Nominations Open for the 2021 IAAPA Young Professional of the Year Award
The IAAPA Young Professional of the Year Award honors members who demonstrate a dedication to the attractions industry, while continually developing their knowledge and experience. Since 2015, the award has recognized six young professionals from across the industry, and the IAAPA Young Professionals Subcommittee has opened nominations for the award’s next recipient.
“Young professionals represent all of the attractions industry’s constituencies around the world and range from entry-level professionals and mid-level managers to young executives moving their way up within their companies,” says Jessi O’Daniel, vice president of guest experience at Kentucky Kingdom and chair of the IAAPA Young Professionals Subcommittee. “They are such an important part of the industry as they are already becoming some of the next big leaders.”
To be considered for the award, young professional nominees must be younger than 35 years and work full time at an IAAPA member company. (Students aren’t eligible.) Nominees must demonstrate leadership and teamwork skills, a strong sense of integrity, and a commitment to IAAPA.
Members may nominate one young professional per company or location for the award. Nominations must be submitted online by Aug. 2, 2021, and include references from senior management of a member company and other IAAPA members. The award will be presented to the recipient in November at IAAPA Expo in Orlando.
O’Daniel recommends young professionals who would like to become involved with IAAPA and one day receive the IAAPA Young Professional of the Year Award volunteer and get involved with the association.
“Connect with fellow young professionals on our Slack channel, submit webinar proposals or a session idea for IAAPA Expos, and just keep putting yourself out there,” O’Daniel suggests. “There is no better way to feel connected with the industry than giving back to it through IAAPA.”
Visit IAAPA.org/Awards for more information and to submit a nomination.
Nomination Tips from the IAAPA Young Professionals Subcommittee:
The nomination should illustrate the young professional candidate’s contributions and achievements through specific examples.
Include supporting documents (if applicable) that will add to the detail and help solidify the nomination.
Consider writing the nomination summary/citation as if presenting the award to the nominee, as it will form the basis for the award presentation for the selected recipient.
Nominations are due Aug. 2, 2021.
