AusLeisure

Having held its 2024 Middle East Trad Summit, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) has announced that it will be establishing a local office in Dubai and that Ahmed Zakaria has been appointed to the new role of Director of Operations for the region.

Zakaria joins the global association for the attractions industry with more than 20 years of experience in the exhibitions and event management industry across the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region.

Prior to his new role he was the General Manager for MICE World, a Dubai-based exhibitions and conferences company specialised in events for the public sector and semi-governmental entities. Zakaria also previously held the role of General Manager for Informa PLC where he successfully established and managed business portfolios for exhibitions, conferences, and training activities in the Saudi Arabian market.

With expertise and proficiency in establishing and leading vertical and horizontal businesses, Zakaria will play a key role within the IAAPA EMEA team, focusing on consolidating and developing our membership reach in the Middle East region.

Announcing the appointment, IAAPA EMEA Executive Director and Vice President, Peter van der Schans stated “I am excited to have Ahmed join the IAAPA team and look forward to exploring new opportunities in the Middle East by having a local office available to interact with members and industry partners.

“Our education and trade events have grown significantly in recent years, and this is evident as we close the 2024 Middle East Trade Summit in Abu Dhabi with 45 exhibitors and 400 attendees.”

Image: Ahmed Zakaria. Credit: IAAPA.

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