Thank you to our generous members, SeaWorld San Diego/United Parks & Resorts and Belmont Park, for graciously hosting our 2024 General Membership Meeting.
For two decades, CAPA has been the united voice for California’s attractions industry to ensure our state remains a global destination for unforgettable experiences. Earlier this week, we networked with colleagues and heard from speakers to help us learn and grow. Thank you to all of us who joined the event.
In case you missed this week’s meeting…
We welcomed CAPA’s newest board member, Darlene Walter from LEGOLAND California, and CAPA’s newest member, the SSA Group.
CAPA highlighted the year’s legislative and regulatory successes – such as common-sense changes to the final indoor heat illness prevention regulations and bills to clarify existing state law to allow our food service hospitality surcharges and reforming PAGA, a law that created predatory lawsuit abuse for employers without benefitting aggrieved workers.
San Diego area lawmakers Assemblymember Tasha Boerner and Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D., joined us for a candid conversation moderated by Carrie Nocella, CAPA Vice Chair and Disneyland Resort Director of External Affairs. The local lawmakers shared their commitment to helping the tourism industry succeed because it is a state economic engine. They also presented legislative resolutions commemorating our 20th anniversary. Fun fact: we learned that Dr. Weber’s brother worked at SeaWorld and it helped inspire her love of STEM education and marine biology.
We listened to USA Today’s 10Best Theme Park Experts, Jessica Gardner, @themeparkette, and Derek Perry, Communications Director for American Coaster Enthusiasts, about how to work with content creators and enthusiasts to reach new audiences and drive visitation.
Steve Thomas, CAPA Board Member, and the President of Business Operations for PE Management Group, along with the park’s hospitality leaders shared their passion for using food and beverage to create an elevated, yet quintessential San Diego experience. From locally-sourced, high-quality ingredients to local brewery and distillery partnerships, each bite and sip is curated with the best the region has to offer.
Starting next year, California host a number of major events that will put the Golden State on the global stage – the Super Bowl, the World Cup, and the Olympics. These events will help open up new markets for guests to visit our attractions of all sizes. Aron Davidson joined us to share how they’re supporting the growth of international tourism to the United States and how they can connect CAPA members to resources to help expand visitation from international markets. Aron’s presentation, along with his contact information is attached.
Our regulators at DOSH, along with the entire Amusement Ride Unit field team, joined us to discuss the timeline for updating existing regulations and expand our partnership with an open dialogue about any industry concerns.
The pictures only tell a little more of the story about this year’s General Membership and Board Meeting. That’s why you won’t want to miss 2025’s event! The Disneyland Resort will have a milestone 70th anniversary next year and they’ve invited CAPA to celebrate with them. Thank you, Disneyland for having us back for some magical fun!
