Member Spotlight

Marc Gran

Sales Director, Corporate Sales Trainer 
Cedar Fair/Carowinds
Charlotte, North Carolina- USA

Featured in World Waterpark Magazine, April 2020

WHAT IS YOUR EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE? 
I have a bachelor’s degree in marketing. I also have 30 years of experience in sales working for Cedar Fair, Six Flags, Herschend Family Entertainment and PARC Management. Currently, I am located at Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

WHAT HONORS, AWARDS OR SPECIAL RECOGNITION HAVE YOU ACHIEVED
I received WWA’s Best Speaker Award in 2016. 

WHAT MADE YOU GO INTO THIS FIELD? 
As a high school student, working at Six Flags Great America made me enjoy the industry and I still love seeing people enjoy their time with family and friends, smiling all the way. Nothing is better than creating memories. 

WHAT ASPECT OF THE WATERPARK INDUSTRY DO YOU LIKE BEST? 
Enjoying a summer day, in the water, relaxing or feeling the cool rushing water around you as you create memories that last forever is one of my favorite parts of the industry. 

WHO HAS MOST INSPIRED YOU IN YOUR CAREER? 
Jim Wintrode, who was the Park General Manager at Six Flags Great America and Scott Tanner, who is the Corporate Senior VP of Sales at Cedar Fair. 

WHAT HAS BEEN THE GREATEST CHALLENGE IN YOUR WATERPARK CAREER? 
It can be challenging selling the waterpark concept to companies where they have concerns about ‘seeing other co-workers in swimsuits.’ It’s always an objection that we have to work through.
 
HOW DO YOU KEEP FOCUSED AND MOTIVATED? 
I have pictures in my office of happy clients; and on those crazy days, I find that just walking through the park reminds me of why I do what I do. 

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN WORKING IN THE WATERPARK INDUSTRY? 
You must have a passion for what you do. Believe in your product and your people and always be safe. 

WHAT BOOKS OR PUBLICATIONS DO YOU RELY ON MOST FOR INSPIRATION OR MOTIVATION? 
I like reading motivational books, leadership books and books that help me work on communication skills. 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB? 
In sales, we always like to first earn the sale, then ensure expectations are met or exceeded and then have the client return the next season. 

WHAT CAREER OR BUSINESS WOULD YOU CONSIDER IF YOU WERE STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN? 
If I hadn’t gone into sales, I always wanted to be an architect. 

HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INVOLVED WITH THE WWA? 
I was asked to be a speaker at the WWA Show as part of the educational program a few times and was happy to participate and share the knowledge I have gained with a group of people that were interested in learning. 

WHAT IS SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT YOU THAT FEW KNOW OR WOULD GUESS? 
I really enjoy my downtime. I always say, “I can’t wait to leave at the end of the day to see my family, but can’t wait to get back the next day to do what I do.”