GEOFF CHUTTER IS ERNST AND YOUNG’S CANADIAN ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR 2019 WINNER

BY GABRIELLE

Geoff Chutter, president and CEO of leading waterpark manufacturer WhiteWater, has been awarded with Ernst and Young’s prestigious Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year award.

These high-profile awards attract more than 300 entries from across Canada each year.

Sharing every successful entrepreneur’s characteristics of courage, vision, and a tireless work ethic, Chutter has had a profound impact on WhiteWater’s prolific growth. The company began in 1980 as one of Canada’s first waterparks, progressing as a leading international brand within the world of waterparks, employing over 600 people in offices in Dubai, Barcelona, Shanghai, San Diego, Vancouver and Denver.

Chutter, through a combination of strategic acquisitions and in-house innovation, has developed a diverse product portfolio, enabling WhiteWater to create pioneering water attractions to cater for the requirements of individual waterparks and theme parks with a water ride product line.

Lui Petrollini, EY’s assurance partner and the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Pacific program director, commented on Geoff Chutter’s accolade: “Geoff’s and WhiteWater’s entrepreneurial ride towards being crowned the EY Canadian Entrepreneur Of The Year is truly an inspiring, ‘feel good’ story.

“It’s one thing to be acknowledged for entrepreneurial achievement, it’s another to be acknowledged in a sector that supports family values by enabling dreams to come true and lasting memories to be made. Becoming the largest global designer and the biggest manufacturer of water park products is no small feat.

“It’s taken Geoff, and WhiteWater, years of dedication to their business, product mix, and customer base to achieve this global reach and success,” Petrollini added.

WHITEWATER PICKS UP MULTIPLE AWARDS AT 2019 WORLD WATERPARK ASSOCIATION SHOW

 BY GABRIELLE

WhiteWater, leaders in the design and manufacture of innovative waterslides and attractions, celebrated multiple wins at the 2019 World Waterpark Association (WWA) show.

Leading Edge Awards, which are awarded by the WWA to individuals and parks for creativity in the development of new facilities, themes, programs and services, were presented to WhiteWater for its work on Perfect Day at CocoCay and on Island H20 Live!

Thrill Waterpark at Perfect Day at CocoCay is part of the Royal Caribbean’s $250m transformation of CocoCay, a small island in the Bahamas that is used exclusively for tourism by Royal Caribbean Cruises.

The waterpark opened in May 2019. Its most iconic feature is the ‘Daredevils’ Tower,’ which is the tallest water slide in North America.

Island H20 Live! opened in Kissimmee, Florida in June 2019. The waterpark features a host of WhiteWater slides, as well as the company’s award-winning technology, Vantage. The technology enables Island H20 Live! to deliver a more personalised, tailored experience to visitors, through the use of relevant data so they can make more informed decisions.

By wearing a Vantage wristband, guests can purchase food and drink seamlessly without having to use cards or cash. They can also upload photos onto social media on real-time, personalise music, lighting effects and more.

Waterpark’s president and CEO, Geoff Chutter, spoke about the companies they had worked with to make Perfect Day at CocoCay and Island H20 Live! such success stories. Chutter said: “What we created with Royal Caribbean International and Aquatic Design & Engineering at Perfect Day at CocoCay is truly exceptional. The park is already receiving an overwhelming amount of positive feedback from guests.

“Island H20 Live! on the other hand, is pushing boundaries by introducing new levels of interactive guest technology with Vantage on their slides.

“Working with Horizon Waterpark, LLC, Aquatic Development Group, and Innovative Attraction Management has been a pleasure and enabled us to bring to life our clients’ vision to make memorable experiences for their guests.

“Our goal is to create an extra dimension of fun and thrill with innovative products and technology, and it is our belief that both Perfect Day at CocoCay and Island H20 Live! really showcase this,” Chutter continued.

WhiteWater’s multiple wins at this year’s World Waterpark Association show, follows Geoff Chutter success at Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year 2019 Pacific, where he was both the Business to Business category and the overall Pacific Regional winner.