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® How to Take a Gift Shop Online p. 56 Artificial Intelligence Applications for Attractions p. 38 MARCH/APRIL 2021 Strategies and best practices to sustain success“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” -Albert EinsteinFEATURES INSIDE | March/April 2021 GREAT WOLF LODGE 38 How Can AI Help You? Artificial intelligence presents unique opportunities that could give attraction operators a creative and commercial edge 42 Loyal for Life Loyalty programs will need to adapt in the COVID-19 era 46 Workcation Fixation How the rise of remote work creates new opportunities to attract guests Cover Story | page 32 Ideas that Elevate Operations innovations and revenue generation strategies developed during the pandemic can help attractions bounce back and prepare for success in the long term 50 Staying Connected Virtual activities can enhance the guest experience and lead to future in-person visits2 Funworld | MARCH/APRIL 2021 | IAAPA.org/Funworld O— TECHNOLOGY Cutting-Edge Dark Ride Turns Riders into Lego Characters … 9 O— REGIONAL UPDATES … 12 O— FIRST LOOK Rulantica Makes a Splash with Virtual Reality … 20 O— IN DEPTH Moominvalley Park’s Sweet Sounds of Winter … 21 March/April 2021 VOLUME XXXVII • ISSUE 2 Funworld is a member benefit of IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry. 27 ASSOCIATION NEWS EXPO UPDATE IAAPA Expo Asia Moves to Shanghai; Rescheduled for August 2021 … 27 CERTIFICATION IAAPA to Launch New Certification Program … 28 ONLINE LEARNING New Attractions Industry Training and Professional Development Courses Available Online … 29 MEMBERSHIP Welcome New Members … 30 CALENDAR … 31 DEPARTMENTS LETTER FROM IAAPA … 6 AD INDEX … 58 TIM’S TURN … 60 ® 54 Screening Entry Screenings Innovations in advanced sensors and artificial intelligence enhance screenings at attractions INSIDE | March/April 2021 Launch GEORGIA AQUARIUMNATIONAL COMEDY CENTER DANIEL BOUD BUSINESS RESOURCES O— MOVERS AND SHAKERS … 22 O— WHAT’S NEW … 23 O— THE ART OF ATTRACTIONS Longing for Near-Life Experiences … 24 56 CLICK: Ramping Up Revenue Online Generating merchandise sales beyond the gift shopPROSLIDE..CCOOMM Copyright © 2021 ProSlide Technology Inc. All rights reserved. ProSlide, the ProSlide logo and any other marks used herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of ProSlide Technology Inc. in Canada, the United States of America and any other countries. Interactive family fun and discovery KIDZ rides inspired by iconic ProSlide water rides Themed to create an immersive experience WaterKINGDOM TRANSFORMING WATER PARKS4 Funworld | MARCH/APRIL 2021 | IAAPA.org/Funworld Rope Drop Funworld (ISSN 08923752; mailed in Canada under IPM #0902179) is published bimonthly 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$50 and US$60 for nonmembers. Single issues are $10. ©2021 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 Funworld Magazine Team Managing Editor Scott Fais SFais@IAAPA.org Assistant Editor Juanita Chavarro Arias JChavarroArias@IAAPA.org News Editor Keith Miller KMiller@IAAPA.org Contributing Editors Mike Bederka michaelbederka@gmail.com Juliana Gilling julianagilling@gmail.com Advertising Sales Dana Jasat DJasat@IAAPA.org Production Manager Michelle Wandres MWandres@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 ® Camping in Style During the pandemic, Ocean Park Hong Kong reinvented its events and offerings to encourage locals to visit for a glamping staycation and get active outside through activities like yoga and hiking. Read more about unique revenue- generating ideas from attractions around the world on p. 32. OCEAN PARK HONG KONG6 Funworld | MARCH/APRIL 2021 | IAAPA.org/Funworld IAAPA Mission: We inspire, grow, and protect the global attractions industry through member connections. ® SPRING IS UPON US HERE IN ORLANDO, and in nature, this means new beginnings and growth. It also means a change of climate that is more moderate. This brings hope to how we see 2021 playing out. Unfortunately, COVID-19 restrictions required us to postpone IAAPA FEC Summit and IAAPA Expo Asia to later this year and to cancel IAAPA EMEA Trade Summit. However, another IAAPA Virtual Education Conference is planned so we can connect you with quality education and speakers to share business insights, best practices, and learnings from the past year. Pivot was the key word of 2020, and not much has changed in the first three months of 2021. Hope and optimism for the new COVID-19 vaccines being administered is encouraging, and the desire to get back together face to face is heard loud and clear. With this in mind, the IAAPA team around the world continues working hard planning events and expos that will bring us back together safely. Travel ability is still an unknown at this point, and we are taking an approach of thinking regionally while welcoming any member from around the world who can attend. This will allow each region to execute events as the restrictions and safe operation allow. The planning for our premier events has been underway, and we look forward to seeing you in Shanghai for IAAPA Expo Asia in August, in Barcelona for IAAPA Expo Europe in September, and in Orlando for IAAPA Expo in November. Our team is also planning for regional summits and in-person events which will be announced as plans are finalized. Things may look a little different given the times, but we always strive to give our members and attendees the best quality show to transact business, explore new products and services, and connect with friends, old and new. Helping our members get back open safely and advocating for this and financial assistance are top priorities for our team. We will keep you updated on our website and through communications on new programs and actions needed. We are here to serve you as members of IAAPA, so please reach out to our team whenever you have questions or need assistance. Our association and industry have seen unprecedented conditions with the COVID-19 pandemic, but our resolve to work together and overcome adversity has been our strength time and time again, and we will continue to support one another as the recovery worldwide moves forward. Hal McEvoy President and CEO, IAAPA IAAPA Continues to Serve You Letter from IAAPANext >