Thank you for agreeing to participate in the upcoming 2026 Symposium taking place at Paris Las Vegas Convention Center. Your participation and willingness to share your expertise with your peers is what allows the WWA and its Members to enjoy continued success and helps to ensure that the waterpark industry remains strong. Below is important information including deadlines. Click on a “+” sign to expand the section for more information. If you cannot meet any specific deadlines, please contact Kelly@waterparks.org. 

Below is important information for speakers presenting a stand alone breakout session on Wednesday, October 7; Thursday, October 8; or Friday, October 9, 2026. For information about speaking during a workshop on Wednesday, October 6, please see that section below.

Breakout Sessions: Deadlines

  • Bio & Photo – Go to the Speakers page of WWA Show website, click on your photo and review the information posted. If your photo, bio or any information is missing, please send items to Kelly@waterparks.org. Final edits due Aug. 14th*.
  • Breakout session description – Click on your session title on the Agenda page (coming soon) to review details. Is the description accurate? Are all presenters listed? Final edits due Aug. 14th*
  • Special AV Request – due Aug. 22nd (see standard room set below)
  • Breakout Presentation file & handouts – due Sept. 10th (more info below)
  • Permission to Record Acknowledgement – review now, sign onsite

*Information posted on Speakers and Agenda pages of the WWAShow website will be downloaded for the printed manual and show app the day after the posted deadlines. Please send any requested edits prior to deadline.

Breakout Sessions: Digital Handouts From Your PPT Slides NEW For 2026!

In an effort to reduce waste and limited resources, we will not be printing copies of Breakout Session slides this year. We will provide attendees with a digital PDF version of handouts within the WWA Show App if you upload your file prior to the deadline shown above. If you cannot meet this deadline, please contact Kelly Harris in advance. Following the show, handouts are also posted in PDF format on the WWA website. Please give a copy of your final presentation file to us onsite if you made significant changes after sending your original.

Breakout Sessions: Your Presentation File – PowerPoint Slides & Handouts

  • The 2026 WWA PowerPoint template for breakout sessions can be downloaded here. Note you do not have to login to download the file, simply click the option to proceed without logging in. Save the template to your computer and use any of the slides provided (or click “New Slide” for additional slides.)  You’ll note the last slide is a Q&A slide that also has the QR code for the session evaluations. Please make sure to display that slide and remind attendees to fill out the evaluations and to vote for Best Speaker. Do NOT use this PPT template for presentations that are part of a full day workshop on Tuesday, October 6th, those templates are available below.
  • Provide us with a copy of your presentation prior to the deadline above and we will make a digital/PDF version available to attendees within the WWA Show App. (Attendees love handouts and that is reflected on their speaker evaluations!) Upload your completed PPT file and any handouts for your breakout session using this link. There is no login required, but when you enter your email address, you will receive a confirmation email.
  • Bring your final PPT presentation with you on a flash drive to run on our pre-set laptop during the session. When you arrive in the room for your presentation, copy the PPT presentation file and any video/audio files from your flash drive onto the laptop prior to the start of your session.
  • Provide us with a copy of your final presentation (if it has changed) when you check-in at the Speaker’s Lounge and pick up your badge onsite.

Breakout Session: Permission to Record

Sessions are recorded and recordings are made available to Members following the show for a nominal fee. Due to the number of sessions presented during competing time slots, recordings allow attendees access to session content that they may have missed. Please review the acknowledgment which you will be asked to sign when you arrive. If you have any concerns, please contact Kelly Harris in advance.

Below is important information for speakers presenting during a workshop on Tuesday, October. 6.

Deadlines

  • Bio & Photo – Go to the Speakers page of WWA Show website, click on your photo and review the information posted. If your photo, bio or any information is missing, please send items to Kelly@waterparks.org. Final edits due Aug. 14*.
  • Special AV Request – due Aug. 22 (see standard room set below)
  • Presentation PPT file & handouts – due Sept. 3 (more info below)

Presentation PPT file

Workshop attendees will receive a binder with printed versions of your PPT slides. Obtain the appropriate WWA PPT template designed for your specific workshop by using the link below.  When you have completed your PPT file, upload the file. To ensure your information is included in the binder, your PPT file must be uploaded using the link below prior to the deadline. Slides will be formatted, printed and included in the workshop binders which are then shipped to the show venue. There is no opportunity for staff to produce copies of your materials onsite as we have done in previous years.  If you cannot meet the deadline, please contact your workshop coordinator before the deadline and be prepared to bring printouts of your slides on 3-hole punched paper so that they can be handed out to attendees onsite for their insertion into the binders. Your workshop contact will be able to give you an estimate of the number of copies needed.

WWA University: Waterpark Maintenance School
Deadline for submitting PPT files: Sept. 3 
Download the 2026 workshop PPT template:  Download template 
Upload your completed 2026 workshop PPT file:  Submit my file 
Workshop contact:  kelly@waterparks.org 

WWA University: Ready, Set, Go! A Guide To Getting Started
Deadline for submitting PPT files: Sept. 3 
Download the 2026 workshop PPT template:  Download template 
Upload your completed 2026 workshop PPT file:  Submit my file 
Workshop contact: Kelly@waterparks.org

WWA University: Design, Development & Expansion Workshop
Deadline for submitting PPT files: Sept. 3 
Download the 2026 workshop PPT template:  Download template 
Upload your completed 2026 workshop PPT file:  Submit my file 
Workshop contact:  rroot@waterparks.org

WWA University: Leveraging AI & Technology In Waterpark Marketing
Deadline for submitting PPT files: Sept. 3 
Download the 2026 workshop PPT template:  Download template 
Upload your completed 2026 workshop PPT file:  Submit my file 
Workshop contact: rroot@waterparks.org 

WWA University: Food & Beverage Deep Dive (half day)
Deadline for submitting PPT files: Sept. 3 
Download the 2026 workshop PPT template:  Download template 
Upload your completed 2026 workshop PPT file:  Submit my file
Workshop contact: cathy@waterparks.org

If you have any other questions related to a full day workshop that your workshop contact cannot assist you with, please contact Kelly@waterparks.org.

Standard room set consists of a laptop, LCD projector, screen and appropriate number of microphones. If you need any additional equipment, including speakers to play sound from the laptop, please contact Kelly Harris prior to Aug. 22. Additional equipment cannot be added onsite.

Rooms are typically set in classroom or theater configurations or a combination of both depending on space. One room may be set in rounds. For sessions with speaker panels, a head table in the front will be included, space allowing.

  • WiFi/internet is not available in session rooms.
    • Please do not plan on running your session utilizing a cellular connection/hot spot or slow hotel wifi as connectivity in some areas of convention centers is very often unreliable and can cause disruptions during your presentation.
    • Include screen shots of webpages as a better alternative than trying to connect to websites live during your presentation.
    • Internet sites and other internet based functions may run smoothly when tested in advance, but when you add a large number of people with multiple devices in a small area, the cellular and network systems in the building often run very slowly and can disrupt the flow of your presentation.
  • Playing video/audio files
    • Since there is no internet connection, remember to include the actual video files on your flash drive – do not plan to link to external content/content posted on the internet. All files need to be on your flash drive and transferred with the PPT file to that laptop in order to play during the presentation.
    • If you will need audio/speakers, please be sure to advise Kelly Harris prior to the Special AV Request deadline stated above.

Please find details and book your hotel using the Official WWA HQ hotel link found on the WWA Lodging page. This link is the only way to obtain the legitimate WWA discounted rate. No one will contact you to book a room.

Note: We have been informed that outside parties have contacted individuals posted on our Speakers page, claiming they represent the official WWA housing company. This is a complete fabrication and WWA cannot be responsible for their actions or any unlawful or fraudulent actions on their part. WWA has been informed that recent scams include collection of money, obtaining of credit card information, signing of DocuSign agreements and other processes that appear to be legitimate, however the scammers have not actually booked a room in the WWA block. Getting involved with these companies may result in loss of funds and no room waiting at check-in. Please don’t be taken in by these offers that seem like a good deal. The only way to be sure that you receive WWA group pricing and to avoid booking fees is to book using the link above or via the methods shown on the WWA Lodging page. In addition, please note that the WWA does not sell its mailing lists or member lists.

The final slide in the PowerPoint template is the slide with a QR code that will link to the session survey forms and the Best Speaker nomination form. Please remind your audience to fill out the session evaluations when the session is concluded. We will provide you with the summary of the feedback after the show.

We’re really excited you’re joining us at the 46th Annual WWA Symposium & Trade Show.To help you share the news with your audience, we’ve created a customizable social media template designed specifically for you. More information about how to set up and use the template is available here. 

Please find the attached list of tips to keep in mind as you are preparing your presentation. In addition to the tips on the list, please remember to bring your final presentation on a flash drive, including any video files. When you arrive, you can test out your file on the pre-set equipment in the Speaker’s Lounge and make sure everything runs as planned. Also, if you have made signification changes since you submitted, please provide a copy of your PPT file to Lori when you check-in.

All education events, meetings and the trade show take place at Paris Las Vegas Convention Center. When you arrive, please check in with us at the WWA Speaker’s Lounge in the Versailles 4 meeting room to obtain your badge and registration materials. This is also a good time to verify we have your handouts uploaded if submitted by deadline. If you are an exhibitor, you will also need to pick up your badge in the Speaker’s Lounge to access the show floor for your booth set up.

Checklist

Please make sure you have completed all items. More information for each item is available above. If you have questions, please contact Kelly Harris prior to deadlines.

  • Review your Speaker Bio and photo ASAP

  • Submit special AV request (if needed) by Aug. 22nd

  • Review your session description prior to Aug. 30th.

  • Submit PowerPoint file (and any additional handouts) by deadline above

  • Review Tips For Presenters

  • Practice presentation delivery and timing

  • Review Permission To Record form prior to arrival

  • Arrive onsite with PPT on flash drive

  • Check-in at the WWA Speaker’s Lounge when you arrive

  • Transfer PPT to laptop in presentation room