2027 Workshops

International

Aquatics & Water Safety

CONFERENCE A N D

E X P O S I T I O N

Presented by

Reno, Nevada

February 8 - 11

2027 Workshops

Sponsors!

THANK YOU,

MAIN SPONSOR!

DIAMOND SPONSOR!

PLATINUM SPONSORS!

GOLD & SILVER SPONSORS

MARKETING & OTHER PARTNERS

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Reach out to us at info@aquaticpros.org

new in 2027!

CONFERENCE navigator YOUR GUIDED PATH TO CONFERENCE SUCCESS

The AOAP Conference Navigator is a high-

impact, guided cohort

Sunday, February 7 | 3:30 - 5:30 pm $40 Members/ $55 Non-Members Includes printed Conference Guide & Navigator Workbook

experience designed to help attendees turn conference participation into realworld results. Built for first-time and solo attendees (or anyone seeking a more intentional experience), this program provides structure, support, and accountability from start to finish.

Pre-Conference Workshop

During Conference

Inspiration to Action

Starting with defining

Engage in sessions with a

Regroup during the last

personal and professional

clear, personalized plan.

conference breakout

goals, you’ll build a

Connect with cohort

session to share key

personalized conference

members at various

takeaways, identify top

schedule and learn

events. Receive support &

priorities for

strategies for getting the

guidance from your

implementation and

most out of breakout

mentor, and use your

develop a strong post-

sessions and the Expo

conference workbook to

conference plan. Plus,

Hall. You’ll also meet your

capture insights and

virtual check-ins in late

small co-hort and

ideas from every session.‌

March and late

conference mentor!

September will help you stay connected.‌

RESILIENCE FIRST AID (BLENDED OPTION) Sunday, February 7 | 2:30 - 5:30 PM | $297.50 AOAP / Member or $425 / Non-Member NOTE: Registrants must attend the virtual opening session on January 5 (1 - 4 PM EST) or January 12 (1 - 4 PM EST) and complete approximately 10 hours of computer-based training no later than February 5, 2027, to attend the in-person training on February 7.

Aquatic professionals are first responders. They perform rescues, manage emergencies, and witness critical incidents, yet they remain the one first responder group without a dedicated peer support infrastructure. Fire, EMS, law enforcement, and military personnel have had these systems for decades and it's time aquatics caught up.

The Resilience First Aid (RFA) Peer Support Certification is a 16-hour blended learning course that equips aquatic professionals with the skills and framework to build proactive peer support programs at their facilities. This course was customized for the aquatic sector by ILCIRA, RFA is a neuroscienceinformed, strength-based certification that teaches participants how to recognize signs of declining resilience, engage in meaningful supportive conversations, and create a culture of psychological preparedness before critical incidents occur.

RFA is delivered in a blended learning format designed for busy aquatic professionals: a virtual opening session online, self-paced computer-based training through the Driven Resilience online platform, and inperson closing session at the AOAP Conference & Exhibition. Upon successful completion, participants receive a 3-year RFA Peer Support Certification, an RFA Responder Kit with course materials, and 12 months of access to the Driven Resilience App for continued skill development.

1.Opening Session: January 5th, 1:00–4:00 PM EST or January 12th, 1:00-4:00 PM EST. Participants should pick which start date works best with their schedule. Please note that attending the earlier date will allow for more time to complete Computer Based Training.

2.Computer Based Training: Approximately 10 hours of computer-based training may be completed on your schedule but must be completed by the Closing Session.

3.Closing Session: Sunday, February 7th 2:30PM – 5:30PM CST (in-person at AOAP Conference) *Additional online classes are offered throughout the year to send team members though that are not attending the conference. Course schedule may be accessed at https://aquaticpros.org/resilience-firstaid/

SAFETY PLAN WORKSHOP Sunday, February 7 | 8 am - 4 pm | 0.7 CEUs | $150 per Person This workshop is designed to help you create your facility's safety plan. Bring your information and be ready to work on all the aspects of creating an individual safety plan. This workshop also includes 2 virtual meetings after AOAP to ask questions and get clarification. At the end of the workshop and 2 virtual meetings the attendee should have a complete safety plan in place.

AQUATIC VENUE PUBLIC HEALTH INSPECTOR COURSE Sunday, February 7 | 8 am - 5 pm | 0.9 CEUs | $300 per Person Using a Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) based approach, this certification course provides public health officials and other interested stakeholders with the knowledge needed to confidently provide inspections to public and semi-public aquatic venues. Additional work will be required to be completed prior to this on-site session.

SWIMMING AND WATER SAFETY UPDATE Sunday, February 7 | 11 am - 2 pm | No Cost | Red Cross Customers Only The American Red Cross is updating its Swimming and Water Safety program in 2027. This exclusive in-person workshop will provide a preview of upcoming changes, resources and implementation information. Watch for more details about this Swimming and Water Safety Update session in the coming months.

Registrants must be active Red Cross customers. This session is in person only and not available virtually. Attendance does not update or renew instructor certifications.

Support AOAP

Make a one-time or recurring donation to support education and drowning prevention programs!

aquatic

TECHNICIAN school

Monday, February 8 & Tuesday, February 9 | 8 am - 5 pm $459 AOAP Member $559 Non-Member

The Aquatic Technician School is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills required for swimming pool repair and maintenance.

By engaging with industry experts, and manufacturer’s representatives, using comprehensive hands-on training modules, the program will enhance the diagnostic and repair capabilities of attendees.

Registration Includes 1.6 CEUs and Tuesday Exhibit Hall Grand Opening with Dinner.

Add on the full AOAP Conference for just $175 extra to include Wednesday and Thursday education sessions, Monday night social, Wednesday Exhibit Hall Lunch & Dinner/Social and Closing Endnote.

DIRECTOR’Sschool The Craig A Merkey

Thursday, February 11 | 1 - 5 pm Friday, February 12 | 8 am - 5 pm Saturday, February 13 | 8 - 11 am

for Aquatic Leadership

$509 AOAP Member $619 Non-Member

Participants are invited to join a slate of industry-leading professionals for Director’s School. Choose Year 1, Year 2 (Year 1 completion required) or Year 3 (Year 2 completion required).

Topics covered will include: Risk Management Aquatics Advocacy Inclusivity

Staff Retention & Training Operations & Programming

Leadership Sustainability

In addition to meeting a cohort group and making lasting friendships, all levels of Director’s School include 1.5 CEUs, Thursday night dinner, light lunch on Friday & breakfast on Saturday.

Students who complete all three years also qualify to take the final exam to earn their AqP at no additional charge! *Receive a $50 discount when registering for Conference by adding on your Director’s School ticket at the same time.

Meet Craig Merkey Craig joined the AOAP Board of Directors in 2019 including serving as the Board President during the 2024-25 term. But Craig was more than a devoted Board Member: he was a true friend, a passionate advocate for aquatic safety, and someone whose generous spirit touched everyone who had the privilege of working with him. His countless contributions to AOAP, including his tireless efforts with our silent auction and his unwavering support for our mission, have made a lasting impact on our organization and the people we serve. Craig’s warmth, kindness, and commitment to excellence were evident in everything he did. He inspired those around him with his positivity and his genuine care for others. Director’s School honors his legacy, and we hope that every attendee can carry Craig’s spirit into their work to make aquatics - and the world - a better place.

POST-CONFERENCE

workshops

DE-ESCALATION TRAINING FOR AQUATIC LEADERS: RESPONDING WITH CONFIDENCE IN CRITICAL MOMENTS Thursday, February 11 | 1:30 - 5:30 pm | $79 / AOAP Member or $99 / Non-Member

Aquatic professionals regularly interact with patrons and staff in high-energy, high-stakes environments—where emotional responses can escalate quickly. From enforcing policies to navigating emotionally charged incidents, de-escalation is a vital skill for any aquatic leader. This training delivers practical, scenario-based strategies tailored to the aquatic setting, focusing on early intervention, stress response, and trauma-informed care. Participants will explore the psychology behind escalation, gain tools for regulating their own response under pressure, and practice de-escalation approaches specific to poolside, facility, and recreation scenarios. Whether managing a frustrated parent, responding to a critical incident, or supporting a distressed team member, this course will prepare aquatic professionals to respond with clarity, empathy, and confidence.

AQUATIC FACILITY OPERATOR (AFO) BLENDED OPTION Thursday, February 11 | 1 - 6 PM & Friday, February 12 | 8 - 11 AM | $400 /Person The Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) Blended Learning course is a two-part training program by the NRPA, designed for aquatic professionals. It combines 7 hours of self-paced online learning with a 1-day in-person (or live-virtual) instructional session and a 50-question, open-book certification exam. .Participants will need to complete self-guided online learning (approximately 7 hours) within the two weeks prior to the course focused on in-depth water chemistry, filtration, disinfection, water testing, and treatment. The first day on site will include in-person, instructor-led training, and the exam will be proctered in person on the second day.

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH LEADERS FORUM Thursday, February 11 | 1 - 5 pm | Free & Limited to Environmental Health Professionals Ever struggled with when to allow your facilities to host a dog swim? How about a variance request for wooden hot tubs filled with beer? Got questions on surf parks or lagoons being built in your jurisdiction? Float tanks? Drone inspections?

Many of the challenges other jurisdictions face are the same or similar to your own. Come and learn how other jurisdictions have responded to those challenges and take away tools to strengthen your own program during this halfday, round table discussion, open only to environmental health professionals.

HOW TO HOW TO REGISTER REGISTER 1. Choose your workshop.

2. Choose your conference registration (if applicable).

3. Register! a. Complete your registration online at https://bit.ly/4a8IhQ7 or by scanning the QR Code. b. Use the registration form on the next page to submit your registration and pay by check. *Note that your registration is not guaranteed until the form and payment are received.

4.Don’t forget to make your hotel reservations at https://bit.ly/4gdIiXB or through the link on the conference website.

register here!

International

Aquatics & Water Safety

CONFERENCE A N D

E X P O S I T I O N Presented by

Registration FORM

FORM

First Name

Last Name

Email Title Organization Street Address City

State

ZIP Code

Country

REGISTRATION INFORMATION Circle the event & rate for which you are registering.

Non-Members should add $110 to the fee below.

Event

*Non-Members add $110 to the rates below*

Early

by Oct 1

Regular Oct 2 Dec 31

Late Jan 2 Feb 1

Last Minute After Feb 1

Full Conference Registration

$519

$569

$619

$669

PRE- & POST-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS Choose the pre- or post-conference workshop for which you are registering from the Conference Guide.

Pre-Conference Workshop Fee Post-Conference Workshop Fee Register online at https://bit.ly/3zkd1yL or return your registration form with check payment to 7160 Ashley Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80922. Call 262-894-9772 or email maria@aquaticpros.org for more information.