Welcome to Morey's Piers News Room

News releases are posted as soon as they are available. Members of the media are encouraged to contact norris.clark@moreyspiers.com for additional press information or to request photographs.

Media Kits and advertising opportunities may be emailed to lindsey.young@moreyspiers.com or mailed to Lindsey Young, Morey’s Piers, 3501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ 08260.

News Archive

Press Releases

• Morey’s Piers Honored as New Jersey Family Business of the Year
• Morey’s Piers Hosts Police Benefit September 5th to Raise Money for Pawlowski Family and FOP Survivor’s Fund
• Morey Brothers Huddle With Enthusiasts to Plan Park's Future
• Morey's Piers Receives StormReady Certification
• Morey's Piers Human Cannonball Book Launch Highlights 40 Years Of Thrills In The Wildwoods

Morey’s Piers Honored as New Jersey Family Business of the Year

Monday, November 2 2009

The Wildwoods, NJ (October 19, 2009) - The Rothman Institute of Entrepreneurship at Farleigh Dickinson University selected Morey's Piers as a recipient of the 2009 New Jersey Business of the Year award. The honor, presented this month at a luncheon at the Crystal Plaza in Livingston, goes to the most successful family-owned businesses in the state with annual sales of more than $10 million.

According to the Rothman Institute, eligibility requires companies to have successive generations involved in developing a good business that has a positive impact on the community. Morey's Piers was recognized for reinventing the boardwalk by developing new and exciting attractions that bring families together, the Institute said in announcing the selections.
   
"But the grabber was their community involvement," said Bob Gabriel, one of the judges who voted this year. "They created a community through their business. Add to that the importance of Morey's Piers to the Wildwoods, the employment track record and the multi-generational aspect and you have a winning recipe,” he said.

Jack and Will Morey accepted the award with a sense of humility, while surrounded by family and many members of their team. Noted Jack and Will, "We greatly appreciate this honor, especially in the context of all the fine family businesses under consideration. We’re standing on our father’s shoulders, and standing together with a great team that remains focused on our mission, to ‘provide a spectacular family recreation experience in an exceptionally safe, clean, friendly and unique environment.’”

“Typically, winning companies have a combination of family involvement that spans for more than two generations. These companies overcome challenges, perform community service, and grow a business that plays an integral role in the community,” said James C. Barrood, Executive Director of the Rothman Institute. “While the recession has ravaged many a business, family-run companies have a better chance for survival. They're more conservative by nature and they count on employees when times are tough," Barrood stated.

Winners of the state award are eligible for the National Family Business of the Year Competition.

Morey’s Piers Hosts Police Benefit September 5th to Raise Money for Pawlowski Family and FOP Survivor’s Fund

Tuesday, August 11 2009

The Wildwoods, NJ (August 11, 2009) - This past February, the Philadelphia Police Department lost another one of its heroes. Officer John Pawlowski was killed in the line of duty, leaving behind his young wife and their new baby.  On September 5th, Morey’s Piers will host a public picnic to raise money for the John Pawlowski Memorial Trust Fund and The Fraternal Order of Police Survivor’s Fund.

Morey’s Piers decided to host the event because of their personal connection to the Pawlowski family. John’s sister, Lauren has been a Morey’s Piers associate since 2004, initially as a seasonal employee, but now as a full time member of the team.

“When one of our team faces a tragedy such as this, we all want to help,” noted Will Morey, CEO of Morey’s Piers.  Denise Beckson, Director of Operations/ HR for Morey’s Piers, echoed this sentiment. “We value our team members,” says Denise, “our employees are like family here.”

The fundraising event costs $40 per person with net proceeds to support the John Pawlowski Family Trust and the Philadelphia FOP Lodge #5 Survivors Fund.  A total of $31 from each ticket sold will be dedicated to the fundraiser and will be split evenly between the two beneficiaries.

The price includes admission to all the piers and waterparks plus a catered picnic at the Rendezvous Beach Pavilion on Mariner’s Landing. The picnic lunch will be served between noon and 2 p.m. Look forward to hamburgers, hot dogs, tossed green salad, corn-on-the-cob, baked beans, potato salad, a beverage selection and a variety of ice cream bars for dessert!

Tickets must be purchased in advance and are only available at www.moreyspiers.com, in the “fundraisers” section under “Group Events.”  Upon arrival simply exchange your picnic voucher for a wristband at the welcome tent near the entrance of Mariner’s Landing at Schellenger Avenue and the Boardwalk. Check-in time is between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
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Morey Brothers Huddle With Enthusiasts to Plan Park's Future

Monday, July 27 2009

The Wildwoods, NJ (July 27, 2009) – What do fish tacos and the horrors of the Tower of London have in common? Both were brought to the table in this month's annual brain storming session between more than 150 amusement park enthusiasts and Morey’s Piers company executives, Will and Jack Morey, along with Executive Chef, Wally Jurusz. Attendance increased by more than a third for the annual event, known as “Coastin’ By the Ocean,” which also focused on ways to improve the food offerings at Morey's Piers and help design a haunted attraction expected to be called “Ghost Ship Island.”

“Discussions went in a lot of directions,” says Jackson Township coaster enthusiast, Bret Ulozas.

"The sessions were designed to discuss ideas to help make us the best seaside park in the world," says Jack Morey, Executive Vice President of Morey's Piers. "The group was very diverse, the opinions diverse, but the common denominator was `uniqueness'."

Ulozas cited the Curley’s Fries and the Cuban fries at Jumbo's as a unique kind of food.

“The consensus on the food front was also coming up with varieties such as sushi, and the importance of smell in attracting people,” Jack Morey says. “Another recommended element included food preparation in front of people, creating a show.”

"We suggested a healthier variety of fruits. Some barbeque and tacos. Good seafood choices in a real restaurant also topped the wish list, with maybe fish tacos," Ulozas says.

"We also learned that beer and seafood are inseparable and in high demand for our crowd," Jack Morey says.

On the ride front, the group saw mock up drawings for the ghost ship ride, a haunted walk-through expected to be located where the miniature golf sits on Mariner's Landing Pier. "In regard to our proposed haunted house, the group provided input on things such as the following: the ideal levels of gore; whether or not we design in a chicken exit; and the overall theme and storyline," Jack Morey says.

Ulozas recommended that the gore level be reduced in the day time. "But later, approaching midnight, make it crazy. Everyone liked the idea.” He also recommended something similar to London's haunted towers, with an animatronic head hacked off. "The lights go out and everyone gets squirted with water. That could be the first scene."

Morey says the ride will likely feature low gore and high scare. "One of the ways to keep it low gore, but still grotesque, is to substitute bile for blood," he says.

Morey's Piers Receives StormReady Certification

Thursday, July 23 2009

The Wildwoods, NJ (July  23, 2009) - The National Weather Service and the New Jersey StormReady Advisory Board awarded Morey's Piers a StormReady Commercial Site Certification earlier this month. The designation, good for three years, certifies that Morey's Piers has fulfilled a set of criteria that ensures everything reasonable has been done to provide for the safety of its guests and employees during adverse weather conditions, including thunderstorms and extreme heat, said Gary S. Szatkowski, meteorologist in charge of the National Weather Service office in Mount Holly.

The process took several months to complete, says Mike Wampler, pier operations manager, who completed the application process on behalf of Morey’s Piers. NWS officers visited Morey’s Piers, inspected all the equipment, and toured all facilities as part of the certification procedure, he says. Wampler also toured the NWS site in Mount Holly and learned how the NWS operations affect those it reports to on weather conditions.

The weather service looks at six categories: communications; NWS information reception; weather and water monitoring systems; local warning dissemination; community preparedness; and administrative tools/record keeping. The company also had to demonstrate the operational readiness of specific equipment utilized during a storm:

·                     NOAA weather radio and television near dispatch for emergency weather updates;
·                     Utilization of internet weather sites and radio broadcasts
·                     Cell phone weather alerts to key management
·                     On-site satellite and internet based radar services
·                     Broadcasting communications, including site wide PA systems and portable communication radios for all supervisory personnel
    
Certification addresses the need for a higher level of community awareness in order to minimize the loss of life and property from episodes of extreme weather. "StormReady encourages communities to take a proactive approach to improving local hazardous weather operations and public awareness. While no community can ever be storm proof, the StormReady program improves communication and safety skills necessary to save lives and property - before and during the event," Szatkowski says.

"The certification is only the beginning," Wampler says. "Morey's Piers will continue communications with the National Weather Service, as well as commit to attend future classes and seminars conducted by the NWS."

Morey's Piers Human Cannonball Book Launch Highlights 40 Years Of Thrills In The Wildwoods

Monday, July 20 2009

Morey’s Piers’ Human Cannonball Book Launch Highlights 40 Years Of Thrills In The Wildwoods

The Morey Organization launches its new book "A Wild Ride" in a highly unusual way. The book highlights the unique history of Morey's Piers, an iconic attraction located on the Wildwood boardwalks.

THE WILDWOODS, NJ – David "The Bullet" Smith gave new meaning to the term 'book launch' when he carried a copy of "A Wild Ride" on his own wild ride from inside a 36-foot cannon on the Wildwood boardwalks to a net over Morey’s Pier on Thursday afternoon.

View David Smith’s historic wild ride over Morey’s Pier on YouTube – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCaJaNezTHQ.

"A Wild Ride" chronicles the 40 year history of Morey’s Piers, from its beginnings as a giant slide operated by Wilbert C. Morey in 1969 to its rise as an amusement empire which includes three piers and two water parks in Wildwood and North Wildwood, with 111 rides and attractions, six coasters, 37 games and 25 food outlets. Written by Jack Wright, of Exit Zero Publishing in Cape May, the book also peeks into a future where a coaster spans two piers over the beach.

"It would be nice if every company retained documents and pictures, but it doesn’t happen in real life. Most companies do not expect to be written about, especially one that started with a single slide. But this company had a story to tell. I thought it was a great story," Wright says.

"The book is a celebration of our history and our founders’ vision," says Morey Executive Vice President, Jack Morey. "In celebrating the past, we have identified some of the key planners, architects, and artists that have contributed in the development of the piers over the last 40 years."
 
According to Wright, the Morey brand expanded and grew even as the Wildwoods languished in the 1980s. Wright credits the energy and imagination of Jack and his brother, Will. "They are the heartbeat of Wildwood," Wright says. "It sounds corny, but I believe that. They have an entrepreneurial zeal which is why they’re still around."
 
"My Dad grew up in West Wildwood," Jack says. "He told me never in his wildest imaginations did he dream he’d own a pier."
 
The local historical association provided photographs for the book. Employees were generous in sharing their experiences and memories as well. A true reflection of the success of the management is how so many employees have stayed for a long time.

"The boardwalk is an American icon. It’s about being unique. As long as you stay unique, people will flock to the Boardwalk," says Morey President, Will Morey.

"We dedicated an entire chapter to the future of Morey’s Piers which brings us back to one of the biggest things we keep learning over and over again: that change is the only constant in this business," Jack says.

"A Wild Ride" can be purchased at the new Morey Store, located on Morey’s Piers, for $19.95 plus tax. For more information contact Lindsey Young at 609-846-1065.