Andersen to take up new role
Andreas Veilstrup Andersen (pictured) is to take up the role of executive director in Europe for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). Currently serving as chief operating officer of Tivoli in Copenhagen, he will leave the famous Danish park after working through a transition period.
At IAAPA Andersen will help the association become more involved with European issues. IAAPA has already bought out the Euro Attractions Show and Andersen will work with the event’s director of operations, Karen Staley, a yet-to-be appointed director of government relations, and various administrative staff, starting February 1, 2008.
“I could not agree more with the strategy of expanding IAAPA’s European activities, growing the Euro Attractions Show and creating training and development programmes specifically designed for the industry in Europe,” says Andersen. “I am truly grateful that I have been given this opportunity, and I strongly believe that IAAPA, together with the national associations in Europe, can lift the attractions industry up on the European legislative agenda and facilitate the growth of the industry.”
His career in the industry began in a consultancy role, working with Tivoli International’s activities in Germany, Vietnam, China, Singapore and Egypt. From 2002 through 2004, Andersen was the general secretary of the Association of Danish Amusement Parks and is currently a member of its board. He has also been actively involved in Europarks.
The holder of a master’s degree from Copenhagen University, he completed his master’s dissertation on European Union legislation, which may well come in handy in his dealings with IAAPA. At Tivoli, Andersen will be replaced by both a vice-president of service and a vice-president of operations, names to be announced.
