Archive for June, 2011

Higher Gas Prices: The 2011 Season Outlook for Florida Amusement Parks

June 1, 2011 No Comments

It’s back. That dreaded scourge to operating budgets throughout the industry.  The malcontent that refuses to recognize fiscal years or finalized budgets.  Three words that bring chills to the ears of many amusement executives: higher gas prices. While some local parks do benefit from higher prices because vacationers generally end up staying closer to home ...

Read more...

Photo Booth Manufacturer Serves Clients Around the World

June 1, 2011 No Comments

Digital Centre, a family founded multinational corporation, has been serving the amusement industry since 1997 with factory and offices in Europe and America and authorized distributors around the globe. The company specializes in the manufacture of photo booths with sales in more than 45 countries, and thousands of the machines still operating. The units feature ...

Read more...
The Change Game: The Hottest Trends in Coin-op Games Throughout North America May Surprise You

The Change Game: The Hottest Trends in Coin-op Games Throughout North America May Surprise You

June 1, 2011 No Comments

If you think that arcades are a thing of the past thanks to home entertainment systems like Xbox and Wii, think again. Never have arcades been more popular among such a wide range of gamers. Look no further than Barcade in Brooklyn’s trendy Williamsburg section where old-school coin-op arcade games line a warehouse where one’s ...

Read more...

Redemption Games: Prizes Can Divert Attention from Handheld Devices

June 1, 2011 No Comments

Video may have killed the radio song, but now, it seems, smart phones have killed the video game. At least that’s been Mark Aikman’s experience. After spending time observing customers at popular game and amusement locations, Aikman, owner of Able Vending in El Paso, Texas, has noticed a shift in the way kids and teens ...

Read more...

Family Entertainment Center Trends for 2011 and Beyond

June 1, 2011 No Comments

The Industry Owls is a group of independent consultants, operators, trainers and educators who have come together with one purpose: to challenge the way you think. Their unique experience and expertise combines with an abundance of wisdom in the family entertainment and leisure industries to produce articles to help you become more successful in your ...

Read more...

Creating Memorable Moments: When Customer Service Isn’t Enough

June 1, 2011 No Comments

Remarkable experiences are defined as just that, moments in time you choose to remark about.  Engineering each guest visit at your family amusement or leisure business as a singular opportunity to create a remarkable experience adds a huge intangible value to your business.  If you can make each individual feel special, just like it was ...

Read more...

Adventure Golf Services has Products and Advice for FECs and More

June 1, 2011 No Comments

Bowling center operators are benefiting from new indoor and outdoor recreation products from Adventure Golf Services.  Centers seeking additional revenue centers can now add modular miniature golf, golf learning centers, multi-purpose sports and entertainment fields and game courts.   The company’s AnyWhereFields is a multi- purpose recreation sports fields to help monetize vacant land space. ...

Read more...

12 Top Tips for Successfully Adding Extras

June 1, 2011 No Comments

Take a close look at what you offer and make a list to target specific areas you could potentially and practically improve.  Part of this is to set goals about what you want to accomplish in terms of improving the experience of customers and increasing your bottom line. Don’t overlook any potential improvement.  They may ...

Read more...

Change that Works: Making Big Food Profits from Small Spaces

June 1, 2011 No Comments

At Zuma Fun Center in Pineville, N.C., the challenge of a modest kitchen space has been addressed with equipment that turns out food quickly and is a perfect fit with its small footprint. “We recently added a large Quik N’ Crispy greaseless fryer,” said Rick Klinghagen, the facility’s general manager. Part of a chain of ...

Read more...
Adding the Extras for a Winning Formula

Adding the Extras for a Winning Formula

June 1, 2011 No Comments

No one wants to mess up a winning formula, but implementing the right change can be good.   It’s something powerhouse consumer products companies have known for years.  They have even distilled it down into three magic words that they use over and over in their advertising.  That is, “new and improved.” Although your offering is ...

Read more...
Page 2 of 3«123»

Sponsors

    Rides-4-U, INC.

    New and used rides, kiddie, family, major and thrill.

    Center Edge Software

    Facility Management Software Solutions

    Precision Dynamics (PDC)

    Wristbands with no hidden costs, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Wristband System.

    Master Pitching Machine

    Batting cages and pitching machines.

    Mahoning Valley Mfg.

    A complete line of Imperial strollers, wagons and safari utility vehicles.

    Coast to Coast

    Coin-operated entertainment, crane machines.

    National Rock & Sculpture

    Dedicated to the conceptual design and development of themed environments.

    American Changer

    Bill and coin dispensers and counters, ticket machines and more.

    Flagship Carpet

    Custom carpets and rugs.

    Lil Orbits Inc.

    Food equipment, donut machines and vendor carts.

    Lakeshore Merchandise (Smart Vending)

    Premier vending supply for all of your vending equipment and supply needs.

    Castle Golf, Inc.

    Planning, design and construction of miniature golf courses and family fun parks.

    Embed

    Provides innovative IT products and services with a primary focus on card-based solutions and database applications for the leisure and retail industries.

    Davis & Davis, Inc.

    Planning consultants for wet/dry attractions, mini-golf, go-kart tracks and laser arenas.

    Fast Corp Vending

    Frozen food vending machines

    Sacoa

    Designed and manufactures PlayCard, the rechargeable debit card system.

    Adventure Glass

    Unique paddleboats.

    Hamilton Manufacturing Corp.

    Manufacturer of unattended entry systems and change machines.

    Gould Manufacturing, Ltd.

    Concession trailers and Antique, Jeep and Grand Prix auto rides.

    Safari Ltd.

    Leading manufacturer of innovative educational toys.

    Midway Concepts (Circus Tops)

    Premier designers of stainless steel food service equipment.

    Tear Repair

    Tear-Aid industrial strength patches to repair holes and tears.

    Northeast Insurance (NIC)

    Insurance programs.

    Muncie Novelty Co., Inc.

    Admissions, financial equipment, printing and tickets.

    European Body Arts

    Airbrushed temporary tattoo products and systems.

    Gerber Manufacturing, Ltd.

    Outdoor furniture, benches, picnic tables and grills.

    Gold Medal Products Co.

    Concession equipment, foods and beverages, popcorn, pretzels and snack foods.

    Subway

    Fresh food and sandwich options.

    SnowMasters

    Evaporative snow systems.

    Sureshot Redemption

    One-stop source for prize redemption counters at entertainment centers.

    Funovation

    Laser maze challenge

    Thomco Insurance (Fun Pro)

    Fun Pro is an insurance program especially designed for party planners and party rental businesses.

    Barron Games

    Redemption air hockey games.

    California Portable Dance Floor Company

    Wapello Fabrications

    Inflatables and portable amusements.

    Hoffman Mint

    Tokens, medals, coins and key tags.

    U.S. Bowling

    Award-winning independent company brings bowling to your venue.

    Harris Miniature Golf Course

    Design and construction of miniature golf courses and water rides.

    Cost of Wisconson

    Creators of simulated environments, duplicate structures, sculpted figures, exhibits, water features, mini-golf and more.

    Martin Professionals

    A lighting supplier of choice for the entertainment industry.

    GloCones

    Flashing cotton candy cones.

    Friedman Group Ins.

    Insurance for amusement devices.

    Art Attack

    Theming, miniature golf, parade floats, 3D props, air-brushed murals, signage and art panels.

    Broaster Co., The

    Food programs and food service equipment.

    Zebec Water Sports

    Large variety of waterpark needs

    Birthday University

    Concept development, training and birthday party touring seminars.

    Nieco Corp

    Nieco automatic broilers.

    Penny Press

    Penny souvenir machine, great for parks, FECs, bowling and skating centers, museums and tourist attractions.

    Richie's Italian Ice

    Italian Ice Kiosks and Carts

    Qubica

    Sells capital equipment to bowling centers.

    Amusement Entertainment Management (AEM)

    Premier entertainment consultants.

    CFX Composite & Effects

    Special effects make-up and prosthetics

    Beckman Insurance Agency

    Amusement attractions insurance.

    See Coast Manufacturing Co., Inc.

    Coin-operated binoculars and telescopes.

    Namco

    Namco America is a premier manufacturer of coin-op arcade attractions, ranging from the hottest titles like Crazy Typhoon and Jumpin’ Jackpot to classic game-room experiences such as the Pac-Man 25th Anniversary upright that features Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man and Galaga. Specialized pieces such as Wonka Sweetland and Flamin Finger are favorites too! For arcade gaming fun, Namco America is your answer.

    Spectrum Sports

    Climbing walls, ropes courses, go-karts and more.

    Kay Park Recreations Corp.

    Picnic tables, grills, park benches, planters, trash containers and more.

    S&S Worldwide

    Large Park amusement rides.

    R&R Creative Amusement Design

    Designers of unique themed parks, attractions and environments for the entertainment business.

    Money Tree - ATM

    ATM machines.

    Weldon, Williams & Lick

    Admission systems and wristband ticketing.

    Xtreme Inflatables

    Repair and service for all inflatable products.

    Jane Farrell Turf and Carpets, Inc.

    Commercial carpet, printed and decorative patterns, loop and cut-pile construction. Wall coverings in fluorescents, Class A fire rated. Colored turf, both traditional and neon colors.

    Tarobots

    Boxerjocks robotic boxing amusement ride game attraction.

    Knight Equipment

    Drive cables for ferris wheels, Tilt-A-Whirls, Rock-O-Planes and many others.

    Berk Paper & Supply

    Concession supplies.

    Belson Manufacturing Co.

    Park and recreation outdoor furniture and equipment.

    Comstock - Castle Stove

    Commercial cooking equipment.

    Klopp International, Inc. (Playmeter)

    Quality coin counters and sorters.

    Empex Water Toys

    Aquatons Water Toys

    Challenger Industries

    Sports surfaces, carpets and mini-golf surfaces.

    Soft Play

    Leader in designing, manufacturing and installing soft contained playground equipment.

    Ride Development Corp.

    Electric floor, gas and battery-powered bumper cars.

    Poly Products

    Tables, benches and related products. Green products for a green world.

    Store on Wheels

    Importer and distributor of quality toys, lighting and novelties. Cater to the amusement, retail and entertainment industries.

    Action Lighting Co.

    Lighting supplies.

    International Special Events (ISERA)

    Risk purchasing group, a better way to purchase liability insurance, specializing in inflatables and much more.

    Deltronic Labs Inc.

    Ticket dispensers.

    Water Wars (T&D Enterprises of Brainerd)

    Water Wars water balloon game, portable or startionary.

    Extreme Engineering

    Industry leader in zip lines, climbing walls, jumper systems and adventure products.

    A'maze Ventures, Inc.

    Mazes for every location, new and used.

    Chestnut Identity Apparel

    Uniform supply, embroidered apparel and flag manufacturing.

    Quik N' Crispy (QNC)

    Quik n’ Crispy greaseless fryer.

    West Coast Netting, Inc.

    Experienced netting manufacturer on the leading edge of innovation.

    Adventure Golf

    Miniature golf courses, consultants, architecture and design.

    Wells Fargo

    Commercial insurance for inflatables and event planners.

    Splashtacular

    Manufacturer of waterslides

    Omega Carpets

    Printed carpeting for all your facility needs.

    Brunswick Bowling

    Entertainment bowling center developer and manufacturer of bowling equipment and entertainment products.

    Playsmart

    Patented soft play design, soft playgrounds.

    Perfect Fry

    Innovative and simple-to-operate countertop deep fryer Perfect Fryers.

    Max Flight

    Manufactures interactive virtual reality motion-platform game systems including networkable flight and roller coaster simulators.

    Enchanted Castle Studios

    Fiberglass statuary and figures for restaurants, mini-golf, theme parks and other attractions.

    Tube Pro

    Waterpark tubes.

    Wisdom Industries, Ltd.

    Amusement ride manufacturer, new and used rides.

    Laser Star

    Laser shooting galleries, laser tag, dark ride target systems, overhead target ranges.

    Look Solutions

    Fog machines.

    Price Chopper, Inc. Wristbands

    Admission, financial equipment and wristbands.

    Rio Syrup

    Over 250 flavors, syrups and concentrates for shaved ice, sno cones, shushes, food colors. Now featuring Hawaiian Flower Cups.

    Sippers By Design

    Design and manufacture of specialty custom-shaped drink containers.

    Aquaventronics

    Research and development of interactive water games for use in the commercial amusement industry.

    Bulbtronics

    A premier source for lamps, LEDs, batteries and lighting-related and electrical products.

    Formula K Raceways

    Go-karts, kiddie cars and bumper boats, go-kart parts and tires.

    Lazer Runner

    Laser Tag Systems

    Tokens Direct

    A wide variety of tokens.

    Family Fun Corp.

    Waterpark walls for rivers, bumper boat and splash down pools.

    Johnny Rockets
    OpenAire
    Spectrum Sports
    Cannonball Blaster
    CCI
    Funovation
    Empex Water Toys
    FunProInsurance