Ken Whiting, president of Whiting's Foods, will lead IAAPA as its chair in 2021 following a vote by the organisation's board of directors.

Whiting was named second vice chair during the board's meeting on 23 September in Amsterdam, Netherlands, meaning he will become first vice chair in 2020 and chair in 2021, succeeding Blackpool Pleasure Beach managing director Amanda Thompson.

Whiting has spent his entire career working in the attractions industry with his involvement with IAAPA spanning more than four decades. His family company, Whiting's Foods, has provided food services to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in California, US, for more than 60 years. The company has been an active member of IAAPA for more than half-a-century.

"As a trusted and respected leader in the food and beverage industry, Ken brings a wealth of experience to the role," said former IAAPA chair and current chair of the IAAPA Governance Committee, Gerardo Arteaga.

"Ken always demonstrates the highest levels of service and unwavering dedication to both IAAPA and the industry at large. We're confident his skill set and leadership will positively shape the future of the global attractions industry."

In addition to his work with his own company, Whiting has served on five IAAPA Committees including human resources, education, food and beverage, North American regional advisory, and investment committees. He chaired the Food and Beverage Committee for three years and pioneered the IAAPA Food and Beverage consulting programme at IAAPA Attractions Expo. Whiting has also created WAVES for Teenage Workforce Success, a training programme which provides tools to better manage young workers in the attractions industry.

"I'm humbled, honoured, and excited to serve the global attractions industry," said Whiting.

"It's an exciting time to be part of this amazing and vibrant industry as we continue to see tremendous growth across a wide range of constituencies in regions throughout the world.

"Along with the IAAPA Board of Directors, IAAPA leadership and dedicated volunteers, I look forward to contributing to the industry's continued success."