Windermere, Florida – Innovative Attraction Management (IAM) and the Starfish Aquatics Institute (SAI) are pleased to announce that they are merging business operations for elite lifeguard training and comprehensive aquatic risk management programs to create IAM StarGuard Elite, LLC.

Since 2013 the companies have been in a strategic alliance to expand the program offerings for both organizations which has resulted in quick growth. Building upon this success, the new company will be made up exclusively of executives from the two organizations. IAM StarGuard ELITE incorporates all the benefits of the very successful strategic alliance PLUS includes the strategic merging of select facilities within the two organizations combined client base. This pushes the overall portfolio of clients for IAM StarGuard ELITE to 70+ Water Park and large public / private facility organizations both domestically and internationally, licensing over 10,000 lifeguards and slide operators worldwide.

Some of the most recognized brands in the waterpark industry are among the clients that will now be a part of IAM StarGuard ELITE.

Moving forward, the carving out of comprehensive aquatic risk management services into IAM StarGuard ELITE will allow both IAM and SAI to focus on impact in other areas of service to the industry. IAM will continue to provide turnkey attraction management (which will include the IAM StarGuard ELITE comprehensive risk management system), and expand their amusement industry consulting services. SAI will continue to provide aquatic education products and service aquatic facilities worldwide where a lifeguard certificate program delivered through a training center system (vs. license) is more appropriate. The new structure will also allow SAI more time to expand its highly successful Starfish Swimming and PADI Swim School programs and increase drowning prevention and international outreach efforts.

IAM has invested in technology and new curriculum integrations into the industry leading SAI StarGuard lifeguard text and certification programs. The IAM StarGuard ELITE lifeguard portal is a prime example of this development and a key piece of technology bringing lifeguarding into the digital age. The portal is a cloud-based software service program that is continually updated based on client feedback on how to improve efficiency and operational safety.

Michael Oostman, one of the Managing Partners for IAM noted “Our strong partnership with Jill and the SAI organization has been incredibly positive. We have received an amazing amount of industry interest and recognition for what our combined efforts have put forth so far. Our combined new company, IAM StarGuard ELITE is the natural next evolutionary step in providing unprecedented strength and experience to the aquatic industry”.

Jill White, Founder of Starfish Aquatics Institute adds “We feel that the client-centric IAM StarGuard ELITE organization will provide much needed leadership to an industry that has been inactive recently related to innovation and technology. Without significant competition in the waterpark aquatic risk management and lifeguard market some lifeguard programs have become stagnant and less operator friendly. The singular focus of IAM StarGuard ELITE is to bring a competitive option to the market and advance the evolution of lifeguarding overall.”

• «Previous Post
• Next Post »

---