IAAPA plans a day inside Deep Dive Dubai and Atlantis The Palm

Quick summary

This is an industry-focused day rather than a standard sightseeing itinerary. IAAPA has built the programme around understanding how major attractions work, with time for an educational session, venue tours and conversations with fellow professionals.

Both named destinations are in Dubai, and attendance requires a ticket. The published event window runs from 09:00 to 21:00, with the detailed itinerary beginning at Deep Dive Dubai and finishing at Wavehouse within Atlantis The Palm. The listing uses GMT+04, so attendees should read the timings as Dubai local time.

The full-day registration fee is listed in dollars, with separate rates for members and nonmembers.

The morning at Deep Dive Dubai

Arrival, coffee and networking are scheduled for 09:00 to 09:30. An educational session follows from 09:30 to 11:00, before the Deep Dive Dubai tour and behind-the-scenes visit from 11:15 to 12:30. The transfer to Atlantis The Palm is scheduled for 12:30.

There is considerable scale behind the first stop. Deep Dive Dubai houses a diving swimming pool recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's deepest, measuring 60.02 metres and containing 14 million litres of water.

Its giant oyster shape references the UAE's pearl-diving heritage. For this event, the focus extends beyond that distinctive design: the tour is intended to explore the technology, innovation and operational expertise involved in running the attraction. A diving session is not specified in the published itinerary.

An afternoon at Atlantis and Aquaventure

At Atlantis The Palm, lunch is scheduled for 13:30 to 14:30. The next programme block, from 15:00 to 17:30, pairs behind-the-scenes access with an Aquaventure Waterpark experience.

Atlantis was the first resort to open on Palm Jumeirah. The five-star property was named World's Leading Landmark Resort 2025 at the World Travel Awards, while Aquaventure received the World's Leading Water Park 2025 title, its fourth consecutive win in that category.

The resort is also home to more than 65,000 marine animals across over 250 species. That places the afternoon visit within a destination encompassing hospitality, marine attractions and waterpark entertainment.

From 17:30, the programme moves to Wavehouse for drinks and networking. Surfing is mentioned as a possibility, not a confirmed activity.

Who is on the speaker list?

The published line-up includes Rickard Lundgren, managing director of Deep Dive Dubai at Shamal Group, and Sasha Triemer, vice president of food and beverage at Atlantis The Palm. Freisha Patel is listed as manager of conservation and education at The Lost World Aquarium at Atlantis The Palm.

Also named are Peter Boyack, executive vice president at WhiteWater West; Corry Cloward, president of Cloward H₂O; and Ryan Phillips, general manager of ProFun Academy.

The list further includes Hussain Al Hassni, deputy general manager of Clymb at Miral Experiences; Paul Hamilton, general manager aquarium at The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi; and Asma Al Hosani, director operations at The Green Planet, part of Dubai Holding Entertainment. The listing does not assign individual speaking times or session topics.

Why it matters for Dubai

The programme puts the workings of Dubai attractions at the centre of the day, rather than focusing solely on what visitors see. Deep Dive Dubai's record-setting pool and Atlantis's internationally recognised resort and waterpark provide distinct settings for that industry discussion.

The itinerary also connects several aspects of the visitor experience: attraction technology, marine education, hospitality, food and beverage, and entertainment. Those areas are reflected in both the venues and the roles represented on the speaker list.

For Dubai's attractions professionals, the event creates a scheduled opportunity to see these destinations from an operational perspective while meeting others working in the sector.

What it means for creators and venues

For creators covering Dubai experiences, the programme highlights stories beyond a conventional venue visit, including the pool's pearl-diving reference, attraction operations and the range of experiences within Atlantis. These are potential editorial angles, not confirmation of creator access or filming permission.

The event is explicitly designed for attractions industry professionals. IAAPA's listing does not announce creator invitations, content commissions or Collabs with either venue, so none should be assumed from the event programme.

For venues, the confirmed networking opportunities begin with morning coffee and continue at Wavehouse. Anyone considering coverage or participation should distinguish the advertised professional event from any separately agreed creator activity.

Registration and enquiries

IAAPA lists full-day tickets at $205 for members and $285 for nonmembers, with registration available through its event page. Registration questions or requests for assistance can be directed to Maha Fakhr at MFakhr@IAAPA.org.

Sponsorship opportunities are also listed, alongside a MENA Connections Agreement. Sponsorship enquiries should go to Mike Rigby at MRigby@IAAPA.org.

The published schedule supplies the main activity blocks, but does not give individual speaker timings. Attendees looking for further detail should use the organiser's listed contacts.

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