Stephen Szczygiel, CHIA attended the 2026 Creating Epic Destinations Conference held in Grand Prairie, Texas, where municipalities considering or actively advancing indoor waterpark developments gathered alongside operators and industry experts. One of the event’s key takeaways was that today’s most successful waterpark facilities operate as community anchors and event-driven destinations, not just simply water attractions. EPIC was highlighted as a standard for a municipally owned waterpark that effectively serves residents while also drawing visitors from hours away. Its success has stemmed from a focus on robust programming, group business, private events, and large-scale festivals that activate both indoor and outdoor spaces, reinforcing the importance of designing flexible, multi-use environments.

The conference also highlighted the need for future-focused design and diversified guest experiences. Potential developers were encouraged to build in technological infrastructure upfront to accommodate evolving audio-visual systems, interactive attractions, and queue management tools, while remaining mindful that technology must enhance, not complicate, the guest experience. With a significant portion of visitors never entering the water, parks must also prioritize dry activities, strong food and beverage offerings, arcades, and wellness integration. Some leading examples illustrated how larger-capacity thrill rides designed for families, immersive lighting and sound features, and customizable guest experiences are shaping the next generation of waterparks, positioning them as year-round economic drivers for municipalities.