IAAPA Virtual Conference

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Together we'll rebound, rebuild, and return to the fun.

2021 will be more than just a new year. It’s going to be a whole new world for the attractions industry. To help prepare you for this challenge, IAAPA is bringing together industry leaders and top speakers for an IAAPA Virtual Conference focused on resilience and recovery. 

On day one, presenters will focus on recovery planning with valuable forecasts from a top economist. Additional experts will share solutions for safe, profitable operations in a COVID environment.
 
Day two will feature presenters that specialize in motivation and how to inspire your attractions team. Hear from speakers who have overcome major obstacles and learn new strategies for managing your work force in uncertain times.  

The attractions industry is going to bring back the fun in ‘21. And bouncing back starts with finding new ways forward at IAAPA Virtual Conference. 

Registration now open! Register early and save. 
 

REGISTER NOW

Save on registration, plus unlock valuable connections, resources, and tools as an IAAPA Member. Learn more about becoming an IAAPA Member here. 

Group Registration Available! Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more to maximize savings for your company. Please contact Elanna Lugo: [email protected] for more information. 

Agenda-At-Glance
Note: all times listed are in Eastern Time (ET). 

Wednesday, April 7 | RECOVERY (click drop-down arrow for full details)

8-9 a.m.	Peer-to-Peer Roundtable Discussion: Recovery Begin the day connecting with your peers in a interactive discussion focused on recovery. Come prepared to share or hear from others on: What is your company doing to recover from the global pandemic? Do you have any positive outcomes from the pandemic? What skills did you hone during the pandemic and how will they help you moving forward?
9 - 9:10 a.m.	IAAPA Daily Highlights Event host Johnathan Lee Iverson, Showman and former Ringmaster, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey
9:10 - 9:55 a.m.	Keynote Presentation | Preparing for the Recovery Featuring Adam Sacks, President, Oxford Economics Company Historic travel industry losses continue to mount. However, economic fundamentals and traveler sentiment data point to significant near-term opportunities. Adam Sacks will share Tourism Economics’ latest views on the economy, the mindset of travelers, and expectations for how and when travel will fully recover.
9:55 - 10:15 a.m.	M&S Solution Talks: JRA The next IAAPA Virtual Conference unveils an exciting opportunity specifically for manufacturer and supplier members to host an exclusive session with speakers of YOUR choosing, in a new series called M&S Solution Talks.
10:15 - 10:20 a.m.	Speed Session | Multiplayer VR Explored
10:20 - 10:30 a.m.	Break
10:30 - 10:50 a.m.	Panel Discussion | Safety First, Fun Second: How the Attractions Industry is adapting to a COVID World  With the multitude of information being released on COVID-19, it is important to know fact from fiction.  A top infectious disease doctor will debunk common COVID-19 myths and provide an update on what is happening to help you understand how to continue to be prepared. Experts from the attractions industry will share their perspectives on creating a successful operation during a pandemic.  They will share examples of  what is being implemented at their locations as they reopen and create new experiences for guests. Moderator: Linda Freeman, Entertainment Industry Specialist, Rockwell Automation Panelists: Anthony Palermo, Co-founder, Connect&GO, Dr. Marc Allan Tack, DO, Infectious Disease and Internal Medicine, Jason Freeman, Corporate Vice President of Security, Safety, Health & Environmental at Six Flags Entertainment Corporation
10:55 - 11:15 a.m.	M&S Solution Talks: ProSlide Technology Inc.  The next IAAPA Virtual Conference unveils an exciting opportunity specifically for manufacturer and supplier members to host an exclusive session with speakers of YOUR choosing, in a new series called M&S Solution Talks.
11:15 - 11:30 a.m.	Break
11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.	Case Study Featuring | SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment: Navigating the COVID-19 Crisis Since the start of the COVID-19 global pandemic, SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment has confronted the industry’s new operating reality with urgency, flexibility, and creativity. From the Board to the park teams, the Orlando-based company, which owns and operates 12 parks across the United States, has worked collaboratively with streamlined and efficient decision-making to maximize its financial flexibility, adapt operations, and prioritize health and safety. One year in, CEO Marc Swanson discusses how the company has navigated and continues to navigate the challenges of the pandemic — and what they have done to make the business a stronger business on the other side.  Marc Swanson, Interim Chief Executive Officer, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
12:15 - 12:35 p.m.	M&S Solution Talks: Beekeeper The next IAAPA Virtual Conference unveils an exciting opportunity specifically for manufacturer and supplier members to host an exclusive session with speakers of YOUR choosing, in a new series called M&S Solution Talks.
12:35 - 1 p.m.	Fireside Chat | Keynote Speaker Adam Sacks, President, Oxford Economics Company
4 - 5 p.m.	Networking Event | National Beer Day 2021 Come together with IAAPA Virtual Conference participants at the end of the first day to celebrate National Beer Day 2021. Set your favorite virtual background (if you choose), bring your favorite beverage, and get ready for fun and conversation with your IAAPA peers you may not have seen in a while.

Thursday, April 8 | RESILIENCE (click drop-down arrow for full details)

8 - 9 a.m.	Peer-to-Peer Roundtable Discussion: Resilience Begin the day connecting with your peers in a interactive discussion focused on resilience. Come prepared to share or hear from others on: How is your company supporting employees with the challenges and fears of the pandemic? How will you plan for change going forward to create better predictability and ultimately better results? What lessons did you learn through COVID? Which of these should be left behind and what should you take forward?
9 - 9:10 a.m.	IAAPA Daily Highlights Event host Johnathan Lee Iverson, Showman and former Ringmaster, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey
9:10 - 9:55 a.m.	Keynote Presentation | The Kindness Diaries Featuring Leon Logothetis, Global adventurer, motivational speaker, & author/creator of the book and Netflix show, The Kindness Diaries As host of the Netflix series, The Kindness Diaries, Leon circumnagivated the globe on his vintage yellow motorbike 'Kindness One', giving life-changing gifts along the way to unsuspecting good Samaritans. All of this whilst relying on the kindness of strangers. From his experiences, you will learn how to ignite a spark of love, adventure, and humanity within your messaging and expand your global awareness.
9:55 - 10:15 a.m.	M&S Solution Talks: Opportunity Available! The next IAAPA Virtual Conference unveils an exciting opportunity specifically for manufacturer and supplier members to host an exclusive session with speakers of YOUR choosing, in a new series called M&S Solution Talks. Contact Emily Popovich today: [email protected] or +1 703/850-4115.
10:15 - 10:30 a.m.	Break
10:30 - 10:50 a.m.	Panel Discussion | Leadership and Adaptability to Change Throughout the past year, change has become more rapid and continual and adaptability has never been more important. Hear from leaders on how they overcame challenges, addressed accelerating change, and continue to equip themselves to navigate and lead to a better future for all.  Moderator: Johnathan Lee Iverson Panelists: Tracy Lanza, Senior Vice President, Integrated Marketing, Brand USA, Hal McEvoy, ICAE, President & CEO, IAAPA, Amanda Thompson OBE, ICAE, Chairman of the Board, IAAPA, Managing Director, Blackpool Pleasure Beach
10:50 - 11:20 a.m.	M&S Solution Talks: Opportunity Available! The next IAAPA Virtual Conference unveils an exciting opportunity specifically for manufacturer and supplier members to host an exclusive session with speakers of YOUR choosing, in a new series called M&S Solution Talks. Contact Emily Popovich today: [email protected] or +1 703/850-4115.
11:20 - 11:30 a.m.	Thoughts from Supporting Sponsor: Dippin' Dots
11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.	Case Study | Food and Beverage Response at Typhoon Texas Join us as we talk to the Typhoon Texas leadership team about the adaptations and learnings their food and beverage teams encountered as they battled the disruptions caused by COVID-19. We’ll take a dive into the physical, informational, cognitive, and social changes they dealt with, and discuss how they plan to continue to meet these challenges and exit the pandemic even stronger. Moderator: Bernie Campbell, ICAE, Whirley-Drinkworks! Panelists: Evan Barnett, President, Typhoon Texas, Walter Teem, Director of Revenue, Typhoon Texas, Houston, Cade Vereen, Director of Revenue, Typhoon Texas, Austin
12:15 - 12:35 p.m.	M&S Solution Talks: Opportunity Available! The next IAAPA Virtual Conference unveils an exciting opportunity specifically for manufacturer and supplier members to host an exclusive session with speakers of YOUR choosing, in a new series called M&S Solution Talks. Contact Emily Popovich today: [email protected] or +1 703/850-4115.
12:35 - 1 p.m.	Fireside Chat | Keynote Speaker Leon Logothetis, TV Host, Author, Philanthropist, Global Traveler

Speakers

Additional Speakers: 

Bernie Campbell, ICAE, Whirley-Drinkworks!
Linda Freeman, Entertainment Industry Specialist at Rockwell Automation 
Jason Freeman, Corporate Vice President of Security, Safety, Health & Environmental at Six Flags Entertainment Corporation

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