Orlando, Wednesday, 19 November 2025.
On Monday Su Zhigang, chairman of Chimelong Group, became the first Chinese industry leader inducted into the IAAPA Hall of Fame, acknowledging decades of large‑scale resort development, attraction design and integrated hospitality leadership. For retail and attractions professionals this milestone signals broader acceptance of Chinese operators within the global ecosystem and could accelerate outbound investment, cross‑border IP licensing and supplier partnerships. Chimelong’s track record — three world‑class resort destinations, 17 Guinness World Records and multiple TEA/IAAPA awards — underpins the recognition and validates its positioning alongside legacy global operators. Commercially, expect heightened demand for Chimelong consultancy, themed‑land exports and collaborative development deals, and a re‑rating of Asia‑Pacific competitive dynamics and supplier selection criteria. The induction reframes how recognition translates into tangible opportunities: partnerships, licensing pipelines and procurement shifts. This provides a prompt for retailers and suppliers to reassess market entry, partnership approaches and risk allocation tied to Chinese‑led, cross‑border themed‑entertainment projects.