The 2017 edition of the Euro Attractions Show kicked off today in Berlin, Germany, with the official appointment of Jakob Wahl as new senior vice president of IAAPA's EMEA division.

Wahl succeeds Karen Staley who, after a decade of working in Europe, is returning to the US to oversee IAAPA's American operation.

Paul Noland, president and CEO of IAAPA, made the announcement during the opening ceremony, which also featured a speech from IAAPA chair Greg Hale and performances from Europa Park’s entertainment team.

“We can’t wait to see what Karen does in North America," said Noland, addressing EAS attendees at the event's opening ceremony, while Staley said that it had been a "true pleasure" to work in Europe with IAAPA.

The European edition of IAAPA’s trade show is hosted inside Berlin's Messe Exhibition Center, with this year’s show spread across 12,000sq m (130,000sq ft) of exhibition space. In addition to the expansive trade show floor, EAS 2017 will also offer its most extensive education programme ever, with 97 speakers set to participate in more than 20 educational sessions through the week.

Check back with Attractions Management during the week for all the latest breaking news coming from EAS 2017.