Amanda's honour at '˜Power 10' listing

Blackpool Pleasure Beach boss Amanda Thompson has been named the world's most influential woman in the theme park industry.
Amanda Thompson speaking at the launch of the 16m Icon rollercoaster in MayAmanda Thompson speaking at the launch of the 16m Icon rollercoaster in May
Amanda Thompson speaking at the launch of the 16m Icon rollercoaster in May

She has been listed in the ‘Power 10’ of a new ‘influencer list’ from Blooloop – a networking and news website for the attractions industry.

The Blooloop 50 Theme Park Influencer List 2018 places Pleasure Beach managing director Amanda in seventh position on its top 10, which also features the likes of chairman and chief executive of The Walt Disney Company Bob Iger in third place, and Thierry Coup, senior vice-president Universal Parks & Resorts, who tops the list.

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“I’m humbled and honoured to be listed,” Amanda said. “It’s amazing to be listed with these people who really are the creme de la creme, for me from the Pleasure Beach to be listed with the boss of Disney corporation is pretty good for Blackpool.”

Amanda Thompson enjoying the first rideAmanda Thompson enjoying the first ride
Amanda Thompson enjoying the first ride

Eight of those listed in the top 10 are from major global corporations, with the only other family firm represented by Su Zhigang of China’s Chimelong Group, which Amanda described as a ‘massive’ company.

And she hopes the honour will bring global recognition to the resort.

“Hopefully it will make people realise Blackpool is the place to be, that the Pleasure Beach is a great company and we really strive to be up there and out there with the greatest in the industry,” she added.

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Amanda’s work as president of Stageworks Worldwide Productions, the Pleasure Beach’s entertainment arm, is hailed, as is her work rejuvenating the South Shore park with her ‘aesthetic flair and attention to detail’ since taking over in 2004.

In that time, she’s overseen the introduction of entry fees for the park, the development of family features such as Nickelodeon Land and the Wallace and Gromit ride, as well as this year’s new £16.25million rollercoaster and the on-going building project of the new Boulevard hotel next door to the Big Blue at the southern end of the park.

What Blooloop said...

“Some of our influencers are perhaps predictable.

However, we have also had a really interesting range of people highlighted for their work.

What all our influencers have in common is that their expertise and passion are shaping the theme park industry.

Although the list is geographically diverse, there is not the diversity of race or equal representation of women that could be hoped for. We hope that this will change over time.”