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Daniel Berg Takes Over as CEO of High Chaparral
After serving as CEO of both High Chaparral BLS, Emil Erlandsson is now handing over the leadership of High Chaparral AB to Daniel Berg, who most recently served as park manager within the organization.
Daniel Berg has been with the company for several years and has served as park manager for the past two years, with overall responsibility for the day-to-day operations of High Chaparral AB. He is now taking the next step and assuming the role of CEO of this well-known brand.
“As the Group grows, we need to have competent people in all our key roles. Daniel has shown strong growth during his time at High Chaparral has my full confidence to take over as CEO. I look forward to following the continued development of the business under his leadership,” says Emil Erlandsson.
For Daniel Berg, this new role represents both a great responsibility and an opportunity to continue developing the business.
– High Chaparral one of Sweden’s most unique experiential destinations, with a rich history spanning generations. Being entrusted with the responsibility of leading the business forward is both an honor and an inspiration. “My ambition is to work with our employees to continue developing the entire experience—from the theme park to conferences, meetings, and major events like our country festival. We will preserve what has made High Chaparral by so many, while strengthening our position and continuing to create new experiences and long-term growth for the future,” says Daniel Berg.
In recent years, High Chaparral has High Chaparral several major initiatives. Among other things, its conference operations have expanded with the construction of a new conference center, while High Chaparral has established itself as Sweden’s leading country music festival. The theme park has also continued to invest in shows, activities, and immersive experiences to create memorable adventures and experiences for families with children.
Further investments are planned for the future. The plans include a new cottage village with 34 fully equipped cottages and approximately 1,300 new campsites to meet the growing demand.
“We’re seeing growing interest in High Chaparral, the Wild West, country music, and unique experiences. To continue growing, we need to invest in both accommodations and infrastructure so that more guests can enjoy what we have to offer,” says Emil Erlandsson.
Daniel Berg will assume his new role effective June 25, 2026
Daniel Berg
CEO
daniel.berg@highchaparral.se
+46 0370 827 63
Major investment in "Conference with a twist"
Cowboys, conferences and events, now High Chaparral is stepping up a gear and making one of its biggest investments ever. With the vision of offering companies a unique conference concept, the amusement park is investing SEK 25 million in new construction and renovations.
Conference with clearance, becomes a holistic experience for companies
High Chaparral's CEO Emil Erlandsson presents the major investment as a "conference with a difference", a concept where fast-paced activities and inspiring environments meet classic conference service. The investment includes the construction of a brand new conference center with eight modern rooms, ready to receive guests from November 2025.
- We want to offer something that stands out. A place where companies not only meet, but experience," says Emil Erlandsson.
Renovation of the cottage village and newly built accommodation options
To accommodate up to 300 overnight conference guests all year round, the entire cottage village is being refurbished. All cabins are being renovated, while new cabins are being built adjacent to the new conference center. The work will begin in the fall of 2025 and will take place in stages.
A year-round concept
High Chaparral has long been a popular summer destination, but with this investment it is taking the step towards becoming a year-round facility.
- "Our goal is for companies to be able to come here for both meetings and experiences regardless of the season," says Emil Erlandsson.
We already welcome conferences and corporate groups who want to combine meetings with a unique experience like no other. For booking inquiries, you are warmly welcome to contact us via konferens@highchaparral.se. Stay tuned, more information about the new conference concept and the completion will come during the fall.
Emil Erlandsson, CEO
Mail: emil@highchaparral.se
Otto Nyholm, stuntman at High Chaparral, reaches dizzying heights both in Wild West show and virally
With an increase from 5,000 to 165,000 followers on Instagram in just a few weeks and millions of 'likes' in several videos on YouTube, stuntman Otto Nyholm has become a viral sensation. At High Chaparral , he makes the audience shiver and marvel through several fast-paced and breathtaking stunts.
Otto Nyholm, stuntman at High Chaparral for the second year running, falls from rooftop to rooftop in a series of spectacular stunts during this year's edition of the Wild West Stunt Show, Kate Warne meets Jesse James.
- Otto is an incredible talent and star. We are extremely happy that Otto is here with us and the attention he now gets is so well deserved. One girl was so impressed by Otto that she drew a picture of him falling from 12 meters, which says something about the difference he makes, says Mathias Bergendahl, CEO of High Chaparral.
While practicing in his spare time, Otto recently recorded a video in which he simulates the reactions of being shot. The clip quickly received an incredible 761,000 'likes' and almost 6,000 comments from all over the world, and word quickly spread that Otto works at High Chaparral in Sweden. Otto Nyholm has been working as a stuntman since 2020.
- In addition to the job, High Chaparral, with its unique environment, offers a great opportunity for training. "I have been given a great opportunity for personal development and it is of course fun that both I as a stuntman and High Chaparral as a development place for stuntmen and women get so much viral attention," says Otto Nyholm.
Movie with Otto Nyholm's stunt in Wild West Stunt Show 2023, Kate Warne meets Jesse James
Movie on YouTube with 1.5 million likes (up 500,000 in the last 24 hours)
Otto Nyholm on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/nyholmotto/
Sweet shock at High Chaparral: Bison calf saw the light of day yesterday
Just in time for the season opening tomorrow, last night High Chaparral's five bison became six when a little bison calf was born. The bison cow and calf seem to be doing well and are now resting in the enclosure on Buffalo island.
- We are very happy that both cow and calf are doing well. The calf is now being cared for by its mother and the other bison in the enclosure on Buffalo island. I am sure that the little calf will be a real crowd favorite already during the opening weekend and further this summer, says Mathias Bergendahl, CEO of High Chaparral.
High Chaparral opens the gates to the Wild West tomorrow, May 18.
After record-breaking winter flooding: High Chaparral ready to open on Thursday May 18 as planned
On Thursday, the Småland theme park High Chaparral opens the gates to this year's Wild West adventure. New for this year are two new Shows, three new Wild West characters, bison, gold panning and circus schools and two cute mini donkeys. In addition, the Zorro show returns after a few years' absence.
It was on 16 January this year that High Chaparral found out that the flood was worse than the one that hit the theme park in 2020. During a busy winter and spring, 63 staff and guest cabins, several shops, eateries and facilities in the park, the engine shed and the park's church have been cleaned up and renovated. The adventure golf course and a bridge have been restored.
- "A lot of people have made it possible for us to open the park. From the insurance company to the many companies we use - everyone has been incredibly supportive," says Mathias Bergendahl, CEO of High Chaparral.
This year's Wild West show Kate Warne meets Jesse James and the Lucky Luke show The Dalton Family Cleans Up will run throughout the season. So does this year's theater novelty Annie and Billy visiting Dalton city. The Zorro show returns for the holiday season after a hiatus of several years, and new this year is the show Crazy Antics with Huck, Tom & Becky. New Wild West characters are added this year and so is the opportunity to learn more about our bison in the bison school, learn to pan for gold in the gold panning school and in our new circus school, children can try some circus tricks. In one of the theme park's many enclosures, we also find two super-cute news, two cute mini donkeys. New for this year is also Howdy Pizzeria which opens its doors already on Wednesday.
- Last year, we were able to return to a more normal year after two pandemic seasons. This year, we are further sharpening our offering in line with our customer promise to be part of the adventure," says Mathias Bergendahl.
High Chaparral retains pre-season and peak season to offer different price levels during the season, and the daily visitor limit introduced as a pandemic measure remains.
The level of bookings is currently around 10% above the corresponding period last year.
High Chaparral's CEO elected to the Swedish Performing Arts Board
Mathias Bergendahl, CEO of the Småland theme park High Chaparral, was today elected to the board of Svensk Scenkonst, the industry and employer organization for professional performing arts.
With over 1,300 performances and theater performances per summer, theater is a central part of High Chaparral's activities and experience in the park. High Chaparral is a long-standing member of the Swedish Performing Arts Association and Mathias Bergendahl has been CEO of the Wild West Park since 2020.
- "It is of course a huge honor for me personally to become part of the Swedish Performing Arts Board, and for High Chaparral as a theater and theme park a very important seal of quality. The Swedish performing arts have a hugely important task to unite and be a unifying voice for the industry, we saw this not least during the pandemic, and I look forward to being part of that work, says Mathias Bergendahl, CEO.
The Swedish Performing Arts Federation is the industry and employers' organization for companies in music, dance and theatre. The Swedish Performing Arts Association represents over 190 theatres, orchestras, opera houses, dance companies, county music organizations, production companies and other activities in the Swedish performing arts.
Press release, Swedish Performing Arts: https://www.mynewsdesk.com/se/svenskscenkonst/pressreleases/de-tar-plats-i-svensk-scenkonsts-styrelse-3248827