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IAAPA has appointed Jakob Wahl as its new president and CEO. Wahl will assume the role at the beginning of 2023
Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 02 Nov 2022
Wahl will officially take over as CEO and president on January 1, 2023
IAAPA has appointed Jakob Wahl to lead as its new president and CEO.
Wahl, who currently serves as executive vice president and COO for IAAPA, will assume the role on January 1, 2023.
In his new role, Wahl will be responsible for the day-to-day operations and executive management of the association and will oversee its 94-strong team in Orlando, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Mexico City and Brussels.
In addition, he will serve as the primary strategic advisor to the IAAPA board of directors on all matters relating to IAAPA’s mission, events, products and services.
Vision for the future
Wahl was recommended to IAAPA’s board of directors by the IAAPA CEO search committee following a seven-month screening process, which included several rounds of interviews.
Commenting on the appointment, IAAPA treasurer and chair of the CEO search committee, Curt Caffey said: “Jakob is the right person to lead the IAAPA team into the future.
“Jakob’s vision for IAAPA is focused on adapting the association for today’s fast-paced, change-driven world, and enhancing the value of IAAPA membership through our regional offices around the globe.
“He has a keen sense of balance between taking risks and driving the organisation’s success and he plans to accelerate the association’s delivery of digital products and services for IAAPA members.
“He has an international perspective, strong connections with IAPPA members around the world and he is respected by the IAAPA team. Those attributes, combined with his extraordinary passion for the attractions industry make him the ideal leader for the association,” Caffey added.
Legacy of success
Wahl replaces exiting president and CEO Hal McEvoy, who will continue to lead the association until the end of the year. McEvoy will remain in an advisory capacity to support Wahl as he settles into the role before officially retiring on April 1, 2023.
“Hal has done an amazing job leading the association for the past five years, some of the most challenging years in the association’s 104-year history,” said IAAPA board chairman Ken Whiting.
“We greatly appreciate all Hal has done to lead the association and support the IAAPA team. I’m confident that Jacob is the right leader to build on Hal’s legacy of success.”
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