6 Reasons to Take Emerging Leaders to IAAPA Expo

Fall means it’s almost time for the greatest event of the year, IAAPA Expo! The IAAPA Expo (November 18-22, 2024) is the premier event for professionals in the amusement and attractions industry. It brings together leaders, innovators, and experts from around the world to share insights, showcase the latest products, and network with peers. If you’re mentoring or managing up-and-coming leaders in your organization, bringing them to the IAAPA Expo can be a game-changer for their professional development. Read on for six reasons why.

No. 1: Exposure to Industry Innovations

The IAAPA Expo is where the latest trends and technological advancements in the attractions industry are unveiled. By attending, your emerging leaders will get first-hand exposure to cutting-edge innovations, new rides and attractions, food and beverage solutions, and more. This exposure not only broadens their horizons but also sparks creativity and new ideas that they can bring back to your organization.

No. 2: Networking with Industry Leaders

The IAAPA Expo is a hub of networking opportunities. Attendees can connect with industry veterans, potential business partners, and like-minded professionals from around the globe (such as at the FEC Lunches and roundtables, and evening events like the FEC Welcome Reception). For up-and-coming leaders, these connections are invaluable. Building a network early in their careers helps them gain insights, mentorship, and potential collaborations that can propel their growth. The industry is full of bright minds who love to share insights and knowledge and allowing your new leaders to gain these experiences can yield extraordinary results.

No. 3: Hands-On Learning Experiences

One of the unique aspects of the IAAPA Expo is the hands-on learning opportunities. Whether it’s testing out new rides, participating in interactive workshops, or experiencing the latest in virtual reality, these experiences provide a practical understanding of the industry that is hard to replicate in a traditional learning environment. This hands-on approach is particularly beneficial for young leaders, as it helps them broaden their understanding of the types of attractions and approaches the industry has to offer.

No. 4: Access to Diverse Educational Sessions

The IAAPA Expo offers a wide range of educational sessions that cover everything from operational best practices to emerging trends in technology and AI. These sessions are led by operators and other industry experts and can offer your leaders new ideas and insights that can benefit your business in some very big ways.  Not only that, but attending these sessions also allows emerging leaders to deepen their understanding of the industry, stay updated on the latest developments, and acquire new skills that are directly applicable to their roles.

These sessions can also provide much-needed inspiration to help drive motivation now and in the future. Hearing success stories from industry leaders can be incredibly inspiring for emerging professionals. In addition to the FEC Track of EDUSessions, Lunches, and EDUTalks, the conference also features keynote speakers who deliver impactful sessions designed to inspire. These stories of perseverance, innovation, and leadership provide a powerful source of motivation for up-and-coming leaders and can go a long way toward encouraging them to strive for excellence in their own careers.

Take a look at the schedule for this year’s IAAPA Expo Educational Conference here.

No. 5: Insights Into the Exciting Career Path the Industry Offers

Speaking of careers, many of your team have no real concept of just how vast the industry is or that it provides a rewarding and fulfilling career path. Investing in your young leaders demonstrates your commitment to their growth and also helps broaden their understanding of the industry and the opportunities staying for the long term can open.

No. 6: Encouraging a Growth Mindset

A growth mindset is a critical need for any leader in your organization and the Expo helps encourage continuous learning and development. The wealth of knowledge, networking opportunities, and exposure to new ideas fosters a growth mindset. And that’s a good thing for your business because this crucial mindset can help drive your team to consistently strive for improvement, embrace challenges, and adapt to changes in the industry.

By now it should be clear that the experiences and knowledge your new leaders can gain at the expo will not only enhance their professional growth but also contribute to the overall success of your business. And, we’d love to help pave the way by offering free tickets. A CenterEdge ticket gains you access to the trade show and if you’re an IAAPA member, you will also receive the education sessions and EDUTalks for free. Submit your request now, and we’ll see you at Booth # 4454.

Get Your IAAPA Tickets From CenterEdge Here