TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATIONS COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE VOICES
IMPLEMENT GOOD IDEAS WHEN YOU CAN
By Chelsea Nelson Regional Director Aquatic Management of Indianapolis
SPRING IS FINALLY HERE, and summer is coming quick! For non-aquatics people, this means breaking out the camping gear, dewinterizing the boat and setting up the patio. However, for us pool, waterpark, and resort folk, it’s go-time! We’re busy recruiting and hiring, de-winterizing, preparing for Spring Break, training, ordering, cleaning, trying out all the new gadgets and gizmos installed and implemented over the winter and more. This is the time of year where all our hard work comes to fruition and (hopefully) pays off. I have been lucky enough to spend the last five years on the seasonal side of aquatics, which has been quite the reprieve from spending time in the year-round operations as experienced previously. Greedily, I have greatly enjoyed the extra time available to research ideas and programs, develop new additions to our operation and properly train staff prior to implementation. On the Technology Committee, we have a blend of talented, enthusiastic team members who are currently involved in both seasonal and nonseasonal operations, leading to recommendations and information on topics that can suit all. In 2021, our committee did extensive research on QR codes and the limitless capabilities they hold when utilized to the highest extent. Now, we are moving forward with researching and testing programs used to streamline hiring and interview processes, with the hope that appealing to the technological side of our primary talent pool (who are increasingly tech-savvy) will boost our engagement with these individuals and skyrocket follow-through and retention. We are also focusing on how to efficiently coordinate and combine all those pesky to-do lists with apps and programs that provide the basic essential of list-making features, but also adds pictures to lists and GPS capabilities. Cheers to accountability via technology! Keep an eye out for the results of our research and our recommendations on programs, apps and processes moving forward as our How-To articles and webinars are developed and released. We are currently in the prime time of the season to not necessarily implement new ideas or 42
I would highly suggest that anyone who has considered joining a committee in the past to wait no longer.
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WORLD WATERPARK MAGAZINE APRIL 2022
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For the December 2021 issue of World Waterpark Magazine, the Technology Committee curated an article about using QR codes effectively.
programs, but to make notes each day as we work through “the good, the bad and the ugly.” If you are anything like me, each October is a culmination of “what was I thinking in March and April?!” and “what could I have done different to make it better?” The World Waterpark Association is a goldmine of new and upcoming innovations and ideas and is full of people who want to share their experience, both positive and negative. Take advantage while you can, but never forget the good ideas that you can keep in your back pocket. 2021 was the first year I was blessed to contribute to the Technology Committee. I would highly suggest that anyone who has considered joining a committee in the past to wait no longer. The tools, tips and tricks that I have learned not only in professional meetings but also in informal conversations have elevated my productivity, creativity and drive to succeed. Not to mention the fantastic networking opportunities being part of the committee provides! If you or any of your team members are interested in joining us moving forward, please send us an email at TechCommittee@waterparks.org. Even if you are unable to join us, if you have topics that you would like us to research and discuss, please also send them over! We are continually brainstorming ideas for our upcoming How-To articles and webinars and welcome all ideas. •
