www.parkworld-online.com
Park Hoppin In association with Park Hoppin’with Susan Storey T
raveling to parks around the country is more than just a hobby. With each visit, I always feel a sense of coming home – even
if it’s a place I have never been. Of course, there is also no greater feeling than visiting somewhere for the first time and catching up with industry friends. I felt that during a recent visit to Odysea Aquarium
in Arizona. With over two millions gallons of water, 6,000 animals and yes, “America’s Best Restroom”, there’s a lot to experience at OdySea. Most
importantly, it was the perfect place to reconnect. My parents joined on this visit, along with my son. As a child, my family spent summers camping, visiting zoos and aquariums around the country. While I have not mastered the camping part, I do carry on the tradition of visiting aquariums so we can learn more about life under the sea. Since opening in 2016, OdySea Aquarium has found a unique niche, combining
aquarium staples like adorable penguins, sea lions and sharks with aquatic learning and storytelling in new ways. Our two favorites were the “Bizarre and Beautiful” gallery and the Walt Disney World “Carousel of Progress” –inspired OdySea Voyager. The 20-minute experience is truly an ocean in the round; we were comfortably seated and literally rotated past four of the aquarium’s incredible exhibits, with up-close views through crystal-clear 46-foot windows. The best part? Connection. With my family of course – visiting with my parents,
watching them enjoy time with their grandson, reminiscing about past vacations – all of that. And it was also reconnecting with industry friends. OdySea’s head of public relations, Karin Korpowski-Gallo and I go “way back.” So much so, that when people ask how long we have known each other we shake our heads. We always smile though and say in unison, “Six Flags.” With Karin once based in Maryland, and me in Illinois, we were always PR colleagues across the miles, and have remained close friends no matter how many years go by. Karin’s personal and professional trek to OdySea is as long and varied as my own, yet we remain bonded by our passion for the attractions industry and what we do as PR people. We are not alone. The feeling of pride that comes from
sharing your attraction with friends is just as strong a feeling when you’re witnessing a friend share theirs. Karin sparkled as we toured the facility and shared details about the incredible animals under the aquarium’s care, her favorite animals, and even joked about what she called the aquarium’s “judgy fish”. I don’t remember what species he was, but I do agree he looks like he’s judging you as he meets your eye. Odysea Aquarium president Greg
Charbeneau is another colleague whom I reconnected with. While our relationship does not go back as far as Karin’s and mine, our many shared industry connections and passion for the conservation of marine life made us quick friends. And after two years of connection only through Zoom, it was so great to be in person again. All around the globe, industry
professionals will tell you their closest friends are colleagues from all sides of the aisle – vendors, clients, peers,
SUMMER PART 2 2022 The view from the washbasins in the ‘America’s Best Restroom’
competitors – and how much they love to be together. Here in Florida, school will soon be back in session. College kids are eyeing
graduation next spring and asking for career advice. And while the proverbial, “Never burn a bridge” lesson forever remains true, I also say, “Make real connections.” It’s not about how many LinkedIn followers you have, or the titles of the references on your resume. It’s about the connections made during long conference calls, on team outings, over shared late-night deadlines and working crack of dawn events. Those you carry with you, through job changes, life changes, miles, and months. And one day, that 20-year connection will come back together with a big hug, in the country’s coolest bathroom, as a large lemon shark swims by.
Above: OdySea’s head of public relations, Karin Korpowski-Gallo, with our own Susan Storey; Well if you’re going to a park, it would be rude not to take the kids!
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