Industry professionals share their experiences with Chimelong Founder Mr. Su Zhigang
by Bob Rogers
with Beth Chang, Charlotte Huggins, Monty Lunde, Roland Mack,
Ron Miziker, Jennie Nevin, and Rick Rothschild
After 35 years of amazing achievements within China, the entire world has begun to recognize and honor Mr. Su as one of the rising stars of the world’s theme park and themed resort industry. In recognition of his ongoing visionary creation of the Chimelong family of resorts and attractions, Mr. Su was this year’s recipient of the Themed Entertainment Association’s Buzz Price Thea Award – Recognizing a Lifetime of Distinguished Achievements. To introduce Mr. Su to InPark readers, Martin Palicki and I have asked several top industry leaders to join me in providing a few words presenting their perspective on this world-class achiever and how he continues to lead us, thrill us, amaze us and make us smile.
– Bob Rogers
• • •
The Thea Award Lifetime Achievements recipient
Bob Rogers (2007 Buzz Price Thea Award – Recognizing a Lifetime of Distinguished Achievements recipient)
The Buzz Price Thea Award – Recognizing a Lifetime of Distinguished Achievements is perhaps the most important Thea Award given each year. It was the very first Thea Award ever given. All other Thea Awards grew from this one.
Every year a subcommittee consisting only of past recipients of the Lifetime Award meets multiple times and reviews many dozens of highly qualified candidates for this award. For the 2024 cycle, I served as Chairman of that subcommittee. 2024’s recipient was approved unanimously at all three stages of our rigorous and lengthy selection process.
He was born in China, the son of a humble farmer. At an early age he started a one-man business. He built that into a restaurant, then a hotel and from there he has built an incredibly popular and diverse empire of fun that includes:
- Six major theme parks (with more on the way)
- The most visited waterpark in the world
- A family of hotels with over 10,000 rooms (and more coming)
- Three grand circus shows
- The Chimelong Spaceship, a giant indoor theme park that is over 700 yards (650 meters) long
Today he is recognized as the leading force of the themed entertainment industry in China. He is the Chairman and Founder of the Chimelong Group. His friends and business associates affectionately and respectfully address him as Mr. Su instead of Mr. Su Zhigang.
Mr. Su is the owner and operator of these parks and resorts, but he is also the creative leader of his company. He is a Lifetime Achiever who has won our hearts with his unique personal story and earned our deep respect with his personal, direct, hands-on creative leadership, not just within China, but throughout our industry.
Bob Rogers
Founder, CEO & Chairman
BRC Imagination Arts
The family-first man
Roland Mack (2023 Buzz Price Thea Award – Recognizing a Lifetime of Distinguished Achievements recipient)
I fondly recall my first encounter with Mr. Su during his visit to Europa-Park. I often reminisce about how, after a jovial evening, he even performed a headstand in my office.
He built his company from the ground up, turning it into a top- tier corporation. This feat was only achievable through immense emotional investment, dedication, creativity, hard work, and courage.
Undoubtedly, a key factor in his success is his profound commitment to family. He has brought to life a family park and manages a family business with a focus on quality, consistency, and customer service. During our visit to Zhuhai, he graciously invited us to his private residence, where we had the pleasure of meeting his parents. It was a legendary evening. He is an incredible host, anticipating our every desire. I was particularly touched by the fact that he displayed a photo of my father and himself in his office, taken during his visit to Europa-Park. Even the next generation gets along splendidly; our sons share a warm friendship.
Mack Rides has been involved from the inception of Ocean Kingdom in Zhuhai, which is recognized for its top-tier theming. We provided many attractions, but my personal favorite is the rafting ride. Like Mr. Su, Ocean Kingdom is truly a gem.
Roland Mack
Managing Partner
Europa-Park GmbH & Co Mack KG
The market leader
Beth Chang
From my role as a market analyst at AECOM based in Hong Kong, I have seen firsthand how Mr. Su has impacted the hospitality market in the region. Mr. Su is a pioneer in China’s themed entertainment industry, from the first safari park that he built back in 1997. He is sensitive to what the market wants, and he’s willing to take a risk and try it.
Importantly, Mr. Su pays attention to the quality of his attractions. As researchers, we note that he purchases state- of-the-art rides and equipment. He also continues to improve and reinvest in his attractions, growing them into major destinations. The latest development, Chimelong Spaceship park, opened in September 2023 and is already receiving additional investment. It’s really this pursuit of quality that makes Chimelong’s parks stand out from the crowd.
What’s also impressive is how Mr. Su single-handedly built up his own brand. I think he sees Chimelong as a national destination and not just a regional attraction. Different from other brands, Mr. Su refrained from expanding rapidly into other markets. Instead, he has focused on developing in the region that he is most familiar with, within the province of Guangdong.
Finally, for many years Mr. Su has actively participated in international associations and is a strong supporter of TEA. We see that he wants to learn best practices both domestically and internationally, the latest technologies, and international standards of operation. This commitment to continued learning and growth has served to benefit all of Mr. Su’s endeavors.
Beth Chang
Executive Director – Economics
AECOM
The personal connector
Monty Lunde (TEA Founder and 1996 Buzz Price Thea Award – Recognizing a Lifetime of Distinguished Achievements recipient)
Mr. Su is a self-made entrepreneur who continues to impress our industry with the originality and scale of his theme parks and resorts. He has employed hundreds of themed entertainment professionals and companies around the world, many of whom are considered the best at their craft. Working directly with these leaders, Mr. Su oversees the design and creation of all major features in his parks and hotels.
Mr. Su is unique in his value of personal connections. One might easily assume that the Chimelong founder would be detached from the day-to-day creation and development of his many endeavors. To the contrary, Mr. Su holds personal connection above all else and his effort to maintain that connection with individuals is unwavering. His genuine personal connection to suppliers, vendors, creatives and producers is key to making his visions a reality.
That personal connection extends to his audience as well. He works to maintain his connection to them by walking his parks, talking with staff, and watching guests enjoy their visit. In every sense of the word, the themed entertainment industry is richer as a result of Mr. Su’s insistence on bigger, better and more amazing in everything he touches.
Monty Lunde
Founder, CEO & President
Technifex
The enthusiastic businessman
Ron Miziker (2015 Buzz Price Thea Award – Recognizing a Lifetime of Distinguished Achievements recipient)
Years ago, while installing an attraction in Studio City in Macau, I noticed this large, fantastic structure across the bay and wondered what it was. I was told that it was an extravagant theme park built by a relative newcomer to the industry. Curious (and thinking there may be a business opportunity), I asked around and was referred to a contact at Chimelong. I called and, after explaining a bit about myself, was surprised to be offered a meeting at Chimelong headquarters.
Upon arrival I was nicely greeted and asked to wait for my session with the company founder. “Just call him Mr. Su,” they told me. Mr. Su was a bundle of energy talking about his plans. He jumped up and gestured for me to follow as he led me around the room full of project drawings. He was eager to share with me everything he was doing. I was so impressed with both his projects and enthusiasm. When finished, he shook my hand at least six times and with his arm around my shoulder, like an old friend, he led me to the door saying that his assistant would go with me to make a deal about a new parade he wanted that had to be special. Most importantly, he said he would be the person I would be working with through project development.
True to his word, Mr. Su worked closely with me and my team through the opening of the parade. Throughout that project – and others that followed to this day – I refer to Mr. Su as the “Walt Disney of China.” It’s a title I believe Mr. Su deserves for the quantity and quality of what he has accomplished in the industry over such a short period of time.
Ron Miziker
Owner (retired)
Miziker Entertainment
The industry champion
Jennie Nevin
My journey with Mr. Su began during my tenure as the Chief Executive of the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA). When I joined, the organization was full of dedicated volunteers, talented members, popular tentpole events and a full calendar of regional activities. But it was also in need of an expanded global footprint.
I flew to China for IAAPA Expo Asia and met with Mr. Su and his team to share my vision for the future of TEA. He did not hesitate and jumped in to support our efforts right away. This pivotal moment in our relationship marked the beginning of a transformative partnership. Mr. Su’s unwavering dedication and Chimelong’s influence in the travel and tourism industry played a key role in supporting TEA’s global footprint.
Chimelong’s participation, encouraged by Mr. Su, not only helped expand TEA’s profile on the global stage, but it also showcased his own commitment to the industry, which he has continued to value ever since.
Mr. Su’s remarkable contributions to the industry and his support to the TEA at large serve as a testament to his enduring legacy as a visionary leader. As I reflect on our journey together, I am filled with gratitude for the profound impact Mr. Su has had on our community. He exemplifies the true essence of vision, leadership, and support.
Jennie Nevin
Executive Director, Business Development & Communications
ASM Global Los Angeles Equestrian Center
The dreamer and doer
Rick Rothschild
I’ve enjoyed a rewarding working relationship with Mr. Su over the past seven years on several projects. It is a relationship that has grown into a valued friendship along the way. Mr. Su exhibits a true passion and vision for themed entertainment matched by his complete dedication to bringing quality experiences to his audience. These traits are appreciated, respected and valued in our industry worldwide.
Mr. Su has always reached for making each guest experience – whether within a park, in an attraction or welcomed to a hotel – something engaging, unique and memorable.
The opportunity to work directly with Mr. Su, helping fulfill a few of his thousands of dreams, has been truly special. He has always been one to push for the next level – sometimes the near impossible – while always supporting the means and methods necessary to achieve the dream with impassioned leadership and respect for the entire team.
Rick Rothschild
Founder and Chief Creative Officer
FAR OUT! Creative Direction
The skillful communicator
Charlotte Huggins
I have found that working around the globe (as many of us do) allows a unique opportunity to observe. In multi-language meetings there are wonderful interstitial moments when the interpreter translates what I or my colleagues have said, then listens to and translates the host’s response. Although I am not able to understand the verbal communication, I have the joy of quietly observing the expressions, movements, and other nonverbal signals of my hosts. In my many decades of international travel, no one is more interesting and downright fun to observe than Mr. Su Zhigang.
Mr. Su carefully listens to the translation; often gives a quiet, thoughtful pause; and then ramps up with passion and a fiery energy that expresses as much in his actions as in words. His gestures say, “More is more!” and his intonation clearly lets us know what he wants his audiences to feel during the project in discussion. As the idiom says, “Actions speak louder than words.” Mr. Su’s actions are bold, passionate, and inspiring.
There are none better than Mr. Su at embodying the greatness that comes from blazing one’s own trail, pursuing what others deem impossible. He is one of the greatest people I have ever had the pleasure to know and work for. He pursues his vision with energy and action, and in so doing, provides opportunities that challenge us all to be great.
Charlotte Huggins
CEO
Miziker Entertainment
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The History of Mr. Su
Born in 1958, Mr. Su Zhigang left school at the age of 14 to start his own business delivering pork to restaurants and hotels by riding his bicycle. Through this job, Mr. Su learned from others how to operate restaurants and hotels. This inspired him to open his own restaurant in 1989 which quickly gained recognition in Guangzhou and marked the official start of Chimelong Group.
In 1994, Mr. Su took his first trip abroad. In Thailand, Singapore, South Africa and the United States he visited many major zoos, theme parks, and visitor attractions. The trip helped Mr. Su realize the potential for themed entertainment back in China.
Mr. Su then began working on his first attraction and in 1997 he opened Chimelong Safari Park to the public. After the initial success of Chimelong Safari Park, Mr. Su launched a grand circus and a safari-themed hotel. He later added Chimelong Paradise and Chimelong Water Park to the lineup, incorporating advanced amusement rides and new attractions in the world of themed entertainment. He ultimately built the Chimelong Resort-Guangzhou into one of the first 5A-class tourist destinations in China – a distinction awarded by the Chinese government for the highest level of world-class attractions.
Mr. Su then set his sights on creating a marine-themed park. During the financial crisis of 2008, he turned his attention to Hengqin Island, Zhuhai, near Hong Kong and Macau. In 2014 Chimelong Resort-Zhuhai opened to include Chimelong Ocean Kingdom and Chimelong Hengqin Bay Hotel.
Mr. Su’s plans for the future are expansive. 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of the Chimelong Resort- Zhuhai, and he has begun to plan additional phases of development for the property. 2024 is also the 35th anniversary of the establishment of Chimelong Group, and additional plans for Chimelong Resort-Guangzhou are brewing. The first phase of Chimelong Resort- Qingyuan is also set to open later this year.
Though it has been 27 years since Chimelong’s first theme park opened, Mr. Su still considers himself a new recruit in the cultural travel industry. As such he surrounds himself with knowledgeable people and learns from those with experience.
“I love brainstorming and discussing ideas with different experts, cooperating with the world’s top teams and applying world-class standards to Chimelong,” says Mr. Su. “Many of the top experts are my old friends. I have learned from these professionals for decades, and they have always been my role models!”
