IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry, has named Jakob Wahl executive vice president and chief operating officer (COO) effective November 1. In this role, Wahl will oversee the regional operations of the global association for the attractions industry and global sales.
“Jakob is a dedicated and passionate leader who has increased membership and consistently expanded attendance and participation in the EMEA region’s events, including IAAPA Expo Europe,” said Hal McEvoy, president and CEO, IAAPA. “As IAAPA and the attractions industry emerge from the impact of the global pandemic, Jakob is the right person at the right time to help us better serve our global members, understand the varying needs of our regions and help the association move forward to meet its goals.”
Jakob Wahl discusses IAAPA Expo Europe’s return to Barcelona.
Wahl has nine years of experience working for IAAPA. He first came to IAAPA as program manager where he served the association for four years in the association’s office in Brussels. He then went on to work at Europa-Park in Rust, Germany, as director of communications before returning to IAAPA in 2017 as vice president and executive director of IAAPA Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
Wahl holds a German-French degree in Business Economics from the IUP of Aix-en-Provence. As EVP and COO, Wahl will report to Hal McEvoy and directly lead the operation of IAAPA’s regional offices, global sales, three global Expos, and additional member events around the world. Wahl will also oversee the hiring and onboarding of a new vice president and executive director for IAAPA EMEA.
