03_07_Einleitung
01.10.2012
15:20 Uhr
Seite 4
THE EXPERT-JURY OF THE EUROPEAN STAR AWARD
Without him many developments would never have been possible: Dr. Werner Stengel
schaft und Kulturarbeit IFKA e.V. (translation: Department of Leisure Studies and Cultural Work), a recognised institution of leisure and tourism research at the Bremen university. It has been in existence for more than 25 years, and orientates on social science. Recreational research for museums, experience worlds and events are important focus points. Furthermore, concepts are developed and tested with partners in the practice of informal learning in experience worlds, and qualification of employees. Regular international congresses and workshops take place covering the themes amusement branch and leisure studies.
Francis Stokkel (USA) For the first time we are awarding
Dr. Werner Stengel (Germany)
Since 1996, the native-born Dutch has been involved in the amusement industry as project developer, and
the European Star Award for which we have asked 18 experts
There’s hardly a second person who has characteris-
has directed a vast number of projects in the industry
for their votes. We introduce
ed the amusement branch as strongly as Dr. Werner
areas of hotel, retail, entertainment, recreation and
them to you on the following
Stengel, who these days is 76 years old.
theme parks. Additionally he was also employed by a
pages.
In 1964 the first German steel coaster was build ac-
number of leisure companies as department head for
cording to his plans. In 1976, thanks to his ingenuity,
design and construction, amongst others, the
the first modern coaster in the world with vertical loop-
European projects of Warner Bros. and Six Flags. As
ings was realized. In 1978, he invented the principle of
architect and project developer, his assignments are
twisting the tracks around an imaginary heart-line,
all facets of project development right up to completion
which made a comfortable ride experience and faster
and hand over of the projects.
speed possible. In 1982 the first coaster with a para-
His broad knowledge and know-how in the areas of
bolic hill was realized, that offered zero-gravity for the
project management, implementation of US-design
first time. From 1984, the Stengel-team constructed at-
and theming in projects, budgeting, control and
tractions according to the Space-Curve principle. In
management flows into his German company Leisure-
1992 with the encouragement of two Swiss engineers,
Cert, which has already worked for clients like Lego-
the first Inverted Coaster came into being. And since
land, Parques Reunidos, Bobbejaanland and many
1974, Werner Stengel has been a working member of
others.
the German standard committee for DIN 4112 (amusement rides) and parts DIN 1055 (wind loads).
Victor Cavaller (Spain)
In the meanwhile Dr. Stengel had stepped back from Francis Stokkel
Dr. Dieter Brinkmann
active office work, however... in 2005 the Faculty of
He is a founding partner of O-partners, the Spanish-
Science at the Göteborg University awarded an honor-
based design and production firm that specializes in
ary doctorate to Werner Stengel, in recognition of his
conceiving and bringing to life the entertainment ex-
enormous creativity in connecting physics and design
periences that each venue requires. Victor’s focus is
with the experience of the human body in roller
on media production and project management.
coasters and other rides. And in 2009, Dr. Stengel was
Prior to the starting of O-partners in 2009, he was part
awarded the Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of
of Thinkwell Europe, serving as Show Producer for the
Germany, for his outstanding achievements.
2007 “Furius Baco” coaster at PortAventura, as Pro-
Over the past decades Ingenieurbüro Stengel has de-
ducer for the 2006 “Batman Begins & Police Academy
veloped the design of over 600 coasters plus roughly
Stunt Shows” at Parque Warner Madrid, as well as
600 other ride attractions worldwide. And Stengel
being Project Manager for “Ice Age Adventure!” at
GmbH has been significantly involved in around 70%
Movie Park Germany and Ski Dubai’s Snow Park (the
of all existing roller coasters.
first indoor cold play area of its kind in the world) at the Mall of Emirates in Dubai. Victor was also a part of the
Dr. Dieter Brinkmann (Germany)
team responsible for the award-winning “FiestAventura Nighttime Spectacular”, the “Templo del Fuego” at-
4
Since the end of the 1980s, Dr. Brinkmann has re-
traction, as well as the “Sea Odyssey” simulator at Port
searched and taught at the Institut für Freizeitwissen-
Aventura.