For the first time ever, the World Waterpark Association delivered its annual show experience virtually, which allowed the Association and its sponsors, speakers and key volunteers to safely provide the best education and networking opportunities available to waterpark and aquatics professionals working around the globe.
“We were certainly disappointed that we couldn’t bring our industry together for our in-person Symposium & Trade Show—something we’ve done for 40 years,” said Rick Root, WWA President. “However, from what we’ve seen so far, pivoting to a virtual show program was just what our industry needed. Attendees from 17 countries have already spent thousands of hours watching all of the outstanding educational sessions offered by our industry thought leaders, and we anticipate the interaction with our show program to continue throughout the next few months.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed this year’s virtual show and the best part of it is I have the opportunity to attend the sessions I missed through March 2021!” said Chase Singleton, assistant general manager, Wilderness at the Smokies. “It’s hard to beat on-demand waterpark industry education. Great work, WWA!”
“In a year like no other, the WWA pulled out all the stops and gave us a show like no other. Each presentation was thoughtfully put together and gave unique insights into what to expect for the coming seasons,” said Emily Polinsky, executive assistant & digital media manager, Wet ‘N Wild Water World. “I left the show with more than a dozen new ideas to bring to our park next year.”
“Only the WWA could find a way to virtually bring us all together while still providing top notch education and networking opportunities,” said Jen Gerber, Water Technology, Inc. “We’re grateful to be part of the best industry in the world with some of the most passionate leaders and teams.”
“The WWA40 Virtual Show was just what you would expect from the World Waterpark Association,” said Jessica Mahoney, Aquatic Development Group. “This year’s show provided us with a platform for sharing key learnings and experiences, bringing us all together with informative sessions and live Q&A’s that provided us all with valuable opportunities to once again connect and interact with our peers in the industry.”
Taking place over three days, the WWA40 Virtual Show program featured a well-curated mix of pre-recorded educational sessions and live, interactive sessions featuring dozens of relevant topics that matter to owners, operators, designers and developers working in parks of all shapes and sizes.
“None of us have experienced a year quite like 2020 and we need to work closely together if we’re going push through these uncharted waters,” said Aleatha Ezra, director of park member development, World Waterpark Association. “2021 will hold many unknowns for all of us, but we don’t have to go into it alone. Our live sessions this year offered attendees the chance to bounce ideas off each other and gather new ways to operate more safely so that our guests feel good about coming back out to visit our parks.”
“What an encouragement it was to have some normalcy in our year…spending a week in October with the WWA community; seeing faces and hearing familiar voices working together as a team to continue to educate, highlight achievements, provide resources and just to lift each other up,” said Marci Blevins, owner, Splash Kingdom Waterparks.
The WWA Show is well known for its robust educational program and this year’s virtual program delved deeper into the topics that matter most right now, including: keeping guests and employees safer, providing best-in-class guest services, hiring, training and on-boarding employees virtually and much more.
“The WWA Show never disappoints and this year was no different. The adapted virtual show provided a unique opportunity to connect live with fellow industry experts and friends, while the new format allowed us to consume more content than ever before. It was a game changer,” said Taryn Eisenman, General Manager, SplashDown Beach Water Park.
For those water leisure professionals who missed the WWA40 Virtual Show experience in October, nearly all of the educational content has been recorded and archived and is still available to purchase through March 1, 2021. Access to the show archives may be purchased for $249 for park and supplier members or $424 for non-members.
“We encourage anyone who missed the virtual show to consider purchasing access to the extensive archives. The more than 50 hours of learning that you’ll be able to partake in is well worth the small investment. Plus, you have the luxury of listening to each session more than once. It’s a tremendous value to you and your team,” said Ezra.
The World Waterpark Association’s 41st Annual Symposium & Trade Show, set for October 19-22, 2021, will return to San Antonio, Texas, US. The show will be headquartered at Grand Hyatt San Antonio, where attendees will find the WWA’s jam packed trade show floor and more than 40 breakout sessions, workshops and round tables. Visit WWAShow.org for more details about the 2021 show.