The IAAPA Foundation – the charitable arm of the international body for the attractions sector – has announced a number of key events to take place at next month’s IAAPA expo in Orlando, Florida.

The Foundation, which aims to inspire careers in the global attractions industry, will start the week's events with a silent auction at the Opening Reception on Tuesday 14 November.

On Wednesday 15 November, during the GM and Owners’ Breakfast, the Foundation will award three individuals with the Al Weber Jr Memorial Scholarship – a fund set up in Weber’s memory by wife Bonnie following his death last year to help young people in the industry realise their potential. The winner of the 'Business of Fun' contest will also be announced.

Open to students aged 14 to 19, entries are made up of innovative businesses designed to increase the appeal of amusement parks and attractions for both new and returning guests. A panel of industry judges will select the winner, who will receive a four-day trip to the expo, including meetings with industry executives and VIP visits to Orlando attractions.

In conjunction with non-profit youth organisation Junior Achievement Worldwide (JA), the IAAPA foundation will on Thursday 16 November host the second annual job shadow event. Chosen JA students will get to study the attractions industry, meet with industry leaders and explore the tradeshow first-hand, including a meet and greet with a selection of manufacturers and suppliers.

“We’re really focused on trying to bring more talent into this sector and to give people more exposure,” said Jane Cooper, president and COO of Herschend Family Entertainment and chair of the IAAPA Foundation, speaking to Attractions Management.

“I think that, especially in the US, when people think about our industry, if you’re a parent and you’re advising your children about what to do with their lives, they would typically want them to bankers, doctors and lawyers.

“Some look at our industry as a lot of low-level jobs and we’re trying to do a fair amount of educating so people understand our sector better. These theme parks are big – they run almost like cities and people entering the industry have every different piece of it to experience. At the expo in Orlando we’re trying to educate more, we’re awarding scholarships and we’re hosting a fundraising event.

“Our objective is to ensure that the industry continues to be as strong as it has been. You want the right kind of people on your bus, and you want to make sure you have enough people to fill the seats. That’s our goal.”

The annual IAAPA Attractions Expo takes place this year in Orlando between 13 and 17 November. The event is the largest annual gathering of attractions professionals in the world, with more than 32,000 people expected to attend. For a full lineup of more than 80 educational seminar programmes taking place through the week, click here.

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