IAAPA has expanded the scope of its European regional office to now incorporate both the Middle East and Africa, forming a new entity known as IAAPA EMEA.

The expanded office will now monitor issues and advocates on behalf of the attractions industry for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa regions, providing communications and media relations support, also offering the latest knowledge and education on ride safety, industry data, and best practices amongst members. The EMEA office will also retain responsibility for the oversight of IAAPA's Euro Attractions Show (EAS).

“We changed the name of the European advisory committee for IAAPA to include the Middle East," said IAAPA chair John McReynolds, speaking in the latest edition of Attractions Management. "That was done intentionally so that the European section of the organisation would lead the reach-out.

“We had a very successful leadership conference in Dubai in 2014 and it was exciting to see a great turnout of people from the Middle East as well as people who came to Dubai from elsewhere. We’re also planning a Safety Institute in the Middle East in 2016 and we hope to bring the week-long Institute for Attractions Managers to the region in the near future.”

IAAPA’s European office in Brussels, Belgium, first opened its doors in 2001, undergoing a restructuring in 2007.

"Located within a three-hour time difference from the Middle East, our regional office is best equipped to service the Middle East and Africa regions,” said Karen Stanley, senior vice president of IAAPA EMEA Operations.

“We have a strong European presence in those regions, which contributes to the synergy between the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, and our office is prepared to expand operations as IAAPA's new EMEA regional office.

"With explosive growth in the Middle East and the quickly emerging market in the continent of Africa, we look forward to playing a role in this exciting growth period for the attractions industry."