At one of IAAPA Expo’s new EDUTalks on the trade show floor, Leah Koch, director of communications for Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, discussed a variety of topics, including her late father’s legacy within the Indiana park, how she and the team handle staffing issues, and the importance of building a network—especially as a woman in the industry. Koch was featured on the cover of the May/June issue of Funworld magazine this year, along with her sister Lauren Koch.
During the 15-minute EDUTalk session, Koch shared the stage with moderator Scott Fais, IAAPA managing editor of global communications and digital content, who, opened the conversation with a discussion on Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari’s newest water slide, “Cheetah Chase Water Coaster,” a launch and dueling full-circuit water coaster.
Koch also talked about the homage to Will Koch, her father and previous president of the park, through the construction of the Bolliger & Mabillard “Thunderbird” steel roller coaster. The attraction pulled so much power that it could not use the town of Santa Claus, Indiana’s power grid. So, it had to build its own small powerhouse to run the ride off, which the team dubbed “Will Power.”
Koch and Fais ended with a conversation about succeeding as a woman in the industry. Koch spoke about the wonderful women she’s had the opportunity to work with, like her sister; her mother; and Paula Werne, the former director of marketing and communications for the park.
“Keep talking to each other,” she said. “Find a mentor, whether it’s in your company, whether it’s somewhere else. Reach out. I’m happy to help. I don’t have all the answers, but I think listening to each other and really forming a network of people who will look out for you.”