NewsParcs is an online trade publication dedicated to theme park industry professionals worldwide.
Since 1998, we work in direct contact with manufacturers, suppliers, consultants, owners and operators to publish only reliable and relevant information.
NewsParcs will do a full coverage of the IAAPA Attractions Expo 2013 in Orlando to have a look at the latest trends and developments of the global theme park industry.
Follow us on Twitter (@NewsParcs) from November 19 to 22 with the hashtag #IAAPA
Along with our new "Suppliers News of the Week" category of articles that we started publishing last week, NewsParcs introduces today another round-up of information, focusing on general news of the theme parks' industry.
This overview will report news mainly from companies revolving around the theme park industry, ie operators, owners, associations and related organizations. It will also provide from time to time information on some leisure parks (attendance levels, appointment, etc.) or news about the trends and figures of the industry.
Unlike the Suppliers News of the Week, this series of articles will not be published weekly but depending on the most relevant news. We will of course continue to issue in-depth articles for major announcements and releases, depending of our publishing planning.
Our first issue takes a look at Disney's CEO Bob Iger’s contract extension, IAAPA Attractions Expo 2013's CEO Speak, Merlin Entertainments Group's new appointments and TEA's new Asia-Pacific Division Board.
IAAPA Attractions Expo 2013
The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions has announced the names of the three industry figures that will participate in CEO Speak, a leadership panel discussion to be held on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at the Orange County Convention Center as part of IAAPA Attractions Expo 2013 in Orlando, USA.
Amanda Thompson (managing director of Blackpool Pleasure Beach, UK), Bob Rippy (president of Jungle Rapids/Wrightsville Farms Management Group, Inc., USA) and Tom Mehrmann (chief executive of Ocean Park Corp., Hong Kong) will share insights on creating success by increasing personal leadership capacity. Discussion topics will include how to lead to create high-impact guest satisfaction and service on a daily basis, increase employee retention and workplace satisfaction, and strategically bring brands to life.
“This year’s CEO Speak panel features three of the industry’s most interesting and insightful leaders hailing from all over the world. This is a must-see event,' said IAAPA president and CEO Paul Noland.
This year's IAAPA Attractions Expo will take place Monday, Nov. 18 through Friday, Nov. 22 under the theme of “Imagine the Possibilities”. More than 25,000 industry professionals from around the world are expected to attend the show for a full week of business opportunities, networking events, and educational experiences.
Merlin Entertainments, the world’s second biggest visitor attraction operator, has created a new group-wide marketing role with the appointment of Emma Woods as the company’s first ever Group Marketing Director. Emma, who will join Merlin at the end of August, was with Pizza Express for six years and before that, with Unilever.
The new role will report directly to Merlin Entertainments CEO Nick Varney and will include responsibility for group marketing and sales functions such as e-Commerce, Group Promotions & Trade, the Merlin Annual Pass, as well as developing the Merlin corporate brand to its key stakeholder groups.
On making the announcement today, Nick Varney said: “This significant new senior role reflects the continued growth and dynamism of the company and we are very pleased to have someone of Emma’s experience and talent to carve out this new role. Her skills are proven in both leisure and fast moving consumer goods and we feel that she will be a great addition to the Merlin Entertainments management team.”
Earlier this year, Merlin's Midway Managing Director Glenn Earlam announced that Meike Schulze has been appointed Divisonal Director for Asia overseeing, Madame Tussauds Hong Kong, Bangkok and Shanghai, LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Tokyo, Busan Aquarium, Siam Ocean World and Shanghai Chang Feng Oceanworld. Before that, Meike Schulze was General Manager of Madame Tussauds London.
A new role within Merlin, reflecting the company’s rapid development in this very important region, will also work closely with Merlin’s Developments team on rolling out and acquiring new attractions in Asia.
The Walt Disney Company Board of Directors announced that it has extended Robert A. Iger’s tenure as CEO and Chairman through the expiration of his contract on June 30, 2016 under his existing annual compensation terms. Originally, he was to have relinquished his CEO position and transitioned to the role of executive chairman on April 1, 2015 for 15 months.
Since he was named chief executive on September 30, 2005, Iger has led the company to record financial results and significant strategic growth with the acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm, major investments in the company’s Parks and Resorts business, and expansion into key international markets.
“For nearly eight years as chief executive officer, Bob Iger has proven he has the unique ability to drive creative and financial success at the world’s preeminent entertainment company,” said Orin C. Smith, Independent Lead Director of the Disney Board. “I sincerely appreciate this vote of confidence by the Board of Directors, and will continue to work with our talented and dedicated management team to drive creative excellence, innovation and continued growth,” said Robert Iger.
“The Themed Entertainment Association is pleased to announce the results of the first election for the new Asia Pacific Division of our international alliance,” said TEA International Board President Christine Kerr of BaAM Productions. “The new Division has been formed to help organize and produce activities of interest and value to TEA members and their clients throughout the region, such as business networking, educational events and behind-the-scenes visits to project sites. Our goal is to help foster excellence and best practices within the rapidly growing Asian sector of the attractions industry.”
The new Asia Pacific Board takes effect immediately and includes: Chris Yoshi (AECOM) - President, Shahryn Azmi (JRA Malaysia), Quan Gan (Darklight Precision Lighting System), May Kan (Adirondack Asia), Shumei Li (Birket Engineering Asia), Ron Merriman (MR Profun China), Peter Sanderson (Sanderson Group), Anthony Van Dam (Forrec) and Ken Wheatley (Christie Digital Asia Pacific). There will be a second round of voting to complete the Board.
Chris Yoshi said, “The themed entertainment industry in Asia is poised to undergo a massive growth in investment, innovation and geographic expansion. The timing is perfect to establish TEA's Asia Pacific division to provide a common platform and network to develop the industry in a professional and sustainable manner. I look forward to working with the Board and members to clearly define the programs and member benefits suitable to the Asia Pacific market .”
Does your company or organization works within the amusement park industry? If your are interested by sharing news with NewsParcs, please contact our editor François Mayné via contact@newsparcs.com
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Our Theme Park Supplier's News of the Week is a round-up of the latest news relative to companies supplying the theme park industry around the world. This weekly report covers topics such as corporate announcements, financial ...
The NewsParcs' Theme Park Supplier's News of the Week is a round-up of the latest news relative to companies supplying the theme park industry around the world. This weekly report covers topics such as corporate announcements, ...
Our Industry Roundup is a summary of the latest major news related to the theme park industry worldwide. We report news specifically on operators, owners, trade associations and related organizations, including trends, attendance...