Funworld October 2010

PEOPLE

REMEMBRANCE: David Wright, industry veteran and volunteer, died Aug. 7.Wright was born in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and as a child growing up in Winter Park, Florida, he was involved with Boy Scouts (earning the rank of Eagle), choir, church activities, and school sports.

In his early career, Wright, a fan of radio and rock music, worked for 14 years at WOMX (BJ105) as announcer, music director, and promotions manager. From there, he spent the next 22 years working in the attraction industry, including the position of sales and marketing director for Six Flags and Wet ‘nWild.

Throughout his career, he volunteered with numerous organizations, including Orlando’s Fiesta in the Park Committee and IAAPA (most recently with the marketing committee), and throughout his life he supported feeding and housing the poor.

Wright is survived by his wife, Cynthia; sons Daniel and Adam; parents Herbert and Barbara; sister Susan; and grandchildren Braeden and Olivia.

RETIREMENT: AngelaWright, managing director of Crealy Great Adventure Parks, has retired from the company and is moving to Melbourne, Australia, to pursue other adventures with her husband, David, with whom she founded the first Crealy Adventure Park in 1989. The Wrights started Crealy in Devon, England, as a small farm park, and their success allowed them to open a second park in Cornwall, England. Today, the two operations are burgeoning theme parks that are the second most popular attractions in southwest England. A new managing director, Rod Pearson, has been named to guide Crealy Adventure Parks through its next phase of development. Angela Wright’s brother, Chris Down, has been promoted from finance director to chief executive. The Wrights will continue to serve on Crealy’s board of directors.

NEW POSITION: Brunswick Consumer Products has named Brian Graham to fill the newly created post of director of marketing. Graham will lead the Brunswick Consumer Products marketing team and market the company’s new line of products. Most recently, Graham served as director of youth development for the United States Bowling Congress. Prior to that, he held numerous sales and marketing positions in the bowling industry, including brand manager for Ebonite International.

HEADING TO THE FLORIDA SUNSHINE: Merlin Entertainments named Adrian Jones general manager of the new Legoland Florida theme park set to open in fall 2011 in Winter Haven, Florida. Jones most recently Served Merlin Entertainments as divisional director of midway attractions for the western United States. He has worked in the amusement industry for more than 20 years, doing everything from selling ice cream to serving as an attraction general manager. During the construction phase of the park, Jones will work with John Ussher, Merlin Entertainments’ general manager of development for Legoland.

CONGRATULATIONS: The Asian Pacific Brands Foundation (APBF) awarded its Brand Laureate Brand Personality Award to Lynton V. Harris, chairman and CEO of the Sudden Impact! Entertainment Company, which creates major branded Hollywood entertainment products for the attractions industry. APBF says the award is given to “outstanding individuals or teams who have contributed significantly to the lives of the people around the world and the industries that they specialize in.” Harris received the award in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in mid-July, where he was speaker at IAAPA’s Asian Attractions Expo.

RECOGNITION: The $72 million renovation of the Happy Hollow Park & Zoo in San Jose, California, has been awarded LEED Gold status by the U.S. Green Building Council, making it the first amusement park and zoo in the country to be LEED Gold certified. LEED (Leadership in Energy Efficient and Environmental Design) certification provides independent, third-party verification that a project meets the highest green construction and operation standards.

PRODUCTS

NEW APPLICATION: Alcorn McBride announced the release of its newest application, the LightingPad, which is compatible with the Apple iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. It is designed to allow control of lighting for small shows and for installing and testing lighting systems. Users can connect any Art- Net-compatible DMX (Digital Multiplex) device to a wireless network and create a hand-held lighting console. It controls 512 channels of DMX and stores up to 100 cues. The Lighting- Pad app can be downloaded from the iTunes store under “Utilities.” www.alcorn.com

CLEANING UNIT: Hydro Systems Company rolled out the ICS Mobile Integrated Touchless Cleaning Unit to help provide cleaner and more sanitary facilities and to deliver sanitation while using less water, less power, fewer cleaning chemicals, and fewer man-hours. The ICS is also battery powered, eliminating the need for electrical outlets and cords. www.hydro-ics.com/en/index.html.

THE CONE-O-CORN: Gold Medal Products’ long-lived standard carrier for popcorn has a new look. They are one-third the cost of scoop boxes, and 5,000 Cone-O-Corns can be stored in a 5.6-cubic-foot space, making them a cost-saver and space-saver for attractions. www.gmpopcorn.com