Solid Strategies for Challenging Times

My colleague Frank Seninsky and I have found that between a third and 50 percent of revenue for family entertainment centers, bowling facilities and skating rinks comes from food service. If you are not operating a well-rounded food service program, this is a great edition to pick up ideas and advice to expand and improve your offerings. Guests want food to be fast, interesting and tasty, and your efforts to bring them the best in meals and snacks will pay large dividends. In this our annual food service issue, you can read about strategies to keep food service payroll costs down at zoos and aquariums, the art and science of offering barbecue at amusement parks and making the food fit the special event at destination locations. Additionally, we cover in the Family Entertainment Report how to maximize food service profits at bowling centers and how to increase fun food sales at miniature golf and go-kart facilities. And in the Street Beat section, we cover the outlook for snack and beverage vending machines.

Food may be a beacon of profitability, but the business world remains full of sobering uncertainties. Despite this fact, the amusement industry is starting to show life, our Business Strategies feature explains. And now that winter is behind us, The Large Park Report offers a preview of new attractions at the nation’s major parks for the summer 2011 season, and the Waves section profiles Wisconsin Dells’ impressive Mt. Olympus Water and Theme Park. Additionally, in our Analysis story, contributor Kevin Williams examines how industry associations are making a difference around the globe to keep members connected, empowered and informed.

We offer the most comprehensive coverage of the family entertainment center business in the industry, and in addition to our food service stories in the Family Entertainment Center Report, you will find pieces on how pro shops enhance the guest experience at bowling centers, important stories covering safety and security considerations and acquiring retail space in the Industry Owls section and a look at how to choose a vendor and make the most of the Laser Tag Convention from the ILTA. See www.tapmag.com for more Laser Tag Convention pre-show coverage.

We also offer stories on preventing the vandalism of bulk vending machines, keeping the volunteer workforce productive and satisfied at museums, how party rental companies cope with weather conditions and emergencies and the latest dates and sponsors for Foundations Entertainment University.  Vist www.tapmag.com for a story on ticketing and wristband strategies at attractions, parks and family entertainment centers and food service equipment buying tips from the RSA.

I hope you enjoy the issue. Please contact me with your questions, comments and suggestions at editortapmag@kanec.com.

Scott C. Borowsky
President and Executive Editor
Tourist Attractions and Parks magazine

“It’s not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what’s required.”
– Sir Winston Churchill