Denise Beckson, a senior executive at Morey’s Piers in Wildwood, was elected to the Global Board of Directors of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions during its meeting in London, held in conjunction with IAAPA Expo Europe 2026 this week.
Beckson, who will serve as second vice chair from 2027 to 2030, was one of six new board members elected Monday to IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry.
A leading voice in New Jersey’s business community, Beckson is currently the vice president and chief administrative and executive affairs officer at Morey’s Piers, a family-owned amusement park and water park complex along the Wildwood Boardwalk. She is also an NJBIA board member and chairs the New Jersey Restaurant & Hospitality Association (NJRHA).
IAAPA's Global Board of Directors oversees IAAPA's annual business plan and finances, provides guidance on products and services, and serves as ambassadors for IAAPA members and the global attractions industry. The slate of new board members was developed by the IAAPA Governance Committee, which evaluated candidates based on their professional expertise, leadership experience, volunteer service, and ability to advance IAAPA's mission of connecting, growing, and inspiring the global attractions industry.
"The Governance Committee is committed to identifying leaders who represent the diversity, expertise, and innovation found throughout our global membership," said IAAPA Governance Committee Chair Freddi Massimiliano. "This year's board members bring exceptional experience from across the attractions industry and will help guide IAAPA as we continue to serve our members around the world."
Beckson, who previously served on the Global Board from 2015–2017, brings over 25 years of IAAPA leadership and volunteer service to her new role. She currently serves as chair of the IAAPA North America Regional Advisory Board and has held leadership roles on the Finance, Executive Finance, Governance, and Strategic Planning committees. She also is a recipient of IAAPA’s Meritorious Service Award.
In New Jersey, Beckson’s public affairs leadership has helped shape legislation, regulation, and public policy while advancing workforce development, safety, and professional standards. The IAAPA said Beckson’s combination of business leadership, association governance, public affairs expertise, and industry advocacy positions her to strengthen IAAPA’s voice and influence, advance the industry’s priorities, and serve its members with a global perspective.
The five other IAAPA board members were elected this week to serve two-year terms from 2027-2029 are:
- Mario Centola, Facility Director, EVP & COO International Operations & Worldwide Franchising CEC Entertainment (North America Region)
- Mike Denninger, Owner/Founder, Denninger Development LLC (North America Region)
- Patrick Finnegan, Senior Vice President, Operations, The Walt Disney Company (North America Region)
- Lena Lee, Executive Vice President, Attractions and Destination Experience, Resorts World Sentosa (Asia-Pacific Region)
- Amanda Thompson, CEO, Blackpool Pleasure Beach Ltd., President Stageworks Worldwide Productions (Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa Region)
Founded in 1918, IAAPA represents leading industry attractions and supplier companies, consultants, and individual members from more than 100 countries. Members include professionals from amusement parks, theme parks, attractions, water parks, resorts, family entertainment centers, zoos, aquariums, science centers, museums, cruise lines, manufacturers, and suppliers.
IAAPA’s global headquarters and North America office are in Orlando, Florida, U.S., with additional offices in Brussels, Belgium; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Hong Kong SAR, China; Shanghai, China; and Mexico City, Mexico.
