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® Digging into the Plant- Based Burger Trend p. 106 Tips to Optimize a LinkedIn Profile p. 103 NOVEMBER 2020 How a year of unexpected innovation will change the attractions industry for the betterENABLE EVERY EXPERIENCE! SPLASH BUCKET ALLCAN OFFERS AN INCLUSIVE, INTERACTIVE DESIGN TO EMPOWER PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO LEAD HEALTHY, ACTIVE LIFESTYLES. ITS UNIVERSAL DESIGN PROVIDES SENSORY PROCESSING AND CREATES A SPACE THAT EMBRACES ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY ENABLING THEM TO LIVE HEALTHY, PLAYFUL LIVES TO REACH THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL.FEATURES INSIDE | November 2020 VICTOR BREGANTE Cover Story | page 47 To keep businesses moving forward during the COVID-19 pandemic, the global attractions industry has adapted and evolved by exploring new and unique approaches to operations, guest engagement, revenue, management, and more COVER ILLUSTRATION BY VICTOR BREGANTE SOAKY MOUNTAIN WATERPARK 86 Smoky Mountain Strong The new Soaky Mountain Waterpark in Tennessee opened amid a pandemic with state-of-the-art attractions and “mountain modern” theming 92 Lights. Camera. Caution! Practicing prudence can make movie and TV appearances rewarding for attractions 97 The Class of 1920 Century-old coasters roll into the future 71 In Conversation with Joe Schott Lessons from Shanghai Disney Resort’s Reopening 77 Perfecting Performance in a Pandemic Family entertainment centers share health and finance lessons learned during the era of coronavirus 81 Keep Your Distance How social distancing has changed attractions operations and designs SPECIAL SECTION: Learnings from a Pandemic 48 Pivot Points How attractions successfully navigated the challenges of 2020 and operated in new ways 57 Neighborly Advice Emerging pandemic-influenced trends and insights from related industries can give attractions a leg up on recovery2 Funworld | NOVEMBER 2020 | IAAPA.org/Funworld O— EXPANSIONS Georgia Aquarium Set to Launch New Shark Experiences … 9 O— REGIONAL UPDATES … 14 O— CONNECTIONS Cadbury World’s Contemplative Approach to Reopening … 22 O— IN DEPTH New Zoo CEO Stays Unyieldingly Positive … 24 O— REFLECTION Toshimaen’s Legacy … 26 O— IN MEMORIAM … 28 O— MOVERS AND SHAKERS … 29 O— WHAT’S NEW … 29 O— THE ART OF ATTRACTIONS They’re Designing the Future of Thrills … 30 November 2020 VOLUME XXXVI • ISSUE 11 Funworld is a member benefit of IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry. 33 ASSOCIATION NEWS VIRTUAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE PREVIEW IAAPA Expo: Virtual Education Conference Brings Sessions Online This Month … 34 EVENT PREVIEWS IAAPA FEC Summit Returns in 2021 to Unite the FEC Community … 36 IAAPA EMEA Trade Summit to Bring the Industry Together at Europa-Park … 38 MEMBERSHIP IAAPA Membership Anniversaries … 42 Welcome New Members … 42 CALENDAR … 43 DEPARTMENTS LETTER FROM IAAPA … 6 AD INDEX … 110 TIM’S TURN … 112 ® 103 The Power of Online Career Branding Tools Optimized LinkedIn profiles and personal websites can help professionals grow and shape their careers 106 Transformation of the Veggie Burger Juicy, chargrilled, pink-in-the-center … today’s plant- based burger can be a menu-boosting marketing force INSIDE | November 2020 Launch KEEFER PHOTOGRAPHY BEYOND MEAT MOREY’S PIERS RMA THEMED ATTRACTIONS 108 Kaboom! How attractions of all sizes can use fireworks to extend stays and boost sales BUSINESS RESOURCESwww.luckeyclimbers.com4 Funworld | NOVEMBER 2020 | IAAPA.org/Funworld Rope Drop Funworld (ISSN 08923752; mailed in Canada under IPM #0902179) is published monthly, except in December, by IAAPA, 4155 West Taft Vineland Road, Orlando, FL 32837; phone: +1 321-319-7600. Periodicals postage paid at Orlando, FL, and additional offices. The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organization have not changed during the preceding 12 months. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Funworld, 4155 West Taft Vineland Road, Orlando, FL 32837. Subscriptions are available to IAAPA members for US$90 and US$110 for nonmembers. Single issues are $10. ©2020 IAAPA. No material or part thereof may be reproduced or printed without the written consent of IAAPA. Ride-along may be enclosed. DISCLAIMER . IAAPA makes no representations or warranties about the accuracy or suitability of any informa- tion or materials in this publication; all such content is provided on an “as is” basis. IAAPA hereby disclaims all war- ranties regarding the contents of this publication, including without limitation all warranties of title, non-infringement, merchantability, and fitness for a particular purpose. IAAPA does not guarantee, warrant, or endorse the information, products, or services of any corporation, organization, or person. IAAPA shall not be liable for any loss, damage, injury, claim, or otherwise, whether an action in contract or tort and further shall not be liable for any lost profits, or direct, indirect, special, punitive, or consequential damages of any kind (including without limitation attorneys’ fees and expenses). 4155 West Taft Vineland Road | Orlando, FL 32837 USA +1 321-319-7600 News Editor Keith Miller KMiller@IAAPA.org Contributing Editors Mike Bederka michaelbederka@ gmail.com Juliana Gilling julianagilling@ gmail.com Manager, Advertising Sales Michelle Williamson +1 321-319-7659 MWilliamson@ IAAPA.org Funworld Magazine Team Director, Global Publishing and Content Strategy Prasana William PWilliam@IAAPA.org Managing Editor Scott Fais SFais@IAAPA.org Assistant Editor Juanita Chavarro Arias JChavarroArias@IAAPA.org IAAPA.org/Funworld IAAPA Chairman of the Board Amanda Thompson OBE, ICAE IAAPA President and CEO Hal McEvoy, ICAE IAAPA Chief Engagement Officer and Executive Vice President David Mandt IAAPA Asia Pacific Vice President and Executive Director June Ko IAAPA Europe, Middle East, Africa Vice President and Executive Director Jakob Wahl IAAPA Latin America, Caribbean Vice President and Executive Director Paulina Reyes IAAPA North America Vice President and Executive Director John Hallenbeck IAAPA.org ® Connected and Delighted Parks across the globe invested extra time and effort to open safely this season. Working with the Commonwealth of Virginia, Busch Gardens Williamsburg created several limited-capacity events that allowed guests time to enjoy select rides and culinary delights. Read more on p. 48. BUSCH GARDENS WILLIAMSBURG Production Manager Michelle Wandres MWandres@IAAPA.org6 Funworld | NOVEMBER 2020 | IAAPA.org/Funworld IAAPA Mission: We inspire, grow, and protect the global attractions industry through member connections. ® IAAPA staff and IAAPA members globally, our association has stood firm and strong providing a guiding hand to us all. This is an industry that is bold and brave and used to change, but none of us has ever been told to stop dead in our tracks. This has happened to us all at some point during the year; we had to stop work, all of us at some point, but our global IAAPA team (along with many other regional associations) have been there to offer support and help to all our members—be it shedding light on all the new government guidelines and protocols relating to COVID- 19 and our industry, or sharing ideas and values with important networking sessions and educational conferences. IAAPA has been bold and led the way for us all to have the confidence to make the difficult decisions that we have all been faced with throughout the year. The entertainment and hospitality industry has been exceptionally challenged by this virus. This then cascades down to all aspects of our industry and affects us all. No trade shows for the entire year of 2020 has hit us all so hard as we all now realize how important our association is to all our members and how valuable face-to-face meetings are with manufacturers and suppliers, our industry friends. It is an industry that excels because it is so open to new challenges, but this challenge was one that none of us was prepared for. We have learnt so much about our industry over the past 10 months. We are stronger for this, and we are now more capable than ever for understanding the consequences of being nimble and bold. Our guests have taken time to understand and gain confidence with our industry, but they too have been understanding of the need for us all to operate in a very different way. The manufacturers and suppliers have listened and helped all of us who operate attractions. I personally would like to say a very heartfelt thank you to all our members for sharing and caring about each other in this very difficult time. I would also like to thank all our IAAPA teams around the world; they have been there for us all. I would also like to thank all the IAAPA committees from around the world and the IAAPA Board of Directors as you have all given your time selflessly in a time when our industry needed it the most. Thank you to everyone for your strength and unity during this time and may we all look forward to a brave new world, united by the strength of IAAPA. We are truly an international association that guides the industry throughout the world. Amanda Thompson OBE IAAPA Chairman and Managing Director of Blackpool Pleasure Beach 2020 HAS CERTAINLY BEEN AN ANNUS HORRIBILIS FOR US ALL. A Brave New World Letter from IAAPANext >