Funworld January 2010

ANNOUNCEMENTS

KUDOS: The Temecula Children’s Museum’s Pennypickle’s Workshop, a 2005 Sparks project, was awarded the 2009 Parents’ Picks Award as the San Diego area’s best museum by Parents Connect, a national web site powered by Nickelodeon. Sparks’ work is on display in the exhibit’s science lab and aviation room where visitors are encouraged to interact with features like an earthquake simulator, a birthday cake-a-pult, and a chair spun by bike tires. www.pennypickles.org; www.sparksonline.com

PEOPLE

LIFETIME DEDICATION: Larry Cochran, a veteran of the industry, received a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Texas Travel Industry Association (TTIA). Cochran, currently president of Printworks of Texas, began his career at Six Flags Over Texas as a ride foreman and was eventually named executive vice president and chief operating officer in 1982; he was later named president and CEO of the company and then chairman of Six Flags, Inc. He has also served on the IAAPA board of directors. www.ttia.org; www.sixflags.com

NEW LEADERSHIPS: The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia announces the appointment of David Eisner as its president and CEO. Eisner was formerly CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service. The center also announces the appointment of Scott Holtz as director of visitor services, Dr. Stephen Klugewicz as director of education, and Beau Stengel as communications writer. Holtz will ensure all visitor expectations are met and will oversee the box office and ticketing operations for the center. Klugewicz will develop, implement, and evaluate an innovative curriculum-based program of civic education for students and teachers, capitalizing on the center’s museum resources and its stature as a national civic forum. Stengel will collaborate with the development, public relations, and marketing departments on a variety of writing projects. www.consititutioncenter.org

WOLF PACK ADDITIONS: Great Wolf Resorts has named Lynn M. Geitz operations manager of its Customer Contact Center (CCC). Geitz is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the CCC, the central location for incoming questions and reservations for all 12 Great Wolf locations, and more than 150 employees. Patrick Alvarez was named general manager of Great Wolf Lodge in the Pocono Mountains in Scotrun, Pennsylvania. He is responsible for the daily operations of the resort and its more than 600 team members. Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg, Virginia, announced Josh Henderson as director of aquatics for the resort. He is responsible for managing the indoor and outdoor waterparks’ daily operations and the safety of team members and guests.

PRODUCTS

LOCKED AND LOADED: Leisure Craft has introduced a series of designer lockers equipped with a keyless computer lock system that allows multiple users. The lockers can be arranged in one-, two-, three-, and six-tier configurations and feature melamine panels in eight different colors. www.leisurecraftinc.com

SWEET NEW RIDES: Ride manufacturer Amusement Technical introduces several new attractions to its product line of children’s rides: “Honey Pot Bears,” “Rodeo Trail,” and “Jungle Safari” have all been installed at test sites in the United Kingdom, with successful results. The new coin-operated version of “Rodeo Trail” has also been manufactured specifically for smaller venues and can be operated without a staffer. The company’s new mid-to large-sized attractions include a panoramic tower, a “Big Wheel,” a monorail system, and a dark ride transportation system. www.amusementtechnicalsolutions.co.uk

Gold Medal Popcorn introduces its new #2703 Cheese Corn Tumbler, which quickly covers corn and reduces the number of broken kernels by gently spinning the corn. The tumbler can hold five gallons of corn per batch and prepare cheese popcorn in five minutes. The drum is made of aluminum and allows for easy cleaning. www.gmpopcorn.com