Applications close September 30 for a year-long program pairing young professionals with experienced industry leaders through one-to-one mentoring
IAAPA is accepting applications through September 30, 2026 for its 2027 Young Professionals Mentorship Program.
- Applications for IAAPA’s 2027 Young Professionals Mentorship Program remain open through September 30, 2026.
- Accepted participants will be notified and matched in November, with the program running from January through December 2027.
- Mentors must be IAAPA members in good standing through December 31, 2027 and have at least seven years of attractions-industry experience, including leadership, project or team management experience.
- Mentees must be IAAPA members in good standing through December 31, 2027, be between 18 and 35, and are expected to take an active role in a relationship that includes at least quarterly meetings.
(NEWS) ORLANDO, Florida, United States, 2026-Sep-11 — /Travel PR News/ — A year-long career-development opportunity is opening across the global attractions sector as IAAPA invites experienced industry professionals and younger colleagues to apply for its 2027 mentorship cohort. Applications for the IAAPA Young Professionals Mentorship Program close on September 30, 2026, giving prospective mentors and mentees a limited window to join the next round of one-to-one pairings.
The program is designed to connect young professionals with established attractions leaders whose experience and career interests align with their own. IAAPA says matching considers logistics, professional goals, areas of interest and experience, with the resulting pairs expected to maintain contact throughout 2027.
A full-year commitment rather than a one-off introduction
Applications opened on July 27 and will remain available through the end of September. IAAPA plans to notify successful applicants and announce mentor-mentee matches in November, before the program formally runs from January through December 2027.
Pairs are expected to meet at least once each quarter, although IAAPA notes that many participants choose to connect more often. Meetings may take place virtually or in person, and optional webinars and networking opportunities are also part of the program. The structure places responsibility on both sides to communicate consistently and stay engaged over the course of the year.
For mentors, eligibility is aimed at established professionals. Applicants must be IAAPA members in good standing through December 31, 2027 and have at least seven years of professional experience in the attractions industry, including leadership, project or team management experience. Previous mentoring experience is preferred but is not mandatory. IAAPA also lists continuing education credits toward certification renewal among the potential benefits for mentors.
Mentees must likewise remain IAAPA members in good standing through the end of 2027 and be between 18 and 35 years old. They are expected to take an active role in the relationship by initiating meetings, preparing discussion topics and working with their mentor toward defined professional goals.
Participants point to networks and career direction
The push for the 2027 cohort follows positive feedback highlighted in a recent Funworld feature. Former mentee Ari Bluestein credited the program with providing personalised guidance, industry contacts and continuing professional support, while mentee Marie Weissbach said the experience offered meaningful insight and opportunities to expand her network.
Previous mentor Dalton Fisher framed participation from the opposite side of the relationship, arguing that experienced professionals have knowledge and stories that younger colleagues are ready to hear. The emphasis reflects the program’s dual purpose: helping early-career professionals build confidence and industry knowledge while giving senior practitioners a structured way to support the next generation.
Frank Hamedl, ICAE, IAAPA’s Program Manager for Global Professional Development and the author of the Funworld feature, leads work focused on leadership growth and career advancement for young professionals and future industry leaders. The association, headquartered in Orlando, represents attractions businesses and professionals across sectors including theme parks, water parks, family entertainment centres, zoos and aquariums. Further information is available through IAAPA’s website.
