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Working Toward Sustainable Food and Beverage Services p. 73 How to Successfully Design on a Limited Scale p. 77 Celebrating with Chimelong SPECIAL EVENTS ISSUE How China’s Chimelong Group prepares, promotes, and executes seasonal events MAY/JUNE 202446Celebrating with Chimelong How China’s Chimelong Group prepares, promotes, and executes seasonal events 54Candy Cane Lane Unwrapping how facilities plan and operate Christmas events 62Curating Holiday Experiences That Resonate Attractions worldwide harness trends and deliver new events 68Fall on the Farm How seasonal agricultural-based events are giving rise to permanent attractions in Illinois farm country INSIDE | MAY/JUNE 2024 On with the Show: Planning for Special Events and Holiday Celebrations ON THE COVER: Chimelong Paradise Guangzhou produces spectacular Halloween events. Performers wearing intricate costumes captivate parade viewers. The Nine-Tailed Fox, as seen on Funworld’s cover, dates back to Han esoteric storytelling. The character’s long, bushy tails have many branches, each representing a level of power. CREDIT: CHIMELONG2 Funworld | MAY/JUNE 2024 | IAAPA.org/Funworld O—LIVE ENTERTAINMENT Kiss of the Sea Innovates at Sun World … 6 O—DISPATCH … 10 O—REGIONAL UPDATES … 12 O—IAAPA RESEARCH Attractions Survey Provides Insight Into 2024 Season… 20 O—IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES Roll Up for the Dream Circus… 21 O—EMPLOYEE BENEFITS Herschend’s Grow U Program Cultivates Opportunity… 22 O—WHAT WORKS The Art of Aquatic Safety… 24 O—MOVERS AND SHAKERS … 26 O—WHAT’S NEW … 27 O—PEOPLE OF THE ATTRACTIONS The Making of a Renaissance Man … 28 MAY/JUNE 2024 VOLUME XLVI • ISSUE 3 Funworld is a member benefit of IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry. ASSOCIATION NEWS AND BENEFITS EXPO PREVIEW Unlock Success at IAAPA Expo Asia 2024 … 32 IAAPA FOUNDATION Student Leader Voices Benefits of IAAPA Foundation Support … 36 EVENTS IAAPA Honors Celebrates Excellence in Las Vegas … 38 EDUCATION Explore IAAPA’s Online Learning Portal … 40 MEMBERSHIP New IAAPA Membership Options Available … 42 LEADERSHIP Applications for 2025 IAAPA Global Board of Directors Open Until June 3 … 43 ALMANAC … 44 CALENDAR … 45 DEPARTMENTS AD INDEX … 82 MIC DROP … 84 ® Launch BUSINESS RESOURCES JASON DECAIRES TAYLOR INSIDE | MAY/JUNE 2024 Visit IAAPA.org/News for leading industry news in the IAAPA News Hub. 73Food for Thought sourcing sustainable food and beverage products 77Big Results, Limited Budgets How to successfully design on a limited scale 78The Risks and Potential of AI Identifying the most effective applications for AI BERK ENTERPRISES PEPPA PIG CAFEDISCOVER MORE! Our team of specialists in concept design, engineering and manufacturing can deliver the most thrilling experience for your guests! Whether you want to create a new family coaster that appeals to children, teens, parents and grandparents, are looking for a new heart- pounding experience to delight thrill seekers or want to develop any other attraction that will make your venue a success, Vekoma will assist you to discover more! We look forward to meeting you at IAAPA EXPO ASIA! WWW.VEKOMA.COM INGENUITY THAT MOVES YOU SUPER BOOMERANG TOP GUN LAUNCH COASTER MAXIMUM THRILL ULTIMATE COMFORT BANGKOK 28 - 30 MAY BOOTH #914 SUSPENDED FAMILY COASTER4 Funworld | MAY/JUNE 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 +1 703-299-5755 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 Director of Global Communications Eryka Washington Perry 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 ® Capitalizing on the natural phenomenon of the April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse, Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio built a unique, value-driven event, Solar Eclipse of the Park. The event—held on a Monday— added another day of operation to the park’s spring shoulder season. From operational planning and creating admission packages, to creating themed merchandise, the event exceeded attendance expectations. CHRISTOPHER WONGSunkid – Interactive Family Rides! We make your guests smile for over 40 years sunkidworld.com | Tel.: +43 5412 68131 | info@sunkidworld.com SundancerTowerButterfly © ThemePark-Central sIAAPA.org/Funworld | MAY/JUNE 2024 | Funworld 7 Launch INNOVATION AND SPECTACLE CONVERGE AT VIETNAM’S SUN WORLD , where the relaunched Kiss of the Sea experience blends technology and artistry. A compelling nar- rative unfolds through awe-inspiring performances and special effects—all made possible by the show team’s dedication to overcoming challenges in the pursuit of delivering a memorable experience. Part sensory extravaganza, part Cirque-inspired performance, Kiss of the Sea is ECA2’s largest production. The trilogy of arches, rising 30 meters overhead, provide depth and layers for the thousands of effects in the half-hour show. Despite sets and transitions that appear to occur effortlessly throughout the perfor- mance, the vast scope of the production presented several design challenges. The most significant involved ensuring the 50-member cast is not dwarfed by the dazzling effects and scale of the set. “I had to find a way to tell a story with performers on this stage and not lose them,” recounts Charlene Munnier, the show’s artistic director. “We had to find ways to make them bigger.” Munnier and her team identified creative solutions: actors walk on stilts, performers twirl on illuminated hoops overhead, costumes are designed to flare out- wards, and five trampolines are built into the stage for acrobats to flip and soar. All of the water effects—more than 80 in total, including jets, geysers, and the 1,000-square-meter water screen—use saltwater. Five million liters of seawater are pumped and filtered for every show, then discharged back to the sea. While this approach is significantly more cost-effective and environmentally friendly, the practice brings challenges as well, from protecting equipment against corrosion to calibrating the effects accordingly. Kiss of the Sea Innovates at Sun World How the show team overcame obstacles to bring cutting-edge storytelling to Vietnam by Michael Switow LIVE ENTERTAINMENT c ECA2 Kiss the Sea utilizes light and water to provide a striking visual experience for audience members.Next >