Holiday World & Splashin' Safari
Ashley Blankenbaker, CFEA has extensive experience in marketing and event management. Ashley began their career in 1998 as a Call Center/Sales Supervisor at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, where they promoted and booked group/corporate sales and managed customer relationships. Ashley later joined Z&R Design as an Interior Designer and Office Manager, where they specialized in residential and commercial interior design. In 2011, Ashley returned to Holiday World as a Sales Coordinator, and was responsible for group and corporate sales. Ashley then held multiple roles at the Galt House Hotel, including Marketing Manager and Director/Executive Producer of Attractions, Special Events, and Entertainment. In 2017, they became the Director of Marketing at Fourth Street Live!, a position they held until 2018 when they joined Holiday World & Splashin' Safari again, this time as the Director of Marketing. In this role, they led a team in developing and implementing marketing and advertising plans, driving over $20 million in online annual revenue and overseeing the marketing plans for new attractions and special events. Throughout their career, Ashley has demonstrated expertise in branding, advertising, event logistics, and consumer insights.
Ashley Blankenbaker, CFEA, has a diverse education history in various fields. Ashley attended Heritage Hills High School from 1999 to 2002, where they did not obtain a degree or specify a field of study. Later, from 2002 to 2006, they pursued a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Interior Architecture Design at Indiana State University. During the same period, they also pursued a Marketing Minor at the same institution.
In 2013, Ashley attended the IFEA Event Management School and obtained a Certified Festival and Events Associate (CFEA) degree, specializing in Event Management. Additionally, they have obtained multiple certifications. In 2015, they obtained the Certified Guest Service Professional certification from the American Hotel & Lodging Association, and in the same year, they also obtained the CFEA certification from the International Festivals & Events Association.
In 2017, Ashley obtained another certification, the Certified Tourism Ambassador™ (CTA) from an institution specializing in that program.
Holiday World & Splashin' Safari
Visit Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari and enjoy this family-owned theme park and water park combo! Located in Santa Claus, Indiana, Holiday World celebrates Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the 4th of July with roller coasters, family rides, and live entertainment. Thunderbird, the nation’s only launched wing coaster, has been featured on the Travel Channel and HGTV. TIME magazine named Holiday World’s Voyage the nation’s #1 wooden roller coaster. Splashin’ Safari, voted the Best Waterpark in the Midwest by USA Today readers, includes the world's two longest water coasters – Mammoth (certified by Guinness World Records) and Wildebeest – plus numerous family raft slides and water slides, two wave pools, and water-play areas for smaller children. Consumers Digest has repeatedly named Holiday World the Nation’s Top Value Park: Both parks provide free soft drinks, free parking, free sunscreen, and free Wi-Fi. Family-owned since it opened in 1946 as Santa Claus Land, Holiday World continues to focus on family fun, with special attention to friendliness and cleanliness. In fact, Holiday World has been named the World's Cleanest Park for 19 years by Amusement Today. Best ticket discounts? They’re online, at HolidayWorld.com, where you’re also welcome to sign up for the park’s free e-newsletter, subscribe to the HoliBlog, listen to the park's Podcast for stories and contests, plus view videos in the Rides & Slides section. Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari also feature live entertainment, with musical shows plus a dare-devil (and comedic) high-dive show. Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari also offer an array of treats, from fudge and funnel cakes, to blue ice cream and Dole Whip. There’s also a full Thanksgiving dinner at Plymouth Rock Café, plus special gluten-free and allergen-friendly menus, all listed at HolidayWorld.com/Food For a multi-day family getaway, Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari offer fun for all ages, with memories to last a lifetime.