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Explore Arizona FECs Before IAAPA FEC Summit 2026 p. 93 Special Section: The New Attractions of 2025 p. 109 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2025 Leading with passion, authenticity, and heart as 2026 IAAPA Chair of the Board Luciana Periales: The Trailblazing DynamoCover Story | page 78 Luciana Periales: The Trailblazing Dynamo Leading with passion, authenticity, and heart as 2026 IAAPA Chair of the Board COVER PHOTO: NEVERLAND PARK INSIDE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2025 NEVERLAND PARK RIPLEY'S AVERY MATTEOSYLVAIN BACHELOT 87Pop-Up Power Designing and operating touring experiences that wow 93Southwest Showstoppers How Arizona FECs differentiate themselves 109What’s New 2025 Explore innovative attractions around the globe that debuted in 20252 Funworld | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2025 | IAAPA.org/Funworld O—ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS How the Virginia Aquarium’s bold marketing made a splash … 7 O—DISPATCH … 10 O—REGIONAL UPDATES … 12 O—MOVERS & SHAKERS … 26 O—IN MEMORIAM … 36 O—MANUFACTURER AND SUPPLIER NEWS … 38 O—PEOPLE OF THE ATTRACTIONS Carl Berni: The Perks of Being a People Person … 42 O—IAAPA SAFETY CORNER New Sensors Allow Rides to ‘Talk’ … 44 O—THOUGHT LEADERSHIP How Eddie Hamman Develops a Culture of Growth … 46 O—REVENUE OPERATIONS Unlocking New Revenue Streams … 48 O—LIVE ENTERTAINMENT The Benefits of Talent Development … 50 O—IAAPA RESEARCH … 52 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2025 VOLUME XL • ISSUE 6 Funworld is a member benefit of IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry. ASSOCIATION NEWS AND BENEFITS EVENT RECAPS IAAPA Expo Europe Recap … 58 IAAPA AWARDS WINNER SPOTLIGHTS Fantasy Island, Marcos Michan, and PortAventura World … 68 EVENTS IAAPA Expo 2025 Preview … 60 IAAPA Expo 2025 Sponsors … 62 IAAPA GLOBAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS New 2026 Board Member Profiles … 70 PARTNERSHIPS IAAPA and Licensing International … 66 EDUCATION IAAPA's New Sustainability Training … 67 MEMBERSHIP Unlock the Power of IAAPA Member Benefits … 72 CALENDAR … 74 DEPARTMENTS AD INDEX … 154 MIC DROP … 156 ® BUSINESS RESOURCES FUNWORLD’S INDUSTRY INSIGHTS LAUNCH INSIDE |N OVEMBER/DECEMBER 2025 Visit IAAPA.org/News for leading industry news in the IAAPA News Hub. DISNEYCHATTANOOGA ZOO 148Chattanooga Zoo Raises a Glass 150Celebration Under the Stars 152Navigating Tariffs WHITEWATER Whitewater's Palm Rattler slide is now open at Jungala Aqua Experience in México. See page 109 for a roundup of more new-for-2025 attractions.4 Funworld | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2025 | IAAPA.org/Funworld Funworld (ISSN 08923752; mailed in Canada under IPM #0902179) is published bimonthly by IAAPA, 4155 West Taft Vineland Road, Orlando, FL 32837; phone: +1 321-319-7600. Periodicals postage paid at Orlando, FL, and additional offices. The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organization have not changed during the preceding 12 months. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Funworld, 4155 West Taft Vineland Road, Orlando, FL 32837. ©2025 IAAPA. No material or part thereof may be reproduced or printed without the written consent of IAAPA. Ride-along may be enclosed. DISCLAIMER. IAAPA makes no representations or warranties about the accu- racy or suitability of any information or materials in this publication; all such content is provided on an as-is basis. IAAPA hereby disclaims all warranties regarding the contents of this publication, including without limitation all war- ranties of title, non-infringement, merchantability, and fitness for a particular purpose. IAAPA does not guarantee, warrant, or endorse the information, products, or services of any corporation, organization, or person. IAAPA shall not be liable for any loss, damage, injury, claim, or otherwise, whether an action in contract or tort and further shall not be liable for any lost profits, or direct, indirect, special, punitive, or consequential damages of any kind (including without limitation attorneys’ fees and expenses). 4155 West Taft Vineland Road | Orlando, FL 32837 USA +1 321-319-7600 Funworld Magazine Team Senior Director, Global Editorial and Digital Content Scott Fais SFais@IAAPA.org Managing Editor, Funworld Magazine Michael Costello MCostello@IAAPA.org Associate Editor, Funworld Magazine Avery Matteo AMatteo@IAAPA.org Contributing Editor Juliana Gilling julianagilling@gmail.com Manager, Global Advertising and Sales Kelsey O’Hearne Bohl KBohl@IAAPA.org Production Manager Michelle Wandres MWandres@IAAPA.org Contact us for advertising info at +1 321-319-7682 or email at Advertising@IAAPA.org IAAPA.org/Funworld IAAPA Chair of the Board Massimiliano Freddi IAAPA President and CEO Jakob Wahl IAAPA Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Michael Shelton IAAPA Vice President of Membership, Marketing, and Communications Erin Walsh IAAPA Asia Pacific Vice President and Executive Director Jack Chan IAAPA Europe, Middle East, Africa Executive Director and Vice President Peter van der Schans IAAPA Latin America, Caribbean Vice President and Executive Director Paulina Reyes Interim IAAPA North America Vice President and Executive Director Michael Shelton ® SIX FLAGS Rope Drop Attractions Industry Talks: CEO of Dubai Holding Entertainment Fernando Eiroa IAAPA EMEA Vice President and Executive Director Peter van der Schans (left) visited Dubai for an exclusive conversation with CEO of Dubai Holding Entertainment Fernando Eiroa. They discuss the vision behind developing sports-themed entertainment offerings and the promising future of entertainment in Dubai. Watch the video here on IAAPA's Youtube channel:Data Interfaces ParkingHandheldsAccess Control Rental Equipment BookingsLockersLessons CRM Solution E-CommercePOSGift CardsFood & Beverage HostingSelf Service Area Smart Retail Innovative All-in-One Solution for Attractions Axess RESORT SOLUTIONS keeps resort management lean by integrating services from external providers into one platform, such as ticket booking, parking, rental services, and F&B solutions. Boost your performance with Axess! teamaxess.com Axess Americas Events Inc. Contact Ren Steyn on r.steyn@teamaxess.com From Entry to Exit: Never Lose Track of Your Visitors!7 Launch c IAAPA.org/Funworld | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2025 | Funworld THERE’S AN AQUARIUM IN VIRGINIA THAT’S TALKING TRASH. The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center in Virginia Beach has created a playful campaign that's a masterclass in memorable marketing. Looking for the scoop on animal poop? Dropping Science has it covered. The aquarium’s marketing team has turned fun scatological facts into eye-catching ads. “We honed in on a select few for the campaign, including ‘Urine the Danger Zone: Frogs pee to repel predators,’ ‘Wee Love Coral Reefs: Fish pee keeps coral reefs healthy,’ ‘Party Pooper: Male river otters perform a poop dance,’ and ‘Potty Mouth: Jellies poop from their mouths,’” says Mackenzie Di Nardo, vice president of marketing and public relations at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center. The witty campaign pairs scientific facts with vibrant and original animal art. Virginia Aquarium created a landing page on its website to showcase the project and crafts organic social media content to keep the conversation going online. The campaign runs ads locally and regionally through billboards, social media, audio streaming, and print publications. The quirky campaign stemmed from the success of a Dropping Science project involving Virginia Aquarium’s public bathrooms. Signs on the back ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS Potty Mouth Payoff How the Virginia Aquarium’s bold marketing made a splash by Juliana Gilling VIRGINIA AQUARIUM The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center utilized billboard space to bolster a clever, yet shocking, marketing campaign that educates potential visitors on animal droppings and waste.Next >