IAAPA Announces Steve Van den Kerkhof, Plopsa Group CEO, as Keynote Speaker for GM and Owners’ Breakfast at IAAPA Attractions Expo 2016

By | August 2, 2016

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia – The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), the global trade association representing the attractions industry, announces Steve Van den Kerkhof, Plopsa Group CEO and Studio 100 chairman of the board, as the keynote speaker for the GM and Owners’ Breakfast at IAAPA Attractions Expo 2016, the premier trade show for the global attractions industry. The Expo takes place Nov. 14-18, 2016, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, and attracts more than 30,000 attractions industry professionals, 1,000 exhibitors, and some of the biggest names in the industry to network, learn, and experience new products and technology. The GM and Owners’ Breakfast will take place on Wednesday, November 16 at 8:15 a.m. EST in the new location of the IAAPA Theater.

“We are honored to have someone with the experience and reputation of Mr. Van den Kerkhof address senior attractions industry executives from around the world at IAAPA Attraction Expo 2016,” said IAAPA Vice President of Education, Professional Development, and Training Services, Rebecca Turner. “We look forward to Mr. Van den Kerkhof’s insight and the behind-the scenes-story about the growth of Plopsa Group from a local park to a global entertainment company.”

Steve Van den Kerkhof has been leading Plopsa Group for more than 17 years, and co-founded the theme park division when Studio 100 bought its first theme park in 1999. Under Van den Kerkhof’s leadership, the Plopsa theme park group grew despite price competition, and economic crises. Today, Plopsa Group owns and operates six themed entertainment facilities in Belgium, The Netherlands, and Germany that together welcome more than 3 million visitors annually. Prior to joining Plopsa Group, Van den Kerkhof worked as an auditor and received his licence in commerce from Antwerp College.

With nearly two decades of attractions management experience, Van den Kerkhof has developed the reputation of an amusement park revitalization expert. His professional philosophy is that quality will prevail and this perspective has helped him transform a local company with local characters into a global family entertainment company and one of the most visited parks in Belgium.

In addition to Mr. Van den Kerkhof’s keynote address, the IAAPA Service Awards will also be presented during the GM and Owners’ Breakfast.