IAAPA Announces This Year’s Hall of Fame Inductees

(eap) The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), the global association of the attractions industry, has announced the induction of five new members into its “Hall of Fame”. This distinction, which has been presented since 1990, honors individuals whose exceptional achievements have significantly contributed to the development and success of the global attractions industry.

This year, Keith James, a long-standing industry expert and former owner and CEO of Jack Rouse Associates (now RWS Global), Gerardo Arteaga Oehninger († 2025), the trailblazer behind Fantasilandia in Chile and the Happyland FEC chain, Dolly Parton, who created with Dollywood one of the best-known U.S. theme park destinations, Gary S. Wachs, who was instrumental in shaping some of North America’s most iconic parks such as Kings Island, Kings Dominion, and Canada’s Wonderland, as well as Su Zhigang, founder and chairman of the Chinese Chimelong Group, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

The official recognition will take place on November 17 during the “IAAPA Legends: A Hall of Fame Celebratory Affair” at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. ■