Water Park Forum - Sold Out

Massimiliano Freddi, V.P Strategic Development Leolandia, Italy
(member of Iaapa Emea Education sub-committee)

Led by a strong passion for the amusement parks industry, after his studies in marketing and communication, Massimiliano began his career as a Marketing, Press & PR Manager Italy for Disneyland Paris. In 2008, he took on the challenge to join the team in charge of relaunching the 40-years old miniature facility Minitalia, Milano, and turned it into a cutting edge theme park.
After running  Leolandia as a General Manager for seven years, Massimiliano became  V.P Strategic Development. The park is  Italy’s number one park for families with children under 10, with a strong focus on safety, accessibility, environment and service. 

Thomas Sjöstrand, CPO Liseberg Expansion Project, Liseberg, Sweden

Thomas Sjöstrand has been working at Liseberg since 2008, first as CEO of Liseberg's Restaurant company for over 5 years and the after the merge in 2014 as Vice President, COO with responsibility for all business areas in the park; Attraction, Fastfood, Restaurant, Shopping; Games and Entertainment. Since June 2017 Thomas has full focus on Lisebergs Expansions Project. In conjunction with Gothenburg’s 400th anniversary in 2021, Liseberg intends to build an indoor water park and a themed destination hotel (450 rooms) south of – but linked to - the current amusement park.

Robin Wildhagen, Development Manager, Tropical Islands, Germany

Robin Wildhagen, Topical Islands´ Strategic Development Manager, has over 10 years of experience in the hotel-, and leisure business. He holds a Bachelor in Business Administration in Hospitality and Hotel Management and a Master of Science in European Real Estate Management. During and also after his studies Robin Wildhagen gained multifarious operational insight whilst in different placements around the world, like in Belgium, Netherlands, Hong Kong, USA and Australia. After his studies he was employed as a junior consultant at JJ Hospitality Consulting BV to assist amongst other things with hotel transaction negotiations and the development of hospitality concepts. Following this, Robin Wildhagen took the role of the Strategic Development Manager at Tropical Islands in December 2013, where he is responsible for the overall strategic master-planning of the company and development of new business entities in leisure, hospitality and accommodation. Just two years later his role was expanded to the Project, Real Estate Development & Interim Facility Manager. In addition to this he serves as the Secretary of the Project Steering Committee and represents the development and maintenance department within the Senior Management at Tropical Islands.

Catherine Zimpfer, CEO, Säntispark, Zwitserland

Roger Currie, Director Business Development, Water Technology Inc, UK, Eurasia

Roger has over 40 years’ experience in the Aquatic Leisure Industry. Currently he fronts the Water Technology projects in Europe and Euro Asia, also supporting the specialist design build projects delivered by Neuman Aqua Ltd, focusing on new-build developments and the rapidly growing expansion/retrofit sector. Roger served a 20-year career with Biwater Ltd, gaining experience in construction, operations and manufacturing within the worldwide water industry, before leaving to set up the aquatic leisure consultancy company, Royson Ltd in 1996. In 2005 he established his role with Aqua Leisure International, combining it with the formation of Neuman Aqua Ltd 2011. He is a regular international Speaker and a writer of industry articles and has sat on a number of Industry Standards advisory boards. Roger also served on the World Waterpark Associations Board of Directors 2004-2010. He is a member of the Institute of Swimming Pool Engineers and also the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity.

Dr. Klaus Batz, Managing Director, European Waterpark Association, Germany

After he graduated as PH. D. in philosophy at the Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg Klaus Batz started his business career as consultant with his own company in 1997, focusing on leisure, healthcare and tourism. In 2001 he took over responsibility for the development of the European Waterpark Association as its managing director. He is a registered lobby-worker for the water park industries in Brussels and Berlin and teaches at the Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University.