IAAPA inducted two global attractions industry legends — Frederick “Fred” Langford and Alberto Zamperla — into the IAAPA Hall of Fame. The IAAPA Hall of Fame honors individuals whose work and accomplishments have made significant and lasting contributions to the global attractions industry. These awards are the highest and most prestigious honors in the industry.
Frederick Langford, WaterWorld Products, New Jersey, United States
Frederick “Fred” Langford is an architect, inventor, designer, and dreamer, and is considered by many to be the creator of the modern day water slide. Fred’s work has been recognized throughout the global attractions industry as the gold standard for water slide design. He holds multiple patents, and he was the first to use fiberglass in water slide construction, replacing the standard use of concrete. His innovations have become the foundation of elevated water slides in water parks around the world. Fred also invented self-supporting beams which allow water slides to be longer, providing guests with an experience that feels more like a roller coaster ride.
Alberto Zamperla, Antonio Zamperla S.p.A, Italy
The name Zamperla can be found in almost every park around the world. Rides like the “Rocking Tug,” “Disko,” “Air Race,” and “Magic Bikes” have become park staples. When Alberto Zamperla took over the Zamperla Company in 1994, he helped the family business grow from manufacturing 50 rides annually to more than 200. With production facilities in Italy, China, and Belarus, Alberto has also worked to bring international safety manufacturing standards to their facility in China, while also dramatically improving rider accessibility. In 2014, Zamperla donated “Lori’s Magical Ride” to Give Kids The World Village in Kissimmee, Florida. The attraction was the resort’s first to offer children with disabilities the full ride experience. Alberto has also worked to support the global attractions industry, serving as the founder and first chairman of the European Suppliers Association (EAASI), which later became the organization that created the Euro Attractions Show, which is today known as IAAPA Expo Europe.
