# IAAPA & MENALAC Join, Launch IAAPA MENA

**Source:** Replay Magazine  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2026-03-02  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.replaymag.com/iaapa-menalac-join-launch-iaapa-mena/

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## Analysis

IAAPA and MENALAC have formed a partnership to create IAAPA MENA, a dedicated regional organization for the Middle East and North Africa leisure and attractions industry. The partnership will launch officially on July 1 during IAAPA Expo Middle East, combining resources to provide stronger regional representation and industry support.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] IAAPA and MENALAC are forming a partnership to create IAAPA MENA — _Official announcement in Replay Magazine; Jakob Wahl, IAAPA president and CEO, quoted_
- [HIGH] IAAPA MENA will officially launch on July 1 during IAAPA Expo Middle East — _Stated in opening paragraph as official launch date_
- [HIGH] The partnership aims to provide stronger dedicated representation and resources for members in the Middle East and North Africa region — _Jakob Wahl quote in official announcement_

### Notable Quotes

> "By establishing IAAPA MENA, we're ensuring that members in this dynamic region receive even stronger dedicated representation and resources while remaining fully connected to our worldwide network"
> — **Jakob Wahl, IAAPA president and CEO**
> _Official statement articulating the strategic purpose and scope of the new regional organization_

> "MENALAC has been a passionate and effective advocate for the region's attractions industry, and together we are combining the strengths of two respected organizations to empower innovation, collaboration and sustainable growth"
> — **Jakob Wahl, IAAPA president and CEO**
> _Endorsement of MENALAC's track record and rationale for the partnership merger_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| IAAPA | organization | International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions; global industry organization forming partnership with MENALAC |
| MENALAC | organization | Middle East and North Africa Leisure and Attractions Council; regional organization partnering with IAAPA |
| IAAPA MENA | organization | New regional organization formed by IAAPA and MENALAC partnership, launching July 1 |
| Jakob Wahl | person | IAAPA president and CEO; spokesperson for the IAAPA MENA partnership announcement |
| IAAPA Expo Middle East | event | Trade show/expo where IAAPA MENA partnership will officially launch on July 1 |

### Signals

- **[industry_signal]** IAAPA expanding organizational presence into Middle East and North Africa through strategic partnership with regional council (confidence: high) — Official launch of IAAPA MENA as dedicated regional entity combining IAAPA and MENALAC resources
- **[business_signal]** IAAPA consolidating regional industry representation through merger/partnership model rather than standalone expansion (confidence: high) — Partnership structure combining 'strengths of two respected organizations' to serve Middle East/North Africa market

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## Transcript

As part of an expansion into the Middle East region, IAAPA and the Middle East and North Africa Leisure and Attractions Council (MENALAC) will join forces to create IAAPA MENA. The partnership will officially launch and be celebrated during IAAPA Expo Middle East on July 1. “By establishing IAAPA MENA, we’re ensuring that members in this dynamic region receive even stronger dedicated representation and resources while remaining fully connected to our worldwide network,” said Jakob Wahl, IAAPA president and CEO. “MENALAC has been a passionate and effective advocate for the region’s attractions industry, and together we are combining the strengths of two respected organizations to empower innovation, collaboration and sustainable growth.”

_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v3)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-08-04 | Item ID: 7d04c895-cf3a-47d8-b32b-4d550908c49c*