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Successful Online Hiring Practices p. 68 Innovative Ideas to Boost Profits p. 60 MAY/JUNE 2021 ® A Family Affair How the next generation of leaders at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari drive growth“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” -Albert EinsteinFEATURES INSIDE | May/June 2021 GREAT WOLF LODGE 52 Kalahari’s Kingdom The first family of indoor water parks steers steady growth Cover Story | page 46 A Family Affair How the next generation of leaders at the 75-year-old Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari in Santa Claus, Indiana, drive growth ON THE COVER: Sisters Lauren Crosby (left), director of entertainment and events, and Leah Koch, director of communications, carry on the Koch family’s tradition as fourth-generation owners of Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari. COVER PHOTO BY STEPHEN RUTHERFORD 60 Ideas in Bloom Fast, fresh, and innovative ideas to boost profits while managing expenses 56 Technology Rides the Wave High-tech water park attractions are on an upswell KALAHARI RESORTS & CONVENTIONS WIEGAND.WATERRIDES GMBH STEPHEN RUTHERFORD2 Funworld | MAY/JUNE 2021 | IAAPA.org/Funworld O— NEW ATTRACTION Waves of Excitement for Ocean Park Hong Kong’s New Water Park … 9 O— REGIONAL UPDATES … 12 O— FIRST LOOK Alaïa Bay Offers Surfing in the Heart of Swiss Alps … 20 O— RECOVERY INSIGHT Danish Amusement Park Cleverly Weathers the COVID-19 Storm … 22 May/June 2021 VOLUME XXXVII • ISSUE 3 Funworld is a member benefit of IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry. 31 ASSOCIATION NEWS EXPO PREVIEW IAAPA Expo Asia Returns to Shanghai in August … 32 EVENT PREVIEW IAAPA EMEA Spring Summit Heads to Belgium … 34 EVENT RECAP IAAPA North America Hosts First 2021 ‘Meet IAAPA’ Event in Orlando … 36 SAFETY IAAPA Latin America, Caribbean Safety Month … 37 AWARDS Nominate an Exceptional Member for a 2021 IAAPA Service Award … 38 IAAPA Hall of Fame Now Accepting Nominations … 39 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Applications Open for 2022 IAAPA Board of Directors … 39 MEMBER BENEFITS Funworld Leaps Off the Page with Live Show … 40 IAAPA News Hub Expands Funworld’s Reporting … 40 TEAM NEWS Reno Deschaine Earns Certified Association Professional Credential … 41 MEMBERSHIP Welcome New Members … 42 CALENDAR … 43 DEPARTMENTS LETTER FROM IAAPA … 6 AD INDEX … 70 TIM’S TURN … 72 ® 65 Pumping Up Sustainability Efforts at Water Parks Water park operators and suppliers offer tips to improve sustainability INSIDE | May/June 2021 Launch KENTUCKY KINGDOM KCC ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS RESOURCES O— SUMMER READING Pages of Attraction … 24 O— MOVERS AND SHAKERS … 26 O— WHAT’S NEW … 27 O— THE ART OF ATTRACTIONS All by Myself (Don’t Wanna Be) … 28 68 Finding Qualified Front-Line Employees Online Human resources professionals share successful contactless hiring elementsFind out more about making surf a staple in your venue at endlesssurf.com @ENDLESSSURF This is Not Your Average Wave Pool This is Endless Surf, your next Anchor Attraction4 Funworld | MAY/JUNE 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 ® Kalahari Grows Up The phrase “Everything is bigger in Texas” applies to the new Kalahari resort in Round Rock. The new $550 million resort is Kalahari’s fourth property and the brand’s first foray in the southwest United States. The new hotel with 975 guest rooms and a family entertainment center opened in the middle of the global pandemic. Read more about how the Nelson family has transformed their brand into a food and beverage-first destination on p. 52. KALAHARI RESORTS & CONVENTIONS6 Funworld | MAY/JUNE 2021 | IAAPA.org/Funworld IAAPA Mission: We inspire, grow, and protect the global attractions industry through member connections. ® DEAR IAAPA MEMBERS, As we bravely march onward toward the endgame of this dreadful pandemic, we can look ahead to a new season—an exciting, new way forward. In 2021, we all hope to safely return to running our businesses. We can strive for exciting new insights into our industry; as summer is almost upon us, we can use this season as a dramatic reawakening. Our industry is accustomed to change, and it understands the importance of renewal. Creativity will no doubt play a role in the recovery. Here at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, we’re offering guests something new this season, traditionally only afforded to specialist ride engineers: Walking the structure of our classic wooden coaster, “The Big Dipper.” This 90-minute experience takes small groups safely on a partial circuit walk of the structure. This exercise in taking our existing infrastructure and using it in a new way can benefit all attractions. We are also using our theatre spaces to create more live entertainment this year; as with travel restrictions, we hope this will benefit the guest experience. Looking after every visitor a little bit more this season will be a benefit to us all. Now more than ever, IAAPA stands ready to connect you in a changing world. As we did in 2020, the global association for the attractions industry is ready to serve you with open doors, welcome new members, and forge a way forward in a remarkable new year full of hope. As I write this, IAAPA’s regional offices are planning our global Expos: IAAPA Asia Pacific is planning IAAPA Expo Asia in Shanghai for August; IAAPA Europe, Middle East, Africa is working on IAAPA Expo Europe in Barcelona this September; and then its onward and upward to IAAPA Expo in Orlando in November! I’m looking forward to meeting you in person during the year. Amanda Thompson OBE IAAPA Chairman of the Board and Managing Director of Blackpool Pleasure Beach Let’s Look Forward Letter from IAAPAEmail: info@surf-lakes.com.au THE NEW WAVE IN WATER PARKS HAS ARRIVED… • 2000-plus rides per hour = maximum throughput • Wave height and shape variances to suit absolute beginner surfers to pro simultaneously • Aspirational surfing ability challenges to ensure regular return visitation • 1800 to 2400 feet of shoreline for water front F&B/retail • Multi-use, flat water sports and events (swimming, kayaking, paddle craft, diving, shows/displays and more!) • Family friendly experiences for all abilities and tastes Don’t be last to the wave pool lineup – go to www.surf-lakes.com.au and enquire with us today. A SURFING LIFESTYLE EXPERIENCE SO CAPTIVATING, THEY WON’T WANT TO LEAVE… Next >