IAAPA Appoints Dr. Neil Dwyer as First Regional Advisory Board Chair for Middle East and North Africa

Orlando, Florida (April 2, 2026) –IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry, today announced the appointment of Dr. Neil Dwyer as the first Regional Advisory Board Chair for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region — marking an exciting new chapter as the association continues to expand its global footprint.

Dr. Dwyer brings more than 20 years of international experience in theme park operations and strategic leadership. He currently serves as Vice President of Operations at Six Flags Qiddiya City, where he is helping shape one of the world’s most ambitious entertainment destinations.

Throughout his career, Dr. Dwyer has held leadership roles at globally recognized attractions, including Blackpool Pleasure Beach, IMG Worlds of Adventure, and Global Village. His work spans attraction development, operational excellence, and commercial strategy, with a focus on delivering world-class guest experiences rooted in safety, service, standards, and sales.

An active and engaged IAAPA member, Dr. Dwyer has contributed extensively to the association through committee service, education program development, and as a subject matter expert sharing operational insights with the global industry. He holds the prestigious IAAPA Certified Attractions Executive (ICAE) designation and currently serves on the IAAPA Board of Directors, as well as the Global Safety & Security Committee.

“Neil’s global experience and deep operational expertise make him exceptionally well-suited to support the continued growth of the attractions industry across the MENA region,” said Luciana Periales, Chairman of the IAAPA Board of Directors. “His leadership and passion for excellence will be invaluable as we continue to expand our presence and serve our members in this dynamic and rapidly evolving market.”

As the first Regional Advisory Board Chair for MENA, Dr. Dwyer will work closely with IAAPA leadership and regional stakeholders to advance the association’s strategic priorities, strengthen member engagement, and foster innovation and collaboration across the region.

In addition to his professional achievements, Dr. Dwyer holds a Doctorate in Business Administration, a Master’s Degree in International Tourism and Visitor Attraction Management, and has served as a Non-Executive Director for the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, contributing to commercial strategy and long-term planning. Dr. Dwyer will officially step into his role July 1, 2026.

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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 strives to promote 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.

The association’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 connect through IAAPA’s social media channels: @IAAPAHQ #IAAPA

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