Michael Shelton, ICAE

Currently, Michael is the VP and Executive Director of IAAPA North America which is the largest trade organization for the global attractions industry. Michael oversees the North America region and works with his team to develop educational programming, connection events, safety resources and membership connections. He also oversees the largest trade show for the global attractions industry (IAAPA Expo) which hosts over 40,000 attendees and 1000 exhibitors annually in Orlando. He started at a very young age in the attractions industry as a ‘trash attendant’ at the local water park and would eventually serve as General Manager of that same water park (Hyland Hills Water World) which is one of the original and still largest outdoor Water Parks in America. Michael has been in the attractions industry for over 30 years, is ICAE certified and received a degree in Business from the University of Northern Colorado. He has held several other positions throughout his career in Food and Beverage, Family Entertainment Centers, and a 3 sheet Ice Arena Complex. He served as the Managing Director at Hyland Hills before joining IAAPA in 2018.