The IAAPA Convention and Trade Show is the crowning event of the season for amusement facilities worldwide. Each year, about 30,000 industry professionals return from the event with a renewed vigor—full of fresh ideas and warmed by the camaraderie they experience. As anyone who attends will confirm, the merits of the educational presentations and workshops are unsurpassed—and the networking is highly valuable.

Because not everyone can attend the Convention and Trade Show, IAAPA’s Training Department and Waterpark Committee have developed a workshop to be held regionally in the preseason. Tools of the Trade is a one-day event designed specifically to create a more personal and affordable networking and educational experience for waterpark managers and supervisors. The program includes three presentations by industry professionals, a tour of the host waterpark, a luncheon, and an evening reception for networking and fellowship. Registration is $50 for members and $100 for nonmembers.

Each of the presentations shares a common objective—to give the participants the tools they need for the upcoming season. Following is a brief description of the sessions relevant to the 2003 season.

Foundations: Building Solid Training Programs enables participants to build training programs that are sound and successful. It includes proven techniques for developing and delivering training, the merits of effective training plans, methods of creating educationally sound programs, and a plan that fits the needs of waterparks.

Leadership and Legacy focuses on key characteristics of proven leadership legacy. The material includes the elements critical to leaving a leadership legacy, the shift in business leadership recognizing human capital as a strategic investment, and the economic shift in business leadership, the power of positive reinforcement and mentoring staff.

Regulatory Challenges for Waterparks is a down-to-earth, practical approach to the new legal and regulatory changes facing waterparks, including ADA requirements, new standards, and workplace harassment claims. Managers aware of these new regulations will be better equipped to prevent claims and provide the best and safest guest experience possible.

The pilot Tools of the Trade workshop was held on March 8 at Morey’s Piers in Wildwood, a New Jersey shore town with an all-American ’50s theme. In addition to a midway, the Morey’s amusement park and various boardwalk eateries and retail, the piers are home to two beachfront Raging Waters waterparks.

The IAAPA Waterpark Committee would like to hear from member waterparks with an interest in hosting or attending a regional Tools of the Trade workshop. If you would like to host, rest assured that IAAPA will arrange the entire program and handle the promotion to attract participants from area facilities. The committee members are as friendly and eager to hear from you as they are dedicated to the betterment of all waterparks.

The Tools of the Trade program was developed to assist member waterparks in their quest to continually improve the safety and quality of the guest experience. Contact the IAAPA Waterpark Committee for more information on regional Tools of the Trade workshops.