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The founder of Madame Tussauds and the father of the Latin American attractions industry have both taken their rightful place as a part of the IAAPA Hall of Fame
Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 01 Nov 2021
Marie Tussaud founded the now-iconic Madame Tussauds more than 250 years ago
IAAPA has revealed the inductees for this year’s Hall of Fame, welcoming both the founder of the iconic Madame Tussauds and a pioneer for the attractions industry in Latin America into its Hall of Fame.
Both icons in the world of attractions, Marie Tussaud and Marcelo Gutglas take their place alongside legends of the industry, with their induction recognised as the highest possible honour in their field.
“Marcelo Gutglas has been an advocate and ambassador for the attractions industry in Latin America for more than 50 years, and Marie Tussaud created an art form and an attraction that has entertained millions around the globe,” said Michael Collins, 2021 chair of the IAAPA Hall of Fame and Archives Committee and senior partner, Leisure Development Partners. “Their contributions to our industry are significant and their impact will influence the industry for many years to come.”
Marie Tussaud
Born in 1761, Marie Tussaud - also known as Anne-Marie Grosholtz - moved from France to the Swiss home of Dr Philippe Curtius, a physician and a skilled wax model maker.
Becoming Curtuis’ protege, Tussaud showed remarkable talent for creating wax portraits and masks, and in 1777, at the age of 16, Tussaud created her first wax figure of the famous French writer, Voltaire.
Tussaud would go on to create a lifelike collection of celebrities and world leaders. To showcase her work, she first took her collection on the road as a touring attraction, then, after a number of years, she transformed the touring attraction into a permanent location in London - the first ever Madame Tussauds.
Since then, several generations of the Tussaud family along with Merlin Entertainments have built the Madame Tussauds empire over 250 years into the cultural icon it is today, with more than 10 million guests posing with lifelike heroes, music legends, sports celebrities, and world leaders in 24 locations around the world.
Marcelo Gutglas
Known by many as the father of the attractions industry in Latin America, Marcelo Gutglas has made an indelible mark during his 50-plus year career in the business.
Starting his career in the mid-1960s by introducing a single, coin-operated jukebox in a bowling alley in Brazil, Gutglas would go on to expand into the pinball business and would eventually have 2,500 machines in entertainment venues and arcades throughout the country.
In the mid-1970s, Gutglas developed the firstPlaycenter Amusement Park. Featuring innovative attractions, including the first large steel rollercoaster and a flume ride, Playcenter was a successful venture for the young entrepreneur who became an icon in Brazil.
He would then go on to create the Playland family entertainment center (FEC) chain with more than 25 locations, and introduced a travelling carnival to promote Playcenter. He was also instrumental in the development of the modern Hopi Hari theme park, just outside of Sao Paulo.
In a glittering career, Gutglas is credited with introducing the amusement park industry to families in Brazil, also educating government leaders and investors on the fundamentals of the attractions industry to gain their support. He also worked to introduce professional standards, inspired others to develop the industry and follow best practices from around the world and was the founder of two industry trade associations in Brazil, ADIBRA and SINDEPAT. He was also one of the founders and vice president of ALAP (Latin America Association of Amusement Parks).
Gutglas is still a part of IAAPA to this day, acting as an active member and volunteer with the organisation, serving terms on the IAAPA Board of Directors, the executive/finance committee, the strategic planning committee, and the Latin America regional advisory committee.
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