SDA, Shirish Deshpande & Associates

About

40+ years. An operator's experience. Practical advice.

Shirish Deshpande

I've spent over 40 years in the business of entertainment, including more than a decade as CEO of EsselWorld and Water Kingdom, 2 destinations that helped define the Indian amusement industry.

Today, through SDA, I work with operators, developers and investors across India and Southeast Asia to build new parks, fix underperforming ones and grow those that are already working.

The difference is that I have actually run the parks. I've made the payroll, managed operations, dealt with guests, vendors and P&Ls, and lived the operating reality that clients are navigating. So the objective isn't advice on a slide. It's advice that can be put to work.

Behind SDA is a network of experienced associates across marketing, advertising, production, finance, legal and HR, which lets us deliver end to end rather than one function at a time.

Shirish Deshpande
Founder & Principal Advisor, SDA

  • Former President, Indian Association of Amusement Parks & Industries (IAAPI)
  • Former CEO, EsselWorld & Water Kingdom
  • IAAPA award recognition
  • India Sales Coordinator & Strategic Advisor, Great Coasters International, Inc.
  • India market partner, Walltopia

In the press

What others have written

The Economic Times · February 2018Meet the first families of the growing theme and amusement parks segment in IndiaQuoted as CEO of EsselWorld and Water Kingdom and President of IAAPI on why land keeps most Indian parks in the hands of business families, and how taxes hit park footfall.Business Standard (ANI) · April 2017IAAPI elects Shirish Deshpande as its 10th presidentElected 10th President of the Indian Association of Amusement Parks & Industries while CEO of EsselWorld and Water Kingdom.BW Disrupt · April 2017IAAPI appoints EsselWorld & Water Kingdom CEO Shirish Deshpande as the 10th PresidentCoverage of his election as IAAPI President.Amusements & Attractions · April 2017New president for IAAPIInternational trade press on his election as President of IAAPI.Entrepreneur India · September 2014Building an Island of FunInterview as CEO of EsselWorld and Water Kingdom on growth, pricing and the challenges facing Indian leisure parks.

Video

Inside Mumbai's first interactive bird park at EsselWorld

Career

Where the experience comes from

  1. 2023 – present
    SDA

    Founder & Principal Advisor. Advising operators, developers and investors across parks, attractions, entertainment and hospitality.

  2. 2019 – 2026
    UFO Moviez India

    CEO. Leadership across the exhibition business and cinema operations.

  3. 2017
    Indian Association of Amusement Parks & Industries (IAAPI)

    Elected 10th President of IAAPI.

  4. 2012 – 2017
    Wine-Tree, Hong Kong

    Member, Board of Directors. Strategic oversight for international operations and cross-border growth.

  5. 2008 – 2019
    EsselWorld Leisure

    Chief Executive Officer. Directed EsselWorld, Water Kingdom, Downtown EsselWorld and associated attractions; led brand transformations and new attractions.

  6. 2006 – 2008
    Zicom Electronic Security Systems

    President, Operations (India & China).

  7. 2005 – 2006
    The Oberoi Group

    Director, Sales.

  8. 1997 – 2005
    Essel Group

    VP, Sales & Marketing, Amusement Parks. Launched Water Kingdom and Fun Kingdom (Jaipur).

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