34 February 2019 American Dream given tapped as operator, shopping center award ride supplier for food park FEC CANNES, France — During the global retail real estate community’s annual gathering in November at MAPIC (the event’s acro- nym is derived from French for “the international profes- sional market of commercial establishments and distribu- tion”), the convergence of physical and digital retail — and enhancing the customer experience — received spe- cial focus. American Dream, a retail and entertainment center being completed by Triple Five Group of Companies in East Rutherford, N.J., and set to open this year, was honored as Best Futura Shopping Center at the three-day event, which welcomed participants from 80 countries. The three-million- square-foot complex was one of a number of innovative projects to receive awards in various categories. The Best Futura category honors shopping destinations currently under construction. Selection criteria include architec- tural and environmental qualities; use of innovative materials, equipment and techniques; concept originality; integration of the project into its environment; and its impact on the local community. GH+A Design Studios and Gensler Architects, col- laborators on design elements at American Dream, also were recognized. “We are honored and exhilarated to have American Dream selected by MAPIC colleagues and luminaries as the winner of the Best Futura Shopping Center,” said Don Ghermezian, president and CEO of American Dream. “Our approach to Billed as the world’s largest agri-food park, FICO (Fabbrica Italiana Contadina) Eataly entertainment, dining and retail will create a truly unique cus- World in Bologna, Italy, is adding amusements to its huge menu of trattorias and food tomer experience.” kiosks. Leading ride manufacturer Zamperla, headquartered less than two hours away in American Dream will offer more than 450 retail, food and Vicenza, will supply and operate 13 rides and attractions as part of a 6,500-square-me- specialty shops, plus 18 acres of entertainment. Attractions ter family entertainment center (FEC) expansion at the 100,000-square meter property. include a DreamWorks Water Park, a Zamperla is working with Brendola, Italy-based Team Park Project on the design of the Theme Park, a 16-story Big Snow Indoor Ski & Snow Park, facility, which will include a show arena and farmhouse theming complete with human Kidzania, a 285-foot-tall observation wheel, luxury movie and animal characters. As of its one-year anniversary last November, the food park had theaters by CMX Cinemas, a Sea Life Aquarium and a Lego attracted 2.8 million visitors. The FEC is set to open this fall. Discovery Center. —Dean Lamanna COURTESY FICO EATALY WORLD Career reflections in 'Always : A Memoir of the Midway' REVIEW: Tim Baldwin a timeline, the book, with occa- adds comical touches to many responsible for everything are [email protected] sional random insights into his- stories, and his first ride on sincerely conveyed and how tory and broad overviews, isn’t is nothing the position is both daunting John Hildebrandt enjoyed a slave to chronology. But for short of hysterical. (particularly under the micro- a four-decade career within the the most part, the adventure Along the way, industry scope of corporate figureheads confines of a peninsula sur- follows Hildebrandt’s journey professionals can identify with right on property) and ulti- rounded by the waters of Lake starting out in his 20s in public and learn from the challenges mately rewarding. Erie. Cedar Point, the world- relations and marketing and of marketing new attractions, The book culminates with famous America’s Roller Coast, rising to management. Along selecting the right ride names Hildebrandt’s “Closing Act.” is a place of legends. Following the way, he discovers that oper- and facing changes in tech- His final season, final oper- his retirement as general man- ating an — a nology. Nowhere is embrac- ating day and final day in ager in 2013, Hildebrandt car- huge one, at that — is filled ing trends more vivid than in the park are shared from the ried home with him a treasure with uncertainties, risks and Hildebrandt’s recollections of heart. Although Cedar Point chest of tales and memories. creative thinking. Hildebrandt the mushrooming evolution was closed in the coldness of Whether the reader is a fan doesn’t pull any punches of the park’s Halloweekends December, before leaving the of the park, has ever worked whether discussing hits or juggernaut. park for the last time, he made there or works in the amuse- flops, attendance drivers and Two later sections of the a point to drive to many plac- ment industry, Hildebrandt’s unexpected problems. book relive his time as a gen- es where he had made daily Always Cedar Point: A Memoir What makes Always Cedar openings of the and eral manager, first for a year walks throughout his career. of the Midway (Casa Flamingo Point such a fun read is how roller coast- at Dorney Park and then The reader, having just taken Literary Arts, Oct. 2018) is an the author intertwines the ers ran up against the birth his last nine years at Cedar the journey with him, can relate easily relatable ride. growth of the park with his of his twins and their college Point. Observations of how to the teary-eyed reflections. While basically following own life including how the graduation. His fear of heights the weight of suddenly being •casaflamingo.com