The ROLLER team had an amazing time in Las Vegas at the World Waterpark Association (WWA) Expo 2024! This year’s event was packed with waterpark and resort owners, developers, and industry pros, giving us all the chance to connect, learn, and check out the latest trends shaping the future of the waterpark world.
Keep reading for highlights, key takeaways, and everything you need to know from WWA 2024.
Event recap
This year's WWA Expo was held at the Paris Hotel & Resort in Las Vegas and featured a trade show floor packed with the latest industry innovations. Attendees had the chance to explore cutting-edge products, technologies, and services designed to drive growth and enhance operations within waterparks and resorts.
The ROLLER team engaged with operators and decision-makers eager to explore how our platform can streamline operations, increase revenue, and enhance guest experiences. Similar to the 2024 IATP Conference & Trade Show earlier this year, dynamic pricing was a hot topic, with many operators expressing interest in how it could be applied to their venues based on capacity and availability. The overall atmosphere at the expo was one of enthusiasm and collaboration, with lively discussions on how to drive the industry forward.
Jerome Miles (Business Development Representative) and Andy Kee (Account Executive) representing the ROLLER team at the booth
Highlights from the ROLLER booth
We’re thrilled to announce that the ROLLER booth was awarded the "Best Booth" prize at the WWA Show 2024! At ROLLER, we believe in considering the user experience in all aspects of our business—from creating an engaging booth experience to designing a seamless online checkout tool and intuitive software solutions for waterparks. We’re incredibly proud of the positive feedback we received throughout the event!
ROLLER’s 'Best Booth' award from the WWA Show 2024—soon to be proudly displayed in our Austin office!
At the ROLLER booth, plenty of visitors stopped by to check out how our platform can help operators manage their venues easily. We received positive feedback from waterpark operators about ROLLER’s ability to manage ticketing, mobile food and beverage ordering, and waivers all in the same place. This made our booth a key stop for operators looking to streamline their operations and maximize their revenue potential.
ROLLER’s Greg Ruh (VP of Sales), Andrew Kee (Account Executive), and Jerome Miles (Business Development Representative) proudly show off our Best Booth Award
Key takeaways: Industry trends and insights
WWA 2024 highlighted several emerging trends in the waterpark industry. Here are some of the key insights we gathered during the event:
- Dynamic pricing: Many waterparks are looking into dynamic pricing models that adjust based on capacity, availability, and demand. This model allows for better capacity management while maximizing revenue during peak times, making it a top priority for many operators we spoke with.
- Government impacts on decision-making. Some waterparks are tied to local governments, which can impose financial and operational restrictions. This makes it crucial for operators to adopt flexible, adaptable software solutions to navigate specific budgeting and payment options, often dictated by public sector regulations.
- Interactive cabana maps and rentals. We noticed a growing interest in offering interactive maps that allow guests to select and reserve specific cabanas. This provides a more personalized booking experience and helps waterparks optimize cabana usage.
- Mobile F&B: Mobile food and beverage (F&B) solutions were a hot topic, as operators explored ways to streamline the guest experience. By offering mobile ordering, venues can reduce wait times, increase convenience, and drive additional revenue through upsells and add-ons.
- Custom reporting. Many operators highlighted the need for robust custom analytics and reporting tools. Having the ability to access deep insights into guest behavior and operational performance helps operators make more informed decisions, improve efficiency, and identify opportunities for revenue growth.
About the World Waterpark Association
The WWA, also known as the World Waterpark Association, has been around since 1981 as an international not-for-profit trade association. It supports waterparks, aquatic venues, and spray parks of all shapes and sizes. The WWA is dedicated to giving park and supplier members the education and networking opportunities they need to operate safely and effectively.
Each year, the WWA hosts a symposium and trade show in a different U.S. city. The event features seminars, workshops, and networking events focused on the latest industry trends and innovations. The ROLLER team is already counting down to WWA 2025!
What’s next?
If you missed us at WWA, don’t worry! We’d love to chat about how ROLLER can help your venue streamline operations, boost revenue, and enhance guest experiences.
- Save time: Make processes easier and boost staff productivity.
- Increase revenue: Improve booking efficiency and drive sales with data-driven strategies.
- Delight guests: Ensure seamless, enjoyable interactions from start to finish.
