteaga, general manager of Fantasilandia in Santiago, Chile. Fantasilandia has been an active member of IAAPA since the 1970s and Arteaga has participated with IAAPA in many different roles including being a member of the Marketing, FEC, and Latin America Regional Advisory committees. He served on the Board of Directors and was chair in 2015.
Gina Claassen, corporate safety director for Herschend Family Entertainment, will be Facility Member Director (2023 – fulfilling the final year of Xavier Lopez’s term). Claassen has been an IAAPA ExpoShow Ambassador and participated in the IAAPA Exhibitor Awards Committee, Facility Operations Sub-Committee, and Program Planning Committee. She has also presented at numerous IAAPA Events.
Following this year’s successful IAAPA Expo Europe in London, preparations are now underway for IAAPA Expo 2022 in Orlando. Registration is open, and the event takes place from 14 – 18 November.
