Posted by Bob Gernert on February 3, 2010 at 1:06 pm
M-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m! In just little more than a week you can enjoy an exquisite “Taste of Winter Haven” at the Banker’s Cup Awards banquet Thursday, February 11 beginning at 6:30 p.m. The black-tie optional affair is anevening of wonderful food and our highest civic award presentations.
Join us at Nora Mayo Hall for an evening to savor and celebrate. Here are menus from some of our fine participating restaurants … come ready to sample!
Arabella’s Bistecca di Manzo – Sliced NY strip in a mushroom brandy sauce.
Penne alla Genovese – Penne pasta sautéed with pesto and shrimp sauce.
Chalet Suzanne Chalet Suzanne’s Curry Chicken & Basmati Rice
Artichoke Dip with Pita chips IHOP Nutella Crepes
Outback Steakhouse Blue Cheese Salad
Ahi Tuna
Steak & Chicken from the Barbie
Pengeo, Inc Fiery Wings Grilled
Grilled Chicken Martini
Brownie Bites
Sundown and Fred’s Southern Kitchen Shrimp and grits,
Sundown Bread Pudding w/ Whiskey Sauce.
Skillets of corn casserole
Posted by Bob Gernert on February 2, 2010 at 12:53 pm
The Board of Directors of the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce has approved the following statement with regard to the proposed location for the high-speed rail station. You can learn more about Florida’s high speed rail plans here.
“The Board of Directors of the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce supports the placement of a Polk County station for high-speed rail at the eastern terminus of the Polk Parkway. This site will ensure convenient access for students at USF Polytechnic as well as serve all of Polk County from a more central location. More than 50% of Polk’s population resides east of the Polk Parkway. This location would also better serve as a future connector for intermodal transfer to Legoland Florida opening in 2011.”
In addition, this centralized location would better serve intermodal transfer to the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex and Fantasy of Flight. Once USF Polytechnic is open to full enrollment, Legoland Florida opens to an estimated 1.5 to 2 million visitors and the Lake Myrtle Complex is fully operational, the eastern terminus of the Polk Parkway will be among the county’s busiest intersections.
We invite all Polk communities to join in a dialogue that produces the most convenient access for the greatest number of residents, students and tourists.
Editor’s Note: The East Polk Committee of 100 has also adopted a formal resolution advocating “Location in the central area of Polk County to ensure the stop leverages our economic development initiatives and assures an accessible location that will service the entire County, with emphasis on Polk County’s population and its future growth patterns. Adopted September 2009
Posted by Bob Gernert on January 28, 2010 at 1:01 pm
The Polk County Tourist Development Council heard a comprehensive overview of the Legoland Florida park and it’s projected impact on our area. Here are some bullet points from this morning’s meeting held at the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce:
Legoland Florida
What we know right now …
About Lego:
15% of the toy market in Europe
3 % in U. S. and growing
4 million U.S. names in the Legoland database
About Merlin:
Second largest entertainment company in the world behind Disney
Operates 59 venues many of which have historic features
Only theme park company in the world that saw attendance grow in 2009
About the deal:
Merlin CEO Nick Varney visited the park for the first time in September of 2008.
There was 18 months of negotiation during which time there were several sites in Florida and other states under consideration. One large metro area offered $150 million in infrastructure improvements to win the deal and Merlin still chose Cypress Gardens/Polk
Two phases of improvements are expected. Phase I involves a $100 – 200 million investment to open Legoland Florida. Phase II could include a hotel, convention center and possibly an aquarium making it a Legoland Florida Resort
The Company is in the process of recruiting the General Manager for the Park
Construction should begin within 90 days.
The company likes to use local contractors as much as possible (The Chamber has offered to assist with a Vendor Fair)
Some international expertise will be used in the creation of the Lego models for the park
Polk County Tourist Development Council will invest $350,000 a year for 10 years for Merlin to market the park.
The level of wages for a number of the jobs at the park will exceed 115% of Polk’s average wage qualifying the company for the Bonus Incentive Program and $150,000 a year for 10 years.
What’s in it for Polk and Winter Haven:
1000 jobs
1.5 – 2 million visitors per year
“In Park Spending” estimated at $86 to 90 million annually will produce $391,000 as the county’s share of sales tax revenue.
Assuming Phase I produces a park value of $200 million, that would produce $1.4 million annually in ad valorem taxes
Estimated annual economic impact is projected near $500 million
The agreement features a number of reciprocal partnerships with Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing that will find the park:
investing $35,000 in sponsorships at the Lake Myrtle Complex and as an MVP sponsor
supplying character appearances at events
allowing a number of opening ceremonies/facility use and comp tickets
partnering with billboard and print co-op ads
allowing in park advertisements at other Legoland Parks
allowing a tourism kiosk at the park
a wholesale agreement for ticket sales at Outpost 27 and Lake Myrtle Complex
The Tourist Development Council unanimously approved the Legoland Florida agreement.
Mark Jackson, Director of Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing is to be congratulated as the point person for putting the agreement together working with Land South and Merlin Entertainments.
Posted by Bob Gernert on January 26, 2010 at 12:46 pm
The Chamber joins with the community to welcome Dale Smith to his role as City Manager.
During its regular meeting Monday, Jan. 25, 2010, City Commissioners voted to name Dale L. Smith as City Manager for the City of Winter Haven.
Dale is no stranger to City Hall having begun his career with the City in 1978. City Manager Smith released the following statement.
“I’m pleased the City Commission is confident in my abilities by naming me the next City Manager for the City of Winter Haven. Over the span of 31 years, I have dedicated my career to the City. I have served as City engineer, Public Works Director, previous interim City Manager, Special Projects Manager and most recently as Assistant City Manager. I have grown professionally in the past six years as Assistant City Manager and am now ready to step into the position of City Manager.
I have the background and training to serve the City well. I grew up in Winter Haven and have the City’s best interests at heart. As a result, I am excited to continue to make Winter Haven the preferred place to live, work, play and raise a family.
With the numerous projects currently in the works, and new initiatives recently brought forth, it will be my role to communicate the City Commission’s policies, goals and objectives to staff. Some of these exciting projects include development of the CSX intermodal facility, welcoming Legoland to our City, and development of the Lake Conine Nature Park.
The City’s more than 450 employees are a dedicated group of hardworking individuals who will continue to work at their optimum level. As City Manager, I look forward to the challenges and opportunities we will encounter as we move forward together to meet our goals.”
The Chamber looks forward to continuing our partnership with the City of Winter Haven as we address the great opportunities in store for Winter Haven’s future.
The deadline for nominating a deserving man or woman to receive the 2010 Banker’s Cup Award is Wednesday, January 27 at 4 p.m. in the Chamberlobby. One well documented nomination is all it takes. Here’s the nominating criteria:
• To honor persons dedicated to making Winter Haven better for their having lived here.
• Consider the range of activities and the involvement of the person you nominate and their positive impact on our community.
• Neither age nor occupation should be a factor. Every living resident of Winter Haven, of exemplary character, is a potential candidate.
• Social standing is not relevant; respect and integrity are.
• Traditionally an award is voted by the Selection Committee for both a woman and a man, if worthy candidates are presented.
• Activities should be considered only if they were truly for the community good. For example, work done for one’s personal hobby would be given less importance than work volunteered to serve the needs of others.
• It is not a popularity contest. The number of letters received is never a deciding factor; one sincere, well-documented letter may be enough.
• If merited, a previous recipient may receive the award again.
• It is appropriate to honor person for freely-given service over a period of years.
• The question is, “Who has made the most positive impact on making the Winter Haven area a better place to live?”
• There are no forms to be completed. Groups or individuals are invited to send nomination letters to Bankers Cup Selection Committee, c/o Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce, P. O. Box 1420, Winter Haven, FL 33882-1420. Deadline for 2010 Nominations is Wednesday, January 27.
Watch tomorrow for a sample menu from our fine Taste of Winter Haven participating restaurants.
Posted by Bob Gernert on January 22, 2010 at 9:49 am
John Jakobsen Managing Director
LEGOLAND Parks – Merlin Entertainments
As Managing Director of Merlin Entertainments’ LEGOLAND Operating Group John is not only responsible for the continued development of the company’s four existing Parks – in Denmark, Germany, UK and California, USA; but also for the identification and planning for new LEGOLAND Parks around the globe, primarily in partnership with local developers and leisure partners. This includes one scheduled to open in Winter Haven in 2011, Malaysia in 2012; and a second in Dubai – although this one is currently on hold which the Middle East recovers from the backlash of the current global economic downturn. Other possible locations, in the US and Far East, are also under discussion.
The video below features highlights from Legoland California.
After an international career spent working with the Danish toy company and its theme park subsidiary, John believes he has found his “dream job”. He was General Manager in California when in 2005 Merlin acquired the four LEGOLAND Parks. He admits this move was a huge shock at the time given the very family nature of the business, and its necessarily close links with the toy company from which it has sprung.
However any concerns were short lived. In Merlin, while a much tougher commercial culture, he has found a company which not only truly understands how to develop and market theme parks, but is also totally committed to building on the unique LEGO franchise. More than that, like LEGO, Merlin’s objective is to provide ‘fun learning’ for generations of children through all its brands.
Over the next 5-10 years he also believes the original LEGO dream of having at least 10 LEGOLAND Parks around the world, may well become a reality under Merlin’s stewardship; and he is proud to have been there from the very beginning……
46 year old John was just 5 when the first LEGOLAND Park opened in Billund near his family farm in Denmark. Some of his strongest memories growing up were of his visits with his family, and every year from the age of 16 he tried to get one of the coveted holiday jobs there – but to no avail. It was not until he completed a Business Degree that his ambitions came true when in…. he secured one of only 2 coveted annual internships at the Park’s famous parent toy company – LEGO. Even then it was not until 1990 that as the most junior member of a team of 5, he was asked to take on the challenge of expanding the LEGOLAND franchise outside of Denmark.
In charge of site development and planning, he first worked on projects in the UK (Windsor opened in 1996); and California where he arrived in his words ‘a somewhat naive 30 year old’ in 1994 to deal with a hostile population bitterly opposed to the project. He won them over with a nail biting 57% local yes vote after spearheading a massive charm offensive! With the US project on track John returned to LEGO in Denmark to develop another new area for the Group – ‘corporate alliances’, the first of which was a link between LEGO and the Star Wars IP, a partnership which still represents one of the company’s most popular toy lines.
In 2002 John took on his first Park management role in Germany where he maintains he really learned the ropes relating to Park construction and commercial development. A year later he moved back to California as General Manager, and he and his team built the Park into the US Best Family Theme Park – an accolade it has won every year for the last 6 years.
His Operating Group role meant another move – this time to Dorset, in the UK, close to Merlin’s Head Office. A ‘country boy’ at heart, he and his family have settled very well into the english countryside and are making the most of the Dorset location. An award winning marathon runner, when not traveling, John and his wife regularly run near their home in the New Forest – in his view the perfect way to relax.
John has 3 children – a 19 year old at University in Denmark and two other teenagers 17 & 14.
Posted by Bob Gernert on January 21, 2010 at 1:31 pm
It’s official. Representatives from Merlin Entertainments confirmed this morning that their company will construct their second U.S. Legoland Park on the historic Cypress Gardens property. (The park will be the largest Legoland so far.)
In a page torn directly from the promotions book of Dick Pope, founder of Cypress Gardens, Merlin Entertainments officials presented a news conference that involved a Florida panther, large orange and Polk County logo constructed completely of Lego blocks. If that wasn’t enough, the grand finale featured 100,000 Lego blocks cascading from a front end loader to the screams of delight from young guests from the Florida Baptist Children’s Home.
Facts at a glance:
Projected re-opening: Late 2011
Employment: Estimated 1000 jobs
Highlights: Rides, displays, interactive lego building for the whole family. And Merlin CEO Nick Varney (left) assured everyone present the the Cypress Gardens botanical gardens are in very safe hands with his company. They are part of what makes this location so special.”
Varney told of his first visit to Cypress Gardens in October of 2008 when he “absolutely fell in love with the park.”
The park will see 40 million lego blocks used in its construction.
Varney declined to specify the exact amount of the company’s initial investment rumored to exceed $150 million.
On hand for the festivities, Florida Governor Charlie Crist accepts a Lego replica of a Florida Panther from Merlin CEO Nick Varney
State Senator J. D. Alexander, Nick Varney and Winter Haven Mayor Jeff Potter
More than 400 billion Lego blocks have been manufactured in the company’s history. Varney described Florida as the world’s number 1 tourism destination and noted his park will fare well as it is positioned 180 degrees apart from a traditional theme park. He noted, “Most parks put you on something (like a ride) and do something to you. We set ourselves apart by inviting the guest to join in interactive activities such as race car building where parents compete against their children.” He admits the 23 month build out is ambitious but he feels very manageable. Mr. Varney also noted that of all the locations worldwide that his company has worked with government officials, their Florida and Polk County experience has been among the best. He also thanked the local businesses who have posted “Welcome Legoland Florida” on their reader boards.
Welcome to Winter Haven Mr. Varney and Merlin Entertainments. Mr. Pope wouldn’t have it any other way.
Post Update 1-22-10: In interviews after the news conference Nick Varney confirmed plans to reinstate the famed Cypress Gardens ski show “with a Lego twist.” He also noted that long range plans call for the property to become a Legoland Resort and including at least one hotel.
Posted by Bob Gernert on January 20, 2010 at 1:40 pm
In what may be the biggest announcement of the new century for Winter Haven and Polk County tourism, Merlin Entertainments will announce tomorrow, January 21, they will open their second U.S. Legoland Park here in Winter Haven on the Cypress Gardens property. Merlin operates Legoland California which has been named the #1 Children’s Park in that state for the past six years.
The confirmation is being attributed by area media to an email sent to Polk County Commissioners. The memo mentions several key points:
1. LEGOLAND Florida will be the fifth LEGOLAND attraction worldwide (California, Denmark , England , and Germany ).
2. Merlin is the second largest attraction company in the world, second only to Disney.
3. Merlin’s massive research in the area already indicated that the LEGOLAND brand already has high recognition and a 90% intention to visit by families in their target market.
4. LEGOLAND, CA, is the fastest growing theme park in the U.S., realizing an astounding 6% growth in 2009. The park was also recognized by Amusement Today as the country’s best theme park for children for the sixth consecutive year.
While there will be significant employment at the park during its reconstruction and transformation, the long term vision will see significant employment on an annual basis. This will return Polk and Winter Haven to solid tourism destination status complementing our other tourism venues such as Bok Tower Gardens and Fantasy of Flight.
We enthusiastically welcome Merlin Entertainments and salute the hard work of everyone involved locally in helping to make all the pieces fall into place (pun very much intended)!
We will present further information following tomorrow’s news conference.
Merlin Entertainments is a young and dynamic organization, it currently operates 50-plus attractions and four hotels anually, which welcomes more than 30 million visitors in 12 differrent countries across three continents – Europe, North America and Asia – and employ more than 13,000 staff.
From its headquarters in Poole, Dorset, the Merlin Entertainments Group today operates an international network of attractions, among them many of the world’s best known brand names…Madame Tussauds, The Dungeons, Alton Towers, LEGOLAND, SEA LIFE, Gardaland, the London Eye and others.
The Screamscape Blog actually uncovered land transfer documents that led to the discovery of Merlin Entertainments’ purchase of Cypress Gardens. We have added information collected from Google Alerts.
Polk County’s first appointed school superintendent, Gail F. McKinzie, PhD, has resigned effective November 1, 2010. McKinzie’s contract originally ran through June of 2011 but she had made a decision to retire early, hence the November 1 date.
In announcing the move to her staff, McKinzie noted that moving her retirement forward would afford her successor the same opportunity that she enjoyed in 2004 by allowing he or she to develop staffing and budget goals for the ensuing year.
To the district employees she said, “This is a very important time of our school-year and we have much left to do. Each of you has been working diligently and I look forward to continuing to work with you toward raising the level of student achievement. Thank you for all you have done and will continue to do for our 92,000 students.”
Posted by Bob Gernert on January 19, 2010 at 1:06 pm
For the Sixth Year, LEGOLAND® California is Awarded “Best Children’s Park”
For the sixth year in a row, park enthusiasts from around the world have voted LEGOLAND® California as the “Best Children’s Park.” Amusement Today, a monthly trade newspaper, awarded the 128-acre family theme park the esteemed Golden Ticket Award on Sept. 10, 2009.
LEGOLAND California hosted the ceremony for the first time, bringing representatives from all over the country to Carlsbad.
“To be ranked as the best of the best in the amusement industry is a great accomplishment and to be named Best Children’s Park six years in a row really states we’re appealing to families with children ages 2 to 12,” said Peter Ronchetti, General Manager of LEGOLAND California Resort . “LEGOLAND California is celebrating its tenth birthday this year and we’ve doubled the amount of rides since we opened in 1999. We’re excited to continually build upon what makes us the best children’s park.“
Introduced in 1998, the Golden Ticket Awards have steadily increased in popularity to become the most sought after award by amusement industry players. The recipients of these awards are chosen from an international poll conducted by industry experts at Amusement Today. Surveys were sent to a cross-section of educated and well-traveled amusement park aficionados.
In honor of its 10th birthday, LEGOLAND California added ten new attractions this year including the adventure slide Dune Raiders, “Bob the Builder™ In 4-D: Bob the Builder and the Roller Coaster” and Xbox Family GameSpace featuring 13 game stations where guests can experience LEGO STAR WARS™ :The Complete Saga and other family-friendly games year-round.
North America’s only SEA LIFE™ Aquarium opened one year ago in August as a separate admission adjacent to LEGOLAND California. Geared specifically to educate children on creatures under the sea, the two-story 36,000 square foot aquarium features 36 displays, more than 200 species and holds more than 250,000 gallons of water.
Merlin Entertainments will reveal its future development plans for the Cypress Gardens property at a news conference this Thursday, January 21. Speculation about those plans has included a Legoland Florida park.
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M-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m! In just little more than a week you can enjoy an exquisite “Taste of Winter Haven” at the Banker’s Cup Awards banquet Thursday, February 11 beginning at 6:30 p.m. The black-tie optional affair is anevening of wonderful food and our highest civic award presentations.
The Official Website of the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce
