Water Park Specialty Food & Beverage Products and Branded Programs

November 13, 2017

Albert Cabuco,

Vern Gassen, Schlitterbahn Waterpark, Kansas City

Bill Lentz, Moderator Specialty Food and Beverage Products

Monday, November 13, 2017

Vern Gassen, Schlitterbahn Waterparks & Resorts Vern Gassen– Director of Revenue, Schlitterbahn Kansas City Waterpark

Vern Gassen’s career spans more than 20 years in the Food and Beverage, Retail and Family Amusement industries. He was an Area Operations Manager for Dave and Buster’s when he was hired by Schlitterbahn Waterparks and Resorts in 2009 to fill the role as the Director of Revenue for their new Kansas City, Kansas, location. Creating a F&B department from scratch, Vern successfully maintained the quality associated with the Schlitterbahn name while adding a Kansas City twist to the park’s dining options.

In addition to his role at Schlitterbahn, Vern spends his time actively involved in building relationships with the local and regional community. He has served on:

• The Hospitality and Tourism Board for the Kansas Department of Education • The Hospitality Education and Retail Training (H.E.A.R.T.) Advisory Board for Kansas City Kansas Community College • The Regional School District Advisory Committee for the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools – USD 500

And he is now in his second year as a member of the IAAPA Food & Beverage Sub- Committee.

Vern is also a Certified ServSafe Instructor & Registered ServSafe Examination Proctor for the National Restaurant Association. What is the next BIG thing? What WAS the next BIG thing? What IS the next BIG thing? So what can you do?

• The Brave & The Bold • Everything Old is New Again • Risk Takers • Take the Money & Run • The Final Challenge The Brave & the Bold Everything old is new again • Top N Go • You get a topping and you get a topping… • Put it on a stick is now put it in a cone • Flavor it up a notch Top N Go You get a topping and you get a topping and you get a topping… Put a stick in it is now put it in a cone Flavor It Up a Notch Risk Takers

• Don’t be afraid to fail • Let someone else take the risk • Staff make great guinea pigs • Caterings/Special Events • Know your environment Take the Money & Run

• Big Value – Big Money • Don’t be cheap • Service counts The Final Challenge

The Director Challenge

• Visit two other parks a year • Visit one professional sports stadium a year • Visit one fair or festival a year • Experience Food Trucks • Submit Brass Ring entry once every five years The Final Challenge

The GM/Owner Challenge

• Send your Director to one conference a year • Send your Director to one food show a year • Budget for and encourage experimentation • Follow up on your Director’s visits Albert Cabuco – Vice President Food & Beverage, Palace Entertainment

Vice President- Food and Beverage of Palace Entertainment, Newport Beach CA where he oversees and directs the food and beverage management and operations of 8 Water Parks, 6 Theme Parks, 2 Animal Parks and 5 Family Entertainment Centers in 10 states.

He has more than 30 years experience in the hospitality industry in executive level positions with amusement parks, hotels and restaurants. He turned around unprofitable operations, developed loyal and successful leaders and earned a reputation for integrity and character of the highest caliber. A BS Degree in Business Management and Certification from Cornell University, School of Hotel Administration (Amusement Industry Institute Program) compliment this extensive “hands-on” experience.

Albert is a Certified Instructor, Hotel and Restaurant Management, State of Council for Private Post Secondary and Vocational Education.

He is an active member of the Food Service Purchasing Council of and was a past member of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Food and Beverage Committee from 2011 - 2013 and a returning member in 2017.

Albert received the IAAPA Certified Attractions Executive (ICAE) designation in 2011. Branded Programs

Albert Cabuco, Palace Entertainment Located in: • • • Sea Life Park, Hawaii • Seaquarium Pink’s Hot Dogs – Raging Waters Los Angeles Pink’s Hot Dogs – Splish Splash Pink’s – Pink’s Hot Dogs – Located in: • Raging Waters Los Angeles • Raging Waters Sacramento Carl’s Jr – Raging Waters Los Angeles (Before) Carl’s Jr – Raging Waters Los Angeles Carl’s Jr – Raging Waters Sacramento Located in: • Noah’s Ark Water Park Hardee’s Truck – Noah’s Ark Located in: • Splish Splash • – Crocodile Cove • Raging Waters San Jose Johnny Rockets – Splish Splash (Before) Johnny Rockets – Splish Splash

• 1,728 additional square feet of decking and seating area • 210 additional square feet of serving area and additional serving windows with POS • 180 additional square feet of dry/cold storage space • Increased seating capacity which now holds 185 guests Johnny Rockets – Lake Compounce (Crocodile Cove) Johnny Rockets – Raging Waters San Jose Located in: • Raging Waters Los Angeles Dunkin Donuts Located in: • Raging Waters Los Angeles • Raging Waters San Jose • Raging Waters Sacramento • Sandcastle Water Park Rita’s Italian Ice

Raging Waters Los Angeles

Raging Waters Sacramento Located in: • Raging Waters San Jose Subway – Raging Waters San Jose Located in: • Raging Waters Los Angeles • Raging Waters Sacramento Yogurtland/Jamba Juice – Raging Waters Los Angeles Yogurtland – Raging Waters Sacramento