Institute Programs
Institutes are day-long or multi-day education programs. They provide intensive training on select functions of an attraction, ranging from starting a business to general operation, and from marketing to project management. Institutes are designed to deliver practical knowledge from experts who know what works. Class sizes are limited to promote discussion and knowledge-sharing among participants.
Select from three full-day and multi-day Institute programs offered in conjunction with IAAPA Attractions Expo 2011.
- Institute for Attractions Managers (multi-day)
- Rookies and Newcomers (multi-day)
- Project Planning In the Attractions Industry (full-day)
Institute for Attractions Managers:
A Professional Development Program for Future Attraction Executives
Course Schedule: Sunday November 13 - Tuesday November 15, 2011 
The two-and-a-half-day program is designed for industry professionals with two-to-five year’s management experience. This includes vice presidents, directors, managers, department heads, and supervisors who want to expand their industry knowledge and advance their career.
This Institute also includes admission to the Disney at Dawn Backstage Tour to Walt Disney World and Lunch and Learn with Pat Koch.
Curriculum:
The courses are a blend of classroom instruction, audio presentation, case study, class work, and field work. Attendees will receive a detailed workbook for each course with additional references and online support material.
Subject Areas:
- 1. Attractions Finance: managing capital, expense and revenue budgeting, and other financial tools.
- 2. Attractions Marketing: marketing, media relations, advertising, group sales, and public relations.
- 3. Attractions Leadership: human resources development strategies
- 4. Facility Operations and Safety: industry regulation, facility management best practices, and crisis management.
- 5. Attractions Revenue Operations: food and beverage, merchandise, pay-per-experience attractions, and rental services revenue.
Attendees will leave the course with a solid understanding of the key disciplines and processes required to manage a successful attraction.
Registration Fee Includes:
- IAAPA Attractions Expo registration
- Disney at Dawn Backstage Tour to Walt Disney World
- Lunch and Learn with Pat Koch
- Course tuition and support materials
- Daytime meals and refreshments
- Sunday night reception
- Certificate of completion
Course Faculty:
- Vic Nolting, President, Coney Island
- Cindy Farkas, Director, Seasonal & Special Events, Hershey Entertainment Complex
- Neva Richardson-Larson, CFO, The Sims Group
- Doug Stagner, Director Operations, SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment
- Tim Ruedy, Principle, Attraction Consulting International
- Bret Pfost, Senior Manager, Park Operations, Safety, Training, and Compliance, Disneyland Resort
Fee: IAAPA members US$499; nonmembers US$US$699
Advanced Registration Required. Space is limited.
Rookies and Newcomers: Family Entertainment Centers
Course Schedule: Sunday November 13 - Monday November 14, 2011
Rookies and Newcomers is a soup-to-nuts program for those thinking of entering the family entertainment center (FEC) business or for those who have just begun operations. The one-and-a-half-day program looks at everything from researching your market to how to conduct day-to-day operations. Led by experts in FEC and small business management, Rookies and Newcomers will give you the skills, tools, and know-how to take your FEC from start-up to star performer in no time.
Schedule:
Sunday, Nov. 14, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. followed by the IAAPA Facility Tour: FunSpot USA (6:00 p.m.- 10:00 p.m.)
AND
Monday, Nov 15, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Topics include:
- Why Perform a Feasibility Study?
- Business Plans: The Heart of Your Project
- Financing 101
- Game Rooms: Choosing the Right Design
- Trends in FEC Designs
- Putting Your Profit and Loss statement to Work For You
- ABC's of Insurance
- Hiring, Managing, and Motivating
- Marketing Your Business in the Fast Lane
- Food and Beverage: Your Key To Profits
- Group and Outside Sales Tune-Up
- Attraction Selection
Registration Fee Includes:
- IAAPA Attractions Expo Registration
- Course tuition and support materials
- Daytime meals and refreshments
- Sunday night reception
- Certificate of completion
Faculty
- Dorothy Lewis, President, Maxx Fun of PA
- Richard Sanfilippo, President, Sam’s Fun City
- Kim Davis, RLA, ASLA, President, Davis and Davis Inc., Recreational Planning Consultants
Fee: IAAPA members $329, nonmembers $429
Advanced Registration Required. Space is limited.
Project Planning for the Attractions Industry
Thursday, November 17, 2011, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Innovation is now recognized as the single most important ingredient in any modern economy. The art of managing attractions projects from ideas through implementation requires that all eam members be fully engaged in renewal. This daylong workshop will offer insights and tools for service leaders responsible for managing all types of projects in the attractions industry. Program components will include:
- Innovation in the Experience Economy
- Balancing Creativity and Execution
- Idea Generation Using the 10 Faces of Innovation
- Idea Implementation Toolkit for the Memories Business
- Post Project Review - Metrics for Ongoing Renewal
This highly interactive workshop will engage attendees in simulation-based learning and team-oriented idea generation during the live workshop as well as continued application of the material through access to an online toolkit for project implementation and review.
Registration fee includes:
- Course tuition and support materials
- Daytime refreshments
- Certificate of completion
Course Faculty
- Mark Testa, Ph.D., Professor -Management and Service Leadership, San Diego State University
- Lori Sipe, Professor, L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality and Tourism Management
- San Diego State University
Fee: IAAPA members US$199; nonmembers US$299
Advanced Registration Required. Space is limited.