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How Kings Island Created Broad Leaders p. 52 Attractions Share Sustainability Successes p. 58 MARCH/APRIL 2024 The Industry’s Next Generation Young professionals mapping the future THE LEADERSHIP ISSUEProviding innovative, seamless S OLUTIONS AND SERVICES to top attractions around the world. www.gatewayticketing.com ■INSIDE | MAR CH / APRIL 2024 The Industry’s Next Generation YOUNG PROFESSIONALS MAPPING THE FUTURE 34 THE AUGMENTED REALITY ARCHITECT 40 RISING STARS 48 CREATING TOMORROW’S LEADERS TODAY 52 CRAFTING LEADERS IN CINCINNATI THE LEADERSHIP ISSUE P.34 P.48P.52 BGSU CHAD BAUMER NATIONAL AMUSEMENT PARK HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION/JOHN M. CARUTHERS COLLECTION2 Funworld | MARCH/APRIL 2024 | IAAPA.org/Funworld O—REVITALIZATION 100 Years of Belmont Park … 7 O—DISPATCH … 10 O—REGIONAL UPDATES … 12 O—FEC INNOVATIONS Funlab for the Win …16 O—INSIDE LOOK Zootopia Land Debuts at Shanghai Disney Resort … 17 O—WHAT WORKS Elevating Staff Training … 19 O—IN MEMORIAM Remembering John Gra … 19 Remembering “Tina”Doolan and Bjørn Lund … 20 O—WHAT’S NEW … 20 O—MOVERS AND SHAKERS … 21 O—PEOPLE OF THE ATTRACTIONS Don Digs Dinos … 22 MARCH/APRIL 2024 VOLUME XLV • ISSUE 2 Funworld is a member benefit of IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry. ASSOCIATION NEWS EVENTS IAAPA Summit 2024 + Latin American Amusement Expo Preview … 26 IAAPA Explores: CES Recap … 27 IAAPA FEC Summit Recap … 28 IAAPA FOUNDATION Experiential Scholarships … 29 ALMANAC Learn from Industry Leaders … 30 IAAPA Archives: Connections Events … 30 IAAPA NEWS Advertise in Funworld … 32 MEMBER BENEFIT IAAPA News Hub … 32 CALENDAR … 33 DEPARTMENTS AD INDEX … 62 MIC DROP … 64 ® Launch BUSINESS RESOURCES SOAKY MOUNTAIN INSIDE | MARCH/APRIL 2024 Visit IAAPA.org/News for leading industry news in the IAAPA News Hub. 56Fostering Satisfaction How to nurture a culture of engagement 58Sustainability Successes Members share best practices SOAKY MOUNTAIN OCEAN PARK HONG KONGIf your hard-working boats are looking like they have earned their retirement, call us and our experts can help you reinvigorate your water ride to extend its life and payback. Our team can also help improve your ride effi ciencies, whether through new features, new controls, or new vehicles to ensure top performance. Tell us about your needs. Contact WhiteWater’s Performance Services at sales@whitewaterwest.com OEM INSPECTION REFURBISHMENT REPAIRS AFTER BEFORE GETTING OLD? whitewaterwest.com/water-rides-maintain Age is just a number: refurbish your attractions for more years of fun.4 Funworld | MARCH/APRIL 2024 | 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. ©2024 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 rep- resentations 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 limita- tion all warranties of title, non-infringe- ment, 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 Director, Global Editorial and Digital Content Scott Fais SFais@IAAPA.org Managing Editor, Funworld Magazine Michael Costello MCostello@IAAPA.org Associate Editor, Funworld Magazine Avery Matteo AMatteo@IAAPA.org Digital Content Editor Lynnette Cantos LCantos@IAAPA.org Contributing Editor Juliana Gilling julianagilling@gmail.com Manager, Global Advertising Sales Julie Rice-Witherell JRiceWitherell@IAAPA.org Production Manager Michelle Wandres MWandres@IAAPA.org Contact us for advertising info at 703-299-5755 or email at Advertising@IAAPA.org IAAPA.org/Funworld IAAPA Chairman of the Board Wuthichai Luangamornlert IAAPA President and CEO Jakob Wahl Executive Vice President and Chief Membership Officer Storm Tussey IAAPA Vice President, Global Marketing, Communications, and Membership Patrick Haller IAAPA Asia Pacific Vice President and Executive Director Jack Chan IAAPA Europe, Middle East, Africa Executive Director and Vice President Peter van der Schans IAAPA Latin America, Caribbean Vice President and Executive Director Paulina Reyes IAAPA North America Vice President and Executive Director Michael Shelton IAAPA.org ® VIRGINIA AQUARIUM Window of Wonder The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center recently welcomed new animals and opened new galleries, completing a $28.9 million renovation and expansion. Holding nearly 20,000 gallons of water and home to more than a dozen species, the South Building also features windows overlooking the new veterinary care center. Guests can now view animal procedures, check-ups, and the water quality labs where employees are at work. Learn more at virginiaaquarium.comSunkid – Interactive Family Rides! We make your guests smile for over 40 years sunkidworld.com | Tel.: +43 5412 68131 | info@sunkidworld.com SundancerTowerButterfly © ThemePark-Central sUNBEATABLE FUNPARK ENTRY Smart ticketing and access management solutions. Whether you need a system for selling tickets, automated data management, CRM or access control - Axess is your full-service partner. Offer ultimate flexibility to your guests with the Axess WEBSHOP, allowing tickets to be bought anywhere, at any time. This can be paired with the AX500 Smart Gate NG which allows quick and easy access to your venue, guaranteeing all-round satisfaction. teamaxess.com Axess Americas Events Inc. Contact Ren Steyn on r.steyn@teamaxess.comIAAPA.org/Funworld | MARCH/APRIL 2024 | Funworld 7 Launch AS WITH MANY SEASIDE AMUSEMENT AREAS IN THE U.S., San Diego’s Belmont Park faced difficult times in the 1960s and ’70s. Seemingly past its prime, its structures, including the mighty Giant Dipper wooden coaster, had fallen into disrepair, and atten- dance had dwindled. The park eventually shuttered in 1976, and the coaster was nearly lost to the wrecking ball. In a pivotal moment for the park, forward-thinking community volunteers recognized the diamond in the rough, sought and obtained National Historic Landmark status for the Giant Dipper, and helped launch a second act for the park. Now, a revitalized Belmont Park is busy prepping for its 100th anniversary with a renewed sense of purpose and optimism. Developed by sugar magnate and entrepreneur John D. Spreckels, the amusement park—originally known as the Mission Beach Entertainment Center—opened in 1925. Its two anchor attractions were the Giant Dipper and the world’s largest saltwater swimming pool, The Natatorium. Both remain vital parts of Belmont Park today. An evolution of the pool as an attraction illustrates how the park honors its past while ensuring it stays relevant for a discerning 21st century audience. Today’s 12,000-square- foot, 400,000-gallon behemoth now contains treated water and bears the catchy name Plunge San Diego. A recent major renovation preserved its historical entrance arch, which features Spanish Renaissance-style architectural flourishes. The modern facility behind the sign is a gleaming indoor space with floor-to-ceiling windows and a translu- cent, retractable roof that makes year-round dipping and splashing inviting. Plunge San Diego, which is also recognized as a historic landmark, is part of Fit, a full-service health club with indoor and outdoor workout spaces overlooking the Pacific Ocean. 100 Years of Dips and Plunges How San Diego’s Belmont Park plans to celebrate it’s centennial by Arthur Levine REVITALIZATION c BELMONT PARK In its heyday, locals and tourists alike flocked to Belmont Park to experience the Giant Dipper wooden coaster (pictured here), among other classic attractions.Next >