IN MEMORIUM: Holiday World is mourning the loss of long-time employee Joe Hevron, 81, who passed away on March 8 after battling cancer. Hevron began his career at the park in 1946, the first season of Santa Claus Land, which was eventually renamed Holiday World. During his tenure, he served as director of cash control—warehouse and flowers, among other positions. He continued to work at Holiday World through the end of 2010, even as he fought cancer. The only time he left the park was to serve in the Army during the Korean War.
Bill Merizk, who headed sales in North America for QubicaAMF Worldwide’s amusement division, died recently after serving with the company for 20 years. Merizk started with AMF bowling as a district sales manager in Florida in 1991, then joined Qubica Worldwide in 1996 where he was responsible for setting up Qubica’s U.S. distribution network, growing sales and developing the Highway66 mini-bowling, for which he had tremendous passion. Upon the Qubica/AMF merger in 2005, he became head of sales for the company’s amusement division in North America.
FORTUNE NAMES DISNEY MOST ADMIRED: According to Fortune magazine, The Walt Disney Company is the most-admired entertainment company in the world and the 14th most-admired company overall. Fortune asked businesspeople to name the companies, from any industry, for which they had the greatest admiration. Disney was lauded for growing its theme park business during a poor economy, producing box-office hits like “Alice in Wonderland” and “Toy Story 3,” and creating solid growth from overseas properties like its theme parks in Paris and Hong Kong, all of which led to a 20 percent increase in profits for the company in 2010. Also, Disney was cited for launching a new cruise ship, the Disney Dream, and planning a new theme park resort in Shanghai, China.
DUTCH ATTRACTIONS RECOGNIZED: At the recent Het Leukste Dagje Uit leisure business fair in Gorinchem, Netherlands, the media experience, “Beeld en Geluid” at the Hilversum Media Park in Hilversum, Netherlands, won the ToerNed Award 2010, which is awarded to the experience deemed “the nicest day out” in the Netherlands and areas close to its borders. “Beeld en Geluid” translates to “Image and Sound” and offers visitors a multimedia experience in the history of radio and TV. Efteling Park in Kaatsheuvel, Netherlands, won for “Best School Trip in 2010.”
PRODUCTS
SWINGING HIGH: Innovative Leisure, which distributes ropes courses in England on behalf of U.S. manufacturer Ropes Courses, Inc., has installed the company’s latest high ropes course at the Clarence Pier in Southsea, Portsmouth, England. “Pier Pressure—Rise to the Challenge” is a 46-footby- 46-foot structure. The double-level, eight-pole-high course offers a unique “walk-the-plank” feature and pirate theming. With 28 different elements, it can serve 150 guests per hour and allows 35 participants to experience the course at one time. www.innovativeleisure.co.uk
LIGHTING IT UP: In an effort to make every day a holiday, Sureshot Redemption now offers more than 60 items that light up, like a light-up noodle headband with patriotic colors, a light-up dragon flyer, and classic glow sticks, necklaces, and bracelets. Sureshot’s light-up line has also crossed over into the balls and puffer balls category with items that include a flashing frog puffer and a squeeze stubby ball with lights. New light-up swords have also been added, including a 25-inch light-up chrome sword. www.sureshotredemption.com
SMILE, YOU’RE ON CAMERA: FotoSmile has invested six years of research and technology into its latest on-ride video system, MovieSmile. Officially presented at the IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando last November, the MovieSmile technology has now been enhanced with new usage applications and technical functions. The latest installation, on “Raptor” at Gardaland, includes 24 seat cameras, four external cameras, and 12 display monitors. The system can produce 450 DVDs per hour, with a burn time of only 2 ½ minutes for a guest’s video. www.fotosmile.it
IN MEMORIUM: Holiday World is mourning the loss of long-time employee Joe Hevron, 81, who passed away on March 8 after battling cancer. Hevron began his career at the park in 1946, the first season of Santa Claus Land, which was eventually renamed Holiday World. During his tenure, he served as director of cash control—warehouse and flowers, among other positions. He continued to work at Holiday World through the end of 2010, even as he fought cancer. The only time he left the park was to serve in the Army during the Korean War. 
Bill Merizk, who headed sales in North America for QubicaAMF Worldwide’s amusement division, died recently after serving with the company for 20 years. Merizk started with AMF bowling as a district sales manager in Florida in 1991, then joined Qubica Worldwide in 1996 where he was responsible for setting up Qubica’s U.S. distribution network, growing sales and developing the Highway66 mini-bowling, for which he had tremendous passion. Upon the Qubica/AMF merger in 2005, he became head of sales for the company’s amusement division in North America. 
SWINGING HIGH: Innovative Leisure, which distributes ropes courses in England on behalf of U.S. manufacturer Ropes Courses, Inc., has installed the company’s latest high ropes course at the Clarence Pier in Southsea, Portsmouth, England. “Pier Pressure—Rise to the Challenge” is a 46-footby- 46-foot structure. The double-level, eight-pole-high course offers a unique “walk-the-plank” feature and pirate theming. With 28 different elements, it can serve 150 guests per hour and allows 35 participants to experience the course at one time. 
LIGHTING IT UP: In an effort to make every day a holiday, Sureshot Redemption now offers more than 60 items that light up, like a light-up noodle headband with patriotic colors, a light-up dragon flyer, and classic glow sticks, necklaces, and bracelets. Sureshot’s light-up line has also crossed over into the balls and puffer balls category with items that include a flashing frog puffer and a squeeze stubby ball with lights. New light-up swords have also been added, including a 25-inch light-up chrome sword. 
SMILE, YOU’RE ON CAMERA: FotoSmile has invested six years of research and technology into its latest on-ride video system, MovieSmile. Officially presented at the IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando last November, the MovieSmile technology has now been enhanced with new usage applications and technical functions. The latest installation, on “Raptor” at Gardaland, includes 24 seat cameras, four external cameras, and 12 display monitors. The system can produce 450 DVDs per hour, with a burn time of only 2 ½ minutes for a guest’s video.