Universal Studios Dubailand™ Directors Speak at IAAPA Middle East Safety Conference

Theme Park Industry Veterans Present Programmes to Ensure Sustained Safety Practices in the Region.

Dubai: 30 March, 2009 - Universal Studios Dubailand™, a member of Tatweer Dubai, announced that two of its veteran theme park operators presented at the 2^nd Annual IAAPA Middle East Safety Conference. The conference is designed to educate attractions industry professionals and government officials about best practices for safe operational procedures and maintenance programs for ride, show and attraction venues.

Universal Studios Dubailand™ directors Michael Mehlhorn and Jeff Polk, who combined have nearly five decades of theme park operating experience, are supporting the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) and their efforts to inform and instruct key personnel in the region on the highest levels of quality and safety through the utilization of internationally recognized standards.  

Held at the Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort in Dubai, the conference brought together key operators, developers, human resources personnel, and government officials with the objective of achieving excellence in safety for the amusement and attractions industry in the Middle East region.

Universal Studios Dubailand™ participation in the event reinforces Tatweer's long term objective of collaborating with IAAPA to develop stringent safety standards for the Dubailand theme parks.

Mohammed Alhabbai, Senior Vice-President of DUBAILAND^®, said: "The conference is an important step in developing benchmarks and standards of excellence in safety for the benefit of the region at large. Our participation confirms our commitment to contributing to the development of the tourism industry as directed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai.

"With our experienced theme park operators, we are confident we will achieve the highest level of quality through the implementation of internationally recognized standards that will position Dubai as a state-of-the-art leisure and entertainment destinations worldwide."

Universal Studios Dubailand™ Technical Services Director Michael R. Mehlhorn, who has 25 years of experience in theme park management with Universal Studios, Disney, and Hard Rock  theme parks, presented a systematic approach to developing an effective maintenance program for amusement rides, utilizing best practices as the basis for creating a comprehensive maintenance checklists. 

Jeffrey Polk, Director of Park Operations for Universal Studios Dubailand™, presented a strategy for developing and implementing effective training and operational guidelines for amusement rides, shows and attractions. The segment presented best practices for creating procedures in training programmes to ensure the sustained use of safe practices in an operating environment. Polk brings over 20 years of in-depth experience in various operational capacities at Sea World Florida and Universal Orlando theme parks.

Universal Studios Dubailand™ promises visitors from around the globe an extraordinary opportunity to literally Ride The Movies™. The Park's awe-inspiring rides and attractions will feature up-to-the-minute technology and leading edge special effects designed to transport visitors into the middle of their favorite blockbuster motion pictures including Jurassic Park™, Waterworld™ and The Mummy^SM .

Universal Studios Dubailand™ will join the family of world-renowned Universal Studios® Theme Park Resorts in: Universal City, California; Orlando, Florida; Osaka, Japan; and Singapore (under construction).

Jurassic Park™ & © Universal Studios and Amblin Entertainment.  The Mummy^SM Universal Studios.  Ride The Movies, Waterworld, Universal Studios, Universal Globe, Universal elements, and all related indicia TM & © Universal Studios. DUBAILAND ® Tatweer Dubai LLC. All rights reserved. 

-Ends-

About Universal Studios Dubailand^TM:
RIDE THE MOVIES™ AT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS DUBAILAND^TM

Universal Studios®, the leader in awe-inspiring entertainment for nearly a century, is creating a new tourism destination in Dubai, UAE, combining the creativity of Hollywood with the greatest stories of all time. Every member of the family will enjoy an unforgettable holiday... a spectacular theme park, a variety of exciting entertainment, and world-class hospitality, all in one convenient location.

The holiday destination of the future is taking shape today in Dubai.

Universal Studios Dubailand^TM.  A member of TATWEER.

About Universal Parks & Resorts:
Universal Parks & Resorts, is a unit of General Electric's (GE) NBC Universal division. Universal Parks & Resorts feature some of the world's most popular entertainment destinations. Each year, millions of guests visit Universal's theme parks in Florida, California and Japan to experience thrilling, world-famous attractions that match interactive ground-breaking technology with the world's most recognized characters in movies and pop culture. New parks are under construction in Dubai and Singapore.

NBC Universal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric and 20% owned by Vivendi.

For further information, please contact:
Agency:
Maya El-Hachem
Account Manager
Jiwin Public Relations
A member of the Media Services Group
Phone: +971-4-3692925
Fax: +971-4-3688001
Email: maya.elhachem@jiwin.ae

Tatweer:
Stephanie Goodell
Sr. Manager PR & Communications
Phone: +971-050-554-7112
Fax: +971-4-3757969
Email: stephanie.goodell@tatweerdubai.com

© Press Release 2009