Six Attractions Industry Leaders Elected to the IAAPA Global Board of Directors for 2025

The IAAPA Global Board of Directors elected six new board members for 2025 during their meeting this week in Amsterdam. IAAPA is the global association for the attractions industry and the board meeting took place in conjunction with IAAPA Expo Europe 2024 in Amsterdam.

IAAPA's global board collaborates with the IAAPA Team on the development of the trade association's strategic priorities. The board approves IAAPA's Strategic Priorities and annual business plans and oversees the association's finances. The board also advocates for IAAPA members and the industry in all board decisions and board members serve as global goodwill ambassadors.

The slate of new board members presented to the global board was developed by the IAAPA Governance Committee. The committee reviewed 35 applications for six open positions. They carefully evaluated and discussed each applicant and interviewed the top candidates for second vice chair and treasurer. They considered industry experience, areas of professional expertise, prior IAAPA volunteer experience, and the knowledge and skills needed on the board to effectively advance the association's strategic priorities, the company says.

"The extensive selection process was very comprehensive," says IAAPA Governance Committee chairman, Amanda Thompson, O.B.E, CEO of Blackpool Pleasure Beach, and president, Stageworks Worldwide Productions. The new board members have decades of experience, are proven industry leaders, and I'm confident they will effectively guide IAAPA into the future."

The new board members include the following:

Christopher Perry, executive director of entertainment strategy at Qiddiya Investment Company has been elected IAAPA second vice chair. He will serve in that role in 2025, then advance to first vice chair in 2026, chair the board in 2027, and serve as immediate past chair in 2028.

Perry has worked extensively in the Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) region, but has also held leadership roles within the Latin America, Caribbean (LAC), Asia-Pacific (APAC), and North America (NA) regions giving him a comprehensive global perspective from three continents. He has also held leadership positions in water parks, resorts, cruise lines, and as an industry supplier. As a founding member of MENALAC (the trade association for the industry in the Middle East and North Africa), Perry played a critical role in the growth of the industry within the region. He served on the IAAPA Board from 2013-2015, helped plan and execute the first IAAPA Leadership Conference in Dubai, and has spoken at a number of IAAPA Expos and regional events.

The board selected Andreas Andersen, CEO and president of Liseberg Group as treasurer. He will serve in that role 2025-2027. Andersen has two decades of experience in the attractions industry, as well as a master's degree in law and a postgraduate degree in accounting and business administration. His IAAPA involvement is far-reaching. He has served as chair of the IAAPA Global Board and chaired or volunteered as a member of multiple committees and task forces including the EMEA regional advisory, governance, strategic planning, sustainability, rebranding, and committee restructuring committees and task forces. He has also served on 13 different boards and committees within the tourism industry.

Omid Aminifard, chief operating officer and general manager of the historic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has been elected to IAAPA's Board of Directors as a facility director, starting in 2025. Aminifard has a distinguished career in the attractions industry spanning more than 30 years. He has held leadership positions at Sea World in San Diego, multiple hotel and resort properties in Las Vegas, and at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. At the Boardwalk, Aminifard oversees daily operations for the family-owned seaside amusement park which includes 40 rides, restaurants, several attractions, arcades, a family bowling center, and several hotel properties. He also leads the Boardwalk's strategic planning to ensure the park continues to thrive.

Aminifard also has a long history of service to IAAPA. He has chaired and/or served on the amusement parks and attractions committee for ten years, the education subcommittee for three years, and has spoken at or hosted many IAAPA education sessions, webinars, and events. He has served as an ambassador for IAAPA, recruiting members, and encouraging industry professionals to volunteer for the association.

Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, group CEO of Miral has been elected facility director 2025-2027 on the IAAPA Global Board. Al Zaabi has played a pivotal role in establishing Miral as the leading curator and developer of immersive entertainment experiences on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. Under his leadership, the Miral Group is fueling the growth of leisure and entertainment in Abu Dhabi, facilitating the economic diversification of the region. He joined the company in 2015 and has extensive expertise in technology, construction, engineering, strategic planning, and investments. Al Zaabi was named one of the Top Ten on Forbes' Middle East's list of the Top 100 Travel and Tourism Leaders in 2024.

Geoff Chutter has been named manufacturer/supplier/consultant (MSC) director on the IAAPA Global Board for 2025-2027. Chutter is a long-standing supporter, sponsor, and advocate for IAAPA and the global attractions industry. He has exhibited at and attended every IAAPA Expo since 1982, and every IAAPA Expo Europe and IAAPA Expo Asia since their respective inceptions. That means he has participated in 84 IAAPA Expos and many additional regional conferences and events. Chutter was honored with IAAPA's Outstanding Service Award in 2019.

Rene Aziz, CEO of Grupo Divertido based in Mexico, has been selected past chair director on the IAAPA Global Board, 2025-2027. Aziz was chairman of the IAAPA Board in 2000. He has been an IAAPA volunteer and ambassador for many years. He founded two industry associations in Latin America and helped grow the industry and IAAPA's involvement in the region. He has also served several terms on the IAAPA Latin America Caribbean Regional Advisory Committee.

These new global board members will begin their terms on December 1, 2024.