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NEWS
IAAPA 2018: 11 pioneers Inducted into the IAAPA Hall of Fame
POSTED 14 Nov 2018 . BY Tom Walker
Gary Story, co-founder of Premier Parks and former president of Six Flags Entertainment, was among the 11 inductees
The International Association of Amusement Parks and and Attractions (IAAPA) has inducted 11 global attractions industry pioneers into its IAAPA Hall of Fame.

The latest cohort includes Dr. Harry Wegeforth, creator of the San Diego Zoo and Gary Story, co-founder of Premier Parks and former president of Six Flags Entertainment.

The inductees were revealed during a ceremony held during the opening day of the IAAPA Attractions Expo 2018.

Other pioneers to make it to the Hall of Fame include Edward Joy Morris, considered the industry's first large-scale manufacturer of attractions and Irving Rosenthal, who helped globalise the attractions industry by being among the first to import European rides for his amusement park Coney Island.

The IAAPA Hall of Fame was established in 1990 to "honour legends and pioneers" for their "significant and lasting contributions" to the growth and development of the global attractions industry.

"In celebration of IAAPA's centennial anniversary, we are honoring some of the finest and most esteemed leaders in the history of the IAAPA Hall of Fame," said Jack Morey, 2018 chair of the IAAPA Hall of Fame.

"These pioneers, inventors, visionaries, and innovators each made lasting impacts on the global attractions industry we know today, as well as the association. We honor these exceptional individuals for their hard work, dedication, and leadership as we welcome them into the IAAPA Hall of Fame."

To see the full list of the new inductees, and to find out more about their achievements, click here.
RELATED STORIES
  IAAPA 2018: David Rosenberg confirmed as chair for 2019


David Rosenberg will be the first representative of the zoo and aquarium sector to lead IAAPA, after he was confirmed as chair of the board for 2019.
MORE NEWS
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
Efteling expands family offer with new Hooghmoed drop tower
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
+ More news   

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A former national ski team racer, ProSlide® CEO Rick Hunter’s goal has been to integrate the smoot [more...]
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FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
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NEWS
IAAPA 2018: 11 pioneers Inducted into the IAAPA Hall of Fame
POSTED 14 Nov 2018 . BY Tom Walker
Gary Story, co-founder of Premier Parks and former president of Six Flags Entertainment, was among the 11 inductees
The International Association of Amusement Parks and and Attractions (IAAPA) has inducted 11 global attractions industry pioneers into its IAAPA Hall of Fame.

The latest cohort includes Dr. Harry Wegeforth, creator of the San Diego Zoo and Gary Story, co-founder of Premier Parks and former president of Six Flags Entertainment.

The inductees were revealed during a ceremony held during the opening day of the IAAPA Attractions Expo 2018.

Other pioneers to make it to the Hall of Fame include Edward Joy Morris, considered the industry's first large-scale manufacturer of attractions and Irving Rosenthal, who helped globalise the attractions industry by being among the first to import European rides for his amusement park Coney Island.

The IAAPA Hall of Fame was established in 1990 to "honour legends and pioneers" for their "significant and lasting contributions" to the growth and development of the global attractions industry.

"In celebration of IAAPA's centennial anniversary, we are honoring some of the finest and most esteemed leaders in the history of the IAAPA Hall of Fame," said Jack Morey, 2018 chair of the IAAPA Hall of Fame.

"These pioneers, inventors, visionaries, and innovators each made lasting impacts on the global attractions industry we know today, as well as the association. We honor these exceptional individuals for their hard work, dedication, and leadership as we welcome them into the IAAPA Hall of Fame."

To see the full list of the new inductees, and to find out more about their achievements, click here.
RELATED STORIES
IAAPA 2018: David Rosenberg confirmed as chair for 2019


David Rosenberg will be the first representative of the zoo and aquarium sector to lead IAAPA, after he was confirmed as chair of the board for 2019.
MORE NEWS
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
Efteling expands family offer with new Hooghmoed drop tower
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford– Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism inv
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx- Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
RMA Ltd

RMA Ltd is a one-stop global company that can design, build and produce from a greenfield site upw [more...]
iPlayCO

iPlayCo was established in 1999. [more...]
Clip 'n Climb

Clip ‘n Climb currently offers facility owners and investors more than 40 colourful and unique Cha [more...]
ProSlide Technology, Inc.

A former national ski team racer, ProSlide® CEO Rick Hunter’s goal has been to integrate the smoot [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
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LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
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ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT NEWS
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