During the 2024 Annual Conference, the Florida Attractions Scholarship Foundation awarded five Professional development Grants to FAA Member businesses to assist in the funding of their internal staff development and training.
IMAG History and Science Center, Fort Myers - $2,500
IMAG History and Science Center has over 100 aquatic animals in 25,000 gallons of habitats, which are maintained by a small staff. This grant will provide training for 5 staff members in Life Support Operator Level 1 and Water Quality Technician Level 1 to improve their skills in caring for the animals and their habitats.
ZooTampa at Lowry Park - $2,500
The grant given to Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park will provide interpretive training to their zoo staff. Specifically, they will be participating in the Certified Interpretive Guide course offered by the National Association for Interpretation. This course is designed for interpreters who lead programs and want to deepen their understanding of interpretation fundamentals. This training will equip participants with the tools to create enriching interpretive content and programming, ultimately enhancing the guest experience. The grant will provide training for 10 of the zoo staff members.
St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum- $2,100
Our grant to the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum will help three employees in the Interpretative Department enhance their communication skills and create more meaningful experiences for visitors. The Museum recently approved a five-year Interpretative Plan to improve the experience for the over 240,000 guests who visit annually. The employees will receive certification from the National Association for Interpretation to sharpen their skills and improve the overall visitor experience.
Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, Jupiter - $2,500
Sensory Sensitivity Mornings at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse is a special event for kids with sensory sensitivities, including those on the autism spectrum and their families. They can enjoy hands-on activities in a quiet setting at the Lighthouse. The grant will help the Lighthouse educate staff on how to interact with and teach individuals with autism. They are working towards becoming a Certified Autism Center with specialized training and certification.
Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota - $2,425
The Ringling’s grant will allow one of their HR professionals to attend a Disney Institute professional development course: Disney’s Approach to Employee Engagement. Disney Institute teaches professionals business insights and the applicable methods that can help organizations prosper.
