Live Chat: How to Expo like a Yo-Pro

Dalton Fischer is communications manager for the Silver Dollar City Company, which includes the internationally-awarded 1880s theme park, the Showboat Branson Belle dinner cruise, White Water water park and the Silver Dollar City campground.

Fischer has been heavily involved in Silver Dollar City’s publicity efforts and communications strategy around 2018’s Time Traveler roller coaster, 2020’s Mystic River Falls water ride, the new-for-2023 Fire in the Hole indoor roller coaster, which and other park and festival enhancements, including Pumpkins In The City. A former ambassador at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions’ International Attractions Expo, Fischer has been involved with multiple projects at Silver Dollar City for content that appeared on NBC, Travel Channel, Food Network and TBN, along with publications like The New York Times, USA Today and the Wall Street Journal.

After interning at Silver Dollar City in 2017, Fischer joined the park full-time in 2018 as a publicist. Before returning to SDC as communications manager in 2023, he served as Director of Communications and Information at his fraternity’s international headquarters, Theta Chi Fraternity, in Carmel, In.

Megan Gannon is the Business Development Manager for Themed Entertainment at Image Engineering, where she focuses on expanding the presence of Image as the go-to provider of special effects for the attractions and themed entertainment industry. She has a passion for helping those new to the industry succeed and frequently volunteers to support students and her fellow young professionals. Megan graduated from the University of Central Florida Rosen College of Hospitality Management in 2020 with a degree in hospitality management and a concentration in theme park & attraction management. She previously worked for Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, the Disney Institute, IAAPA, and most recently for Universal Destinations & Experiences. She enjoys speaking at attractions industry events and has experience in sales, training, documentation, and operations. Megan is a former IAAPA Expo Show Ambassador and AIMS Young Professional Council Member. She is a current member of the IAAPA North America Education Committee, serves on multiple IAAPA Task Forces, and leads volunteer young professional initiatives for IAAPA.

A passionate theme park enthusiast, Frank Hamedl currently serves as the Corporate Human Resources Manager at Fun Spot America Theme Parks. Frank graduated from the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management in May of 2018 with a specialized focus in theme park & attraction management. Since graduation, Frank has continued to be actively involved with mentoring and developing others, leading to him being awarded the College’s Distinguished Young Alumnus Award in 2023. Frank has over 8 years of leadership experience from roles at Fun Spot America, Quassy Amusement Park, Universal Orlando Resort, and the Future Theme Park Leaders Association at Rosen College, where he served as the organization's President. Frank also volunteers as a member of the Rosen College Alumni Board, as well as serving on the College’s Theme Park Advisory Board and the Board of Directors for the IAAPA Foundation. This experience assisted Frank in obtaining his ICAP certification, along with being awarded the 2023 IAAPA North American Young Professional of the Year. Frank enjoys public speaking, spreading his passion for leadership, development, safety, and the employee experience to everyone he encounters.

Bella Cortier is a Universal Creative Technical Coordinator on the Engineering & Safety team where she supports Universal Orlando’s newest park, Epic Universe! Bella graduated from the University of Central Florida Rosen College of Hospitality Management in 2022, with a degree in Hospitality Management and a concentration in Theme Park & Attraction Management. She is actively working towards her MBA in Project Management at Saint Leo University, with the goal of continuing to develop in themed entertainment projects. She has experience in Attraction Operations, where she has previously worked at Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando, and Hersheypark in various front-line and leadership roles. Bella is very passionate about Young Professionals getting connected in the industry and loves networking! She is a member of the IAAPA Young Professionals Education Task Force, an IAAPA Expo Show Ambassador, and a former AIMS International Young Professional Council Member and Safety Seminar Ambassador.