Mickey Lewis
Corporate Director of Sales & Marketing
Splash Kingdom Family Waterpark
Canton, Texas - USA
Featured in "World Waterpark Magazine," February 2019
WHAT IS YOUR EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE?
I have a B.S. in economics from Texas A&M University. In my initial career, I taught math and coached high school football, basketball and baseball. After that, I moved into a sales/market- ing position with NAYA Canadian Spring Water. Within this industry, I gained valuable insight on developing and activating marketing programs to build traffic driving campaigns. I then moved to a Regional Sales Manager Position with Coca-Cola. I made an industry move in 2009 to work with SERVPRO Restoration in Boulder, Colorado, as the Director of Business Development. The highlight of that tenure was responding to Superstorm Sandy in New York in 2012 and restoring businesses. For the past 6 years, I have enjoyed utilizing my experience in sales and marketing with Splash Kingdom Family Waterparks to create effective campaigns to increase guest satisfaction and add profit to the bottom line.
WHAT MADE YOU GO INTO THIS FIELD?
I have always enjoyed waterparks. While in high school, I desired to be a lifeguard at Wet N’ Wild in Arlington, Texas (now Hurricane Harbor). It was 75 miles one way from my hometown, so I became a lifeguard at my hometown muni pool. I had the opportunity in 2013 to move back to Texas and combine my love for waterparks and my successful sales and marketing experience. It is the dream job.
WHAT ASPECT OF THE WATERPARK INDUSTRY DO YOU LIKE BEST?
Interaction with businesses to create a win-win scenario. Creating traffic building campaigns for a partner business and Splash Kingdom through innovation marketing ideas and customer sales conversions.
WHO HAS MOST INSPIRED YOU IN YOUR CAREER?
My dad. He has been a solid influence in my life. I witnessed his successful coaching career during the school year and his successful Christmas Tree sales business during the Christmas holidays. His integrity and personal concern for customers are the greatest highlights for me.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE GREATEST CHALLENGE IN YOUR WATERPARK CAREER?
The 2017 fire at the Canton Corp and Park Management office. While the attractions, including slides, were untouched by the damage, our corporate office, park management office and main kitchen were completely destroyed. This happened in late April just two weeks away from our first event date. The Splash Kingdom team had to come together quickly and create many temporary areas to accommodate eager guests. We did not miss a day of business due to the fire and we experienced a complete rebuild before opening for the summer of 2018.
HOW DO YOU KEEP FOCUSED AND MOTIVATED?
My faith in Jesus Christ keeps me focused and motivated. I understand that this life is temporary and we need to make the most of every day. Also each day is a new opportunity. We don’t have to live in the past or worry about tomorrow.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN WORKING IN THE WATERPARK INDUSTRY?
Do it! There are many degree plans that align with industry careers if someone is considering a college education. There are many positions that do not require a college degree and an individual could begin a career in the waterpark industry while in high school. The waterpark industry offers a fun, fast paced environment with opportunities for growth.
WHAT BOOKS OR PUBLICATIONS DO YOU RELY ON MOST FOR INSPIRATION OR MOTIVATION?
For my personal life I enjoy reading the Bible for inspiration. Within my career life, my top book for motivation is
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. I also enjoy reading current best- selling books on sales and marketing.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB?
Meeting with people and crafting a program that increases guest satisfaction and profit for business partners.
WHAT CAREER OR BUSINESS WOULD YOU CONSIDER IF YOU WERE STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN?
I would probably start in the waterpark or some entertainment industry.
HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INVOLVED WITH THE WWA?
It was when I attended my first WWA Show in 2012. The WWA Show allowed me to experience how broad our industry really is and, in 2016, I became a member of the WWA Marketing Committee.
WHAT IS SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT YOU THAT FEW KNOW OR WOULD GUESS?
While in junior high I had an incubator and hatched chicken and quail to sell. A chicken egg takes 21 days to hatch while a quail egg takes 33 days. However, a chicken snake can clean out the whole brood in less than 5 minutes.