IAAPA has announced the five newest inductees into its prestigious Hall of Fame, honoring trailblazers who have left an undeniable mark on the attractions industry.
The 2025 Class of Inductees
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Keith James – A 50-year veteran whose career began with Taft Broadcasting and later Universal Orlando, James went on to lead Jack Rouse Associates (now RWS Global) for nearly three decades. His creativity and leadership helped shape projects around the globe.
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Gerardo Arteaga Oehninger – The visionary behind Fantasilandia in Chile and the Happyland family entertainment centers, Arteaga introduced safe, high-quality attractions to millions across Latin America.
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Dolly Parton – Since partnering with Herschend Family Entertainment in 1986, Dolly has transformed Dollywood into one of America’s most beloved theme parks, blending music, crafts, culture, and world-class attractions.
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Gary S. Wachs – Played a major role in the development of several iconic North American parks, including Kings Island, Kings Dominion, and Canada’s Wonderland, while also overseeing acquisitions of Carowinds and Marineland.
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Su Zhigang – Founder of Chimelong Group, Su has redefined the scale of attractions in Asia, from Chimelong Safari Park to the award-winning Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, welcoming more than 36 million guests annually.
Hall of Fame Celebration
The inductees will be officially honored during IAAPA Legends: A Hall of Fame Celebratory Affair on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.
About the IAAPA Hall of Fame
Established in 1990, the Hall of Fame recognizes visionaries whose innovation, leadership, and creativity continue to shape the attractions industry. Previous honorees include some of the most influential figures behind the world’s biggest theme parks and attractions.
For more information and tickets to the celebratory event, visit IAAPA.org.
Janine is a theme park and pop culture nerd from an early age. Since 1994, she’s been traversing the theme park world and has enjoyed all things from Halloween events to new ride releases and beyond. When she’s not at a theme park, she’s probably at a concert or doing something fun with her kiddo.