Gerardo Gallo Casas
Founding Partner/CEO
Aquatico Inbursa Waterpark
Veracruz - México
Featured in
World Waterpark Magazine, January 2020
WHAT IS YOUR EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE?
I am an architect; I graduated in 2005 with honors from the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City. Later I completed postgraduate studies in real estate finance. In 2009, I received my master’s degree from the IPADE business school in the MBA full-time program. I started my signature work while studying at the university with virtual reality animations and architectural projects. From that moment and until today I have maintained a professional career as an entrepreneur specialized in the construction of high-end housing, museum designer and developer of turnkey investment projects in waterparks.
WHAT HONORS, AWARDS OR SPECIAL RECOGNITION HAVE YOU ACHIEVED?
In 2017, I was invited by a group of businessmen to be president of the national association of waterparks and spas in Mexico (AMPABA), a position I still hold today. For two consecutive years my park has received the TripAdvisor certificate of excellence and Distinctive M as the highest recognition of the Ministry of Tourism of Mexico for companies in the tourism sector. My park also received two WWA Wave Review Awards (best print media & best YouTube Campaign) in 2019.
WHAT MADE YOU GO INTO THIS FIELD?
I find a great business opportunity in Mexico and Latin America to develop world-class waterparks certified by the highest international standards. Aquatico Inbursa Waterpark was born as a new proposal that has been breaking paradigms day by day.
WHAT ASPECT OF THE WATERPARK INDUSTRY DO YOU LIKE BEST?
Make people happy. Witness the emotion with which they arrive before entering the park. Remember that we are part of the lives of thousands of people and we help create memories that will last forever.
WHO HAS MOST INSPIRED YOU IN YOUR CAREER?
People who give me their love, trust and support in my professional career and my personal life are the people who drive me every day.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE GREATEST CHALLENGE IN YOUR WATERPARK CAREER?
WHAT HAS BEEN THE
GRE ATES T CH ALLENGE IN YOUR WATERPARK C AREER?
Age; going against the odds. When I entered the industry, I was 32 years old and had only one goal in mind: Make the best waterpark in Mexico. Some “experts” were of the opinion that my project made no sense for a country like Mexico and that I did not have enough experience and knowledge. After a year and a half of planning, construction and much effort, we opened to the public. With three years of having this business running, it has become clear that with determination you can achieve your goals and make them a reality.
HOW DO YOU KEEP FOCUSED AND MOTIVATED?
I strive to be constantly updated. Learning every day has allowed me to grow personally and professionally more than I could imagine.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN WORKING IN THE WATERPARK INDUSTRY?
Being a waterpark developer is like playing baseball. If you want to hit a home run, you must first try to hit the ball many times but before that. In life, you make good or bad decisions and then you must learn to live with them.
WHAT BOOKS OR PUBLIC ATIONS DO YOU RELY ON MOST FOR INSPIRATION OR MOTIVATION?
Three titles I enjoy are:
Operational Finance: A Colloquium, Kaizen: The Key To Competitive Advantage and Sell To The Mind, Not To The People.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB?
To be in the field in full operation during the peak season. I enjoy being involved with all areas of the company.
WHAT CAREER OR BUSINESS WOULD YOU CONSIDER IF YOU WERE STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN?
I would choose my profession as an architect again.
HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INVOLVED WITH THE WWA?
Through the Internet; I was looking for information that would allow me to learn and get real information about an industry that at first was not familiar to me.
WHAT IS SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT YOU THAT FEW KNOW OR WOULD GUESS?
To work and experiment with 3D software that allows me to create highly realistic virtual models to graphically represent my ideas. I also like photography of nature, sports and architecture—to be able to capture and freeze a moment of time.