INDUSTRY OPINION CHANGING TIMES
Gordon Dorrett President and CEO, Forrec
“E 46
arly on, attractions were nearly always associated with larger theme parks. Then they began to develop a
separate identity, which has now grown into a thriving independent business. Meanwhile, the attractions industry has expanded and diversifi ed, drawing tal- ent that didn’t exist before, or existed in some other industry – talent that not only serves the industry, but leads it in previously unimaginable directions. It’s not just about theme parks any
more, but every conceivable kind of entertainment and cultural venture. The IAAPA conferences now have a special day for museums. Who’d have thought that museum administrators would want to show up at the same conference as theme park operators? Fifteen years ago, simulations, virtual
worlds and 3D holography were excit- ing and new. We thought: ‘From now on, the entire experience can be simulated’. Well, that didn’t happen, although a lot of other amazing things did. And vir- tual worlds are still some distance off,
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT
In the third part of our series, industry experts outline the impact the last 15 years’ worth of changes have had on the industry, plus what they miss KATHLEEN WHYMAN • MANAGING EDITOR • ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT
Deqing Senbo Green Forest, an eco-sensitive leisure complex in China, includes a large, indoor waterpark plus retail, dining, entertainment and adventure areas
“Fifteen years ago, who’d have thought that museum administrators would want to show up at the same conference as theme park operators?”
Dorrett has been with 40-year-old Forrec for 25 years
waiting for a breakthrough in science or economics that will make them the next new thing. So, looking ahead, it’s impossible to predict what undiscov- ered technologies might make possible. If an idea is strong, it will survive, fl our- ish and feed the industry. If it’s weak, it will quickly fade. What seems certain is that as politi-
cal and economic power shifts, Central Europe and Asia will play an increas- ingly important role in the development of entertainment of all kinds, including
Read Attractions Management online
attractionsmanagement.com/digital
the attractions business. My strong sus- picion is that these regions will become the innovators – not the followers, building on current ideas – but develop- ing in new and unexpected directions. One thing that seems to have disap-
peared, and that I miss, is the sense of recognition for the diffi cult work that serious practitioners do. Yes, it’s enjoy- able and there’s nothing we’d rather be doing, but most people don’t realise that designing a theme park is as com- plicated as designing a hospital.”
AM 3 2012 ©cybertrek 2012
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86