Theme park innovator John Menzies named Gold Coast Business Excellence Hall of Famer

John Menzies, who co-founded Sea World and went on to create Warner Bros. Movie World, Wet‘n’Wild and Australian Outback Spectacular over a four-decade career, has been admitted to the Gold Coast Business Excellence Hall of Fame.

Announced during a ceremony at Star Gold Coast on Saturday, Menzies looked back on his career at the event.

Known as the key figure in developing the Gold Coast’s tourism and theme park industry, Menzies, joked after watching a video montage of everything he had built - taking Sea World from 30 “mainly waterskiers” in 1971 to 3000 staff by retirement in 2017 “I’ve just seen my life flash before my eyes - I hope that is not an omen.”

As reported by the Gold Coast Bulletin, Menzies went on to state “I’m really honoured to received this. It’s been a long road but a worthwhile one and I just love the Gold Coast - always have, always will and it’s got a wonderful future.

“I’m particularly proud of what is now Village Roadshow Theme Parks, having led such a wonderful team of Gold Coast people for over 40 years.”

He recounted how friend and Sea World co-founder Keith Williams used a 1973 tour of theme and marine parks in the USA as a springboard for what would become the Gold Coast’s flourishing theme park network. However, recalled that because the US rides were too expensive “we built our own”.

Menzies gave credit to the existing Village Roadshow Theme Parks leadership who “in my eyes saved (the company)” during “tumultuous years” of the Covid tourism slump.

He noted “we can all be thankful Village Roadshow Theme Parks has a talented CEO who has a lifetime connection to the Gold Coast parks and managed through those two tumultuous years to restructure the company, reinvest and rebuild.

“In my 40 years at the helm, I never had to deal with anything so devastating and I admire greatly the efforts of CEO Clark Kirby, his father Robert, COO Bikash Randhawa and the staff who are still at Village Roadshow Theme Parks.

“In my eyes it saved Village Roadshow Theme Parks, which to me is the Gold Coast’s most important tourism asset.”

He revealed his motto as “aim to exceed customer expectations and create deep emotion with the overall product. With the theme park it’s not just about a ride or a show. It’s all about the total experience from when guests enter the front gate to the time they leave, increasing overall satisfaction is the key to any business success.”

He concluded “look after your staff - they are the most important asset you have got. Take them along with you on your journey.”

Sea World Cruises also won in the Tourism, Hospitality and Events at the Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards.

Other Gold Coast Business Awards 2023 winners

• Gold Coast Business of the Year: Wild Earth
• Emerging and Micro Business: Nat’v Basics
• Mayor’s Innovation GC Award: GCMarine
• Education, Training and Employment Award: Australian Paramedical College
• Health and Wellbeing Award: Morlife
• Family Business Award: Simtech Creations
• Retail, Wholesale and Distribution Award: Wild Earth
• Manufacturing Award: Knotwood
• Construction and Trades Award: Dynamic Hydro Excavations
• IT and Digital Business Award: TechConnect IT Solutions
• Professions & Services: Bennett & Bennett Group
• Encouragement Award: YTB Plumbing

Image: John Menzies launching a ride at Warner Bros. Movie World.