NEWS BRIEFS
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Great Wolf COO Tapped for Presidency
Winter 2009
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Great Wolf Resorts Inc., based in Madison, Wis., has named Chief Operating Officer Kimberly Schaefer its new president. An 11-year company veteran, she will fill both roles and takes on the presidency following the resignation of John Emery in May 2008.
“[Schaefer] has spearheaded the growth and evolution of the brand,” said Randy Churchey, interim chief executive officer in a press statement. “Her leadership, passion and vision for the future of Great Wolf Resorts Inc., are the foundation upon which the company has been built. Kim was instrumental in the growth of the company to nearly 5,000 ‘pack members’ at 11 resorts across North America.”
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Operators Collaborate on Missing Child Policy
Winter 2009
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Setting the stage for future collaborative efforts, all Wisconsin Dells, Wis., waterpark resorts now have a comprehensive missing child policy and procedures in place for suspected abductions. The “Code Adam” policies include a checklist detailing protocol in the event of a missing child report, and steps to improve exit security, according to Detective Jed Seidl of the Wisconsin Dells Police Department.
Seidl helped coordinate the initial efforts last spring, following attendance at a National Center for Missing and Exploited Children conference. He noted there were two incidents in 2008 that could have resulted in abductions. But thanks to alert parents and staffs, no children were taken or harmed. “I can’t say enough about the response that we’ve gotten from the parks,” Seidl said. “It’s been phenomenal.”
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New Players Join Industry
Winter 2009
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Two new players are splashing into the aquatics industry. A Charlotte, N.C.-based private equity firm has partnered with waterpark industry veteran David Hoy to form AquaBlue International, a water-slide and water-play equipment design and manufacturing firm. A hallmark of the new venture will be affordability. Additionally, Creative Kingdoms, creator of the MagiQuest interactive video-game experience, recently launched Aqua Kingdoms. Industry veteran Carin Brown is president of the new subsidiary, offering AquaQuest , an interactive water-play game adapted from the MagiQuest technology. AquaQuest features the AquaGlove, which enables players to activate waterfeatures, complete challenges and earn points.
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Operators Announce Promotions, Partnerships
Winter 2009
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Several waterpark operators recently announced partnerships and promotions aimed at attracting visitors regardless of the economic crisis. Here are some of the most notable:
• Great Wolf Resorts, Madison, Wis., signed an agreement creating an official partnership arrangement with Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
• Walt Disney World is offering free tickets to anyone visiting a Walt Disney World theme park on their birthday in 2009. According to reports, the goal is to capitalize on the growing “celebration vacation” trend and attract more local visitors.
• Busch Entertainment Corp. theme parks in the Orlando, Fla., area are offering one-price dining plans. The “All-Day Dining Deal” launched at SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Aquatica, SeaWorld’s waterpark, allows guests to purchase wristbands for unlimited visits to cafeteria-style restaurants.
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Waveyard Rolling Ahead
Fall 2008
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Waveyard, the large-scale aquatic adventure resort planned for Mesa, Ariz., is moving forward. In fact, founding partners Richard Mladick and Jerry Hug are so enthusiastic about the concept, they’ve announced potential plans for a similar venture in the United Arab Emirates.
The Mesa project would be the first completed, and the duo is meeting regularly with city officials, according to local media reports. They are on track to file the next phase of detailed site plans and finalize the securement of financial backing. Additionally, Waveyard Development has signed up the first members of a development team. The firms include Kentucky-based The Weber Group, Phoenix’s Hunt Construction Group and the Neuman Group of Beaver Creek, Wis. Current cost estimates for the project stand at approximately $750 million. It is expected to open in 2011.
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Wisconsin Dells Recovering from Flooding
Fall 2008
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Wisconsin Dells, Wis., the waterpark resort capital of the world, still is rebounding from torrential rains in June that caused major flooding, destroying Lake Delton.The man-made lake nearly emptied after a breach formed, draining lake water into the Wisconsin River.
The lake will be repaired, but for now “The Tommy Barlett Show,” a local staple for more than 50 years, is running dry. Without a lake for the show’s water-ski portion, operator Tom Diehl mounted a dryland-only version, with reduced ticket prices. An influential force in the area for generations, Diehl is optimistic about next year, but says many factors will have to come together for the show to continue.
Community members have stepped up to support him. For example, Kalahari Resorts owner Todd Nelson purchased 100,000 “Barlett Show” tickets to distribute to guests. “It’s overwhelming,” Diehl said of people’s generosity. To remind the public the area is open for business, Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau launched a marketing campaign costing nearly $300,000.
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2008 WRLD Conference Postponed
Spring 2008
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Due to a scheduling conflict, the 2008 Waterpark Resorts Leadership & Development (WRLD) Conference will be postponed until 2009. The WRLD Conference, organized by Aquatics International and Waterpark Resorts Today, has been held in conjunction with the International Pool & Spa Expo for the past two years. However, in 2008 the renamed International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo will be in Las Vegas at the same time as the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions in Orlando, Fla. IAAPA is a major show for waterpark professionals and the aquatics industry.
WRLD organizers plan to bring the conference back in 2009 when IPSPE and IAAPA will be in Las Vegas. Aquatics International and Waterpark Resorts Today are published by Hanley Wood, LLC, owner of IPSPE, WRLD Conference and numerous other trade shows and conferences.
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