AIMS NEWS & NOTES - PAGE 38 TM Celebrating Our 15th Year Vol. 15 • Issue 7 OCTOBER 2011 Longtime industry veteran Preparations are ready for the 31st W. Cleveland Smith, Jr. dies WWA Symposium and Trade Show DALLAS, Texas Inc., owned by An- STORY: Pam Sherborne to the table and that’s exactly — Warner Cleve- gus G. Wynne Jr., the [email protected] what we are getting by being land Smith, Jr., founder of Six Flags. in New Orleans – the city’s 70, died peacefully Over the decades, NEW ORLEANS, La. — motto is ‘Let the Good Times holding hands with one of his best friends The waterpark industry is Roll’ and that sense of vital- his wife, Sherry and mentors was Lu- facing many of the same chal- ity and hospitality will help Shaw Smith, in ther D. Clark, also at lenges that all types of busi- energize our attendees for the early morning Smith Wynne Enterprises. nesses are dealing with at 2012,”Ezra said. hours of Septem- Smith also held this time, including economic A few new offerings this ber 4, 2011. Although fad- management roles at Lion pressures for both consumers year include: ing into the grip of demen- Country Safari and Old Chi- and operators, continued lack WWA education grid is struc- •Inclusion U: A Guide to tia the last three years, he cago. of discretionary income and tured to meet the needs of all Welcoming People with Dis- lived a full & happy life. In 1982, he became the higher guest expectations. the industry’s constituency abilities Workshop: Presented Smith ran amusement general manager for the “Guests want more for less groups including developers, by the NYS Inclusive Recre- parks for a living and was Entertainment Area at the and they’re always looking for the public sector, outdoor, in- ation Resource Center (NYS instrumental in the success World’s Fair in Knoxville, new and different,” said Rick door and resort operators.” IRRC) at SUNY Cortland, this of Six Flags Over Texas. He Tenn. From 1984 to 1989, Root, World Waterpark As- This is the first time the course will enable recreation started with Six Flags Over he was the president of the sociation president. “As our WWA Show has been in New and tourism professionals to Texas the first day it opened State Fair of Texas Midway industry matures, there is a Orleans, so whether an attend- provide opportunities for peo- in 1961 as a ride operator, games, novelties and con- need to revisit and reinvent ee is coming for the first time ple of all abilities to enjoy rec- then promoted to ride su- cessions. the guest experience. We also or the 25th time, they will get reation programs, parks and pervisor. As vice president of continue to feel the impact of a fresh experience. facilities wherever they live. In 1964, he became Overseas Development for the expanding school year cal- “We’re excited about the With the revised ADA Guide- the New York World’s Fair Wet ‘n Wild, Smith worked endar.” changes we’ve made to our lines now in effect, this subject general manager for rides. closely with George Millay, So, as members of the show schedule this year,” Root of inclusivity is more impor- During 1966 to 1969 he was the founder of SeaWorld waterpark industry descend said. tant than ever. the general manager for Six and Wet’n Wild. upon New Orleans for the This year’s schedule al- •Supercharge Your Busi- Flags Over Georgia. He traveled extensively 31st Annual Symposium and lows an attendee to spend ness Life with Gregg Catala- After serving as Six Flags for work and pleasure, vis- Trade Show, Oct. 3-7, the plan- more time in sessions with no: This Keynote Session is for Over Georgia general man- iting Brazil, Japan, Alaska, ners of this year’s event have time allotted on Tuesday, Oct. any attendee who wants to re- ager in 1968, Smith was pro- Peru, Ecuador & Australia. made great strides to address 4; Wednesday, Oct. 5; Thurs- fuel the tank, live an energized moted in 1969 to executive In his earlier years, he these challenges. day, Oct. 6, and Friday, Oct 7. life and create positive energy vice president and member worked on oil rigs, and as an “The environment at the Plus, the sessions have in everything they do. Recog- of the board of directors assistant purchasing agent WWA show is very supportive been spread out to not conflict nized as one of the nation’s top of Six Flags Inc. In 1971, for Neiman-Marcus wherein and our education program with the trade show, allow- educational, recreational, and W. Cleveland Smith & As- he was bonded to drive to grid of 50-plus sessions covers ing attendees the same qual- motivational speakers, Gregg sociates was formed which homes to deliver clothes, every aspect of the industry, ity time to shop and network Catalano is a unique presenter later became Fun Corpora- jewelry and shoes for the including operations, safety, with leading industry inno- whose workshops are always tion of America. Cleveland buyer’s discretion. design, development, them- vators and service providers. “high energy,” entertaining also was the vice president Errol McKoy, president ing, legal, marketing, sales, The trade show runs Oct. 5-6. and informative. Named as and member of the board of of the State Fair of Texas, and revenue,” said Aleatha “Our most popular show “Teacher-of-the-Year,” and directors from 1972 to 1982 first met Smith while work- Ezra, WWA director of park venues are those that bring a “Coach-of-the-Year” twice with Wynne Enterprises, 4See SMITH, page 6 member development. “The certain level of energy and fun 4See WWA, page 4 80 U.S. waterpark attendance* 76 SUBSCRIBE TO 68 Dated material. material. Dated AMUSEMENT TODAY 54.5 RUSH! 37.5 FACTS NEWSPAPER POSTMASTER: PLEASE September 30, 2011 Mailed Friday, (817) 460-7220 25 PERMIT # 2069 # PERMIT FT. WORTH TX WORTH FT. com PAID amusementtoday 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 US POSTAGE US PRSRT STD PRSRT FAST *in millions. Source: WWA 2 AMUSEMENT TODAY October 2011 NEWSTALK OPINIONS CARTOON LETTERS AT CONTACTS CARTOON: Bubba Flint SUBSCRIBER NOTICE Subscribers are reminded that Amusement Today pub- lishes two issues in November, due to the annual IAAPA at- tractions Expo. The first November issue features news, show information and exhibitor listing for the Expo. November issue I will mail the last week of October. The second November is- sue be more of a normal issue, just expanded with more news. November II will mail the week prior to the IAAPA Expo. Both issues will also be distributed at IAAPA. The December issue will mail the week after the IAAPA Expo. Post-IAAPA coverage will be featured in the January 2012 issue of AT. ADVERTISING NOTICE Advertising space is limited in these two November issues as they typically sell out fast, so suppliers interested in advertis- ing are asked to reserve their ad space early. In November, Amusement Today will once again publish two issues, both of which will be distributed at the Interna- tional Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions Expo in Orlando, Fla., Nov. 15-18. Both issues (Pre-Convention and Convention) will be distributed from the IAAPA show floor in the publication bin area as well as at AT booth #4215. As an an- nual tradition and added bonus, both issues are delivered door to door Tuesday morning at the Peabody Hotel to rooms who registered as IAAPA attendees. NOV. I (Pre-IAAPA) AD SPACE DEADLINE: Due Now! NOV. II (Main Issue) AD SPACE DEADLINE: Oct. 10 EDITORIAL: Andrew Mellor, [email protected] The wonder of water attractions Coming In In view of the fact that Tex- With the WWA event in mind, it is prudent as, the home of AT, is suffering for me to touch on waterparks in this particular historic drought conditions and instance. The attractions and technology used in November what seems like daily wildfire such venues have come on leaps and bounds since outbreaks, it’s perhaps a little those early days of the industry in the mid to late insensitive to be talking about 1970s. Today we see guests hurtling down impos- Complete coverage of the how water creates such fascina- sibly steep speed slides or meandering along heav- tion and fun for us all, but with ily themed lazy rivers as they soak up the thrills or Mellor 2011 Golden Ticket Awards the WWA Symposium and Trade chill out for a while on attractions created by dedi- Show coming up this month, I cated design and development teams in the prem- hope readers – and Gary and the AT team – will ises of a variety of specialist suppliers and manu- forgive the link. facturers. Indeed, the imagination of these teams What is it about water and water based attrac- seems to have no bounds, particularly of late. tions? It’s a funny thing but we humans, young And the materials and systems being used to and old, are constantly fascinated and enthralled produce these attractions are also improving all by water rides, slides, games, shows, displays and the time, providing companies with the chance to more and the development of such attractions con- build better, more sophisticated attractions year in, tinues apace, be it individual elements or complete year out, to the benefit of both park operators and parks. their visitors. One only has to look at the number of water- Waterparks, indoor and outdoor, have also park developments taking place around the world, become something of a natural add-on for many Go to or simply attractions featuring water, to see that its ‘dry’ parks, adding a completely new aspect to a draw in many different formats continues to en- visit to a theme or amusement park and opening GoldenTicketAwards.com thral and entertain.