From Coney Island to a Global Industry

Dennis's career in the attractions industry began at age 13, taking tickets at Coney Island in Cincinnati, Ohio. What began as a summer job developed into a lifelong career in the business of creating, operating, evaluating, and improving leisure attractions. He eventually advanced to Assistant Park Manager before moving into the rapidly expanding theme park business. 

Following graduation from Morehead State University, Dennis joined the entertainment division of Taft Broadcasting Company. His responsibilities included the development and operation of Kings Island, Kings Dominion, and Canada's Wonderland. His career with Taft ultimately took him into senior operations and international development roles and provided firsthand experience in virtually every aspect of developing and operating a major theme park.

1960–1971
The Beginning — Coney Island

Dennis began his career as a ticket taker at Cincinnati's Coney Island and worked his way through the operation, becoming Assistant Park Manager. The experience gave him an early grounding in park operations, guest service, revenue generation, staffing, and the realities of running an amusement park.

1972–1983
The Taft Years

Dennis moved to Kings Island following its opening in 1972 and subsequently held leadership positions associated with Kings Dominion and Taft Broadcasting's growing attractions business. His responsibilities expanded into the development of Canada's Wonderland and ultimately international operations for Taft Broadcasting.

1983–1990
ITPS & International Expansion

Dennis founded International Theme Park Services in 1983. Early ITPS assignments included Australia's Wonderland, Parc Astérix in France, Haw Par Villa in Singapore, Lotte World in South Korea, and due diligence involving Six Flags for Time Warner. In 1989, Dennis was elected President of IAAPA.

1990–2000
Building a Global Practice

ITPS's international work expanded significantly throughout the 1990s. Dennis's assignments included management of Beijing Amusement Park, planning and development of Hopi Hari in Brazil, redevelopment of Reino Aventura in Mexico, pre-opening operations planning for Enchanted Kingdom in the Philippines, development work in China and Brazil, and planning for Newport Aquarium in Kentucky.

2000–2010
Operations, Development & Transactions

Dennis increasingly applied his operating and development experience to management, acquisitions, dispositions, and strategic advisory assignments. His work included the sale of leisure properties and major transaction assignments involving operators such as Parques Reunidos, as well as continued attraction development and management projects in the United States and internationally.

2010–Today
Industry Leadership

Dennis continues to lead ITPS engagements involving operators, developers, investors, banks, private equity groups, and attraction owners throughout the world. Recent years have included development advisory, transactions, operational reviews, ride operations audits, valuations, due diligence, and strategic business assessments across a broad range of leisure attractions.

Dennis' Observations

Dennis regularly shares his perspective on the issues, trends, challenges, and opportunities affecting the global leisure and attractions industry through his long-running “An Observation by Dennis Speigel” column in the ITPS Leisure News.

Media & Speaking

Dennis is regularly called upon by media organizations, analysts, investors, and industry groups for commentary on the global attractions business and has delivered keynote presentations and industry addresses around the world.