Archive for June, 2012

Keeping FEC Arcades Profitable

June 3, 2012 No Comments

Top Strategies from Coin-Op Machine Operators It is a techie-world, in which we live. In many homes, one can find any number of electronics, from Wii games, to iPhones to iPads. Family Entertainment Centers (FECs) have to bring in the best, most exciting games, in order to stand up to the challenge that in-home entertainment ...

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Bowling Center Renovations Bring New Amenities and a Modern Vibe

June 3, 2012 No Comments

A group of college students walks into a bowling center near campus, but rather than leaving after playing a few games as in the past, they kick back in a separate lounge area, eating snacks and watching a baseball game on a flat-screen TV set. At another facility, a group of women enjoy a friend’s ...

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Bowling Is Better Together – How Technology Is Reinventing the Game

June 3, 2012 No Comments

Bowling is arguably one of America’s most popular pastimes with almost 70 million people bowling at least one game a year over the past 10 years.  Bowling is a sport with few boundaries to its enjoyment.  Whether a person is 6 years old or 106 years old, they can enjoy the game.  With a little ...

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Locations Are Turning to Embed for Site Conversions

Locations Are Turning to Embed for Site Conversions

June 3, 2012 No Comments

Embed, a leading provider of debit card and point-of-sale systems for the amusement and family entertainment industry, has announced that more than 20 locations have converted their systems and switched to Embed in the last 16 months. The Embed Systems are used to manage the cashless operation of games as well as the extensive redemption ...

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Laser Maze Challenge at Wilderness at the Smokies

Laser Maze Challenge at Wilderness at the Smokies

June 3, 2012 No Comments

Funovation® has installed another custom Laser Maze Challenge. You can now “snake your way through the Copperhead laser maze” at Tennessee’s largest year-round water park resort, Wilderness at the Smokies.

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Creative Works Inc. Completes Eastern Shore Lanes Project

June 3, 2012 No Comments

Creative Works Inc., put its stamp on a new entertainment facility in Spanish Fort, Ala., that just opened its doors to the public in April. Eastern Shore Lanes, which sits just outside Mobile, is a multi-attraction facility that provides a number of different options for guests including bowling, billiards, an arcade and laser tag. Creative ...

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Laser Tag and FECs – An Attraction Takes Hold in a Changing Market

June 3, 2012 No Comments

Laser Tag has been a part of the family entertainment center experience for a number of years, but especially in the last five years that experience has changed dramatically.  Typically considered to be simply a “flavor” attraction, laser tag has proven its strength to FEC owners and has become an expected attraction in centers today.   ...

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June 2012

June 3, 2012 No Comments

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Ten Tips for Creating Perfect Kids’ Birthday Parties

June 2, 2012 No Comments

Listen. Customers will tell you what they really want. Be flexible. Allow parents to customize packages to meet their budgets and expectations. Provide a point person. A party coordinator or hostess will ensure that the group has dedicated customer service. Offer innovation. A fresh and exciting party will be memorable for kids. Mind the bottom ...

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Special Events Strategies – Creating the Perfect Children’s Birthday Party

Special Events Strategies – Creating the Perfect Children’s Birthday Party

June 2, 2012 No Comments

It’s a natural market. Kids are a major driver of the popularity of mini-golf and go-kart parks. And when it comes to celebrating birthdays, parents want to give their children a memorable event. But creating the perfect celebration can be challenging. After all, there are a myriad of factors, ranging from accommodating multiple age groups ...

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Sponsors

    Look Solutions

    Fog machines.

    Muncie Novelty Co., Inc.

    Admissions, financial equipment, printing and tickets.

    Zebec Water Sports

    Large variety of waterpark needs

    Cost of Wisconson

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

    Master Pitching Machine

    Batting cages and pitching machines.

    Tokens Direct

    A wide variety of tokens.

    Perfect Fry

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

    Family Fun Corp.

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

    National Rock & Sculpture

    Dedicated to the conceptual design and development of themed environments.

    Berk Paper & Supply

    Concession supplies.

    S&S Worldwide

    Large Park amusement rides.

    Aquaventronics

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

    Adventure Golf

    Miniature golf courses, consultants, architecture and design.

    Nieco Corp

    Nieco automatic broilers.

    Omega Carpets

    Printed carpeting for all your facility needs.

    Birthday University

    Concept development, training and birthday party touring seminars.

    Belson Manufacturing Co.

    Park and recreation outdoor furniture and equipment.

    Subway

    Fresh food and sandwich options.

    Comstock - Castle Stove

    Commercial cooking equipment.

    Center Edge Software

    Facility Management Software Solutions

    Poly Products

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

    West Coast Netting, Inc.

    Experienced netting manufacturer on the leading edge of innovation.

    Xtreme Inflatables

    Repair and service for all inflatable products.

    Martin Professionals

    A lighting supplier of choice for the entertainment industry.

    Sippers By Design

    Design and manufacture of specialty custom-shaped drink containers.

    U.S. Bowling

    Award-winning independent company brings bowling to your venue.

    Spectrum Sports

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

    Rio Syrup

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

    Action Lighting Co.

    Lighting supplies.

    Wisdom Industries, Ltd.

    Amusement ride manufacturer, new and used rides.

    Money Tree - ATM

    ATM machines.

    Mahoning Valley Mfg.

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

    Gold Medal Products Co.

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

    Wells Fargo

    Commercial insurance for inflatables and event planners.

    Playsmart

    Patented soft play design, soft playgrounds.

    Qubica

    Sells capital equipment to bowling centers.

    Northeast Insurance (NIC)

    Insurance programs.

    Hamilton Manufacturing Corp.

    Manufacturer of unattended entry systems and change machines.

    Wapello Fabrications

    Inflatables and portable amusements.

    Broaster Co., The

    Food programs and food service equipment.

    A'maze Ventures, Inc.

    Mazes for every location, new and used.

    Empex Water Toys

    Aquatons Water Toys

    Fast Corp Vending

    Frozen food vending machines

    Adventure Glass

    Unique paddleboats.

    Brunswick Bowling

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

    Knight Equipment

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

    Hoffman Mint

    Tokens, medals, coins and key tags.

    Coast to Coast

    Coin-operated entertainment, crane machines.

    Deltronic Labs Inc.

    Ticket dispensers.

    Soft Play

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

    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.

    Amusement Entertainment Management (AEM)

    Premier entertainment consultants.

    R&R Creative Amusement Design

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

    Harris Miniature Golf Course

    Design and construction of miniature golf courses and water rides.

    Quik N' Crispy (QNC)

    Quik n’ Crispy greaseless fryer.

    Gerber Manufacturing, Ltd.

    Outdoor furniture, benches, picnic tables and grills.

    Kay Park Recreations Corp.

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

    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.

    Extreme Engineering

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

    Store on Wheels

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

    Lil Orbits Inc.

    Food equipment, donut machines and vendor carts.

    Flagship Carpet

    Custom carpets and rugs.

    Lakeshore Merchandise (Smart Vending)

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

    See Coast Manufacturing Co., Inc.

    Coin-operated binoculars and telescopes.

    CFX Composite & Effects

    Special effects make-up and prosthetics

    Lazer Runner

    Laser Tag Systems

    Castle Golf, Inc.

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

    Tarobots

    Boxerjocks robotic boxing amusement ride game attraction.

    Penny Press

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

    Davis & Davis, Inc.

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

    California Portable Dance Floor Company

    Midway Concepts (Circus Tops)

    Premier designers of stainless steel food service equipment.

    Splashtacular

    Manufacturer of waterslides

    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.

    GloCones

    Flashing cotton candy cones.

    Bulbtronics

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

    Klopp International, Inc. (Playmeter)

    Quality coin counters and sorters.

    Max Flight

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

    Challenger Industries

    Sports surfaces, carpets and mini-golf surfaces.

    Barron Games

    Redemption air hockey games.

    Thomco Insurance (Fun Pro)

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

    Weldon, Williams & Lick

    Admission systems and wristband ticketing.

    Sureshot Redemption

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

    Safari Ltd.

    Leading manufacturer of innovative educational toys.

    Art Attack

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

    Sacoa

    Designed and manufactures PlayCard, the rechargeable debit card system.

    Richie's Italian Ice

    Italian Ice Kiosks and Carts

    Funovation

    Laser maze challenge

    Tube Pro

    Waterpark tubes.

    Precision Dynamics (PDC)

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

    American Changer

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

    Laser Star

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

    European Body Arts

    Airbrushed temporary tattoo products and systems.

    Ride Development Corp.

    Electric floor, gas and battery-powered bumper cars.

    Embed

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

    Water Wars (T&D Enterprises of Brainerd)

    Water Wars water balloon game, portable or startionary.

    Chestnut Identity Apparel

    Uniform supply, embroidered apparel and flag manufacturing.

    Friedman Group Ins.

    Insurance for amusement devices.

    Formula K Raceways

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

    Tear Repair

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

    SnowMasters

    Evaporative snow systems.

    Price Chopper, Inc. Wristbands

    Admission, financial equipment and wristbands.

    Rides-4-U, INC.

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

    Enchanted Castle Studios

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

    Gould Manufacturing, Ltd.

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

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