Park News
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Universal promotes Coup Kernels Thierry Coup
Thierry Coup has been named senior vice-president of the creative studio at Universal Creative, the planning and development division of Universal Parks and Resorts. In his new role, he will lead the creative development activities for upcoming attractions at all
of Universal’s theme parks worldwide. Coup began his career with Universal Creative more than 10 years ago and has played an integral part in shaping several award-winning rides and attractions including The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Shrek 4D, The Revenge of the Mummy and King Kong 360 3-D. He was
also creative director for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure in Orlando. Currently Coup is leading the creative team developing the new Transformers attraction for Universal Studios parks in California and Singapore. “Thierry has a tremendous reputation of delivering unparalleled attractions and experiences for our guests,” said Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative. “He is an industry leader and continues to bring strength to our team with his creativity and vision.” Prior to his work in theme park and attraction development, Coup worked in the film and TV commercial industries, creating visual effects and stop-motion animation.
NEAAPA Hall of Fame
The New England Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions (NEAAPA) is to induct two more industry stalwarts into its Hall of Fame. The late Fred Markey served as president of the Dodgem Corporation for over 35 years, as well as a secretary of NEAAPA from 1931 to 1962. At the Dodgem Corporation, Fred filed and held seven patents, including the combination wheel/motor unit that is still in use on bumper cars today. Fred also operated the Ioka Theatre in Exeter, New Hampshire, and the Dodgem Corporation ride operations at Salisbury Beach, Massachusetts, for many years.
Fred Markey
Kate (Horner) Wall, meanwhile, began working at the former Riverside Park, now Six Flags New England, in 1975. She was hired as the first female manager after graduating from college. Upon leaving, she went to Lake Compounce as director of operations. In 2000, she retired from the park and later became secretary/treasurer of NEAAPA. Currently, Kate is a lecturer at Central Connecticut State College. Since 1998, NEAAPA has inducted 23 individuals into its Hall of Fame. Markey and Hall will be formally inducted during the associations’ 85th annual meeting on March 29.
Kate Horner Joines retires from Dollywood
Barbara Joines, the vice-president and general manager of Dollywood is to retire at the end of the coming season. A replacement is being groomed in the shape of Craig Ross, former vice-president of retail for Herschend Family Entertainment, Dollywood’s operating partner.
Gene Scherrer, a 24-year Dollywood veteran and most recently VP/GM of Dollywood’s Splash Country waterpark, is promoted to vice-president of operations.
Barbara Joines Neptune Benson appoints Turner
Michael Turner, ex-Gateway Ticketing, has a new job. The attractions industry veteran is now vice-president of international business development for Neptune Benson, a leading manufacturer of filtration systems for
Michael Turner MARCH 2011
waterparks, zoo and aquariums. “We are thrilled to have Michael join our team and head up our international business,” reports Neptune
Benson president Barry Gertz. “Michael has extensive knowledge of the international attraction business and has a proven track record in building strong relationships in all markets.” Turner boasts more than a quarter of a century of industry experience. Before his 14 years at Gateway Ticketing, he founded of Lasergate Systems, an innovator of electronic ticketing and access control for the attractions industry. Michael attended University of South Florida and is married to Franceen Gonzales of Great Wolf Resorts.
The former president of the International Association for Leisure and Entertainment (IALEI) has joined Alpha- Omega Amusements & Sales as director of marketing and communications. Tracy Sarris will work directly with Alpha-Omega's president, Frank Seninsky, to provide products and services to Family Entertainment Centres (FECs) and related industries, something she is very familiar with from her time at IALEI.
Pontins, operator of five holiday parks across the UK, has been sold to the Britannia Hotel Group. The company called in the administrators last November after a cash flow problem but is now hoping for a fresh future thanks to a £25 million ($40m/€29m) investment by its new owner. Unlike rival “holiday camp” operator Butlin's, Pontins does not feature any amusement rides although most of is properties have some kind of pool/waterpark facilities. The parks are located at Brean Sands, Camber Sands, Pakefield, Prestatyn Sands and Southport.
www.pontins.com
The Galaxy Rider, a coin-operated tower ride from the MP Group in Italy, has been installed as an added attraction at the Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare, England. As the capsule rises, the riders can turn it left and right using the built-in joystick controls.
CBS Consumer Products has renewed a brand management partnership with the Ride Entertainment Group (REG), which could see the realisation of Survivor, CSI or Star Trek branded attractions. CBS Consumer Products manages worldwide licensing and merchandising for a diverse portfolio of more than 180 television series and films including primetime TV hits CSI, 90210, America's Next Top Model, plus I Love Lucy, Cheers, Happy Days, Twilight Zone and Star Trek franchise. REG, meanwhile, handles sales for attractions suppliers including Gerstlauer, Skycoaster, Funtime and Ropes Courses International.
The US company Creative Works Theme Factory recently installed its first laser tag arena in Poland, a 3,000 square feet arena at Fantasy Park in the city of Bytom.
http://bytom.fantasypark.pl/
Wildfire Inc, a market leader in UV effects for theatre, themed entertainment and visitor attractions, has supplied Tokyo Disneyland with 137 LT-250F lighting fixtures for the park's new Toy Story Mania! 4D dark ride. Wildfire's Long Throw fixtures are considered by many to be the best “black lights” in the industry, noted for providing bold, bright effects with a powerful throw up to 80 feet (24.5-mteres).
www.thewoweffect.com
The owners of Corpus in the Netherlands are partnering with the Hilton hotel group to open a Hilton Garden Inn. Described as a “journey through the human body,” Corpus is an educational attraction located near the city of Leiden. The hotel will be a four-star property including a congress centre and incorporate Corpus' key values of, ”Healthy living, responsible nutrition and exercise.”
www.corpus-experience.nl
Leading access control and software supplier Gateway Ticketing Systems has achieved Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) certification. This means even greater security for credit card information passing through Gateway's Galaxy and eGalaxy web store. "Being PCI-DSS certified is a significant achievement and puts us in an elite group of vendors,” announces Gateway president Michael Andre.
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