Jørn Henriksen Appointed Chair of IAATO Executive Committee Amid New Leadership Additions
The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) has appointed Jørn Henriksen as executive committee chair and welcomed Kim Crosbie, Iain McNeill, and Kara Weller to the top table during this year's annual meeting.
Jørn Henriksen, Director of Expedition Operations at Viking, has been involved in responsible Antarctic travel since 2000 and has been an active member of IAATO since 2005. He was elected to IAATO's Executive Committee (EC) in 2024 and has also served as chair of the association's Bylaws Committee.
Henriksen is joined by new EC members Kim Crosbie, Director and Chair of the Board of Noble Caledonia Ltd, Iain McNeill, Chief Operating Officer at HX, and Kara Weller, Senior Manager of Expedition Operations at Seabourn. The appointments were made following a vote at IAATO's annual meeting, held this year in Annapolis, Maryland, US, from April 21 to 23.
He said: "I want to extend my gratitude to all the members for trusting me with this responsibility.
"Having served on the EC for two years, I have seen the work that goes into guiding IAATO's core values. I'm passionate about the work we do as a responsible tourism organisation, and I'm honoured to now serve as chair of the executive committee."
Henriksen succeeds John McKeon, co-founder and owner of IAATO Member Operator Polar Latitudes, who has stepped down after serving on the EC for the maximum term of five years, the last two as chair.
McKeon has been involved in responsible Antarctic travel since 2004 and has been an active member of IAATO since 2010. He joined IAATO's Membership Committee in 2014 and served as chair from 2017 to 2021, when he was elected to the EC. He has also served on the IAATO Managing for Growth Working Group.
IAATO Executive Director Lisa Kelley said: "John has been a dedicated and knowledgeable presence within IAATO for 16 years, and for the last five, he has - with great care and consideration - helped shepherd the association through avian influenza response, evolving regulatory frameworks and tourism growth.
"He is an esteemed member of the membership and will be greatly missed on the executive committee."
Every year at IAATO's annual meeting, members have open and candid discussions on safety, environmental protection, and self-management. Decision-making is supported by recommendations developed by IAATO's 12 dedicated committees, five sub-committees, and four working groups throughout the year. The meeting concludes annually with the voting in of new policies on best practice, which support the association's mission.
At the annual meeting, new members are elected to vacant positions on the IAATO EC. As part of the committee, these members lead the organisation and make decisions on behalf of the membership, where appropriate. The composition of the EC is designed to reflect the geographical distribution and operational activities of the membership.
Kelley added: "Our executive committee plays an essential role in guiding IAATO's priorities and vision each season. I welcome our new members and chair and look forward to collaborating as a team."
The new appointees join current EC members Diana Galimberti, Senior Advisor at Antarctica21, and Sibrand Hassing, Director of Marine and Port Operations for Holland America Line, both appointed in 2021.
