ORLANDO, Fla., US (Aug. 1, 2018) – The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) has announced Bob Chapek, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Consumer Products will deliver the keynote address during the GM and Owners’ Breakfast at IAAPA Attractions Expo 2018. The largest international conference and trade show for the global attractions industry will take place Nov. 12-16, 2018, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. The GM and Owners’ Breakfast, the premier networking event for senior-level attractions industry executives during the Expo, takes place Wednesday, Nov. 14.
“We are honored to have industry leader Bob Chapek deliver the keynote address for this year’s GM and Owners’ Breakfast,” said Hal McEvoy, interim president and CEO, IAAPA. “We look forward to hearing his insight and perspective on the continued growth and transformation of Disney parks, resorts, and experiences worldwide.”
As chairman of Parks, Experiences, and Consumer Products, Chapek oversees the global hub where Disney’s stories, characters, and franchises come to life. He assumed leadership of the new segment with its creation in March 2018. The Parks, Experiences, and Consumer Products segment includes Disney’s iconic travel and leisure businesses, which include six resort destinations in the United States, Europe and Asia, a top-rated cruise line, a popular vacation ownership program, and an award-winning guided family adventure business.
Throughout his more than 25 years of leadership at Disney, Chapek has led both Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and Consumer Products, and his tenure at the company has been marked by growth and transformation. Chapek was named chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts in 2015. Since that time, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts has seen the largest investment and expansion in its 60-year history.
In addition to Chapek’s keynote address, the IAAPA Young Professional of the Year Award and IAAPA Service Awards are presented during the GM and Owners' Breakfast.
Please note: Admission to the GM and Owners’ Breakfast requires a separate ticket in addition to IAAPA Attractions Expo 2018 registration. To purchase tickets to this event, and to register for Expo, visit www.IAAPA.org.
The sponsoring companies for the GM and Owners' Breakfast include accesso (Platinum) and Wartsila, Semnox Solutions LLC, EPR Properties, and ProSlide Technology (Gold). The IAAPA Theatre is sponsored by the Wanda Group.
About IAAPA Attractions Expo 2018
IAAPA Attractions Expo is the premier conference and trade show for the global attractions industry, including amusement and theme parks, where visitors spend $45.2 billion around the world. With its theme “Fun Forward. Build the Future,” this year’s show celebrates IAAPA’s 100th anniversary and provides forward-thinking attractions industry leaders, decision-makers, and visionaries with everything needed to build the future, whether through thousands of innovations, hundreds of expert-led educational opportunities, or engaging networking opportunities. IAAPA Attractions Expo 2018 will draw more than 35,000 industry professionals, including more than 22,000 decisions- makers and buyers from more than 100 countries to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, Monday, Nov. 12, through Friday, Nov. 16. The 560,000-net-square-foot trade show floor will be open Tuesday, Nov. 13, through Friday, Nov. 16. Additional information is available at www.IAAPA.org/IAAPAAttractionsExpo. #IAE18
About IAAPA
Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2018, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) began as an advocacy office in 1918. Since that time, IAAPA has become the largest international trade association for permanently located attractions dedicated to the preservation and prosperity of the global attractions industry. As a non-profit organization, IAAPA represents more than 5,300 attraction, supplier, 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; and industry manufacturers and suppliers.
IAAPA helps members improve their efficiency, marketing, safety, and profitability while maintaining the highest possible professional standards in the industry worldwide.
The association's global headquarters is in Orlando, Florida, US. The non-profit organization maintains offices in Brussels, Belgium; Hong Kong, China; Shanghai, China; Mexico City, Mexico; and Alexandria, Virginia, US. To learn more, visit www.IAAPA.org or connect through social media channels: @IAAPAHQ #IAAPA100
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Editor’s Note: Media can view an exclusive, live simulcast of the presentation in Room N319.
To download a photo of Bob Chapek, visit http://bit.ly/2LWtPBu.
Media Contacts:
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Susan Storey: [email protected] or +1 321/319-7615
Lesley Harris: [email protected] or +1 321/319-7616