Member Spotlight

Alexandra Barilla

General Manager 
Cowabunga Bay Water Park
Henderson, Nevada- USA

Featured in World Waterpark Magazine, March 2020

WHAT IS YOUR EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE? 
I graduated from the University of Nevada Las Vegas with dual bachelor’s degrees in recreation and leisure services and journalism. I accepted an internship my senior year of college to work at the Walt Disney World Resort to complete my field hours for my recreation degree. Since then, I held various roles at the Walt Disney World Resort in recreation and resort management and joined the Cowabunga Bay family in 2014 for their inaugural season. 

WHAT CERTIFICATION OR LICENSING DO YOU HAVE? 
I will be certified as a lifeguard in Spring 2020. 

WHAT HONORS, AWARDS OR SPECIAL RECOGNITION HAVE YOU ACHIEVED? 
I was recently nominated for the Top 40 Under 40 Business Professionals in Las Vegas, Lead- ing Ladies for Las Vegas Woman and Women of Distinction for National Association of Women Business Owners. 

WHAT MADE YOU GO INTO THIS FIELD? 
I’ve loved the amusement and waterpark industries since I was a kid. Some of my best family memories were vacations to Disney and our favorite waterparks. I knew it was where I was meant to be; and when I had the opportunity to learn from the best in the industry, I packed my car and headed to the Sunshine State. The management experience I gained from working for the Mouse prepared me for my new home at Cowabunga Bay and I couldn’t be more thankful. 

WHAT ASPECT OF THE WATERPARK INDUSTRY DO YOU LIKE BEST? 
I thrive in fast-paced environments and love that every day is different. We’re very fortunate to live in a great climate for a waterpark and have a longer operating calendar than most in the industry. Not only do our guests appreciate it, but our crew members do as well resulting in a higher retention rate. 

WHO HAS MOST INSPIRED YOU IN YOUR CAREER? 
My parents. No matter the distance, I had the best support system a girl could ask for. They’ve been my biggest cheerleaders and I couldn’t have done it all without them. Love you, Mom & Dad! 

WHAT HAS BEEN THE GREATEST CHALLENGE IN YOUR WATERPARK CAREER? 
To find the perfect balance between work and life. We work long, hot hours and sometimes on a 6-day schedule each week. Taking time for myself to relax, get a pedicure and spend time with my family and friends always recharges my batteries.

HOW DO YOU KEEP FOCUSED AND MOTIVATED? 
I rely heavily on checklists and country music to stay focused and prioritize tasks. My motivation though, is my team. I’m very lucky to be surrounded by leaders who are eager to learn, mentor and work hard. 

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN WORKING IN THE WATERPARK INDUSTRY? 
Find the best sneakers, drink a lot of water, make friends within the industry, share best practices and get involved! 

WHAT BOOKS OR PUBLICATIONS DO YOU RELY ON MOST FOR INSPIRATION OR MOTIVATION
I look forward to reading World Waterpark Magazine each month and reading articles on best practices and movement within the industry. There’s nothing better than learning from those who understand the waterpark world and are making strides within the industry. 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB? 
One of the most rewarding moments of being a leader is mentoring employees and witnessing their achievements. I think that’s what’s so great about our industry—we’re impacting so many first-job employees. 

WHAT CAREER OR BUSINESS WOULD YOU CONSIDER IF YOU WERE STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN? 
I would work in the recreation industry and focus on adaptive and inclusive programming for individuals with disabilities. I spent time with the City of Las Vegas during my time at UNLV working in different programming settings. I admire the care the Adaptive Recreation division provided and truly value my experience. 

HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INVOLVED WITH THE WWA? 
My first WWA Show was in 2015 in Palm Springs, California. I met so many industry professionals there. In 2018, I was asked to speak in an all-day session about revenue strategies; and since then, I’ve joined the Marketing Committee and look forward to the show this year in Las Vegas!
 
WHAT IS SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT YOU THAT FEW KNOW OR WOULD GUESS? 
I played competitive soccer during my sophomore year of high school and participated in two tournaments on the regional and national level, traveled to four countries, flew on 17 planes and came home from the Netherlands with a first place trophy.