Institute for Attractions Managers (IAM)

Neil Dwyer has spent the last 16 years in theme parks and has extensive experience in many areas of attractions (both revenue and non-revenue generating). 

Born and educated in the UK, Neil begun his career working with some of the UK’s most famous theme parks. Neil held prior roles as the Director of Carnaval Entertainments with Global Village, and the Director of Operations at IMG Worlds of Adventure, the world’s largest indoor theme park. He also held the Park Operations Manager position at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, UK’s largest amusement park. Neil also spent time in various other theme parks in the UK including managing the operations of Camelot Theme Park and being instrumental in the development of Spooky World - a multi-million-pound Halloween attraction in Cheshire, UK.

Neil is also a Committee Member of the Amusement Parks and Attractions Constituency Committee.

After being in charge of marketing and press for the Italian market of Disneyland Paris, he joined Leolandia, the most popular Italian amusement park for children under 10. As general manager and vice president of strategic development, he oversaw the park's 300 percent expansion.

Since 2016, he has been a member of the coaching staff for Seth Godin's AltMBA and a professor of Marketing and Experience Design at IULM University in Milan. He teaches consumer experience, marketing, and soft skills as an adjunct professor at the same university where the first Italian course in Theme Parks and Attractions Management was introduced.

He founded Wonderwood, an adventure park for all ages, in 2018 and currently serves as the park's CEO.
Since 2023, he serves as the Second Vice Chair on the IAAPA board of directors.
 

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.

Shaun’s experience in the Themed Visitor Attractions, Culture, Leisure & Entertainment Industry around the globe has enabled him to gain a wealth of industry knowledge, connections and strategies for building strong workplace cultures that support high employee engagement; impacting job performance, quality service excellence delivery, sales, safety and productivity. His expertise and passion is directed at organisational development, employee engagement, service excellence systems, attractions training and operations.

Shaun is past Chair of the IAAPA Human Resources Committee and IAAPA Asia Pacific Education Committee. He is currently chairing the IAAPA Asia Pacific Diversity and Inclusion Taskforce and member of the IAAPA Asia Pacific Advisory. He is featured as a regular international speaker for the IAAPA Expo’s, and has been a long-term faculty member delivering the IAAPA Institute for Attraction Managers throughout Asia Pacific. 

Shaun managed the Culture & People Development at Australia’s Premier Theme Parks, including Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World Theme Park & Resort Hotel, Wet ‘N’ Wild Water World, Australian Outback Spectacular & Paradise Country. Beginning his visitor attraction career with extensive frontline experience in rides & attractions and park operations, he has served in many senior leadership roles throughout his exciting career. Shaun is excited about a new visitor attraction initiative to deliver organizational development support and training solutions through the ProFun Academy where he has been recently appointed as Chief Training Officer (CTO) for the ProFun Academy.

Shaun will be a facilitator and moderator of IAM.

Food Service Executive with over 35 years of experience in high volume food and beverage operations. Expertise in Design/Build, HR Recruitment,Training and Team Building, Fiscal Capital and Operating Budgeting and building highly successful and profitable food service operations

Career Experience 

• Theme Parks: Sea World of Florida, Universal Studios Florida, Universal Studios Dubailand, Universal Studios Hollywood,  Six Flags Qiddiya. 
•  Sports & Entertainment Catering and Concessions: NASCAR, National Football League, National Basketball Association, National Hockey League, Major League Baseball, National College Athletics Association, The University of Notre Dame, and multiple Arena and Stadium Concerts and Special Events. 
•  Current Role – Director of Food & Beverage Operations for Six Flags Qiddiya and Wahat Water Park, the two flagship theme parks to open in 2024 as part of the Qiddiya Giga Project near Riyadh, KSA