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Park News
www.parkworld-online.com
ParkFood
Kernels
by Mike Holtzman
Mondial is just about to ship the second of two Splash Over rides
The Seven Secrets
to China. The double Top Spin style attractions will both open next
to Returning Staff
season at parks to be confirmed. More details and exclusive factory
photos next issue. The trusted Dutch manufacturer is also currently
Every year we hope our experienced staff return for another season. We
fabricating a 55-metre giant Ferris Wheel for a showman in Holland.
want them to remember the fun summer job that provided them with a
summer of great memories and a fun work environment. There is a great
value to having staff that return. Their experience and knowledge helps
Europa-Park in Rust near Freiburg, Germany, will unveil a major
make you operate that much more effectively and efficiently. The returning
new coaster in 2009 from, you’ve guessed it, Mack Rides. The
staff knows the equipment, rotations, menu and more. Here are seven
attraction is thought to be a launch coaster.
secrets to returning your staff for next season:
Secret #1: Towards the end of the season start selling the next year. Let Leading Chinese ride manufacturer Golden Horse Amusement
your staff know how great next year will be with that specific person on the
aims to offer a complete range of services to park operators and
team. Set up records or a hall of fame from one year to the next. The
developers after establishing a new concept design and
records can list the most burgers cooked in a day, most slice of pizzas
masterplaning division. Other Golden Horse subsidiaries include
served, or even the most accurate cashier.
GH Entertainment Technologies, producing arcade games and dark
Secret #2: After the season is over, send each employee a thank you
card. It creates the personal connection and shows you appreciate what
rides, and GH Park Theming.
they have done. If you are emplying students, make sure you get their
college addresses. Everyone likes receiving mail.
CLM Entertainment, a US-based leisure consulting firm, recently
Secret #3: Promote the benefits of your facility. Use the website
formed a new division to helping clients manage the rising cost of
craigslist to find people and title the ad something like “Free waterpark all energy and develop environmentally responsible policies and
summer long!” Offering rewards to staff and creating a fun environment
procedures. According to CLM, eligible clients can realise savings
keeps them coming back year after year. When they return the next year it
between 5 and 15% by implementing power conditioning and power
will be like a school reunion.
factor correction systems.
Secret #4: Pay a little more…..get a lot! Paying staff more the minimum
wage shows to them that they're worth something more than just the front
line position.
The Ocean Park Conservation Foundation in Hong Kong has
Secret #5: A returning bonus or
called for continued donations to help rebuild Sichuan’s 12 panda
yearly raise is a great incentive to
reserves devastated by earthquake in May. Ocean Park made the
have staff return. Setting up goals for plea as its own young pandas, Ying Ying and Le Le, celebrated their
the staff to achieve and then second birthday in August. The park has promised a trip to the
rewarding them makes them feel part
Chengdu Research Base for panda breeding for the guest who
of the facility’s success.
makes the single biggest donation.
Secret #6: Do you really spend
time with your staff? Take time and
meet with two members of for five
Chinese manufacturer Nanfang Amusement Rides is to supply
minutes each day. Create the
a giant wheel to a new park in Changzhou, Jiangsu Province. The
connection to you, the facility and
company is also working on its own version of the Star Flyer ride.
their job. Staff will want to return to
work with their friends and for their Jill Schmelzer has joined Darien Lake Theme Park Resort, Darien
leadership if they have a friendly Center, New York, as its new public relations supervisor. Previously
comfortable environment.
with Bee Group Newspapers as editor of The Ken-Ton Bee, she will
Secret #7: The positive
also work on include revamping the employee training process for
atmosphere comes from you! When
the 2009 season and working with the park's web site designers in
you smile and talk positive at work so
will your staff. Negativity and misery
addition to her media relations duties.
never keeps staff around. Smiling and
complementing your team creates that
The London-based Vitala Group is to help build an eco resort in
positive environment. Everyone likes a
Vietnam, its second project announced in the country this year. In
Want her back next happy place of work. agreement with Chia Khoa Vang Import Export Tourist Services,
season? Try paying
Vitala will finance, design and develop the “Golden Key”
a little bit more than
Mike Holtzman is president of
the minimum wage
development in Dalat City. The resort will comprise numerous hotel
Profitable Food Facilities, a hospitality
concepts and villas, a rehabilitation resort, indoor/outdoor
design and consulting firm to
waterpark, children’s farm, numerous eco leisure facilities and an
recreational and family entertainment
operations. mike@profitablefood.com
18-hole golf course. Construction on the $250 million project is
predicted to commence in May 2009, with completion set for late
2011.
8 OCTOBER 2008
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