Archive for January, 2012

Top Tips for Creating a Popular Haunted Room

January 5, 2012 No Comments

“Make your guests feel as if they are submerged into an entirely new world, instead of just amidst actors and a set.  It has to be the complete package.” – Scot Allan, Gateway’s Haunted Playhouse of Horrors, Bellport, N.Y. “Be original!  There are many copycat haunts out there. Do your research and be as original ...

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Rental Trends: Despite Consumers’ Cautious Spending, Companies Continue to Invest in the Future

Rental Trends: Despite Consumers’ Cautious Spending, Companies Continue to Invest in the Future

January 5, 2012 No Comments

When it comes to special gatherings, families, schools, corporations, and other organizations consistently want to create the perfect celebration, party or event.  But for those in the industry, meeting that demand can be a complicated business. After all, it can be challenging, from changing economic conditions and the need for new product awareness to addressing ...

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New Customer Service Strategies for a New Economy Beyond the Basics of Customer Service

January 5, 2012 No Comments

by Frank Price Service basics are no longer a powerful enough strategy for differentiation. Customer service is a series of intangible activities, performed for a mass customer base. It encompasses smooth service transactions, clean facilities, hot tasty food served on time and friendly, helpful, attentive and informative employees. Service is intangible and personal in nature, ...

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The Important Lessons of Food: <br />Indigenous Dishes Are Teaching Tools at American Indian Museums

The Important Lessons of Food:
Indigenous Dishes Are Teaching Tools at American Indian Museums

January 5, 2012 No Comments

Stimulating the sense of taste is another way to enrich the museum experience for visitors. And at several American Indian museums across the United States, the menus rise to the occasion, favoring locally grown foods, seasonal produce or traditional ingredients. Food is used to give visitors a sense of place and tradition. And however it’s ...

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Buried Treasure: Top Tips for Finding New Redemption Prizes

January 5, 2012 No Comments

Solicit feedback from guests and employees. This not only increases the chance that customers will like what they see at the redemption counter, it opens doors to acquiring new, potentially popular items family entertainment center operators may not have discovered on their own. Becky Olbrych, owner of Wheels Family Fun Park in Durham, N.C., said ...

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Redemption Counters and Prizes: Creating a Compelling Reason to Play

January 5, 2012 No Comments

With competition for consumers’ leisure dollar remaining fierce, family entertainment centers with mini-golf and go-kart facilities are paying as much attention to maximizing the appeal of their redemption counters as they are to making their attractions as compelling as possible. “The game room is where we make a large portion of our money, and in ...

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The Surfaces and the Scores: A Roll Down Bowling’s Memory Lane

January 5, 2012 No Comments

In bowling’s history, the 1930s were known as the shellac era.  Wood was plentiful then, and that was a good thing, because it was the only available option to proprietors at the time. Many high scores were rolled during this period due to a high friction ball track being burned into the finish by bowlers, ...

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Cranes: A Popular Favorite Continues to Snag Business for Operators and Locations

January 5, 2012 No Comments

Crane machines remain a profitable addition to coin-op routes at a time when some other machines are not grabbing the interest of customers. “They are still a big deal,” said Chip O’Hara, owner of Midwest Coin Concepts, Waite Park, Minn. “We have quite a few models that have consistently been doing very well.” Promoted as ...

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The 2012 Outlook for Games Popularity and Profitability Predictions for the New Year

January 5, 2012 No Comments

A projection of the gaming industry for 2012 would be incomplete without a look at the competing home video game market. Citing a report published by the Entertainment Software Association and the Pew internet and American Life Project, grabStats.com posted that 190 million households will have next generation video game consoles and 80 percent of ...

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First Mobile Zip Line Introduced by Spectrum Sports International

First Mobile Zip Line Introduced by Spectrum Sports International

January 5, 2012 No Comments

Spectrum Sports International debuted the first commercially available mobile zip line at the 2011 IAAPA Attractions Expo. The introduction followed three years of product development, a complete engineering review and a season of testing in four markets. The Mobile Zip Line employs several innovative features. The Rotating Safety Gate eliminates fall exposure until riders are ...

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Sponsors

    Adventure Golf

    Miniature golf courses, consultants, architecture and design.

    European Body Arts

    Airbrushed temporary tattoo products and systems.

    Hoffman Mint

    Tokens, medals, coins and key tags.

    R&R Creative Amusement Design

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

    Amusement Entertainment Management (AEM)

    Premier entertainment consultants.

    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.

    Belson Manufacturing Co.

    Park and recreation outdoor furniture and equipment.

    Gould Manufacturing, Ltd.

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

    Funovation

    Laser maze challenge

    Flagship Carpet

    Custom carpets and rugs.

    Splashtacular

    Manufacturer of waterslides

    Wells Fargo

    Commercial insurance for inflatables and event planners.

    Tube Pro

    Waterpark tubes.

    Broaster Co., The

    Food programs and food service equipment.

    Deltronic Labs Inc.

    Ticket dispensers.

    Mahoning Valley Mfg.

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

    Midway Concepts (Circus Tops)

    Premier designers of stainless steel food service equipment.

    Look Solutions

    Fog machines.

    Extreme Engineering

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

    American Changer

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

    Wapello Fabrications

    Inflatables and portable amusements.

    Rio Syrup

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

    Gerber Manufacturing, Ltd.

    Outdoor furniture, benches, picnic tables and grills.

    Martin Professionals

    A lighting supplier of choice for the entertainment industry.

    Richie's Italian Ice

    Italian Ice Kiosks and Carts

    Klopp International, Inc. (Playmeter)

    Quality coin counters and sorters.

    Embed

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

    Coast to Coast

    Coin-operated entertainment, crane machines.

    Gold Medal Products Co.

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

    Zebec Water Sports

    Large variety of waterpark needs

    Water Wars (T&D Enterprises of Brainerd)

    Water Wars water balloon game, portable or startionary.

    Qubica

    Sells capital equipment to bowling centers.

    Tarobots

    Boxerjocks robotic boxing amusement ride game attraction.

    CFX Composite & Effects

    Special effects make-up and prosthetics

    Perfect Fry

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

    Thomco Insurance (Fun Pro)

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

    Sippers By Design

    Design and manufacture of specialty custom-shaped drink containers.

    Chestnut Identity Apparel

    Uniform supply, embroidered apparel and flag manufacturing.

    Playsmart

    Patented soft play design, soft playgrounds.

    Cost of Wisconson

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

    Lazer Runner

    Laser Tag Systems

    Friedman Group Ins.

    Insurance for amusement devices.

    Comstock - Castle Stove

    Commercial cooking equipment.

    Penny Press

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

    SnowMasters

    Evaporative snow systems.

    Hamilton Manufacturing Corp.

    Manufacturer of unattended entry systems and change machines.

    Davis & Davis, Inc.

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

    Brunswick Bowling

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

    Challenger Industries

    Sports surfaces, carpets and mini-golf surfaces.

    Muncie Novelty Co., Inc.

    Admissions, financial equipment, printing and tickets.

    U.S. Bowling

    Award-winning independent company brings bowling to your venue.

    Lakeshore Merchandise (Smart Vending)

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

    Store on Wheels

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

    Barron Games

    Redemption air hockey games.

    Beckman Insurance Agency

    Amusement attractions insurance.

    International Special Events (ISERA)

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

    Precision Dynamics (PDC)

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

    Max Flight

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

    Aquaventronics

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

    Wisdom Industries, Ltd.

    Amusement ride manufacturer, new and used rides.

    Master Pitching Machine

    Batting cages and pitching machines.

    Berk Paper & Supply

    Concession supplies.

    Northeast Insurance (NIC)

    Insurance programs.

    Action Lighting Co.

    Lighting supplies.

    Art Attack

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

    Subway

    Fresh food and sandwich options.

    Family Fun Corp.

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

    Birthday University

    Concept development, training and birthday party touring seminars.

    Sacoa

    Designed and manufactures PlayCard, the rechargeable debit card system.

    Poly Products

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

    GloCones

    Flashing cotton candy cones.

    Money Tree - ATM

    ATM machines.

    National Rock & Sculpture

    Dedicated to the conceptual design and development of themed environments.

    Kay Park Recreations Corp.

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

    Fast Corp Vending

    Frozen food vending machines

    Nieco Corp

    Nieco automatic broilers.

    Price Chopper, Inc. Wristbands

    Admission, financial equipment and wristbands.

    Spectrum Sports

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

    Xtreme Inflatables

    Repair and service for all inflatable products.

    Tear Repair

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

    S&S Worldwide

    Large Park amusement rides.

    Lil Orbits Inc.

    Food equipment, donut machines and vendor carts.

    Harris Miniature Golf Course

    Design and construction of miniature golf courses and water rides.

    California Portable Dance Floor Company

    Bulbtronics

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

    Knight Equipment

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

    West Coast Netting, Inc.

    Experienced netting manufacturer on the leading edge of innovation.

    Sureshot Redemption

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

    Omega Carpets

    Printed carpeting for all your facility needs.

    See Coast Manufacturing Co., Inc.

    Coin-operated binoculars and telescopes.

    Formula K Raceways

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

    Castle Golf, Inc.

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

    Ride Development Corp.

    Electric floor, gas and battery-powered bumper cars.

    Weldon, Williams & Lick

    Admission systems and wristband ticketing.

    A'maze Ventures, Inc.

    Mazes for every location, new and used.

    Empex Water Toys

    Aquatons Water Toys

    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.

    Enchanted Castle Studios

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

    Laser Star

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

    Quik N' Crispy (QNC)

    Quik n’ Crispy greaseless fryer.

    Rides-4-U, INC.

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

    Soft Play

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

    Safari Ltd.

    Leading manufacturer of innovative educational toys.

    Adventure Glass

    Unique paddleboats.

    Tokens Direct

    A wide variety of tokens.

    Center Edge Software

    Facility Management Software Solutions

    Stoelting
    OpenAire
    Spectrum Sports
    Cannonball Blaster
    CCI
    Funovation
    Empex Water Toys
    FunProInsurance