IAAPA Middle East Trade Summit 2025

Darryl Michael Speach is a highly accomplished leader in Customer Experience (CX) and Learning & Development (L&D), renowned for driving transformative cultural and digital initiatives across industries such as entertainment, healthcare, financial services, and hospitality. With a global career spanning the U.S., Europe, Asia, and the MENA region, he specializes in designing and implementing CX service frameworks that enhance customer loyalty, revenue growth, and organizational alignment.

Notable achievements include leading the CX consulting practice for a McKinsey & Co.–Disney Institute joint venture, establishing corporate universities at Centene Corporation and Majid Al Futtaim, and creating innovative L&D programs, such as the School of Analytics and Technology and the School of Great Moments. As a former Disney University instructional designer and master facilitator, Darryl brings a unique edutainment approach to learning, integrating creativity, analytics, and engagement to achieve strategic goals.

Currently based in Saudi Arabia, Darryl combines a global perspective with a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, having successfully led teams and initiatives across Europe, Asia, and the MENA region. His expertise continues to empower organizations to enhance customer-centric strategies and cultivate impactful, future-ready teams.

Devanshu is a Partner in the Boston Consulting Group, Middle East office. He has been with BCG for 11 years and has worked in Middle East, South-East Asia, India and Africa. His core focus is entertainment & tourism destinations including amusement parks.​

He has led multiple projects covering topics such as overall strategy, concept ideation, feasibility and IP partnership engagement for global leisure destinations. He has also designed business expansion strategies and delivery accelerator programs for entertainment / tourism companies.​

He works closely with KSA's key entertainment entities and authorities supporting them in translating their vision to reality. ​

Devanshu holds a Master of Technology engineering degree from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay.​

Group CEO & board member - Alhokair Group With over 21 years of experience and expertise to his role, Fahad is driven by a passion for customer experience and innovation, which has resulted in the successful implementation of several initiatives and projects. Fahda now is the Group CEO and board member of Al Hokair group that diversify in Entertainment, Hospitality, catering and investment. Fahad was previously Chief Tourism Officer of Almosafer (part of Seera Group) for over 6 years and has been instrumental in the transformation of Almosafer’s from an online travel agency into a holistic omnichannel travel brand that becomes as a full platform of travel. As a leader in the travel, tourism and entertainment industry & as vice chairman of the Riyadh chamber of commerce & industry's tourism committee, Fahad was spearheading Almosafer’s tourism vertical that encompasses leisure, religious and MICE activities across the company. Fahad was the business lead for Discover Saudi, Almosafer’s Destination Management Company, as well as Mawasim, Almosafer’s Hajj & Umrah tour operator, and created synergies across the company’s tourism portfolio.

Fahad is an active member of the business community and serves on several boards and committees.

Hind Galadari is a highly respected leader in the world of entertainment and attractions, with over a decade of experience that has taken her from the glitz and glamour of the Dubai International Film Festival to the heart-pounding excitement of United Arab Emirates’ world-class theme parks.

As the Deputy General Manager of Warner Bros. World in Abu Dhabi, Hind brings a unique perspective and a wealth of practical experience to her role. Her focus on people has been a hallmark of her career, and she has dedicated herself to supporting the development of engaged, effective, and high-performing teams.
Hind has held a range of positions throughout her career, including managing the Film Festival’s theatre operations, serving as part of the pre-opening team for Dubai Parks and Resorts - Motiongate, and playing a pivotal role in delivering Dubai’s Expo 2020 and transitioning into Expo City Dubai with its legacy attractions. In each role, she has demonstrated a keen understanding of guest expectations and a talent for creating innovative experiences that exceed them.
Hind's success is a testament to her exceptional leadership skills, her deep understanding of guest expectations, and her ability to create innovative experiences that engage and delight visitors. She hopes to inspire others with her unique perspective and infectious enthusiasm for the industry.

 

Dynamic and results-driven Saudi C-Suite Executive with over 15 years of experience in human resources, shared services, and operational leadership. As Vice President of HR & Administration at Six Flags and Aquarabia Qiddiya City, Hisham oversees a diverse portfolio, including HR, Communications, Procurement, Supply chain management, Administration, and Logistics. His extensive career spans multiple industries, including government, technology, fintech, and logistics, where he has successfully built and scaled organizations from the ground up. Hisham has a proven track record in launching new ventures, driving operational efficiency, and delivering sustainable growth. With a strategic leadership approach and a strong focus on optimizing HR and administrative functions, he plays a pivotal role in supporting Six Flags and Aquarabia Qiddiya City’s vision for growth and operational excellence.

Jakob Wahl is the Chief Executive Officer of IAAPA, bringing over a decade of leadership experience in the amusement park and attractions industry. He began his career with IAAPA in 2009 as Program Manager for IAAPA Europe. In 2013, Jakob expanded his expertise at Europa-Park in Rust, Germany, where he served as Director of Communications and Manager of Special Projects. He returned to IAAPA in 2017 to lead the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) regions as Vice President and Executive Director of IAAPA EMEA. In November 2021, Jakob was promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, relocating to Orlando with his family. In his current role as CEO, since January 2023, he continues to drive IAAPA’s mission and growth on a global scale. Jakob holds dual degrees in business economics, specializing in German and French, from IUP Aix-en-Provence.

Experienced Director Of Business Development with a demonstrated history of working in the financial services industry. Skilled in Business Planning, Management, Business Relationship Management, Risk Management, and Business Development. Strong business development professional with a MBA focused in Finance from College of Business Administration - CBA.

Kirin Sinha is the Founder and CEO of Illumix, a leading technology company bridging the digital and physical worlds.

Founded in 2017, Illumix is driving the global shift from passive 2D digital experiences to immersive 3D interactions through its seamless cross-platform infrastructure. Illumix has already powered over 300 million digital-physical interactions across web and mobile in the past two years alone.

To date, Illumix has secured $31 million in funding with investors including Mark Cuban, Henry Kravis, Matthew Ball, Lightshed, Lightspeed, Sony and more.

Under Kirin’s leadership, Illumix was listed as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in 2020, named an honoree in Fast Company’s Innovation by Design Awards, and spotlighted by Google as one of their limited partners for the Depth API to further enhance AR realism. Additionally, Kirin was named to Forbes 30 Under 30 List in 2022.

Kirin is one of the few woman-of-color founders and CEOs in Silicon Valley—even fewer have her technical background and expertise, and this gap has driven the company’s commitment to social change. Kirin received a degree in electrical engineering, computer science and mathematics from MIT and holds advanced degrees in mathematics, statistics, and business from the University of Cambridge, London School of Economics, and Stanford.

French Lebanese born and raised, Maya Mattar is a people-development professional, educator, and speaker. In her 20 years of working in the service industry, with international experience across the Middle East and Southeast Asia, she has helped more than 10,000 individuals develop their skills. Maya has a master’s degree in Coaching Psychology and is passionate about helping individuals and organizations “change their doing by changing the viewing”. Maya was part of the award-winning Emirates Airline service training team and has led the core opening teams responsible in setting up, opening and operating different businesses in the leisure and entertainment sector for worldwide franchises and local organizations. Maya is the author of Amazon best seller book "Lasting Impressions - The Framework for Consistent Service Delivery". This book is a must-read for those in the service industry who are looking for practical tips and techniques on delivering excellence.

Born in Flensburg in 1962, Michael Kreft von Byern has dedicated his career to the tourism and leisure industry. With a background in military service and officer training, he went on to study tourism and leisure science in Fulda and Würzburg. Since 1988, he has been an integral part of Europa-Park in Rust, holding various positions such as Director of Marketing, Director of Operations, and currently serving as the Representative of the Board.

Michael Kreft von Byern's expertise extends beyond Europa-Park. He has been actively involved in the tourism sector, having chaired the Tourism Committee of the German Chamber of Commerce in Berlin and served on the Supervisory Board of Black Forest Tourism. He is also a respected member of the Research Advisory Committee at the German Institute for Tourism.

Furthermore, Michael Kreft von Byern has made significant contributions to the amusement park industry, having served on the European Board of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) and holding a leadership role within IAAPA's EMEA Government Relations Subcommittee.

Since 2019, he has taken on the role of General Manager of Rulantica, the new water world of Europa-Park. Additionally, he serves as the Vice President of the board of the German Association of leisure parks (VDFU).

Mohammad Javad serves as the Executive Vice President of Shamal Leisure & Entertainment at Shamal Holding, excelling in this role since 2021. Joining the company in 2014 as Head of Marketing at Skydive Dubai, Mohammad has been instrumental in its growth and transformation. He quickly advanced to General Manager of XDubai, establishing it as a globally recognized brand.

Promoted to Vice President of Shamal Leisure four years ago, Mohammad oversees the entire leisure portfolio, driving sustainable growth through operational expertise and innovative strategies. Under his leadership, XDubai has set new benchmarks for excellence, while Skydive Dubai has become a premier skydiving destination known for its safety standards and world-class experiences.

Mohammad's limitless spirit of exploration and commitment to innovation set him apart. His leadership style balances strategic vision with hands-on engagement, empowering his team and fostering a culture of collaboration. Through his dedication and foresight, Mohammad has transformed Shamal Leisure & Entertainment division into a dynamic and self-sustaining powerhouse, leaving a lasting impact on the industry.

Nada's career has spanned the worlds of design, theme parks, events and entertainment for over 14 years within the Middle East. With an Interior Design background, and a people facing leadership role, Nada currently runs the ME Business Development department at Adirondack Studios for design and build of themed attractions.

Young business leader & Serial entrepreneur | Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) EME division board member | experience designer specialized in Events, Entertainment, Culture & Tourism | industry professional enthusiast | 18 years of experience

King Salman Award winner for young female entrepreneur 2014, selected among 30 under 30 most impactful business owner in Saudi Arabia 2016, nominated as the 3rd most creative businesswoman in Middle East and Africa in 2012.

Peter has 2 decades of Commercial experience across EMEA markets as a Partnership Director.

He spearheads Commercial department for Event Lab, focussing on Client Acquisition, Regional Growth, Performance Improvement and drives the GTM strategy across core sectors, including: Parks & Entertainment Venues, Sports, Music, MICE & Art & Culture.

Stefania is a seasoned executive and cultural content creator with over 20 years of experience leading the entertainment and media sector. Based on her diplomat academic background, strategic thinking skills, and business experience, she played a pivotal role in establishing one of the biggest international entertainment company in Saudi Arabia. Stefania has worked closely with key governmental decision-makers to secure deals and deliver several large-scale complex events with global entertainment leaders.

Thorsten started his carrier in the amusement industry in 1997 as a mechanical engineer (master degree) at Mack Rides, Germany, a worldwide leading company providing roller coasters and water rides. Within Mack Rides, I held various positions, starting in the engineering department, being a responsible project manager, leading the R&D department and finally - since 2012 being responsible for worldwide sales and marking. With this responsibility as the Chief Officer Sales & Marking, I was also promoted as an executive member of the managing board of Mack Rides by procuration.

In 2012, Thorsten joined the EMEA M&S subcommittee. Since then, he is an active volunteer member of various committees within IAAPA – EMEA M&S and Global M&S. Since this year Thorsten is the chairman of the EMEA M&S sub-committee.

William McCarthy is an assistant professor of media and tourism at Zayed University in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. His book, Contested Kingdom: Fan Attachment and Corporate Control at Disneyland, was published in 2024 by University Press of Mississippi. His articles have been published in leading academic journals including Tourism Geographies, Journal of Leisure Research, Quarterly Review of Film and Video, and Social Semiotics. He holds a PhD in Media from the University of Adelaide.

Zeina Dagher, SVP of Dubai Dubai Holding Entertainment comes with more than 13 years of experience in the Entertainment, Malls, and Operations sector. Before joining Dubai Holding Entertainment, Zeina has seen a promising and enviable career path with Emaar, as CEO of Emaar Entertainment, managing the world's tallest tower; The Burj Khalifa as well as handling a portfolio of more than 12 mega attractions (ranging from Cinema's Aquariums, FEC's, world‘s fastest roller coaster, edutainment, and the world iconic Dubai Opera. Having been behind the success of the World's Highest Observation Deck, At the Top, Burj Khalifa. Burj Khalifa has been a recipient of several awards and recognitions and is now the most visited Tourist Attraction in the UAE with over 24 million visitors since opening.

Zeina has been named ”Leisure and Entertainment Personality of the Year” in 2023 by MENALAC (Middle East & North Africa Leisure and Attractions Council.
Zeina has recently transitioned from a CEO role at Emaar Entertainment to Senior Vice President at Dubai Holding Entertainment, where she spearhead the strategic operations of Global Village, the flagship asset, and provides leadership across an array of premier attractions within the Dubai Holding Entertainment portfolio such as Dubai Parks and Resorts, Ain Dubai, Wild Wadi, Green Planet, Sea Breeze (JBR) Roxy Cinemas. Zeina

Currently Zeina leads the largest asset within Dubai Holding Entertainment, Global Village, one of the largest parks in the region. In 2023, under her leadership, Global Village achieved a record footfall of 10 million visitors, marking a significant increase of 1 million visitors compared to the previous year. This growth reflects my direct contribution to the park's success.