INSIDE: Carowinds expands water park, becomes Carolina Harbor Page 20 TM & ©2015 Amusement Today, Inc. October 2015 | Vol. 19 • Issue 7 www.amusementtoday.com WWA expects big turnout for its 2015 Symposium and Trade Show Association celebrates offer 100,000 square feet of 35 years serving the some of the newest, most Wet 'n' Wild Palm Springs hosts WWA party water park industry innovative water park re- lated goods and services. AT: Pam Sherborne Special product segments [email protected] include park and resort de- PALM SPRINGS, Calif. sign, theming, shade struc- — Early indicators, main- tures, safety consulting, ly a sold-out trade show, swimwear and accessories, have orgaizers of the 2015 pool and sidewalk, rock World Waterpark Associa- work, new technology, wa- tion (WWA) Symposium terslides, filtration, insur- and Trade Show, set for Oct. ance, furniture, wave pools, 20-23 here, anticipating a and tubes, mats and rafts. highly successful event. “The water park indus- This is WWA's 35th year try continues to expand of serving the water leisure around the globe with the industry. WWA continues driving factor being contin- to focus on evolving the an- ued innovation — in design, nual show offerings to bet- theming and guest service ter assist members to safely amenities,” Root said. “Our On Thursday, Oct. 22, Wet 'n' Wild Palm Springs will host the climactic evening party grow their business and en- sold-old exhibit hall is just of WWA Show 2015, the water leisure industry's marketplace — taking place in Palm hance their guests' experi- one more great reason to be Springs, Calif., Oct. 20-23 and featuring a world-class education program built for and ence. in Palm Springs, because by water park professionals. The trade show will be preceded by two days of park oper- It has been eight years you get to see the newest ation / safety, certification and licensing courses. For more on Wet 'n' Wild, see page 13. since WWA held its annual products in person.” COURTESY WET 'N' WILD PALM SPRINGS event in Palm Springs. All The trade show will be sessions, workshops, and open from 12:30-6:30 p.m., Pool Operator Certificate keeps attendees connected including food and bever- the trade show will be held Wednesday., Oct. 21, and Course starts Sunday, Oct. throughout the show expe- age, retail, rentals, add-on in the Palm Springs Con- 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Thursday, 18 and concludes the next rience.” attractions and unique spe- vention Center and the at- Oct. 22. day. The American Red cial events. tached Renaissance Palm The Ellis Lifeguard In- Cross Lifeguarding Instruc- Another session sure Springs Hotel. WWA programs, events structor Licensing Program tor Course runs two days, to be a highlight this year “We are excited to be Although the Sympo- runs three days, Sunday Monday (19) and Tuesday is the updated Develop- celebrating this milestone sium and Trade Show is set (18), Monday (19) and Tues- (20). ing and Enhancing Your with our members in Palm to run Oct. 20-23, there are day (20). Ken Ellis, presi- Among other scheduled Marketing Plan, an all-day Springs,” said Rick Root, several WWA-sponsored dent, Aquatic Development offerings set for WWA Sym- course set for Tuesday, Oct. WWA president. “Last year, programs that run prior to Group, is also excited about posium and Trade Show on 20. This interactive session Las Vegas was a great host that. Starting Sunday, Oct. the return to Palm Springs opening day, Tuesday, Oct. will look at ways market- venue, but there’s nothing 18, the first day of the two- this year. 20, is one new addition to ing planning has changed like being in an intimate day Aquatic Facility Op- “We're excited to be go- WWA University courses, in recent times and will of- location like Palm Springs, eration Certification Course ing back to Palm Springs, “In-Park Revenue School.” fer a fresh take on how op- where quality face-to-face has been set. The second California,” Ellis said, in This all-day course will erators can take advantage conversations can take day of this course is Mon- late August. “It's a great give attendees a chance to of new and old marketing place at every level.” day, Oct. 19. location for conducting learn what they can do to techniques. The trade show will The two-day Certified business in a setting that improve revenues in areas 4See WWA, page 6 Dated material. material. Dated RUSH! SUBSCRIBE TODAY! NEWSPAPER POSTMASTER: September 28, 2015 Mailed Monday, PLEASE PERMIT # 2069 # PERMIT (817) 460-7220 FT. WORTH TX WORTH FT. PAID US POSTAGE US PRSRT STD PRSRT 2 AMUSEMENT TODAY October 2015 EXPERIENCE THE EXPERIENCE ALL AROUND THE WORLD. 2500 PROJECTS. COOPERATING WITH GIFTED DESIGNERS AND PERFECTIONIST ENGINEERS. OUR WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE CONTINUES TO GROW FOR THE LAST 40 YEARS. THAT’S HOW WE FLOW. October 2015 AMUSEMENT TODAY 3 4 AMUSEMENT TODAY October 2015 NEWSTALK EDITORIAL: Gary Slade, [email protected] FLINT’S VIEW: Bubba Flint No signs of slowing Can you name one thing that is a sure bet? Our water park industry is in full swing mode — with no signs of slowing down. All across the globe new water park facilities continue to be built, re- branded or expanded from a city-operat- Slade ed pool or a full-size aquatic center. Our industry suppliers are enjoying a steady stream of orders, thus keeping the manufacturing side in full production mode. With parks now making their 2016 slide announce- ments and developers revealing plans for new resorts and facilities in 2016 and beyond, all appears good for years to come. Here is a quick look at the key 2015 water park open- ings worldwide, courtesy of WWA: •Vana Nava Water Jungle, Hua Hin, Thailand •Lotte World Waterpark, Gimhae, South Korea •Camelback Lodge & Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark, Pocono Mountains, Pa. • Splashworld, d’Avignon, France INDUSTRY OPINION: Andrew Mellor, [email protected] • Kalahari Resorts and Convention Center, It’s show time! Pocono Mountains, Pa. The month of October sees the begin- companies increases year on year and •Go! Wet Waterpark, Bekasi, Indonesia ning of the main run of trade shows for our although visitor numbers may currently •Aquacolors, Porec, Croatia business, with the Euro Attractions Show only slightly improve each time around, •Yinji Kaifeng Water World, Kaifeng, China (EAS) and the World Waterpark Association there is still growth on that side too. •Aquafan at Parque de la Costa, show kicking things off, closely followed a But it’s an event that has also grown in Buenos Aires, Argentina few weeks later by the key IAAPA Expo, in stature and importance and is now very November. much a must attend for European park Other exhibitions to follow in subse- Mellor owners and operators who are able to Digital Edition update quent months include ATRAX in Turkey in view products and services on offer from December, various Chinese shows during the a plethora of manufacturers and suppliers, as well Paid subscribers to Amusement Today's 14 print issues spring time, the DEAL show in Dubai in April and as take advantage of a wide ranging educational will have exclusive access to AT's Digital Editions beginning then the Asian Attractions Expo, usually held in program and a variety of networking events. Oct. 1, when the year-long trial subscription period ends. June, to name some of the key events. Indeed, with many of the major ride manu- Only PAID print subscribers will be able to enjoy the page by These trade shows have all grown over the facturers in attendance and increasing participa- page content with matching story links in the Digital Edition. years and continue to do so. The IAAPA Expo in tion from those headquartered in the U.S. too, it’s If you are a paid print subscriber, and have not set up Orlando next month, for example, has developed not surprisingly become a genuine alternative to your digital account, please do so by going to digital.amuse- beyond all recognition from the first one I attend- attending the Orlando event for many. The latter menttoday.com. ed back in 1980 (wow that makes me feel old!) in is still very important to go to for all that it offers, If you are not a paid print subscriber, please subscribe New Orleans, when as a fledgling journalist I cov- but it’s maybe not one Europeans nowadays feel at www.amusementtoday.com, then click on the Subscribe ered my first show for the U.K. industry newspaper they have to be at year in year out with EAS be- button. The one year-subscription rate, for all 14 issues, is World’s Fair. ing so strong. $50 U.S. But perhaps the one that is growing and Whichever events you choose to attend, developing the most at the present time is the I know you’ll enjoy and take much from them. Have further questions? Call Sammy Piccola at (817) EAS. Without question the number of exhibiting Maybe I’ll see you at one or two. 460-7220 x1. Call (817) 460-7220 for advertising, circulation or editorial inquiries Amusement Today is an independent, privately- Founder, Publisher and Editor Editorial Print Issue & Extra Extra owned trade newspaper published 14 times Gary Slade • (817) 460-7220 x3 Tim Baldwin Desktop Edition Production per year by Amusement Today Inc., P.O. Box [email protected] [email protected] John Robinson • (513) 256-1441 5427, Arlington, Texas 76005. Print issues are [email protected] $50 per year and are mailed Presort Standard Postage (permit No.