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K. F. Moffett, editor, Waterpark Report
Every November, when IAAPA holds its popular convention and trade show, which attracts professionals from all over the world, more than 30,000 participants attend the show’s many workshops and off-site programs. These participants return to work reinvigorated, equipped with new ideas, and ready for the next season.
Last year, IAAPA conceived Tools of the Trade in part to expand its benefits to members, some of whom are not always able to attend the annual convention and trade show. These workshops, which take place during the preseason, provide park managers and employees with the same educational and networking opportunities found at the trade show, minus the hassle of getting a plane ticket.
Tools of the Trade’s range of topics has included how to build well-structured
and successful training programs; the changing face of business leadership and the move toward recognizing human resources as a strategic, not onerous, investment; the merits of using positive reinforcement to mentor employees; and governmental regulatory issues facing waterparks, including ADA requirements, new standards, and harassment claims.
Just for Waterparks
This year, Tools of the Trade became a waterpark-centric event that delivered expertise to Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, and Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort in New Braunfels, Texas, to much success. The attendees enjoyed the day-long program, which included a presentation by Grant Goold, president and CEO of Goold and Associates, an industry consulting firm.
“It was particularly informative to those waterpark attendees who do not regularly attend the IAAPA Expo in Orlando,” says Ana Elisa Benavent, IAAPA’s vice president for membership and marketing services. “These attendees were impressed with IAAPA’s dedication to providing educational opportunities for everyone who works at IAAPA member parks and attractions.”
The Tools attendees were impressed by Goold’s breadth of knowledge and his commitment to hands-on learning. Last summer, Goold traveled the country with his family, passing through the turnstiles of 26 waterparks. At each venue, he asked his children to rate the thrills, accessibility, and enjoyment of rides in an effort to discover that sometimes-elusive “consumer perspective.”
During the IAAPA workshop session at Schlitterbahn, Goold discussed everything from rising insurance costs to providing motivational leadership to employees, to one of the industry’s most important considerations—safety.
“We were pleased with the range of topics presented,” says Benavent, adding that “Goold’s friendly but informative presentation style is very conducive to the type of learning we are trying to foster at these unique Tools sessions.”
Value-added Education
The attendees enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour of Schlitterbahn, which was named by the Travel Channel as America’s top waterpark, and was perhaps as informative as the presentations. With three miles of tubing, seven water playgrounds, 17 waterslides, a surfing machine, and three uphill water coasters, Schlitterbahn impressed attendees with its advanced technology but traditional, positive treatment of its visitors.
“People might think it is strange to share some of the ingredients of our park’s phenomenal success with supervisors at other parks,” says Sherrie Brammall, Schlitterbahn’s spokesperson. “But one of the most important things taught in IAAPA’s educational programs, and the cornerstone of the association’s culture in general, is that improving the entire industry can only help us continue to grow and impress. We were proud to have the attendees tour our park and we ourselves enjoyed the presentations.”
IAAPA plans similar educational programs in the future. Continue to check www.iaapa.org for updates.
