On 26 – 28 February 2019, over 200 top-level leaders in the attractions industry gathered at this year’s IAAPA Leadership Conference held in Abu Dhabi/Dubai, UAE.
In what was the ninth IAAPA Leadership Conference, the event involved rousing presentations, exclusive behind-the-scenes tours of a number of the most popular attractions in Abu Dhabi/Dubai, as well as plenty of unique networking opportunities.
Among the keynote speakers was Marjan Faraidooni, senior vice president of Legacy Development and Impact, Expo 2020 Dubai. Marjan Faraidooni shares Expo 2020 Dubai’s aspirations to leave a sustainable, positive and enduring legacy.
Another noteworthy presenter at the conference was Phil Taylor, managing director of the UAE-based leisure consulting company, Team Leisure. Taylor spoke of the future trends affecting the leisure industry in the Middle East.
Other speakers included Clive Stephens, deputy chief operations officer, Expo 2020 Dubai, Markus Mack-Even, chief project officer, city of Arabia and general manager of IMG Worlds of Adventure, Mona Al Ali, content manager of the Sustainability Pavilion at Expo 2020, Dr. Robert Platt, vice president, site design integration, Expo 2020 Dubai, Mark Gsellman, vice president, theme parks at Farah Experiences, Ali Al Suwaidi, chief operating officer of Global Village, Bader Anwahi, chief executive officer, Global Village, Saeed Al Saeed, destination marketing director, Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi and Ahmad Hussain, deputy chief executive office , DBX Entertainments.
Participants at the conference had the chance to tour many of the region’s most popular attractions, including Global Village Dubai, IMG Worlds of Adventure, World Abu Dhabi, Louve Abu Dhabi, Laguna Water Park and La Perle. Attendees also toured the Expo 2020 Dubai festival park site.
Next year’s IAAPA Leadership Conference is being held in the United States.
