IAAPA Announces 2026 Hall of Fame Inductees

ORLANDO, FL (Aug. 25, 2026) — IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry, today announced the IAAPA Hall of Fame Class of 2026, recognizing four industry visionaries whose leadership, innovation, and lasting contributions have helped shape the global attractions industry.

“The IAAPA Hall of Fame Award recognizes the visionaries whose ideas, leadership, and contributions have had a lasting impact on the attractions industry,” said Jakob Wahl, President and CEO of IAAPA. “Each of these honorees have transformed our industry in remarkable ways. From advancing safety and engineering to reimagining guest experiences and sustainable tourism, their influence spans generations and regions around the world, and we are proud to welcome them into the IAAPA Hall of Fame.”

Chip Cleary

For nearly 50 years, Cleary has helped shape the attractions industry through innovation, operational excellence, and leadership. His career spans pioneering themed water parks, advancing water attraction design, leading Palace Entertainment and Parque Reunidos, and helping develop Europa-Park’s Rulantica. A former IAAPA Chairman and CEO, he also played a pivotal role in further expanding IAAPA.

Jeffrey Ellis

Founder of Ellis & Associates, Ellis has spent more than four decades advancing aquatic safety worldwide. His innovations in lifeguard training and safety — including the rescue tube, 10/20 Protection Standard, operational audits, and evidence-based performance standards — have influenced aquatic facilities across more than 40 countries and continue to protect millions of guests.

Bob Gurr

One of Walt Disney’s original Imagineers, Gurr helped redefine how attractions are designed and experienced. Bob’s engineering work includes the Autopia cars, Disneyland Monorail, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Submarine Voyage, and the Omnimover ride system, with innovations that continue to influence themed entertainment and generations of attraction designers.

Miguel Quintana Pali

Through Grupo Xcaret, Quintana Pali pioneered a model of destination entertainment that blends nature, culture, sustainability, hospitality, and immersive experiences. His approach demonstrated how environmental stewardship and authentic cultural experiences can thrive alongside commercial success, helping establish Grupo Xcaret as a global benchmark for sustainable tourism and innovation.

The 2026 class was selected by the IAAPA Hall of Fame Judging Task Force, composed of past IAAPA Global Board Chairmen and IAAPA’s five current Regional Advisory Board Chairmen.

The inductees will be officially inducted during IAAPA LEGENDS: A Hall of Fame Celebratory Affair on Monday, Nov. 16, during IAAPA Expo 2026 in Orlando, Florida. Proceeds from the event will benefit the IAAPA Foundation, supporting scholarships for the next generation of attractions industry leaders.

High-resolution images of the honorees and judging task force are available for download here.

For more information about the IAAPA Hall of Fame, visit IAAPA.org.

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About IAAPA
IAAPA is a diverse and dynamic community of global attractions professionals. As the largest international trade association for permanently located attractions, IAAPA unifies the attractions community, connects people to learn and grow together, and promotes the highest professional standards for excellence and safety around the world.

Founded in 1918, IAAPA represents leading industry attractions and supplier companies, consultants, and individual members from more than 100 countries. Members include professionals from amusement parks, theme parks, attractions, water parks, resorts, family entertainment centers, zoos, aquariums, science centers, museums, cruise lines, manufacturers, and suppliers.

IAAPA’s global headquarters and North America office are in Orlando, Florida, U.S. IAAPA also maintains offices in Brussels, Belgium; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Hong Kong SAR, China; Shanghai, China; and, Mexico City, Mexico. Visit IAAPA.org or follow us on social media @IAAPAHQ | #IAAPA

Media Contact:
IAAPA Global Communications
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