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How an Entrepreneurial Duo Created a Unique FEC p. 52 Succession Planning in a Changing Attractions Workforce p. 68 MARCH/APRIL 2026 The expansion era in the Middle East acceleratesFAMILY ADVENTURE FOR ALL GENERATIONS Turn your park into the ultimate family destination and bring families closer with unforgettable adventures! Vekoma specializes in designing and delivering attractions that delight kids, excite teens, and engage parents and grandparents. From groundbreaking family coasters to adrenaline-fueled rides, we create experiences that keep guests coming back. Elevate your park’s reputation and partner with us to create signature attractions that drive guest loyalty and long- term success. Together, we’ll turn your vision into reality! We look forward to meeting you at IAAPA EXPO MIDDLE EAST ! WWW.VEKOMA.COM FAMILY ADVENTURE WORLD’S TALLEST TILT COASTER ‘IRON RATTLER’ SUSPENDED FAMILY COASTER ‘ADRENA-LINE’ FAMILY COASTER ‘TWILIGHT EXPRESS’ ABU DHABI 31 MARCH - 2 APRIL BOOTH #2618 CONGRATULATIONS TO SIX FLAGS QIDDIYA CITY WITH THE OFFICIAL OPENING!Cover Story | page 44 An Oasis of Growth The expansion era in the Middle East accelerates COVER: Overhead of the Louvre Abu Dhabi's central dome. PHOTO: LOUVRE ABU DHABI INSIDE | MARCH/APRIL 2026 MIRAL TEDDY ALBERTSON AND MIKE BENNETT 62Powering Attractions Industry Careers How innovative collaborations with colleges are creating pipelines for skilled, career- focused talent 58From Engagement to Advocacy How brand experience centers create brand ambassadors 52Operating Worlds of Wonder How an Oregon-based entrepreneur duo taps into local markets CIMORY DAIRYLAND2 Funworld | MARCH/APRIL 2026 | IAAPA.org/Funworld O—DAWN OF THE TRANSFORMATION ECONOMY Attractions face their next strategic shift … 7 O—DISPATCH … 10 O—REGIONAL UPDATES … 12 O—MOVERS & SHAKERS … 18 O—IN MEMORIAM … 21 O—MANUFACTURER AND SUPPLIER NEWS … 21 O—THOUGHT LEADERSHIP Disney's Ketan Sardeshmukh shares insights … 24 O—IAAPA SAFETY CORNER How Neil Dwyer stays prepared … 25 O—SUSTAINABILITY SPOT Developing inclusive and accessible attractions … 26 O—PROJECT DEVELOPMENT Avoiding busted budgets … 27 O—THEMED ENTERTAINMENT Trends for the haunt industry … 28 O—IAAPA RESEARCH … 29 MARCH/APRIL 2026 VOLUME XLII • ISSUE 2 Funworld is a member benefit of IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry. ASSOCIATION NEWS AND BENEFITS EVENTS FEC Summit Recap … 32 IAAPA LEGENDS Recap … 34 IAAPA Honors Preview … 35 PARTNERSHIPS IAAPA and Informa … 36 RESOURCES IAAPA Communities … 37 PUBLIC AFFAIRS Drone Policy Update … 38 IAAPA GLOBAL BOARD Apply for the Global BOD … 39 EDUCATION Learning for Every Career Stage … 40 CALENDAR … 41 DEPARTMENTS AD INDEX … 70 MIC DROP … 72 ® BUSINESS RESOURCES FUNWORLD’S INDUSTRY INSIGHTS LAUNCH INSIDE |M ARCH/APRIL 2026 Visit IAAPA.org/News to explore leading industry news on the IAAPA News web page. 65Why Triage is Essential 68Who’s Next? GRAND HYATT DUBAI WATERPARKWE DESIGN, DEVELOP & DELIVER IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES BEYOND IMAGINATION AWARD-WINNING DARK RIDES WORLD CLASS THEME PARKS IMMERSIVE LANDS AND ATTRACTIONS UNFORGETTABLE TOURIST EXPERIENCES DREAMING OF A NEW PROJECT? REQUEST@JORAVISION.COM4 Funworld | MARCH/APRIL 2026 | 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. ©2026 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 Associate Editor, IAAPA News Daily Evan Ponstingle EPonstingle@IAAPA.org 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 Advertising@IAAPA.org IAAPA.org/Funworld 2026 IAAPA Chair of the Global Board of Directors Luciana Periales 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 IAAPA North America Vice President and Executive Director Todd Andrus ® CORPUS Rope Drop Corpus Signs Agreement to Develop Health-Focused Attraction in Beijing Corpus signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Beijing’s Tongzhou District to develop a new health-focused visitor attraction within the Cultural and Tourism Zone of the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center. Local government leaders and representatives of the Dutch Embassy are collaborating to create the project. Groundbreaking for Corpus Beijing is expected in mid-2026.Sunkid GmbH Industriezone 39 6460 Imst · Austria info@sunkidworld.com+43 5412 68131www.sunkidworld.com © Design: Huber Web Media GmbH, Foto: Sunkid GmbH INTERACTIVE FAMILY RIDES From individually themed attractions to overall concepts More than 150 Towers installed worldwide!7 Launch IAAPA.org/Funworld | MARCH/APRIL 2026 | Funworld WHEN B. JOSEPH PINE II AND JAMES H. GILMORE published “The Experience Economy” in 1999, theme parks, museums, and attractions saw their business model reflected in print. The bestselling book articulated what the industry had long practiced—staging experiences to create value in peo- ple’s lives—and it reshaped how businesses far beyond attractions thought about experiences as a distinct economic offering. Pine waited more than 25 years to write his new book. “The Transformation Economy” is not a sequel, but the natural culmination of a new way of thinking—one with direct implications for the attractions industry. Pine contends that after commodities, goods, services, and experiences, the next frontier is transformation, where companies help people become who they want to be. “The desire for transformations will only increase over the next decade,” he says. “Great opportunities lie in guiding people to achieve their aspirations.” Dawn of The Transformation Economy Attractions face their next strategic shift, according to author, speaker, and management advisor B. Joseph Pine II by Juliana Gilling ATTRACTION EVOLUTION kinezis (stylized with a lowercase k) promotes transformation as an attraction. The concept from KidZania welcomes adults and children to be active in a hybrid facility combining fitness, wellness, and entertainment elements. Together, the Mexico City attraction promotes physical fitness, nutrition, and fun. Pictured is KidZania CEO Xavier López Ancona (seated right) showing attendees of IAAPA Latin America Summit how kinezis' elevated bicycle attraction works leg muscles while having fun. IAAPA NEWS Next >