IAAPA kicks off its annual expo and reveals new logo
The 2018 IAAPA Attractions Expo kicked off officially this morning with its opening ceremony at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.
IAAPA has been celebrating its 100th birthday this year, and IAAPA Chairman Andreas Andersen started the show by welcoming new IAAPA President Hal McEvoy. Then, to kick off the association's next century, Andersen revealed the new brand strategy and strategic plan for IAAPA, completing the work started by late industry executive Al Weber, Jr.
IAAPA introduces its new logo at #IAE18 pic.twitter.com/F1Q5Y7CVrL
— Theme Park Insider (@ThemePark) November 13, 2018
One highlight of each year's opening ceremony is the enshrinement of new members into the IAAPA Hall of Fame. For the association's 100th anniversary, IAAPA chose 11 posthumous inductions:
- Edward Joy Morris of the Morris Chute Company, who invented the Shoot the Chute ride
- Irving Rosenthal, the builder of the Cyclone roller coaster at Coney Island and a leader at Palisade Amusement Park
- Alfred R Hodge, who lead IAAPA's predecessor during the Great Depression and World War II
- Levitt Lurzen Custer, the inventor of the battery-powered amusement automobile, paddle boat, and other ride
- Harry Wegeforth, the founder of the San Diego Zoo
- Frank Hrubetz and Lee Eyerly, inventors of multiple flat rides
- Phil Dexter, the inventor of the wave pool
- Marcelo Periales, the founder of the first Family Entertainment Center in Brazil and a Latin American industry leader
- Gary Story, former executve with Premier Parks and Six Flags
- Al Weber Jr., former executive with Paramount Parks and Six Flags
Family members accept this year's IAAPA Hall of Fame honors
This years's Liseberg Applause Award for inspiration went to Xcaret in Mexico, an ecotourism theme park on the Riviera Maya, while the other finalists announced for the honor were PortAventura World and Universal Studios Japan.
The IAAPA Attractions Expo continues all week in Orlando. Stay tuned for more coverage, including several reveals later today and the annuals Legends panel tomorrow, featuring Tom Mehrmann of Universal Studios Beijing and Roland Mack of Europa Park.
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