At IAAPA Expo 2025’s Women in the Industry Lunch, I looked around the room and what stood out wasn’t titles or companies. It was women from across the industry sharing experiences, asking questions, and supporting each other in a way that felt genuine and unfiltered.
That is something powerful.
In an industry like ours, it is easy to stay focused on the day-to-day challenges. But moments like these remind us that it is also about connection, perspective, and the people around us.
Women contribute across every part of the attractions industry. It is inspiring to see leaders like Gina Classen stepping into roles like vice president of operations at Herschend, watching Franceen Gonzales be named COO of Enchanted Parks, having Denise Beckson serve on IAAPA's Global Board of Directors, and listening to Elizabeth Lugo COO of Xcaret speak about leading with empathy. There are so many examples, from operations and safety to marketing, finance, and executive leadership, that show how these women’s impact is visible and growing.
It is important to continue creating spaces where experiences can be shared and voices can be heard because when women come together, something shifts. Conversations become more open. Those interactions build confidence, and confidence creates momentum.
I have seen firsthand how a simple conversation at an event can turn into mentorship, collaboration, or even a new opportunity. Sometimes it is just knowing that someone else has faced a similar situation and found a way through it.
Creating space for these moments does not require something formal or complicated. Some of the most meaningful connections have come from informal gatherings during IAAPA events, where the goal is simply to connect. Those spaces allow relationships to form naturally, without pressure, and that is often where the real impact begins.
Supporting women in leadership is not about creating separation. It is about building a stronger industry. When different perspectives are included, better decisions are made, stronger teams are built, and new ideas emerge. Without that diversity, it becomes easy to think the same way and miss opportunities to grow. There is still more to be done, but the progress is real. Every conversation, every introduction, and every moment of support contributes to that progress.
I believe that leadership is not just about where you are in your career, but how you show up for others along the way. And when we show up for each other, the impact extends far beyond any single room or event. It carries into teams, organizations, and the future of our industry. That is my hope and why this topic matters to me.
