The Association of Aquatic Professionals broke records at its 9th annual conference in February.
Held in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas, the event drew in 643 attendees compared with last year’s 609. The trade show portion saw 102 exhibitors, also the highest the event has achieved. “We’ve been going up steadily every year,” said Juliene Hefter, AOAP’s executive director and CEO.
The fundraisers that take place every year to fortify the Kathie Luecker Scholarship Memorial Fund — including a silent auction and cork pull — broke another record. The popular highlights generated approximately $7,800, which the organization awards to aquatics professionals so they can attend the conference.
“That scholarship was near and dear to Kathie’s heart,” Hefter said.
AI’s awards session recognized its Best of Aquatics winners and Power honorees. The theme, Diversity in Aquatics, included a presentation on diversification in hiring by Denise Barreto of the consulting firm Relationships Matter Now.
“We feel really strongly that we want to be a one-stop shop for everybody in aquatics,” Hefter said. “We want everybody to feel comfortable and welcome, and we wanted to assist other departments with that as well.”
AOAP’s 10th Annual Conference and Exposition is set for Feb. 15-18, 2021 at the Grand Sierra Resort and Convention Center in Reno, Nev.