Brittany Davis
Corporate Account Executive
Rapids Water Park
West Palm Beach, Florida- USA
Featured in "World Waterpark Magazine," December 2019
WHAT IS YOUR EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE?
I attended the University of Florida where I received a bachelor of arts degree in tourism and hospitality management. I started with the Rapids Water Park in 2011 and moved my way up through our aquatic department and over to our marketing team in 2016.
WHAT CERTIFICATION OR LICENSING DO YOU HAVE?
Previously I was Red Cross lifeguard certified and an Ellis & Associates instructor.
WHAT MADE YOU GO INTO THIS FIELD?
I grew up in South Florida visiting Orlando theme parks every weekend with my father and sisters. By chance I ended up in a lifeguarding position at the age of 16 years old at the Rapids Water Park and the rest is history.
WHAT ASPECT OF THE WATERPARK INDUSTRY DO YOU LIKE BEST?
I love the excitement and enjoyment you get from your colleagues and the customers. We are providing a fun experience for our guests and each person at the park plays a roll in that.
WHO HAS MOST INSPIRED YOU IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR?
Our General Manager Bryan Megrath has played a vital role in the progression of my career. When I asked to interview him and our Marketing Director, Bob Morgan, for a school project, they immediately said yes. When I asked Bryan if any of our sister parks had college internships, he and our accountant, Jack Fox, created one for me. When I wanted to stay on the Rapids marketing team, they found the perfect position for me. I have always looked up to Bryan for how he treats each and every staff member like family, and how he goes out of his way to learn about everyone and to help everyone grow. He has been a role model, a teacher and the type of leader I strive to be.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE GREATEST CHALLENGE IN YOUR WATERPARK CAREER SO FAR?
The greatest challenge so far has been deciding what I love doing most. I started in operations and had a strong passion for that, but with my newer experiences as a part of our marketing team, I greatly enjoy this side as well.
HOW DO YOU KEEP FOCUSED AND MOTIVATED?
To keep focused and motivated I reward my accomplishments but always push myself to do more and to reach higher limits. I always remind myself of what we’re providing to others. We aren’t your average industry, as we provide fun, laughter, excitement and lasting memories, and that is what makes what we do enjoyable.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A FELLOW YOUNG LEADER WHO IS INTERESTED IN WORKING IN THE WATERPARK INDUSTRY?
As a young professional trying to grow, become a sponge. Listen to everything someone is willing to share with you and then learn from it or apply it. Ask questions and be open to new ideas and opportunities. Take chances, share your ideas and don’t give up. Listen to stories that others share with you. Our industry is very small and many of our elders have worked in multiple roles and at multiple facilities, so they all have bundles of information to share.
WHAT BOOKS OR PUBLICATIONS DO YOU RELY ON MOST FOR INSPIRATION OR MOTIVATION?
On LinkedIn I follow multiple companies and organizations, in the industry and outside. Seeing others grow and excel only pushes me to do the same.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB?
My favorite part of my job is interacting with new people every day. I’m always meeting someone new, learning about them and their company and hearing their connection with our park.
WHAT GOALS HAVE YOU SET FOR YOURSELF AND WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE IN A
FEW YEARS?
My main goal is to simply push my limits as far as I can to see how far I can grow as a person and in my role as a sales representative. I want to learn as much as I can to increase my skills and knowledge not only as a sales representative but as a professional in the waterpark industry.
HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INVOLVED WITH THE WWA?
I attended my first WWA show in 2017 when it was held in West Palm Beach, Florida. Although I was going back and forth throughout the week from the show to our park, I still had a wonderful experience and was able to learn a lot. In 2019, I was the recipient of the Chris Stuart Emerging Leaders Scholarship.
WHAT IS SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT YOU THAT FEW KNOW OR WOULD GUESS?
The day before my first birthday, August 20th 1995, my father and twin sister and I were publicized in the Palm Beach Post newspaper sitting in the baby pool at the Rapids Water Park. Who knew that years later I would be selling these same types of special events at the Rapids Water Park?