The addition of Goliath makes Six Flags Great America home to the most wooden roller coaster track of any theme park in the world. Goliath resides in the County Fair section of the park.
PHOTO Courtesy Six Flags
Milan, Italy — The first module of the Fruit and Legumes Cluster has been put in place. Within a few weeks the entire structure – which includes 9 modules – will be completed and the Cluster will appear as it was intended. This special Pavilion, which will include among others, Gambia, Guinea, Benin, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, will be developed in an area of over 3,700 square meters, including an exhibition space of 1,125 square meters and an events area exceeding 500 square meters.
Inside there will be areas cultivated with fruit trees of various types; while a central square, with a wooden roof, resembling a pergola, will host events. Between this and the next Cluster to be built, “The World of Spices”, there will be a market open to all visitors, forming a link between the two types of produce – fruits and spices.
Behind the development of the Cluster content is the University Vita Salute San Raffaele in Milan and Roberto Mordacci, scientific coordinator of research.
Along with these activities, work continues on the construction of the Clusters of Coffee and Spices. By the end of the year all 9 Expo Milano 2015 Clusters will be complete.
James Ogul, former US State Department official and Expo consultant to InPark tells us:
“It has been common practice at World’s Fairs to offer spaces in common buildings to smaller countries that lack the budget to build their own pavilion. Traditionally these common buildings have been organized by regions of the world, for example” Africa, South America, Southeast Asia, etc. But Expo Milano will be taking a new approach. Yes there will be common buildings, nine of them to be exact, but participants will be grouped by common themes and food groups to which they belong. The nine themes and food groups are Rice, Cocoa, Coffee, Fruits and Legumes, Spices, Cereals and Tubers, Bio-Mediterraneum, Islands, Sea and Food and Arid Zones. I can see a value to this approach in that it will allow visitors to see both the commonality and difference in approaches to growing, harvesting and consuming specific foods throughout the world and the unique challenges and opportunities in unique climate zones. The down side is that many visitors like to imagine they are on a “world tour” when they visit an expo and they like to seek out particular countries of interest. That will not be as easy in this model.”
Danilo Signorello describes the Clusters in INTERNI60:
Rice Cluster – Politecnico di Milano, Tongji University (China), National University of Hanoi (Vietnam): this stems from the allure of images of flat and terraced rice paddies: water, green, gold. A hall in which architecture disappears and is camouflaged: there is only nature, landscape to be surrounded with.
Cocoa Cluster – Politecnico di Milano, USI Università della Svizzera Italiana, Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey ITESM (Mexico): the idea was an allegorical reproduction of the landscape where cocoa grows, areas with luxuriant vegetation, trees that grow from the soil and lean on buildings.
Coffee Cluster – Politecnico di Milano, University of São Paulo (Brazil), University of Nairobi (Kenya): a large area aiming to reproduce the habitat of coffee that grows in the area of the great rainforest, with its colours and perfumes.
Fruit and Legumes – Politecnico di Milano, The Bezalel Academy (Israel), Cape Peninsula University, Cape Town (South Africa): this conveys the idea of a nature strongly affected by humans, a place with the shape of a city, unitary halls like large wooden cases, fruit containers that tell this story. Trees and a developing geometrical fruit garden that will change during the six months of the event.
Spice Cluster – Politecnico di Milano, IUAV Venice, NID National Institute of Design (India): the cultural, sensory and olfactory experience becomes real and actual. The fruit of the earth is sold and tasted here, by means of a total involvement of the senses (perfumes, tastes, colours, textures of some spice varieties).
Bio-Mediterranean Cluster – Politecnico di Milano, II Università degli Studi di Napoli, American University in Cairo (Egypt): the challenge was to represent a culture, by making a hall in a symbolic shape. To hint at the Mediterranean culture, a system of white pinnacles on the top recalls the landscape of Mediterranean cities.
Sea and Islands Cluster – Politecnico di Milano, Aalto University (Finland), University of Tokyo (Japan): this is the smallest cluster, conceived as an island to find a moment of peace and restoration. It provides coasts where to land when navigating among the various halls.
Arid Zones Cluster – Politecnico di Milano, ETSAM Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura de Madrid (Spain), Birzeit University (Palestine): what is the main feature of these areas? The lack of water. Therefore what is being shown is a ‘lack’, a suspended dimension, frailty. Stones in the sand, sharp splinters and dust storms.
Cereals Cluster – Politecnico di Milano, Parsons School of Design (New York, USA) and MARKHI – Moscow Institute of Architecture (Russia): a narrative itinerary leading from the cultivation of land to the seeds produced, their consumption which reaches its apex in the big fireplace, in the big oven, in the big hut which is the final symbol of this cluster.
In all nine clusters, architecture becomes the setting, a simple and direct translation of the food theme.
CONCEPTUAL ARTWORK and PHOTO courtesy EXPO Milano 2015.
InPark went behind the scenes to Sentosa Island to check out the new “Wings of Time” nighttime show. We asked show creator Jean-Christophe Canizares of ECA2 about the project’s development.
How does “Wings of Time” reflect ECA2’s approach to custom-created shows?
How did you develop the set design for “Wings of Time”?
[quote]These accredited courses have brought success to tens of thousands of professionals over the years and we’re proud to announce the 2014-2015 schedules.” — Jeff James, Vice President and General Manager, Disney Institute[/quote]
Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA (June 24, 2014) /PRNewswire/ — Disney Institute, the external business and professional development arm of The Walt Disney Company, today announced its 2014-2015 professional development courses available at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and the Disneyland Resort in Southern California. Offered to business professionals, the roster of one-day and multi-day courses gives participants insight into Disney’s award-winning approach to business.
“While all Disney Institute courses have been ‘reimagined’ to help professionals navigate the continuously changing landscape of today’s business climate, at the heart remains our core principles,” said Jeff James, vice president and general manager, Disney Institute.
Disney Institute continually evaluates best practices to ensure participants are challenged to think differently and motivated to take actions that deliver results. The 2014-2015 Disney Institute professional development courses include a variety of subjects ranging from leadership, to culture, to service and more.
Disney Institute courses are offered at the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. Program fees include instruction, all course materials, guided studies of onstage operations and behind-the scenes locations, and breakfast and lunch. These courses are also available in select cities around the world in cooperation with local sponsoring organizations.
Disney Institute also works with both small companies and multi-national organizations to develop custom business solutions that help companies advance their business goals. In these instances, Disney Institute infuses the time-tested strategies, insights, and business practices established by The Walt Disney Company to implement solutions customized to meet each client’s unique goals. Disney Institute has an extensive client base that includes diverse case histories such as reengaging professional sports teams with their fans, boosting hospital patient satisfaction scores, and reducing employee turnover in the restaurant industry, among others.
To view the schedule of Disney Institute professional development courses available throughout the year, visit: DisneyInstituteCourses.com
PHOTO courtesy Disney Institute.
[quote]This commitment to innovation with IMAX’s laser system will provide us with more programing options in a format we believe will be the industry’s most powerful and immersive.” — Science Museum of Minnesota President Eric Jolly[/quote]
Mississauga, ON, Canada (June 24, 2014) — IMAX Corporation and the Science Museum of Minnesota today announced an agreement to install IMAX’s next-generation digital laser projection system at the Museum’s IMAX dome theatre, marking the first laser agreement for an IMAX dome theatre worldwide. The new technology will enable the Museum to deliver a wider array of digital content and further enhance The IMAX Experience for its visitors.
“Today’s agreement marks the entry of our laser technology to the unique dome market, and we are pleased that one of the most widely acknowledged leaders in the giant screen dome world is the first to commit to our new offering,” said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. “We continue to redefine the landscape of projection technology with our next-generation laser system, which we believe will deliver the most immersive, differentiated cinema experience available.”
“We are constantly exploring and implementing new technologies to educate our audiences about science,” said Science Museum of Minnesota President, Dr. Eric Jolly. “Since we opened our new museum facility in 1999 on the Mississippi riverfront in downtown Saint Paul, a cornerstone of fulfilling our mission has been our IMAX dome theater, the William L. McKnight-3M Omnitheater. We are also looking into new types of science-related content and visualization that we can bring to life through the laser offering in a way that’s never been possible.”
Under the terms of the agreement the Science Museum of Minnesota will install IMAX’s next-generation laser projection system, which is expected to set a new benchmark as the industry’s premium entertainment experience. The system, which represents the culmination of the largest R&D initiative in IMAX’s history, incorporates the laser digital intellectual property IMAX exclusively licensed from Eastman Kodak and Barco’s unique laser innovations. It will enable IMAX’s largest screens to deliver the highest-quality digital content available with greater brightness and clarity, a wider color gamut and deeper blacks. IMAX’s next-generation laser projection system will also be custom-designed for dome theater environments.
PHOTO courtesy Science Museum of Minnesota.
Holly Springs, NC, USA (June 24, 2014) — The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) has announced that Tammy Seldon, Executive Director of the Giant Screen Cinema Association (GSCA), has earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential. The CAE is the highest professional credential in the association industry. Less than five percent of all association professionals have earned the CAE.
To be designated as a Certified Association Executive, an applicant must have a minimum of three years experience in nonprofit organization management, complete a minimum of 100 hours of specialized professional development, pass a stringent examination in association management, and pledge to uphold a code of ethics. To maintain the certification, individuals must undertake ongoing professional development and activities in association and nonprofit management. The CAE Program is accredited by the National Commission for the Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
Tammy has 22 years of experience in association management, business development, and international business. She began her career in the giant screen industry in January 2004 as GSCA’s Conference and Membership Director and was promoted to Executive Director in 2010. Tammy was previously the Human Resources Director with CARFAX, Inc. Tammy has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from George Mason University and a Master of Business Administration from Keller Graduate School of Management in Fairfax, Virginia. She is also a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP).
PHOTO: Tammy Seldon at GSCA 2011 Asian Film Expo. Courtesy Giant Screen Cinema Association.
[quote]We are confident this world-class brand and unique form of entertainment will attract millions of guests to our guests.” — Chairman Li of Riverside Investment Group [/quote]
Grand Prairie, TX, USA (June 23, 2014) /PRNewswire/ — Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE:SIX), the world’s largest regional theme park company, and Riverside Investment Group Co. Ltd., a leading real estate developer in China, announced today a new strategic partnership to build multiple Six Flags-branded theme parks in China over the next decade.
“Our international expansion strategy is focused on finding the right partners in the right markets, and Riverside Investment Group will be the perfect strategic partner for us in China,” said Jim Reid-Anderson, Chairman, President and CEO of Six Flags Entertainment. “We are honored to be working with this world-class organization as we continue taking the Six Flags brand to growing markets outside North America.”
“We are honored to enter this strategic relationship with Six Flags and expand the entertainment offerings in China,” said Chairman Li of Riverside Investment Group. ”
Terms of the arrangement were not disclosed.
PHOTO Courtesy Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Vallejo, CA, USA
Burbank, CA, USA — Thinkwell Group, a worldwide experience design and production agency announced the opening of its new offices in both Beijing, China and Abu Dhabi, UAE. Over 50% of Thinkwell’s current projects are international, in countries including China, Singapore, Japan, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, England and France. These new offices will help to better serve their growing numbers of clients around the world.
Thinkwell has appointed Ryan Kester to spearhead the new Chinese office. As a Project Director, with more than 10 years of construction experience in China, Kester brings invaluable support to Thinkwell’s many clients in the country wanting to build Thinkwell’s innovative parks, attractions, museums, exhibits and shows.
“Our success comes when our designs are fully realized” says Francois Bergeron, COO of Thinkwell Group. “By establishing an office in Beijing with talent that can help our clients oversee the build the projects we design will ensure the level of quality expected of a Thinkwell Experience.”
In conjunction with the opening of the new office, Thinkwell also announced the launch of its Chinese language website in an effort to expand marketing and communications with the region. The new website (www.thinkwellgroup.cn), along with the launch of Thinkwell’s Chinese subsidiary, Si Ke Wei Lai, marks the growth of an exciting future for Thinkwell in Asia.
The award-winning, international experience design firm has over 160 employees and continues expanding. Anticipating that growth will continue in both domestic and international markets, Thinkwell has expanded their business development team both at home and abroad. With the recent appointments of former Project Manager Tyler Thornberg to Director, Business Development in the Burbank office and former Project Manager Amin Rashmani to Director, Business Development in the Abu Dhabi office, Thinkwell has added some unique fire-power to their already well established business development team.
ARTWORK: Concept art for Dubai EXPO 2020. Courtesy Thinkwell Group.
[quote]WhiteWater’s design studio can make whatever a park’s unique needs call for.” — John P Gannon, General Manager of Zoombezi Bay and The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium[/quote]
Richmond, BC, Canada — Zoombezi Bay guests were introduced to 16 life-sized baboons and a sprawling octopus on May 17 when the Ohio waterpark revealed their brand new, custom themed AquaPlay RainFortress unit named the Baboon Lagoon. The brand new $4.5 million interactive play structure is surrounded by a heated pool and has over 90 interactive water elements, 9 waterslides and is topped with a 1000 gallon tipping bucket.
John P. Gannon, General Manager of Zoombezi Bay and The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium comments, “we are thrilled to introduce Central Ohio to the most exciting multi-level play structure that the area has ever seen. WhiteWater was able to theme the structure to our unique requests. Zoombezi Bay is owned by The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium; and as such; we wanted a structure that was full of animal surprises.”
WhiteWater has been dedicating resources to improving theming capabilities that allows us to meet unique requirements such as those put before us by Zoombezi Bay. WhiteWater’s theming and production manager, Chris Biancofiore, heads up the strategic changes that are made within the theming department, “We have made considerable improvements over the years in design and pushing the boundaries on what we can do.” WhiteWater has committed to producing the highest quality theming products in the industry by investing in our people and in new technology.
All 16 realistic baboons and the giant, life-like blue-ringed octopus started only as giant blocks of Styrofoam. Once they were shaped and hand-carved, each piece was treated and painted, also by hand, to ensure the highest level of detail. Zoombezi Bay opened to the public on May 17th to rave reviews and will enjoy a fun and busy summer season.
Photo courtesy WhiteWater.
[quote]There is a huge market in China for this new type of business, driven by the new simulator technology.” — Tian Dong, co-founder of Huan Teng Technology[/quote]
Beijing, China – Cruden, the world’s leading professional motion simulation company, has supplied China’s first ever simulator centre using professional simulators.
The 5000 m2 Huan Teng Technology (or D2L in English) center in Guangzhou opened in June and features eight Cruden Hexatech Formula Style race car simulators linked together. The high end private members’ club offers a Formula 1 racing attraction in addition to poker, pool, indoor golf, massage facilities, a sports bar, restaurant and meeting rooms, across two floors.
The venture is a multi-million dollar investment by partners Tian Dong and Ye Lin who renovated a former car dealership in one of the busiest streets in Guangzhou, which is China’s third largest city, located in the south of China. Dong, who also owns BMW, Lexus, Mercedes and Mini dealerships in China and who has other attractions interests globally, was inspired by the Cruden installation at the Vortex Racing simulation center in Montreal.
“I spent about half year researching which simulators to use, all over the world. I found the Cruden technology to be the closest product to real F1 cars. Their 6-DOF motion system is the most stable and other simulators from different suppliers were not competitive. As Cruden designs all aspects of the simulator in-house, we are already able to plan making a city race track of Guangzhou,” says Tian Dong, co-founder of Huan Teng Technology.
“We are really pleased to have Cruden’s first installation in China, and look forward to Huan Teng Technology’s customers’ reaction to an experience which is totally new to the market,” says Frank Kalff, commercial director of Cruden. “This installation is a demonstration of Cruden’s ability to design and theme a complete simulator area themed attraction, going beyond what might be expected of an equipment manufacturer.”
It is hoped that the high end venue will attract between 600 and 800 visitors per week. The owners are targeting the under 40 age group of both males and females, as well as business customers from the car dealership businesses.
PHOTOS courtesy Cruden.
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