Denise Beckson

Denise Beckson serves as Vice President, Chief Administrative and External Affairs Officer at Morey’s Piers & Resorts, a family-owned destination on the Jersey Shore. For over two decades, she has played a vital role in leading operations across the company’s three amusement piers, two beachfront water parks, four hotel properties, restaurants, golf course, and affiliated businesses in the Wildwoods.
A graduate of Indiana University (B.A.) and American University (M.A.), Denise began her career at Morey’s Piers in a management role and quickly emerged as a key figure in driving operational excellence and strategic growth. 

Widely recognized as a leader in the hospitality and attractions industries, Denise contributes her expertise at local, state, national, and international levels. In New Jersey, she serves as Chair of the Board for the New Jersey Restaurant and Hospitality Association (NJRHA), is a Trustee of the NJ Business and Industry Association (NJBIA) and sits on the Boards of both the NJ Amusement Association (NJAA) and the NJ Tourism Industry Association (NJTIA). She also supports regional workforce development as a member of the Workforce Development Board for Cumberland, Salem, and Cape May Counties. She has previously served on New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill’s Transition Action Team as a member of the Interdisciplinary Advisory Task Force. 

Internationally, Denise holds a leadership role within the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), where she serves on the Board of Directors and Finance Committee and chairs the North American Regional Advisory Board. Her past IAAPA leadership includes chairing the Global Government Relations, Global Education, and Global Waterpark Committees, and serving on both the Strategic Planning and Governance Committees. 

She is also a Board Member for the Coalition for American Public Diplomacy and Leadership (CAPDL), supporting the U.S. Department of State’s Bridge USA (J-1 Visa) program. As a Senior Associate with Jeff Ellis & Associates, Denise lends her experience to aquatic safety training and serves as a Director for the International Aquatic Safety School. 

Denise is a frequent speaker at conferences and webinars and has shared her insights with a wide range of media outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, CNBC, Fox Business, and local affiliates for ABC, CBS, NBC, and PBS. 

Her leadership and advocacy have earned her numerous honors, including being named as a 2026 recipient of the NJBIA Leonard C. Johnson Award, as well as the IAAPA Meritorious Service Award and the designation of IAAPA Certified Attractions Executive (ICAE). She has been named a Bridge Builder by CIEE for her commitment to international exchange, received the Garden State Council’s Women of Achievement Award in 2022, and was honored with the Cape May County Chamber of Commerce’s Golden Whelk Award the same year. 

With a career marked by innovation, service, and impact, Denise Beckson continues to shape the future of tourism, hospitality, and public engagement—locally and around the world.