At its 39th Annual Symposium & Trade Show, the World Waterpark Association honored industry leaders, innovators and pioneers who have contributed in a variety of areas within the industry, including dedication to guest and employee safety, excellence in leadership, innovation and creativity in designing new themes and attractions.
“There’s no better feeling than celebrating the people and companies who are making a meaningful difference in our great industry,” said Damien Latham, Chair of the WWA’s Board of Directors. “Each year we strive to shine a light on the accomplishments of our best and brightest leaders and product innovators because recognition matters.”
WWA Hall of Fame:
Four individuals were inducted into the WWA Hall of Fame:
* Vera Solis, director of operations for Texas Typhoon Waterpark
* Mark Hatchel, vice president-senior park planner for Kimley-Horn
* Andrew Mowatt, executive vice president of global key accounts for Whitewater
* Glenn Davidson of Miral and a former WWA chairman
Board of Directors’ Awards:
The WWA Board of Directors recognized the accomplishments of 29 recipients:
Al Turner Memorial Commitment to Excellence Award: John Gannon, Zoombezi Bay at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Powell, Ohio, U.S.A.; Stephanie Hee-Johnston, NRH2O Family Water Park, North Richland Hills, Texas, U.S.A.; Mark Moore, Gulf Islands Waterpark, Gulfport, Mississippi, U.S.A.
Executive Board Award: Sandra Greiner, Sun Splash Family Waterpark/City of Cape Coral, Cape Coral, Florida, U.S.A.; Tropical Islands Resort, Krausnick, Germany
Kelly Ogle Memorial Safety Award: Clay Barnes, Specialty Insurance Group, a division of Everest Insurance®, Carmel, Indiana, U.S.A.; Dana Gage, The LV Project, North Richland Hills, Texas, U.S.A.
Leading Edge Awards:
– For their work on the Wave Coventry: Coventry City Council, Coventry, West Midlands, United Kingdom; FaulknerBrowns Architects, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Hadron Consulting Ltd, London; Murphys Waves Ltd, Glasgow, Scotland-UK; Neuman Aqua Ltd., Ockley, Surrey, United Kingdom; Polin Waterparks, Kocaeli, Turkey; Vortex Aquatic Structures International Inc., Pointe-Claire, Quebec, Canada; and Water Technology, Inc., Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.
– For their work on the Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark: EPR Properties, Kansas City, Missouri; Aquatic Development Group, Cohoes, New York; Architectural Design Consultants, Inc., Lake Delton, Wisconsin; and ProSlide Technology Inc, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
– For their work on Island H2O Live!: Island H2O Live!, Orlando, Florida; Aquatic Development Group, Cohoes, New York; Innovative Attraction Management, LLC., Windermere, Florida; USA, Inc., Downers Grove, Illinois; and WhiteWater, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
– For their work on Thrill Waterpark: Royal Caribbean International, Miami, Florida; Martin Aquatic Design & Engineering, Orlando; and WhiteWater, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
– For their work on “Dueling Splash Blasters”: Splashway Family Waterpark, Sheridan, Texas; and ProSlide Technology Inc, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.