Cedar Fair CEO: Commitment to Sandusky 'has never been stronger'

[YOUTUBE=CEO]SANDUSKY —Cedar Fair manages 11 amusement parks across North America, including in major metropolitan areas.But the single most important location ensuring its long-term success resides off Ohio's north coast, according to the publicly traded company's leader."Sandusky is our corporate headquarters, and our commitment has never been stronger," company CEO Richard Zimmerman said during a Wednesday forum at the Sandusky State Theatre in downtown Sandusky. About 200 people attended the public roundtable event.Along with Zimmerman, two other prominent local CEOs — Jeremy Normington-Slay of Firelands Regional Medical Center and Dennis Shaffer of Civista Bank — participated in the session, co-sponsored by the city government and the Register. The newspaper's publisher, Ron Waite, served as moderator.The 90-minute forum was recorded and now available for demand viewing at sanduskyregister.com and the Register's YouTube page.Zimmerman spoke positively about Sandusky — the home of Cedar Point, Cedar Fair's parent company — because of the many public-private partnerships forged in recent years, resulting in several successful projects, such as Sports Force Parks at Cedar Point Sports Center."We are seeing a new era of cooperation here in Sandusky," said Zimmerman, specifically mentioning Erie County commissioner Pat Shenigo, Sandusky ex officio mayor Dennis Murray Jr. and Sandusky city manager Eric Wobser as key players in creating unity among area stakeholders."When the public and private (sectors) partner, then everyone benefits," Zimmerman said. "For a city this size, collaboration is the key for growth and development of the community. I hold up Sandusky and the local area. We wish we had this kind of cooperation in a lot of the other markets we do business in."Among some highlights during the event, Zimmerman:• Credited Sandusky officials for prudently spending money generated by Issue 8, a dual tax increase voters approved in 2014; Its approval involved raising the admissions tax, a fee tacked onto ticket sales at Sandusky-based entertainment venues, namely Cedar Point.• Stressed his biggest concern in Sandusky revolves around aging infrastructure and urged officials to invest public funds for functioning utility lines and smooth roads• Underscored his company constantly looks at ways to improve access into and out of Cedar Point, which includes possible renovations along the Cedar Point Causeway and Butler Street ramp• Emphasized the company's desire to upgrade and improve itself; "We are constantly reinventing and master planning what Cedar Point is," directly referencing crews recently razing Cedars dorms. "You will constantly see us looking for opportunities and plans to invest in things that are tied to the unique regional appeal and destination appeal of Cedar Point."• Indicated his company will keep advertising in markets outside of Sandusky, like Chicago, in hopes of exposing more people to Cedar Point• Viewed the forthcoming resort and attraction management postsecondary program, a partnership with Bowling Green State University, which is coming to downtown Sandusky, as an excellent opportunity to create new leaders for Cedar Point or other industry-related careers• Pointed to supervisors at amusement parks as the company's most important employees because workers they oversee constantly interact with guests visiting Cedar Fair properties• Hesitated when asked what is his favorite roller coaster; "That's like asking which of my three kids are my favorite. But, if you ask me which coaster I would go to first when I'm at Cedar Point, it would have to be Top Thrill Dragster."Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.Richard Zimmerman of Cedar Fair talks about the significance of Cedar Point during a discussion on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019, at the Sandusky State Theatre.