Park News
parkworld-online.com
The Association of Leisure Equipment Suppliers of the United Kingdom (ALES-UK) staged its 10th annual general meeting on 26 February at the Sixways Stadium in Worcester, England.
Now representing no fewer than 51 firms – everything from ticketing suppliers and 3D/4D specialists to ride manufacturers and builders of trains, trams and go-karts – ALES speaks for a diverse range of companies, several of them leaders in their field. “We’ve got a great group here,” remarked Terry Monkton of Simworx in his last meeting as the association’s chairman. Taking his place will be Elton Games’ Tony Whittaker, working alongside new vice-chair Pauline Quayle of The Juice. There is now a vacancy for a new ALES secretary as Gerry Robinson, who was pivotal in forming the association, is due to step down soon due to ill health. A word of thanks was given by past chairman Ken Rundle on behalf of all those in the room in recognition of the sterling work put in by Gerry over the last decade. A presentation was also made of ALES-UK’s first ever Achievement Awards, recognising Rainbow Productions for its costume character work during the London 2012 Olympics and Sarner for its design of the Doctor Who Experience touring exhibit.
Helen Ede of Rainbow Productions is presented with the ALES-UK Achievement Award by Richard Parry of UKTI
As well keeping members informed of regulation from bodies such as the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and the Amusement Device Inspection Procedure Scheme (ADIPS), ALES also does a lot to support companies in securing UKTI grants to attend trade shows, introducing them to new customers at industry receptions and promoting their wares via various websites and publications. During the meeting in Worcester, members were also informed of the potential opportunities at the proposed Paramount theme park outside London.
An e-brochure detailing the services offered by ALES-UK members can be obtained from
matt@simworx.co.uk or see
alesuk.org
Legoland Florida reinstates
Cypress Gardens Legoland Florida is to pay tribute to the heritage of Cypress Gardens – the park it replaced – by reopening the Florida Pool and Oriental Gardens. “We have taken great care to restore and maintain the historic Cypress Gardens since our opening in 2011 and we are thrilled to reopen such beloved areas for guests of all ages to enjoy,” says Legoland Florida general manager, Adrian Jones. Florida’s first-ever theme park, Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven, about 45 minutes from Orlando, became famous for its botanical gardens, southern belles and enjoyed a reputation as “the water ski capital of the world” from the 1930s through to the 1960s. Merlin Entertainments brought the property in early 2010 after troubles experienced by former owners Kent Beuscher and Land South Holdings and relaunched it as Legoland the following autumn.
It’s not all Lego bricks at Legoland Florida!
MARCH 2014
Park Bloggin’
Putting the 'I' into IAAPA
Our industry is truly an international one. I just returned from the IAAPA Leadership Conference in San Francisco, having been appointed back onto the board of directors after a 10-year absence. I was president of the association in 1989-90 and, as a past president, sat on the board until the structure changed and the all past presidents left the board, with the exception of two appointed by the governance committee.
When I was president (the role has since switched to chairman), our association was in the process of making great strides in advancing the membership, particularly on a global basis. But, even at that time, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions was primarily a domestic association with an international name. I am pleased to tell you that has changed – in a huge way.
Today’s IAAPA is truly an international association. The board of directors is comprised of a balanced group of executives from all leisure sectors, on all continents. The global membership is well represented by polished, hard-working, caring stewards from all over the world.
When a topic is covered at the board meeting, it is discussed in a manner that elicits the comments, concerns and support from the standpoint of both the geographical and individual industry sectors. There are no “shrinking violets,” so to speak, on the IAAPA board. It appears to me that today’s directors have no hesitancy whatsoever in speaking up regarding their sector constituency, and truly making recommendations that will improve our industry. The IAAPA support staff is the best I have seen in my 45 years of membership and involvement. We have always been an association of “members serving members” – but now in a stronger manner today than ever before. It was truly comforting to see each staff member present their agendas to the board in a way that spoke volumes about their professionalism and knowledge of their individual areas of expertise. Particularly interesting were the regional reports, focusing on activity from the USA, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and emerging markets; all exciting areas with tremendous activity occurring. We are presently seeing unprecedented industry growth – unlike we have seen since the spurts of the 1980s and ’90s.
I came away from my first IAAPA board meeting in 10 years smiling, smiling because I saw that we are in good hands and being led by people who respect, care, and understand our industry. Through the years, the IAAPA board has changed, as it should. It has gotten less cumbersome, more professionally managed, and more international. It has always been an interesting group of individuals who sat on the board. It would be interesting to take a view of the board and its leadership and guidance in 25 years from now. My bet is that it will be even stronger and better run than today – as it should be. In fact, maybe by then the name will change to IGAAPA – the Intergalactic Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions!
Dennis Speigel is president of International Theme Park Services (
interthemepark.com), based in Cincinnati, Ohio. ITPS is the industry's leading, independent management/consulting firm, offering services including feasibility analysis, design/masterplanning, pre-opening operational planning, on-site management, sponsorship & marketing, executive search and business audits.
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