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Vision XS conference Big names speak at UK attractions event
Over 180 attraction operators from across the UK joined industry legends including Bob Rogers and Disney’s John Holland in Oxford on July 7 for the annual conference from leisure consultant Vision XS. Now in its sixth year, the event was held at the academic city’s famous Keble College and opened with an address from James Berresford, CEO of Visit England. “You can’t offshore tourism, it has to be done here, and that contributes to the economy and that means jobs,” remarked James, urging the audience to drive up the quality of the visitor experience and focus on clever and collective marketing. Bob Rogers, founder and chairman of BRC Imagination Arts, urged members of the audience to know themselves and look into the hearts of their guests to deliver original experiences. Highlighting the success of Disney, Bob remarked that love, hope, reassurance and strength must be at the heart of what attraction operators say and do.
Aylward goes to Egypt Dan Aylward
ProFun Management Group has appointed Dan Aylward as managing director of its new Egyptian operation, where his initial responsibilities will include acting as general manager of the Suzanna Mubarak Family Park, which opens later this year. “Dan’s extensive experience in the themed entertainment industry brings another strong team player
to the ProFun family,” says the company’s CEO, P Jim Benedick.
Starting his career at Coney Island in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1971, Aylward has managed 15 outdoor entertainment facilities in seven countries, including the European division of Six Flags. In 2007, he founded Worldwide Leisure Management to provide consulting services industry.
John Holland, former general manager of Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, boasts over 35 years’ Disney experience and explained how he empowers “cast members” (staff) to provide magical moments and surprises. John’s powerful message focused on leadership, through attitude, belief, focus and perseverance. “It’s the extra 1% that makes all the difference,” he told the assembled attraction operators. “An extra 1% can take you from good to great.” Vision XS founder Tony Sefton followed, providing a workshop session for “visitor experience obessives.” Having reviewed the visitor experience of over 120 attractions worldwide, he showed delegates how to plot the ups and downs, points of staff interaction and the “sugar buzzes” in the visitor experience.
A great day was rounded off with eating, drinking and lots of networking. For those that survived until
New flume for Blackpool
A new Log Flume has opened in time for the summer holidays in Blackpool, England. The ride is located on the resort’s South Pier, across the road from the Pleasure Beach, where it is operated by Peter Sedgwick and family. Manufactured by Reverchon, the ride was acquired in Seville from the fairground operator Bañuls and still carries its Spanish name, Cataratas (Waterfalls). The double drop ride becomes Blackpool’s largest Log Flume since the removal of the much larger ride at the Pleasure Beach in the winter of 2005/6. Occupying a 47 x 23-metre footprint,
Disney’s John Holland (left) with Tony Sefton from Vision XS
the early hours there was even musical entertainment in the shape of duelling pianos!
www.visionxs.co.uk
Sedgwick’s new attraction replaces a Reverchon spinning coaster, which has since been sold to Holland.
www.blackpoollive.co.uk/piers
AUGUST 2010
17
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