USA: Marcelo Gutglas and Marie Tussaud Inducted into IAAPA Hall of Fame

In the forefield of the upcoming trade show in Orlando, the IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions) is already announcing their honors and awards. This year, Marcelo Gutglas, founder of the Playcenter Group, and Marie Tussaud (†1850), founder of the famous Madame Tussauds brand of waxworks, were inducted into the “IAAPA Hall of Fame“.

Marcelo Gutglas is considered the “father of the leisure industry“ in Latin America and has been active in it for more than 50 years. In addition to having established Playcenter Amusement Park as well as the FEC chain Playland, he was instrumental in founding the two industry associations ADIBRA (Associação das Empresas de Parques de Diversões do Brasil) and ALAP (Latin American Association of Amusement Parks). Gutglas has been active for IAAPA for many years in various voluntary positions and was already awarded the “IAAPA Lifetime Service Award“ in 2012. “I would like to share this award with my team and our 4,000 employees who work in our Playland parks and operations. They were always there, in good and bad times. I have dedicated my entire life to the entertainment indsutry and I definitely don’t intend to retire. […],“ Gutglas commented.

Marie Tussaud, born Anna-Marie Grosholtz, made her first wax figures in 1777 and toured the country before opening a permanent exhibition in London. This gave rise to the now world-renowned midway attractions brand Madame Tussauds, now operated by Merlin Entertainments in 25 locations worldwide. For her pioneering work, Tussaud is now being inducted into the IAAPA Hall of Fame some 250 years later.

“We are honored to welcome Marcelo Gutglas and Marie Tussaud into the IAAPA Hall of Fame. Marcelo Gutglas has been an advocate and ambassador for the attractions industry in Latin America for more than 50 years, and Marie Tussaud created an art form and an attraction that has entertained millions around the globe. Their contributions to our industry are significant and their impact will influence the industry for many years to come,” said Michael Collins, 2021 chair of the IAAPA Hall of Fame and Archives Committee and senior partner, Leisure Development Partners, LLP. (eap)