WhiteWater Backs Emerging Talent with IDEA Scholarship

Author: Cassidy Newman :: January 5th, 2026

As Saudi Arabia accelerates the growth of its themed entertainment sector, building a skilled and future-ready workforce has become a key part of the region’s long-term success. Among the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 initiatives, Qiddiya City alone is expected to generate more than 325,000 jobs, with an additional 22,000 roles projected across Saudi Arabia through Saudi Entertainment Ventures. This scale of expansion is reshaping the global attractions industry and highlighting the need for clear leadership development pathways to support the growing workforce.

In response to this demand, IAAPA, the Global Association for Amusement Parks and Attractions, has expanded its Institute for Executive Development (IXD) program to include an international edition in the Middle East for the first time. Supporting this milestone, WhiteWater, the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of water parks and attractions, has announced the second edition of its IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) Scholarship. The scholarship is designed to remove financial barriers that can prevent talented professionals from accessing education opportunities and will cover program fees for one IXD participant.

“The pace of development we’re seeing in markets like Saudi Arabia demands more than infrastructure; it demands people who are ready to lead complex, global attractions,” said Onno Meeter, President of Water Parks at WhiteWater. “This scholarship helps ensure the industry’s talent pipeline grows at the same speed as its projects.”

Through IAAPA’s IXD program, participants will gain executive-level insights and practical tools to:

Develop a strong, authentic leadership style
Build and sustain healthy, high-performing teams
Strengthen executive resilience and long-term leadership capacity
Apply strategic financial planning frameworks
Leverage technology and data to support informed decision-making

By supporting leadership education at a pivotal moment for the Middle East’s attractions industry, WhiteWater and IAAPA aim to help cultivate the next generation of leaders equipped to guide the sector through its next phase of growth.

Applications for the 2026 IDEA Scholarship are now open with full details, eligibility criteria, and application instructions found at www.whitewaterwest.com/en/idea-scholarship