November 22, 2024: IAAPA Expo & 2025 Conferences
Good Morning,
I'm at IAAPA Expo this week in Orlando. I'm still processing everything I saw and heard at what that bills itself as "the global attraction industry's premier event." From amusement rides to inflatable bouncy houses, bowling alleys, arcade games, roller coasters, food concession & toy products, and - of course - water park amenities, attractions and education sessions, this was a very different tradeshow. Please look for a full recap on our YouTube channel in the next two weeks. I don't think I'll go again in 2025, but it's definitely worth a visit periodically.
Next year, the Athletic Business Show (I've never attended, but I've been meaning to go) is a wee bit closer to Alberta in San Diego, CA mid-November 2025 and then doubling up with the IAAPA Show in Orlando in November 2026. Next year will also be a biennial year for BCRPA's Ripple Effects Conference (not yet updated for 2025), so we'll have to see how the year shakes out for professional development travel.
I've also been keen to go to the World Conference on Drowning Prevention (WCDP), but I just can't support going to Sharm El Sheikh in November 2025. I understand why the location was likely chosen - one of the new board members is Egyptian; conferences move around the world based on the financial support and advocacy of member organizations - but, with everything going on in the MENA Region right now, 2025 is not my year.
As a side note, my mom would often call me when I lived in Israel - "I heard there were rockets? A suicide bomber? EXPLOSIONS?!" - yes, to any/all of those things on a routine basis, i.e. you can't always trust international reporting on domestic events. I would not consider myself particularly risk averse, and I've actually spent quite a bit of time in Egypt, but it's a long way to go for something that could be canceled at any point due to global events.
I am attending StarGuard Elite's CAMP in January 2025, so stay tuned for lots of cruise content in December & January on Instagram after a year of being landlocked.
People always ask me about the Association of Aquatic Professional (AOAP) Conference. I've never been, it's absolutely on my radar, but the timing in February never works out with the location rotating between Reno, Colorado Springs & Florida.
I also had great advice from a boss, Kay, years ago: "Never become so specialized that you're not needed (i.e. won't be considered) for other work." I'm definitely at the stage in my career where I want to learn more about adjacent industries. I'll never stop learning about aquatics, but I'm looking for more breadth, not depth.
What shows are you planning to attend in 2025? Are there any you're really excited about that I've missed? Please let me know in the comments below.
It's been a really slow week for aquatic news... in a good way. Drownings drop significantly during the colder months, and I'm grateful for that.
Jasper Aquatic Centre reopening delayed by several weeks
In this case, delays - and doing things properly in the time that it takes - is going to be what's best for this community.
November is CPR month
I should have mentioned this earlier this month, but it's never too late to do some education on social media or even a pop up event in early December when you have your normal staffing level, but there's not as many people showing up to swim.
Ottawa pool spearheads free lifesaving swimming program for teens
This is a great idea for a community program, including funding.
Stop the Shift Show: Turn Your Struggling Hourly Workers Into a Top-Performing Team by Scott Greenberg
This is THE BEST book I've read in years. Truly. I cannot recommend this book enough to anyone with hourly workers. You will learn effective strategies and ideas you can immediately implement in every chapter. According to my Kindle, I've highlighted half the book.
Last call for our final Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) Certified Pool Operator (CPO) class of the year. This is a 2 day x 8 hour Zoom class happening on Monday, December 2 & Wednesday, December 4 (no class Tuesday, December 3. Registration closes on Monday, November 25. Click here for more information. Our next CPO class is not until January 21-22, 2025.
We are shipping class materials out via FedEx Ground until the Canada Post strike is resolved.
See you next week from Alberta!
Katie Crysdale
Lakeview Aquatic Consultants Ltd.