Webinar: The Inside Track to Buying Rides

Event Type: Education
Region: North America
Venue: Online
Member Price: $0 | Nonmember Price: $49

1-2 p.m. ET

In this original session a mixed panel of buyers, park designers and manufacturers will bring their different perspectives to discuss how the buying process should work so that facilities get the best ride and return on investment. Together they will discuss what operators should consider when looking to add an attraction, what external factors should be looked at to identify gaps in the market, and how to take a step back into the guest’s shoes to determine what rides will create the best guest experience.

Attendees are eligible to earn one continuing education unit (1 CEU) towards IAAPA recertification. 

Speakers

Brian Gorman

Brian Gorman

Vice President of Operations
Waldameer & Water World

Brian Gorman, Vice President of Operations at Waldameer & Water World, has grown up in the amusement business. Starting when he was 12 years old, he has worked summers at his family’s park through high school and college, having positions in almost every area of the park. After attending Miami University and graduating with a BS in Marketing, he returned to Waldameer as Ride Operations Manager in 2009. Since then, he has moved to his current position as Vice President of Operations and oversees every aspect of the park’s daily operations. He has served as the President of the Pennsylvania Parks and Attractions organization. He has also served on the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions’ (IAAPA) Parks and Attractions Committee and Facility Operations Committee, is a member of the local Rotary Club, and the Chairman of VisitErie tourism office.

Josh Martin

Josh Martin

Creative Director
Martin Aquatic Design & Engineering

Josh Martin serves as President & Creative Director of Martin Aquatic Design & Engineering, a firm that has completed more than 2,500 projects in its 30+ year history, including themed entertainment features and attractions for clients such as Walt Disney World, SeaWorld, and Universal Orlando Resort as well as numerous family entertainment centers and municipal/public sector parks and aquatic facilities. Martin designs world-class water features for the resort and theme park industries, creating engaging water to produce compelling guest experiences and memorable aquatic moments. In addition, Martin has experience as an aquatic master planner and is regularly retained to prepare feasibility studies for new developments and renovations in the hospitality sector. He has helped shape the communal gathering places within major tourist and shopping destinations as well as onboard the open decks for cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean. Martin is an expert on the topic of aquatic design and has presented to the United States Public Health Board on the subject of water safety as a consultant for the cruise industry.

Hank Salemi

Hank Salemi

President
Six Flags Great America & Hurricane Harbor

Charles “Hank” Salemi is Park President of Six Flags Great America & Hurricane Harbor Chicago and Hurricane Harbor Rockford. With over 23 years at Six Flags, Hank has been in his current role since 2006. As Park President, he is responsible for a staff of 165 full-time and 4,500 seasonal team members and oversees all Finance, Sales & Marketing, Maintenance, Operations, In Park Revenue, HR/Safety activities for the parks.

Prior to his current role, Hank was chief marketing officer for Six Flags, overseeing all marketing and advertising for 40 parks worldwide. From 1997 – 2000, he was the marketing director at Six Flags Great America where he introduced Raging Bull, the world’s first hyper-twister roller coaster and the park’s tallest, longest, and fastest coaster at the time. Hank got his start in the industry with stints at Feld Entertainment before joining Ogden Corporation and then joining Six Flags.

Philip Wilson

Philip Wilson, ICAE

Vice President
Extreme Engineering

Mr. Wilson has a Mass Communication degree from California State University with over 22 years in marketing and design experience to the amusement industry. Wilson was the top of his graduating class with Honors (Magna Cum Laude graduate) and is part of Lambda Pi Eta, the official National Communication Association Honor Society. Mr. Wilson is currently an IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions) Board Memember (through 2020) as a representative to industry suppliers, as well as a chairman, while serving on several IAAPA committees such as Global Membership, Global Manufacturers and Suppliers, and Service Awards. Mr. Wilson also lobbies on industry related issues at Capitol Hill in D.C. Wilson has also earned his ICAE certificate with IAAPA (IAAPA Certified Attractions Executive) in 2016. He previously was a chairman's league member with the official resort association (ARDA) and helped manage a task force with ARDA on introducing resorts to amusement suppliers. He has extensive knowledge in IP protection, trademark implementation and brand development. Mr. Wilson's recent design work helped Extreme Engineering win 10 "Best New Product" and "Best Design" IAAPA awards including several outside industry awards. Recently Mr. Wilson helped win best in web design from AAF (American Advertising Federation) for the entire state of California on Extreme Engineering's mobile web platform. Today Phil is very involved in a non-profit that raises money to fight kids' cancer, Great Cycle Challenge USA, and servers on the California chapter. Great Cycle Challenge USA is a national CCRF. Wilson also designs beer labels on the side for award winning micro-breweries in California, recently winning best label at the California State Fair. Mr. Wilson is a proud father of two boys (Ethan and Oliver) and is married to his beautiful wife, Meagan.