Aquatics Organization Announces Annual Event

The Association of Aquatics Professionals will roll out its 12th annual Conference & Expo Feb. 11 to 18 at The Broadmoor, in Colorado Springs, Colo.

It takes place concurrently with the National Drowning Prevention Alliance’s National Water Safety Conference, set for Feb. 13 to 16.

Over the weekend of Feb. 11 and 12, special pre-conference sessions take place at the AOAP event, such as AFO and CPO courses, Algae Prevention and Eradication Certification, and an aquatics facility tour. These and others run from a half day to two days each.

The conference goes into full swing the morning of Feb. 13, with a keynote called, “Unraveling Superwoman,” where Olympian Dana Vollmer shares three strategies that led to her success as one of the most gold medaled females in U.S. Olympic History.

Captain Sandy Yawn

A surprise extra keynote speaker was recently added. Renowned as yacht captain on Bravo TV’s reality show "Below Deck Mediterranean," Captain Sandy Yawn will make an appearance. Also known as a mentor in the yachting industry, Yawn will share her story and offer ways to lead a team to reach its full potential.

A total of 99 sessions take place during AOAP’s main conference, from Feb. 13 to 16. These include “Aquatics International General Sessions/Awards: Ignite Your Legacy,” the morning of Tuesday, Feb. 14. It will include a speaker, as well as awards presentations from Aquatics International and AOAP. Kirsten Barnes, director of HydroApps for Counsilman-Hunsaker, will discuss how to work with Gen Z employees, build teams, and develop younger staffers into leaders who can usher in the industry's future and work through the current staffing hump.

The tradeshow exhibits will be open Tuesday evening and Wednesday afternoon.

After an endnote address closes out the main conference the morning of Thursday, Feb. 16, AOAP’s new three-day Director’s School begins and continues through Saturday.

NDPA’s convention will include 80 sessions, running from Monday morning to Thursday morning. The event also will offer virtual sessions that week. It also will include an exhibitor tradeshow Wednesday afternoon.

Attendees of either the AOAP or NDPA event can add registration to the other conference for an extra $100 extra.