Gold Coast tourism, theme parks giant John Menzies in business hall of fame and shares secrets

He founded the Gold Coast tourism and theme park industry - and now shares the secrets of his success. Read John Menzies’ story - and see full GC Business Excellence winners list.

Andrew Potts and Ryan Keen

3 min read

December 3, 2023 - 10:47AM

Gold Coast Bulletin

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The man who supercharged the Gold Coast’s reputation as the theme park and tourism capital has shared the secrets of his success after induction into the city’s business hall of fame.

John Menzies, who founded Sea World, Movie World, Wet ‘n’ Wild and Australian Outback Spectacular over a stunning four-decade career, was named a Gold Coast Buisness Excellence Hall of Famer at a glittering Star Gold Coast ceremony on Saturday.

He 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.

“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.”

John Menzies, induced into the Gold Coast Business Hall of Fame, and Village Roadshow Theme Parks CEO Clark Kirby at the Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards Gala 2023 at The Star Gold Coast. Picture: Portia Large.

He recounted friend and visionary Keith Williams agreeing to a US theme parks tour in 1973 as a springboard for what would become the Gold Coast’s flourishing theme park network but said the US rides were too expensive so “we built our own”.

He 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.

“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.”

His motto was revealed 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.”

John Menzies and Clark Kirby with the former’s lifetime achievement award. Picture: Portia Large.

Mr Menzies finished with: “Look after your staff - they are the most important asset you have got. Take them along with you on your journey.”

Burleigh Heads outdoor retailer Wild Earth was named Gold Coast Business of the Year.

Wild Earth CEO Chris Sommerville said it was a “great honour”.

“Wild Earth is now an industry leading muti-channel business that showcases a range of over 30,000 products from more than 400 brands,’’ he said.

“Our vision is simple, we inspire, equip, and enable people with everything needed for a lightweight outdoor adventure.

“Our business model of having the biggest range, best brands, great prices, and unrivalled service, serves to offer the new age customer everything they wish for.”

The company has two shops on the Gold Coast and Brisbane and and online arm with 500,000 customers.

Wild Earth also won the Retail, Wholesale and Distribution category.

Awards president Adam Twemlow said the entries standard had been “exceptionally high”.

“This year the quality of the businesses entering the awards has been outstanding and I thank our panel of judges for sacrificing their time, knowledge and experience to pick an incredible selection of winners for 2023,’’ he said.

Cody Wright and Peter Bond at the Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards Gala 2023 at The Star Gold Coast - the YTB Plumbing team won the “Encouragement Award”. Picture: Portia Large.