Tuesday, March 19, 2024

WWA returns to Vegas

The World Waterpark Association’s annual symposium and trade show brings industry leaders and experts to Nevada

By Martin Palicki

October 23-26, 2018, the World Waterpark Association (WWA) returns to Las Vegas, NV for its annual symposium and trade show. The fall event moves around various cities in the United States and was last in Las Vegas in 2014.
“WWA is all about connections. It is an important gathering of key industry professionals, owners, and operators, and is a wonderful opportunity to catch up with old friends, and make new ones,” said John Collins, Marketing Creative Director at ProSlide.

“WWA Vegas is a magical space,” said Jim Deberry, Senior Manager – North America for Arihant. “It’s a great space to showcase our fun and wild rides, and also enjoy the city and all it has to offer.”

The event encompasses a two-day trade show, a robust educational track, and countless social and networking opportunities.

“Thanks to attendee feedback, we’ve really focused on creating education sessions that are thought-provoking and address current concerns in the industry,” said Aleatha Ezra, WWA’s Director of Park Member Development. Sessions run the gamut from addressing lifeguard shortages to creating VIP customer programs and dealing with unexpected crises.

Two keynote sessions will complement the education tracks. In “Customer experience is the new competitive advantage – what works, what doesn’t and why it matters more than ever,” marketing expert David Avrin, CSP, will discuss shifts in purchasing behavior and customer expectation, along with increasing visitor engagement.

In “Nice bike: making connections that move people” Emmy award-winning speaker, Mark Scharenbroich, CSP, CPAE will teach attendees how to be effective at making meaningful connections in both their professional and personal life.

“The educational stream means that we see many more hands on ‘operations’ personnel here and it is always great to hear their experiences and plans, and it is exciting to see the next generation of Park Managers developing,” said Una deBoer, Marketing Director at WhiteWater.

WWA’s 2017 event welcomed more than 1,400 owners, operators, developers, suppliers and designers to West Palm Beach, FL. Registration for the 2018 event is ongoing and can be accessed online at wwashow.org.

InPark reached out to leading industry suppliers to learn what they will be bringing to the trade show in Vegas.

Aquatic Development Group (ADG)

ADG will showcase some new versions of their Water Rides series, including a second ADVENTURE LAGOON™ water ride that opened at Zoombezi Bay with a new design and play elements (the first one opened last year at H2OBX [See InPark issue #69 “The outer limits of fun”]). They also premiered the first ever TIDAL RIVER™ attraction at Canobie Lake in Salem NH.

Other recent projects include a Six Flags Maryland River Renovation/Expansion, a Purgatory Inferno Mountain Coaster at Purgatory Resort Durango, CO and multiple wave system installations in wave pools and rivers around the globe.

Arihant

Arihant will promote their ride line for Juniors (ages 4-10), the family ride product line (4-6 person raft/tube rides) and Water Activity Play Structures, (also known as WAPS) which has a new line of theming.

Arihant also will roll out their new dealer/installer incentive program for 2019; which includes an internal certification program allowing dealers and installers to grow their market base into new regions and countries.

Polin

Polin will be showcasing new design options for their line of waterslides. A new three-dimensional Triangulated pattern joins other flat, smooth designs: Mosaic, Chameleon, and Granite. The finishes expand the theming options for each slide.

Polin Waterparks will also launch a surprise new signature waterslide. It’s their first waterslide with a built-in story, fully themed.

MORE ON POLIN IN THE ISSUE 74 COVER STORY:

Defining Polin

ProSlide® Technology Inc.

ProSlide will be highlighting some of their recent product debuts, including RallyRACER™, FlyingSAUCER™ 45, Dueling PIPEline™ and Double TornadoWAVE™.

They also plan to feature several exciting openings from this year: Aquaventure Water Park at Atlantis Sanya, Hersheypark (two world’s first rides: RallyRACER and HYDROMAGNETIC® ROCKET®/FlyingSAUCER 40), Siam Park (adding a new MAMMOTH®/ FlyingSAUCER 45), Jeju Shinhwa World in Korea (Asia’s first Double TornadoWAVE and more), Ocean World in Korea (Asia’s first FlyingSAUCER 45 and more), and Great Wolf Lodges in Gurnee, Ill and LaGrange, GA (two world’s first rides put in Georgia, the Dueling PIPEline and FlyingSAUCER 45).

SR Instruments, Inc.

In addition to presenting the different color scales now available in their product line, SR Instruments will also be promoting the new 24 x 84 in scale specifically designed for four-person in-line water coasters. Their scales help operators ensure weight limits are not exceeded without embarrassing guests. With over 160 scales in nearly a dozen countries SR Instruments will also be talking about several unique new installations.

Vortex

Last year, Vortex launched their award-winning PrecisionRide™ series. They will also show conceptual designs of Vortex Aquatic Park as well as highlight some recent project openings: Aquatic Area of James Island in Charleston (custom Elevations Structure), Winston Water Works in Winston-Salem (waterslide, Elevations and Water Journey), and Eagles Lakes Aquatic Center (waterslides and Poolplay structure).

WhiteWater

WhiteWater plans to showcase three new products during WWA: FusionFortress 17, AquaForms, and Life Floor. Visitors can also expect to see some new fusion slides that include new combinations and twists as well as updates to existing elements.

Highlighted projects include Epic Waters, [See InPark issue #72 “Of epic proportions”], SeaWorld Aquatica’s new Ray Rush attraction, and Rigby’s – a new project consisting of an essential waterpark ‘start up kit’ from WhiteWater in the shape of the FusionFortress 17. With the addition of a lazy river or wave pool phase one of any new waterpark development could be ready to go. • • •

Joe Kleiman
Joe Kleimanhttp://wwww.themedreality.com
Raised in San Diego on theme parks, zoos, and IMAX films, InPark's Senior Correspondent Joe Kleiman would expand his childhood loves into two decades as a projectionist and theater director within the giant screen industry. In addition to his work in commercial and museum operations, Joe has volunteered his time to animal husbandry at leading facilities in California and Texas and has played a leading management role for a number of performing arts companies. Joe previously served as News Editor and has remained a contributing author to InPark Magazine since 2011. HIs writing has also appeared in Sound & Communications, LF Examiner, Jim Hill Media, The Planetarian, Behind the Thrills, and MiceChat His blog, ThemedReality.com takes an unconventional look at the attractions industry. Follow on twitter @ThemesRenewed Joe lives in Sacramento, California with his wife, dog, and a ghost.
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