Tuesday, March 19, 2024

The InPark Magazine editors: Meet the press Part 3

Learn what drives the InPark editorial inner circle in our third installment of this four-part series

ABOVE: InPark Magazine Publisher Martin Palicki and Editor Judith Rubin arrive at the Burbank, CA airport on their way to the 2017 TEA SATE conference.

Joe Kleiman, InPark Magazine news editor

Question from Judith Rubin

What’s the special something you bring to the InPark dynamic?

I have the thickest beard. Besides that, it would be the understanding of niche markets within the attractions community – giant screen, museums, and the performing arts – an understanding from working as a manager and director in these markets. I was also an IMAX projectionist and motion simulator technician, and worked with animals in a couple of zoos and a dolphin rescue facility, so those are fields I understand closely as well. All this experience has been put to good use at InPark. Now, if we ever do a piece on rebuilding a 1960s Mustang, I’m calling dibs.


Judith Rubin, InPark Magazine editor

Question from Martin Palicki

I know you like to bake. What is the perfect recipe for a great article or story (include a shopping list, please!)?

Successful baking involves good ingredients, the right tools and resources, creative experimentation and of course an understanding of who is going to eat the end result. In a corollary to creating a great article or story… Ingredients = information. If you are having trouble making a meaningful statement, then you need more information and understanding of your topic. Dig in, ask more questions. Tools and resources = how you communicate and share the story, including structure, formats and platforms. Creative experimentation = finding a way to say it that makes people take notice. In the last, eaters = audience. Make the story relevant to them, their needs and the culture of their business.


Martin Palicki, InPark Magazine publisher

Question from Joe Kleiman

You’ve traveled around the world to visit theme parks and attractions and to meet with themed entertainment designers and manufacturers. What are some of your favorite memories traveling for InPark?

I made a conscious decision a few years back to focus most of my travel each year on work-related trips, adding on side trips when possible for fun. It was a smart decision. In addition to being present at important industry events around the world, there is so much to see and do out there that really helps inform a well-rounded editorial viewpoint. 

I’ve been lucky to enjoy several show openings with the ECA2 team in China. The opening of “Fountain of Dreams” in Wuyishan was particularly special. We had an afternoon to explore this rather remote city where almost no one spoke English. Ordering a meal without the use of language can be fun – as long as you keep an open mind! 

Last year Alterface organized a press trip to Belgium for the Popcorn Revenge attraction. We got tours of the city, the new Alterface office and Walibi Belgium even opened several of its best rides for us. At the end of the day organizer Anja d’Hondt prevailed upon the kind hotel staff to keep the lounge open for us to share with one another our experineces on the new ride. It’s always a treat to socialize with other industry journalists.

Since the three members of InPark’s core editorial team all live in different states, we don’t have traditional office relationships (but our remote working skills have come in very handy this year). It’s always a huge pleasure to travel and see industry colleagues and friends at fantastic sites and events around the world. Whether it’s a WhiteWater rooftop cocktail party in Berlin or dinner overlooking Shanghai Disneyland at TEA SATE Asia, it’s so much more enjoyable because it’s with all the amazing people I’ve come to know and cherish in our industry. 

Joe Kleiman
Joe Kleimanhttp://wwww.themedreality.com
Raised in San Diego on theme parks, zoos, and IMAX films, InPark's Senior Correspondent Joe Kleiman would expand his childhood loves into two decades as a projectionist and theater director within the giant screen industry. In addition to his work in commercial and museum operations, Joe has volunteered his time to animal husbandry at leading facilities in California and Texas and has played a leading management role for a number of performing arts companies. Joe previously served as News Editor and has remained a contributing author to InPark Magazine since 2011. HIs writing has also appeared in Sound & Communications, LF Examiner, Jim Hill Media, The Planetarian, Behind the Thrills, and MiceChat His blog, ThemedReality.com takes an unconventional look at the attractions industry. Follow on twitter @ThemesRenewed Joe lives in Sacramento, California with his wife, dog, and a ghost.
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