Member Spotlight

Mark Wilkins

Marketing and Events Manager
Sandcastle Waterpark
Blackpool, England - United Kingdom

Featured in "World Waterpark Magazine," January 2019

WHAT IS YOUR EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE? 

I have a degree in travel and tourism combined with business studies. My professional life started in sales and telemarketing and then progressed to the visitor attraction sector where I spent 14 years working in management within various departments at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. I gained invaluable experience in ticketing, guest services, sales and corporate hospitality. Three years ago I made the decision to add an additional 50 yards to my commute and joined the team at Sandcastle Waterpark (just over the road from Blackpool Pleasure Beach). 

WHAT CERTIFICATION OR LICENSING DO YOU HAVE? 
I have an INLPTA diploma in Advanced Communication Skills; I am a certified World Host Trainer and most recently a graduate of the Common Purpose Navigator Progamme. 

WHAT HONORS, AWARDS OR SPECIAL RECOGNITION HAVE YOU ACHIEVED? 
I’ve been recognized as Employee of the Month on two occasions in previous roles. Within the last 3 years as part of the Sandcastle Waterpark team, we have received a number of awards for various aspects of our business. 

WHAT MADE YOU GO INTO THIS FIELD? 
I have always had a passion for theme parks and waterparks. This stems from many visits to these types of attractions when I was younger. Being a bit of an adrenaline junkie helps perfectly in this industry! 

WHAT ASPECT OF THE WATERPARK INDUSTRY DO YOU LIKE BEST? 
I joined the waterpark industry 3 years ago when it was already enjoying a huge resurgence in popularity. I have seen it flourish across so many areas due to advancements in marketing, ticketing, catering and, of course, park and slide development, all of which combine to take the guest experience to the next level. 

WHO HAS MOST INSPIRED YOU IN YOUR CAREER? 
Without naming names, there are a couple of people that I have worked for who have been particularly inspirational. I’ve learned how to get the best from my teams through a combination of respect, positive feedback and pro-active, individual development. 

WHAT HAS BEEN THE GREATEST CHALLENGE IN YOUR WATERPARK CAREER? 
There are challenges both big and small that present themselves regularly. At the moment I think I’ve yet to come across my greatest challenge......but I think it’s on its way! 

HOW DO YOU KEEP FOCUSED AND MOTIVATED? 
No two days in my job are ever the same and as a result, this means thinking and working differently everyday. 

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN WORKING IN THE WATERPARK INDUSTRY? 
This is an ever-evolving Industry full of innovation and opportunity. It’s an exciting, creative industry where the health and safety of our guests is the single most important factor. 

WHAT BOOKS OR PUBLICATIONS DO YOU RELY ON MOST FOR INSPIRATION OR MOTIVATION? 
As a rule, I usually find that it’s a particular subject matter that inspires me and I usually come across these either by recommendation or online. Also, I always remember a message I was given from a teacher when I left high school it contained the following quote: “Never put off till tomorrow, what you can do today, or you may find to your sorrow, that failure will follow delay.” It’s stuck with me for 25 years! 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB? 
I enjoy creating memories for our guests—particularly for guests who would not always choose to visit a waterpark. I also love making a difference to our local community through our Social and Corporate Responsibility program and developing and implementing new initiatives across our business which benefit both our team members and our guests. 

WHAT CAREER OR BUSINESS WOULD YOU CONSIDER IF YOU WERE STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN? 
If I was starting over again, I would be a successful entrepreneur who made enough cash at an early age to allow me to design and create a world class indoor waterpark in the UK with a Scooby Doo and Mystery Inc theme! 

HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INVOLVED WITH THE WWA? 
It was through organizing Sandcastle Waterpark’s participation in the World Largest Swimming Lesson! 

WHAT IS SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT YOU THAT FEW KNOW OR WOULD GUESS? 
I once shared a red carpet in London with Geena Davis and Samuel L. Jackson. (For clarification, I wasn’t a crazy, obsessive fan. I was merely in the right place at the right time.)