ORLANDO, Fla., US (July 16, 2018) – The IAAPA Foundation, supported by members of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), remains focused on its mission to develop the next generation of global attractions industry leaders. Through academic scholarships, partnerships with colleges and universities, and educational events and roundtables, the IAAPA Foundation inspires students to learn about and pursue careers throughout the global attractions industry.
“The IAAPA Foundation is committed to supporting the next generation of global attractions industry leaders by continuing to build upon our programs and initiatives that provide new opportunities for students,” said Jane Cooper, chair of the IAAPA Foundation and president and COO of Herschend Family Entertainment. “The industry continues to thrive around the world, and the Foundation strives to increase awareness among students about unique and diverse career paths they can take within this dynamic industry. Through scholarships, academic partnerships, and a strong network of industry supporters, we want to open doors for students by creating valuable connections and increasing their exposure to senior leadership — inspiring them to pursue degrees in attractions management.”
Scholarships
The IAAPA Foundation supports students who are pursuing a career in the attractions industry through the Al Weber Scholarship Fund. The IAAPA Foundation currently provides scholarships for selected students at the University of Central Florida's Rosen College of Hospitality Management who are enrolled in the theme parks and attractions curriculum track.
Interested students can apply for University of Central Florida scholarships at https://hospitality.ucf.edu/students/current-students/financial-aid/.
Academic Partnerships
In collaboration with partner colleges and universities, the IAAPA Foundation designates qualified students as "Future Leaders" for the attractions industry. These students are connected to the IAAPA Foundation by taking part in mentoring opportunities provided by industry leaders, becoming members of the association, and receiving complimentary registration to IAAPA Expos and educational programs during their time in school.
The Foundation recently partnered with the San Diego State University's L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality & Tourism Management to provide experiential scholarships for students and faculty to attend IAAPA Attractions Expo — the premier conference and trade show for the global attractions industry in Orlando, Florida.
Educators Roundtables
The IAAPA Foundation recently hosted an Educators Roundtable at Asian Attractions Expo 2018 in Hong Kong, China. Led by Dean-Elect Youcheng Wang from the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management, the education-focused discussion included global educators, operators, and designers. Together they discussed developing new leaders and ways to encourage them to enter attractions management. Attendees then shared the information and outcomes from the session with students and industry decision-makers.
The IAAPA Foundation will host two additional educator events during 2018. The first is a roundtable discussion during Euro Attractions Show 2018 in Amsterdam this September. The session will be led by Klavens Hoven who teaches attractions management courses at Breda College in the Netherlands. The second is a full-day Educators Symposium during IAAPA Attractions Expo 2018 in Orlando in November. This event will be led by Katherine Woodcock of Ryerson College, Ady Milman of UCF Rosen College, and Peter Weishar from Florida State University.
Externship Program
The IAAPA Foundation also offers an externship program for colleges to engage with the attractions industry and provide the most relevant curricula. Recently, a professor from UCF Rosen College participated in an externship for a full semester at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri, where he gained real-world knowledge and learnings that he took back to the classroom.
Learn Ways to Support the IAAPA Foundation
To learn more about volunteering to speak at colleges and universities who are seeking industry executives as lecturers and faculty collaborators, contact [email protected] for more information.
To support the IAAPA Foundation mission with a financial contribution, please visit www.IAAPA.org.
A silent auction to support the Foundation will be held at IAAPA Attractions Expo 2018 in Orlando. To make a donation, contact [email protected].
To learn more about partnerships, Educators Roundtables, externships, or additional opportunities to get involved, contact [email protected].
About IAAPA Foundation
Formed in 2010 and incorporated in the United States as a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, the IAAPA Foundation strives to inspire life-changing careers in the global attractions industry by cultivating tomorrow’s leaders. The Foundation accepts contributions from individuals, corporations, trusts, and grant-presenting organizations around the world. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, the Foundation is supported by members of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), the largest international trade association for permanently located attractions dedicated to the preservation and prosperity of the global attractions industry. As a non-profit organization, IAAPA represents more than 5,300 attraction, supplier, and individual members from more than 100 countries. Members include professionals from amusement parks, theme parks, attractions; water parks, resorts; family entertainment centers; zoos, aquariums; science centers, museums; and industry manufacturers and suppliers. Learn more about the IAAPA Foundation at www.IAAPA.org/Foundation.
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Media Contact: IAAPA Foundation
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Media Contacts: IAAPA
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