USA: IAAPA President & CEO Hal McEvoy to Retire in April 2023

Hal McEvoy, IAAPA President and CEO, will retire from his position at the helm of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) on April 1, 2023. McEvoy started a permanent role in the association on April 1, 2017 as Chief Financial Officer before he then entered the position of interim President in February 2018, to finally take over as President and CEO in October of the same year.

“Hal has done a tremendous job leading this association through some truly exciting and unprecedented times. Under Hal’s leadership, our association completed the headquarters relocation from Alexandria to Orlando, worked with the Board and Relocation Task Force to design and build the new headquarters building, and grew membership and total revenues to all-time highs in 2019,” said 2022 IAAPA Chairman and President of Whiting’s Foods at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Ken Whiting. “Then, in 2020, with the onset of Covid-19, Hal and the IAAPA team pivoted and quickly facilitated the development of the industry reopening guidelines, introduced new ways for members to connect virtually, and effectively managed the association’s finances following the cancellation of all three Expos. The team successfully brought members back together safely for Expos in Barcelona and Orlando in 2021 and continues to help members with their recovery. We are grateful for all Hal has done and look forward to working with him in the year ahead,” he added.

Since his first days at Busch Gardens Tampa as an accounting clerk in 1975, Hal McEvoy has continiously taken on professional opportunities up to becoming President of Finance for Busch Gardens Williamsburg & Water Country, and prior to IAAPA, Corporate Vice President of Internal Audit Compliance for SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment. The IAAPA will now conduct a global search for a successor. (eap)