Kari Manev began in the industry as a lifeguard in 2005 where she worked for Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Illinois, and moved up the ranks into a training supervisor. In 2008, she was hired as the Corporate Training Manager for CoCo Key Water Resorts, where she helped develop standard operating procedures, assisted with planning and facilitating hiring events and five grand openings as well as provided assistance in many management positions. From there, she went on to become Director of Operations for CoCo Key Hotel and Water Resort in Orlando, Florida, where she was responsible for all facets of day-to-day operations. Manev became an Instructor-Trainer for Ellis & Associates and has been certified as a Jeff Ellis Swimming Program Coordinator, CPO, ServSafe Food Safety Manager Instructor and Proctor, Tips Trainer and CARE Instructor. In 2014, Manev left CoCo Key to become a Training Manager for Safety Skills Training in Dubai, UAE. She returned to the U.S. in 2016 to oversee four f&b outlets, banquets, retail, and waterpark operation as the Director of Operations at CoCo Key Hotel & Water Resort. In 2017, she moved from operations into technology for parks and attractions at Catalate, bringing dynamic pricing to attractions. In 2023, Manev joined Sensible Weather to bring Weather Guarantees to the best attractions across the globe. She serves as Vice Chair on the WWA Resort Committee , has spoken at numerous conferences, and supports her local swimming community as a Board of Directors member at the Gift of Swimming in Windermere, FL.
