Bill Zanetti

Founder & CEO of UPCOT. Entertainment management expert with expertise in theme park operations, industry-connected teaching, and academic leadership.

Founder & CEO, UPCOT Theme Park Analyst University Instructor Entertainment Management AI in Education
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About

I am the Founder and CEO of UPCOT (Universal Personalized Curriculum Optimization Toolkit) — a learning platform built for creators, instructors, and institutions, featuring AI-powered curriculum design, gradebooks, QR attendance, and verifiable credentials.

I was an award-winning instructor at the University of Central Florida's Rosen College of Hospitality Management, where I developed and delivered courses spanning entertainment, theme parks, attractions, digital marketing, merchandise, technology, and guest experience.

My career blends academic leadership with hands-on industry expertise gained at The Walt Disney Company, Universal Orlando Resort, and other major entertainment organizations. I designed original courses that connect classroom learning to real-world practice, and served as Chair of the Faculty Assembly and Faculty Executive Committee.

During my time at UCF, I coordinated the college's Teaching Colloquiums and created an AI Lunch and Learn series to help faculty explore artificial intelligence in education and research. I'm passionate about bridging the gap between academia and the themed entertainment industry.

Academic Leadership

Chair of Faculty Assembly & Faculty Executive Committee. Coordinator of Teaching Colloquiums with monthly seminars on best practices.

Original Course Design

Designed 5+ original courses including Digital Marketing in Entertainment, Technology & Innovation in Theme Parks, and Merchandise Management.

Industry Experience

Professional background at Disney, Universal, D23, Hardrive Productions, and the City of Orlando spanning retail, attractions, production, and marketing.

International Teaching

Taught internationally in Dubai through a UCF partnership with Dubai Parks and Resorts, training Emiratis in theme park leadership and management.

Experience

Academic and industry career spanning entertainment, theme parks, and hospitality

Founder & CEO
UPCOT — Universal Personalized Curriculum Optimization Toolkit
May 2026 – Present
Founded and leads UPCOT, a teaching through storytelling platform built for authors, creators, instructors, and institutions. Features outcome-focused curriculum design, full gradebooks, verifiable credentials, newsletters, and enterprise integrations.
Coordinator, Teaching Colloquiums
University of Central Florida — Rosen College
Aug 2024 – May 2026
Manage a monthly seminar series featuring faculty and guest speakers on best teaching practices. Created an AI Lunch and Learn series to support faculty understanding of AI in teaching and research.
Instructor, Tourism, Events, Entertainment & Attractions
University of Central Florida — Rosen College
Aug 2023 – May 2026
Taught six courses in entertainment, theme parks, attractions, digital marketing, merchandise, technology, and guest experience. Designed multiple original courses. Chair of Faculty Assembly and Faculty Executive Committee.
Adjunct Instructor, Tourism, Events, Entertainment & Attractions
University of Central Florida — Rosen College
Aug 2015 – Aug 2023
Taught eight courses across entertainment management, event technology, production, guest experience, product development, and theme park management. Taught internationally in Dubai.
Seasonal Retail Coordinator
The Walt Disney Company — Magic Kingdom Park
Jan 2010 – Jan 2017
Main Street U.S.A. & Tomorrowland Merchandise. Focused on guest service, retail performance, and front-line problem solving.
Director of Online Brand Management & Technology
Hardrive Productions
Oct 2011 – Dec 2013
Managed online promotional strategy, audition support systems, and digital materials for entertainment clients including DreamWorks Animation, Universal Studios Singapore, and Nickelodeon campaigns.
House Manager & Director of Social Media
City of Orlando — The Gift & Holiday Lights Orlando
Nov 2008 – Dec 2012
Oversaw production coordination, social media strategy, event logistics, and guest-facing operations at the Walt Disney Amphitheater at Lake Eola Park.
Attractions Host (Opening Team)
The Walt Disney Company — Disney's Hollywood Studios
Nov 2006 – Jan 2010
Toy Story Midway Mania opening team. Worked in attraction operations, guest flow, safety, and show quality, including collaboration with Walt Disney Imagineering.

Courses Taught

Undergraduate courses at UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management

HFT 2563
Digital Marketing in Entertainment
Original Course
HFT 3362
Technology & Innovation in Theme Parks
Original Course
HFT 3362H
Honors Technology & Innovation in Theme Parks
Original Course
HFT 3395
Entertainment Technology & Innovation
Original Course
HFT 4377
Entertainment Production Management
Original Course
HFT 4466
Merchandise Management in Theme Parks
Original Course
HFT 3375
Entertainment Business
HFT 3443
Event Technology
HFT 4752
Managing Guest Experience in Theme Parks
HFT 4755
Theme Park & Attraction Management
HFT 4759
Product Development in Theme Parks
HFT 4795
Entertainment Arts & Events

Education

Master of Business Administration
Rollins College — Crummer Graduate School of Business
May 2015
Specializations in Marketing & Entrepreneurship
Coursework in Operations Management
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management
University of Central Florida — Rosen College
December 2009
Specialization in Theme Park & Attraction Management

Awards & Recognition

Peabody Award Nominee
Defunctland
Nominated for a Peabody Award as Executive Producer of Defunctland, the acclaimed documentary series exploring the history of defunct theme park attractions and entertainment.
Dean's Star Award
UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management
Recognized for outstanding contributions to teaching, student engagement, and service at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management.

Publications

Academic Writings and Presentations on entertainment, attractions, and digital marketing

Book Chapter 2022
Digital and Social Media Marketing for Visitor Attractions
In Managing Visitor Attractions, 3rd Edition — Routledge / Taylor & Francis · Eds. Fyall, Garrod, Leask & Wanhill · 16 pages
Social media marketing can be defined as a digital version of word-of-mouth marketing. This chapter considers how digital marketing can best assist various types of visitor attractions and why that is the case. It examines the entire journey of the visitor from the point of inspiration through to post-visit retention, and explores the different types of social media, their best practices, and key demographics.
View on Taylor & Francis
Presentation 2023
AI in Curriculum Design: Enhancing Canvas LMS with ChatGPT for Personalized Quiz Generation
Teaching and Learning with AI Conference · University of Central Florida · September 25, 2023
The integration of AI into educational platforms offers a transformative approach to curriculum design. This presentation explores leveraging ChatGPT in conjunction with the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) to generate personalized quiz questions from imported textbooks — streamlining the assessment creation process and ensuring quizzes are unique and specific to the content and learning objectives of each course.
View on UCF STARS
Book 2024
AI Hacks for Educators: 50+ Practical Tips for Faculty to Save Time by Using GenAI
By Kevin Yee, Laurie Uttich, Eric Main & Elizabeth Giltner · 130 pages · UCF Open Educational Resources · Special Thanks acknowledgment
View PDF

Professional Affiliations

Themed Experience & Attractions Academic Society
Founding Member
Themed Entertainment Association (TEA)
Member
IAAPA — Intl. Assoc. of Amusement Parks & Attractions
Member
Entertainment Mgmt. Advisory Board, Rosen College
Founding Member
Florida Hospitality Industry Association
Member

Get in Touch

Whether it's about teaching, industry consulting, or speaking opportunities

Phone
407.243.8454
Email
bill@billzanetti.com
Location
Orlando, FL