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The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) announces Disneyland Resort President George Kalogridis will be the keynote speaker for the first IAAPA Leadership Conference. The IAAPA Board of Directors and more than 100 committee members will join a broad range of attractions professionals for three days of uninterrupted business discussions and networking opportunities. The event will take place at the Westin Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego, Calif., March 15 -17.
The conference is a forum for colleagues from all attraction types throughout the world to exchange ideas, discuss challenges, and talk about issues of the day. In addition, participants will experience first-hand a variety of Southern California attractions, including Boomer’s! San Diego, Belmont Park, SeaWorld San Diego, USS Midway Museum, San Diego Air & Space Museum, San Diego Zoo, Disney California Adventure Park, and Knott’s Berry Farm.
“Similar to the IAAPA summer meeting of years ago, this event will bring together the industry’s best business and creative minds in a relaxed professional environment,” said IAAPA Chairman Bob Rippy. “The conference offers a unique opportunity to talk with peers, hear from industry veteran George Kalogridis, and enjoy site visits to a wide range of San Diego’s world-class attractions.”
Event keynote speaker, George Kalogridis, president of The Disneyland Resort, began his career in 1971 as a busboy at the Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World. Prior to becoming president of The Disneyland Resort, he held numerous executive positions within the company. In addition to his leadership roles at the company’s operations in both Paris and Anaheim, Kalogridis served as vice president of Travel Operations at Walt Disney World. Kalogridis also served as vice president of Walt Disney World’s Epcot park where, in addition to overseeing park operations, he led the Millennium Celebration for The Walt Disney Company.
In conjunction with the leadership conference, several of IAAPA’s member committees will hold their annual planning meetings to provide guidance to the IAAPA staff for their 2011 program work. The core constituency committees in attendance will include amusement parks and attractions, family entertainment centers, manufacturers and suppliers, museums and science centers, waterparks, and zoos and aquariums, as well as the executive, strategic planning, communications, education, European advisory, and membership committees.
About IAAPA
IAAPA is the premier trade association for the attractions industry worldwide. Founded more than 90 years ago, IAAPA is the largest international trade association for permanently situated amusement facilities and attractions worldwide and is dedicated to the preservation and prosperity of the attractions industry. IAAPA represents more than 4,000 facility, supplier, and individual members from more than 90 countries. Member facilities include amusement/theme parks, waterparks, attractions, family entertainment centers, zoos, aquariums, museums, science centers, resorts, and casinos. IAAPA is a nonprofit organization. IAAPA maintains regional offices in the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, and Latin America, and the association’s global headquarters is in the United States.
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