Pradeep Sharma was ushered in as the new president of the Indian Association of Amusement Parks and Industries (IAAPI) during its recent trade show in Mumbai.

Currently serving as vice-president of business development for WhiteWater, Sharma – pictured third from left – has extensive knowledge of the amusement industry in a career that spans more than two decades. A former head of operations for EsselWorld/Water Kingdom, he has run his own ride manufacturing business,

BARPL, for the past 12 years. In 2016 he oversaw the opening of India’s first international standard waterpark, Wet N Joy in Lonavala. He’s also been pivotal to the installation of India’s first ever Shoot The Chute at Magic Mountain, which WhiteWater will unveil later this year together with all of the new rides for the renovation and expansion of Shanku’s Water Park Resort in Ahmedabad.

“This is a great honour for me as this is an industry I have lived and breathed for over 20 years,” says Sharma. “Over the last few years, there has been an influx of iconic new projects and, as the Indian economy continues to grow at an exponential rate, I envision the need for leisure to increase further.”

During 17 years’ service with IAAPI, Sharma has chaired various committees such as safety, training, and manufacturers and exporters. As the chairman of the safety committee, he has actively contributed to IAAPA’s safety standard harmonisation meetings and also drafted India’s first safety standard for amusement rides, IS 15475.