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. Highlights of the virtual event included:
- 7 live Featured Presentations
- 8 live Ask The Experts Q&A panels
- 9 live hosted Connect & Chats sessions
- 40 pre-recorded breakout sessions featuring more than 100 thought provoking speakers
- 3 live General Session & Awards presentations
“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.
“Thank you for continuing to be a steadfast resource and support for our community! You stayed true to your mission and continue to be the glue that holds the waterpark industry together,” said Robin Ritz, InCord.
To read the complete WWA40 Virtual Show Post Show Press Release, please click here.
