The theme park industry's leading trade association has a new leader.
Well, officially, at least. Former SeaWorld executive Hal McEvoy has been running the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions as its interim president and CEO since last February, when former chief Paul Noland stepped down to take on the same role at ticketing and queuing vendor Accesso. Today, Orlando-based IAAPA announced that McEvoy will continue as president and CEO, without the "interim" tag.
"Hal did an outstanding job as interim president and CEO. His vast industry experience, business acumen, affable leadership style, and his recent experience working with our members and supporting our team around the world make him the ideal president and CEO," Hank Salemi, chairman of the IAAPA Compensation Committee and park president of Six Flags Great America, said in a press release. "This is a critical time of transition for IAAPA as we wrap up the relocation of our global headquarters to Orlando, build our new office, hire a number of new team members, and begin to tackle one of the most ambitious strategic plans in our 100-year history."
McEvoy joined IAAPA management as Chief Financial Officer in April 2017 following a 42-year career with Busch Entertainment Corporation/SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment.
Celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, IAAPA has been the industry's leading lobbyist on federal legislation issues and in recent years has expanded its role in training and developing leadership talent throughout the industry. That led the organization to move its headquarters last year from suburban Washington DC to Orlando, where it holds its annual International Attractions Expo. This year's IAE runs next month at the Orange County Convention Center, and we will be there to cover it, here on Theme Park Insider.
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Hal was a great leader and all around nice guy when he was VP of Finance at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Great to see him in this role!