Greg Hale of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts to Keynote at 2016 AIMS Safety Seminar

Nashville, TN, USA (January 4, 2015) – Greg Hale, Chief Safety Officer and Vice President Worldwide Safety for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts will deliver the keynote address, sponsored by IAAPA,  during the opening session at 2016 AIMS Safety Seminar. The seminar will take place January 10-15, 2016 at the Doubletree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld Florida.

“We are thrilled that Greg will speak to our students and instructors”, said Karen Oertley, AIMS Executive Director. “Disney is on the leading edge of theme park safety, accessibility for guests with disabilities, and technology advancements. With his background in leading a team of ride design, operations, and maintenance professionals worldwide for Disney, his remarks are sure to inspire.”

Greg serves on the board of directors of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) and will lead the association as its Chairman in 2017. He has been an active volunteer with IAAPA for more than 20 years, including serving on the Government Relations, Safety, New Technology Awards, Nominating, and Strategic Planning Committees. He also plays a key leadership role in the association’s efforts to develop and harmonize industry safety standards around the globe.  Greg has also been the chairman of the ASTM International – F24 Subcommittee on Standards Harmonization since 2008.

Greg has been a member of AIMS International (Amusement Industry Manufacturers & Suppliers International), Executive Advisory Board, and has received the AIMS Safety Seminar best presentation award.

Greg served on the U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board’s Recreation Access Advisory Committee, and has contributed to numerous innovations and inventions that have advanced accessibility for persons with disabilities.  Some of the more recent are handheld captioning for the deaf and audio descriptions for the blind that for the first time provide captioning and audio descriptions on moving rides and attractions.  In addition, he is a co-inventor and patent holder for Disney’s FASTPASS®, eliminating long lines at Disney theme park rides and attractions.  Greg holds 63 US and foreign patents.

Greg has been honored with numerous industry awards in recognition of his work and contributions to industry safety. In 2013, he was honored with the William T. Cavanaugh Memorial Award by ASTM International, the highest award that ASTM International bestows upon an individual. He received the Dr. Richard H. “Doc” Brown Memorial Exceptional Service Award in 2010 from the ASTM F-24 Committee on Amusement Ride Safety Standards. This ASTM F-24 award was presented to recognize Greg’s numerous contributions to enhance safety within the amusement industry.

Greg is an active member of the National Safety Council (NSC) where he serves on the Board of Delegates, Community Safety Committee, and Off the Job Safety Committee.

The AIMS Safety Seminar is recognized by major parks and attractions as the worldwide leader in safety training and education.  Boasting an annual enrollment of approximately 350 students, the week-long seminar offers 40 class hours of education (4 CEU) and AIMS certification testing in Ride Inspection, Maintenance, Operations and Aquatics. Additional certificates are also offered. Known for its diverse curriculum and the quality of its expert instructors, AIMS students can choose from more than 400 class offerings to tailor a curriculum that best fit their needs and the requirements of their employers.

More information on the AIMS Safety Seminar can be found at www.aimsintl.org or contact Holly Coston, Seminar Manager at info@aimsintl.org.