Members of TEA @ Florida Poly, a student organization focused on opportunities in the themed entertainment industry, attended the IAAPA Expo in Orlando this week. It is the world's largest attraction industry gathering. From left, the students are Majella Scheyhing, Alexander Streck, Jonathan Vinson, Jacob Brescia, Henry Casanova and Luke Meler.
Behind the thrilling roller coasters, immersive exhibits and bustling venues that drive Florida’s $120 billion tourism industry lies a powerful network of STEM professionals working hard to engineer, analyze and develop the experiences that attract millions of visitors to the state each year.
At Florida Polytechnic University, the future computer scientists, data analysts and engineers who aspire to fill these roles maximize their opportunities as members of the on-campus Themed Entertainment Association, or TEA @ Florida Poly. The organization helps students learn about the attractions industry and connect with themed entertainment employers.
Michael Tracey, a senior majoring in business analytics and the association’s vice president, said Florida Poly students are in a unique position to support the growing industry, especially with the Epic Universe theme park opening at Universal Studios Orlando in 2025 and many expansions and updates planned for Walt Disney World.
The University’s prime location halfway between the tourist meccas of Tampa and Orlando allows the members of TEA @ Florida Poly to immerse themselves in some of the world’s best-known attractions.
“All these places need people to operate them, create them and advance them, and a huge number of these people will come from STEM to not just build them, but to help maintain them as well,” Tracey said. “Being Florida’s only all-STEM university, Florida Poly’s students are a pivotal part of making this all become a reality.”
About a dozen group members attended the IAAPA Expo in Orlando this week. It is the largest attraction industry gathering in the world, with nearly 40,000 attendees and more than 1,100 exhibitors showing off the latest in technology, virtual reality, health and safety equipment, and more.
Majella Scheyhing, a senior majoring in business analytics and the association’s president, said this is the second year that club members attend the massive event.
“IAAPA isn’t a job fair, but you get to network and have some really awesome conversations with companies in the industry, including those that aren’t so well known that might work on roller coaster brakes, wheels, or technology,” Scheyhing said. “It’s so eye-opening to see and understand all the departments and industries involved with themed entertainment.”
These include amusement and theme parks, resorts, family entertainment centers, zoos, cruise lines, manufacturers and suppliers.
“There are so many factors in themed entertainment, such as companies dedicated to specifically making the type of trash cans and souvenir cups you have at the parks – it's not the first thing you would think of to be a part of themed entertainment, but it is interesting how every little thing comes together,” she said.
For Tracey, who grew up in Pennsylvania dreaming of the magic at Disney parks, TEA @ Florida Poly and IAAPA have helped him gain a deeper understanding of the resort and all it takes to keep it running. He currently works at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom theme park and is an intern at Siemens Energy, where he’s excited to transition to a full-time position after graduating this December.
“Did you know that Spaceship Earth at Epcot used to be sponsored by Siemens?” he chuckled.
Florida Poly’s proximity to Disney and the values they share were factors in his decision to enroll, he said.
“One of the biggest things I love about Walt Disney World is how it really does change people’s lives and changes your perspective on the world,” Tracey said. “Animal Kingdom is a place that inspires you to make an impact on the world, and that’s similar to what we do at Florida Poly. We want to change the world here. We want to make an impact on the world.”
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