What Is So Great about Pre-Openings?

What is it about the pre-openings that we love so much? Is it the feeling of freedom to innovate and create something unique? Or is it leading these large projects and seeing pieces of the puzzle come together?

In any case, pre-openings are not easy and it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. Its managing timelines, budget, contracts, vendors, recruitment, job training, design, construction, opening events, scripts, concepts, bids, and endless meetings. It sounds very complicated but in reality, it’s very exciting. As you achieve each milestone you realize how your hard work is affecting the outcome. The day of the opening is just pure enjoyment. The opening day is not about financial reward, it is way beyond that!

Joining a brand new theme park or resort project from its earliest stages is scary but an incredible challenge. My first preopening project was in 2006. Prior to that, I worked at many resorts, cruise lines, and attractions and my work was about improving already established operations and offerings. These workplaces already had their way of doing things and in many cases, it was a real challenge to offer real innovation. As a young director, I just had to study their previous work and seek opportunities for improvements.

When I joined my very first pre-opening project I was terrified. In theory, i knew exactly what to do but my initial list seemed like climbing Mount Everest. I was basically sitting in a container office with a blank sheet of paper and i had to build the team, build the venues, design the program, write standard operating procedures, and the list was growing each day.

What I learned from my first Resort opening was really the most important lesson that has helped me with the rest of my career. As a leader, you may know exactly what to do but without a strong well-communicating team you can’t go far. I needed to delegate if I wanted a successful / on-time opening. And for that, I hired the best and worked hard to bond the team together as quickly as possible. I was very lucky to have some great managers with me (you know who you are my friends) who were willing to take more responsibilities and together we made it happen and we had an incredible and on-time opening.

Once my first preopening project was successfully done, I knew I wanted to get involved with more preopening projects. Years later I was given the opportunity to join the opening team of a brand new Chinese Cruise Line and later 20th Century Fox World Theme Park.

Hiring people with preopening experiences will bring a culture of innovation to any workplace. New establishments are usually ready to try new procedures and products. Pre-openings seek creativity and increased efficiency. Leaders with preopening experiences are hardwired/programmed to seek the latest trends and technology, and they are not afraid of trying new ways to achieve operational excellence.