Spotlight on IAAPA Expo Education
The Educational Seminar Program at IAAPA Expo features more than 90 educational seminars, sessions, and round¬tables designed specifically for professionals from amusement and theme parks, family entertainment centers (FECs), water parks, museums, science centers, zoos, and aquariums. With topics ranging from security to immersive design, attendees can choose the education sessions that best fit the needs of their business, facilities, and careers. The education conference program starts today and runs through Thursday. Several educational seminars will be translated simultaneously into Spanish. Here’s a look at a few of the sessions offered this year:
SIGNATURE SESSIONS
CEO Speaks
Tuesday, 3:30 – 5 p.m., Room S310ABC
CEO Speaks gives attendees unique access to three of today’s most influential leaders in the attractions business. Audience members will get to listen in on a casual, unrehearsed conversation that will touch on topics including what it takes to be successful in the industry of fun, maintaining focus on priorities, and building a company and culture that last into the future.
Legends 2019 – Report from the Galaxy’s Edge
Wednesday, 3:30 – 6:30 p.m., Room S310ABC
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” Inspired by this famous quote, industry legends who helped create Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will share insights and strategies learned by diverging from the known path and inventing new worlds.
ENTERTAINMENT
Entertainment Professionals Open House
Today, 3:30 – 5 p.m., Room S320H
Join entertainment industry professionals from around the world for an open-house session with discussions focused on guest experiences at facilities of all sizes, the opportunities and challenges of taking your show on the road, one-upping your spectaculars year after year, and delivering a high-end experience with a one-off event.
FACILITY OPERATIONS
Unconscious Bias: Identifying Your Blind Spots in Delivering Service
Today, 3:30 – 5 p.m., Room S320EFG
There can be damaging effects or missed opportunities that stem from unconscious bias, or “blind spots,” in the workplace. Come prepared to actively engage in scenario-based training to discover your own blind spots that may exist when assisting and delivering service to guests.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
Raise Profitability and the Guest Experience – Pricing and Visitation Best Practices
Thursday, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m., Room S330GH
Join a rapid-fire discussion moderated by a variety of operators challenging attractions to examine and explore new strategies to increase profitability while maintaining an exceptional guest experience. Learn how to level the peaks and valleys with best practices including dynamic pricing, advance-purchase discounting, blackout dates, reservations, third-party partnerships, business-to-business options, and special events.
FOOD AND BEVERAGE
Food Trends 2019
Today, 2 – 3 p.m., Room S330AB
Discover the hottest new products and trends that have been successful in the industry and learn how you can leverage these trends for success in your business.
GAMES AND MERCHANDISE
Games and Merchandising Best of 2019
Tuesday, 2 – 3 p.m., Room S330CD
Discover the best existing games, best new game, most innovative game, and biggest sleeper games of the season. More top categories include best plush display for games, best plush item for games, and best nonplush item for games. Cast your vote for the top three plush vendors of 2019.
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Life Safety Standards at Attractions and How Building Codes are Changing
Tuesday, 8:30 – 10 a.m., Room S230FGH
NFPA 101: The Life Safety Code is an international code that regulates the safety of life at theme parks and attractions. The code is currently in the 2021 review cycle, and several changes have been proposed to incorporate current technology and safety practices. Learn from a panel of fire marshals, architects, and industry safety professionals who will discuss how the code impacts the industry, while providing a brief overview of the code development process, current code, and proposed updates.
HUMAN RESOURCES
Maximizing Employee Engagement for the Industry of Fun
Thursday, 3:30 – 5 p.m., Room S320ABC
In this highly interactive session, learn a range of proven games, activities, and challenges for development or operations teams to utilize to foster team building and ensure maximum interaction and employee engagement at a facility.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Immerse Yourself in Immersive Technology
Today, 8:30 – 9:30 a.m., Room S330AB
This panel showcases the future of immersive story-driven gameplay that is intelligent, scalable, and highly repeatable. Find out how cutting-edge technology, advanced gamification, and dynamic storytelling with world-class intellectual properties can blend together to create the next level of escape rooms, walk-through attractions, and interactive parks.
MARKETING
The Force of Digital Advertising
Tuesday, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m., Room S330GH
This interactive session is perfect for those who are either new to video production or looking for inspiration from industry case studies. Explore how to connect with your audience through the power of a five-second preroll, how to deploy video on social media, effective ways to solidify your brand online, and tips for building revenue.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
Be Prepared: Workplace Violence and Active Shooter Situations
Thursday, 2 – 3 p.m., Room S330EF
Learn how to put a plan in place to reduce the likelihood and impact of a tragic event and develop an understanding of the tools and services available, as well as the current and best methods for risk prevention and mitigation.
A valid IAAPA Expo badge must be worn to gain access to the educational seminars. The education conference is provided complimentary to IAAPA members. Nonmembers may attend the educational seminars by purchasing the Education Conference Program package.
For a full listing of the Expo’s educational seminars, visit www.IAAPA.org/IAAPAExpoEducation.