The World Waterpark Association (WWA) has declared its 38th Annual Symposium & Trade Show a huge hit – thanks in part to its Las Vegas location.
“This year’s show was a great success on every level,” said WWA president, Rick Root. “Nothing excites our attendee base quite like Vegas, but it’s obvious that the depth of our educational programmes and the quality of our product marketplace brought out many new attendees who then met and mingled with our show veterans in meaningful ways.”
The four-day event (October 23 to 26) at the Las Vegas Convention Center was attended by more than 1,600 waterpark owners, operators, developers, suppliers and designers. Attendees travelled from 25 countries on five continents to be part of industry get-together. Among them was a strong showing from the US.
The WWA Trade Show, which tool place for the middle two days of the event, featured 100,000-square-feet of combined exhibit space with more than 225 companies showcasing products and services.
“As a first-time attendee with very limited knowledge of the waterpark industry, the WWA Show was an epiphany,” said Nenpan Tunkuda, managing director of Kudnax Enterprises. “Networking with operators and vendors was crucial and interesting.”
“The waterpark industry is a tight knit group that is willing to share and learn from each other and the show provides a perfect backdrop to do just that,” said Ina Rivard, owner of Canada’s Atlantic Splash Adventure. “It was truly beneficial to interact directly with other people in the industry who have gone through the same things or have come up with productive and efficient ways to tackle our similar issues.”
“I highly recommend the WWA Show to all waterpark operators around the globe,” added Alan Mahony, vice-president of Aquaventure waterpark at Atlantis Sanya in China. “The educational sessions, time on the show floor, seeing old friends and meeting new ones provides strength for the year ahead.”
An annual highlight of the WWA Show is the recognition of industry leaders and pioneers by association’s board of directors. Five individuals were inducted into the WWA Hall of Fame this year: Greg Cloward (Cloward H2O), ?Kent Lemasters (Amusement Aquatic Management),? Greg & Kathy Siggers (Wild Water Adventure Park) and ?Wolfgang Teichmann (API Water Fun). Induction videos for each honouree can be seen on the WWA’s YouTube channel.
In addition, the WWA recognised a further 27 recipients in its Board of Directors’ Awards and presented ?Leading Edge Awards to Aquaventure Waterpark at China’s Atlantis Sanya resort, Chimelong Water Park’s new SlideWheel attraction (also in China), Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark in Texas and The CORE at Hersheypark in Pennsylvania. Meanwhile multiple aquatic facilities were recognised for their marketing achievements in the WWA’s Wave Review.
Networking events are always an important part of the WWA Show. This year these included a golf tournament at Desert Pines Golf Club and the WWA’s Annual Reunion Party at Wet ‘n’ Wild Las Vegas – as pictured below.
“The whole show is like having a family reunion!” smiled Becky Osborne of Airhead Sports. “I look forward to reconnecting with my customers after their summer season. I can hear about their successes and help them address any issues for the upcoming year.”
For 2019, the WWA will take its Annual Symposium & Trade Show to Florida – Walt Disney World in fact. The event will take place at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort hotel from October 7 to 10 – just over a month before IAAPA Attractions Expo down the road in Orlando. More info at waterparks.org
Main image: Elvis poses with attendees during the Reunion Party at Wet ‘n’ Wild Las Vegas. Below: The Reunion Party at Wet ‘n’ Wild
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