Archive for July, 2012

News Flashes from Tourist Attractions & Parks Magazine

July 19, 2012 No Comments

  Universal Orlando Resort’s All-New Retail Experience Is Inspired by Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants  New Store Brings Bikini Bottom to Life and Features Exclusive Merchandise, Meet-and-Greet Opportunities with SpongeBob SquarePants and More Universal Orlando Resort is introducing an all-new, one-of-a-kind retail entertainment experience that immerses guests in the underwater world of Bikini Bottom, home to Nickelodeon’s ...

Read more...

News Flashes from Tourist Attractions & Parks Magazine

July 11, 2012 No Comments

  Putt Putt Fun Center Adds Laser Tag by Creative Works Creative Works once again traveled to Putt Putt Fun Center in Lynchburg, Va., during May of 2012 to install a new attraction for owner Joe Aboid.  This new Adventure Quest laser tag arena was the anchor attraction of the facility’s expansion. This wasn’t the ...

Read more...

News Flashes from Tourist Attractions & Parks Magazine

July 5, 2012 No Comments

  DNA US Conference Reveals Speakers and Initial Supporters The list of speakers for the Digital Out-of-Home Interactive Entertainment (DOE) conference in October boasts some of the leading names in the emerging sector. The conference will take place in Los Angeles, Calif., Oct. 2 and 3. Speakers will include: Chris Stapleton offering a keynote address, ...

Read more...

Let’s Talk Overstaffing

July 3, 2012 2 Comments

By Allen F. Weitzel   An industry chat group recently broached the subject of overstaffing.  Is there such a thing?  Is correct staffing an easy thing to do?  Let us take a minute to address staffing and scheduling.   Surprise Productivity   During my career in the amusement industry, I only encountered one instance where ...

Read more...

Always Give’em Something

July 3, 2012 No Comments

By Allen F. Weitzel   I am not saying anything new when I say that the obligation of management is to provide education, leadership, ethics, and support to all employees.  We all accept that responsibility and strive to attain those goals.  With that in mind, there is one more important function that management should provide ...

Read more...

Commemorative TAP Scrapbook

July 2, 2012 No Comments

Read more...

Sponsors

    Tube Pro

    Waterpark tubes.

    Rio Syrup

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

    Master Pitching Machine

    Batting cages and pitching machines.

    Soft Play

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

    Sureshot Redemption

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

    Klopp International, Inc. (Playmeter)

    Quality coin counters and sorters.

    S&S Worldwide

    Large Park amusement rides.

    Berk Paper & Supply

    Concession supplies.

    U.S. Bowling

    Award-winning independent company brings bowling to your venue.

    See Coast Manufacturing Co., Inc.

    Coin-operated binoculars and telescopes.

    Splashtacular

    Manufacturer of waterslides

    Water Wars (T&D Enterprises of Brainerd)

    Water Wars water balloon game, portable or startionary.

    Weldon, Williams & Lick

    Admission systems and wristband ticketing.

    Challenger Industries

    Sports surfaces, carpets and mini-golf surfaces.

    Belson Manufacturing Co.

    Park and recreation outdoor furniture and equipment.

    Lil Orbits Inc.

    Food equipment, donut machines and vendor carts.

    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.

    Center Edge Software

    Facility Management Software Solutions

    Look Solutions

    Fog machines.

    Beckman Insurance Agency

    Amusement attractions insurance.

    Birthday University

    Concept development, training and birthday party touring seminars.

    Aquaventronics

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

    West Coast Netting, Inc.

    Experienced netting manufacturer on the leading edge of innovation.

    Lakeshore Merchandise (Smart Vending)

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

    Midway Concepts (Circus Tops)

    Premier designers of stainless steel food service equipment.

    Muncie Novelty Co., Inc.

    Admissions, financial equipment, printing and tickets.

    Barron Games

    Redemption air hockey games.

    Tear Repair

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

    Hoffman Mint

    Tokens, medals, coins and key tags.

    Northeast Insurance (NIC)

    Insurance programs.

    Zebec Water Sports

    Large variety of waterpark needs

    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.

    Adventure Golf

    Miniature golf courses, consultants, architecture and design.

    Perfect Fry

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

    Sacoa

    Designed and manufactures PlayCard, the rechargeable debit card system.

    Art Attack

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

    Price Chopper, Inc. Wristbands

    Admission, financial equipment and wristbands.

    Playsmart

    Patented soft play design, soft playgrounds.

    Friedman Group Ins.

    Insurance for amusement devices.

    Chestnut Identity Apparel

    Uniform supply, embroidered apparel and flag manufacturing.

    Deltronic Labs Inc.

    Ticket dispensers.

    Wisdom Industries, Ltd.

    Amusement ride manufacturer, new and used rides.

    Spectrum Sports

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

    Brunswick Bowling

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

    Ride Development Corp.

    Electric floor, gas and battery-powered bumper cars.

    Max Flight

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

    California Portable Dance Floor Company

    Wapello Fabrications

    Inflatables and portable amusements.

    Penny Press

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

    Knight Equipment

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

    Tarobots

    Boxerjocks robotic boxing amusement ride game attraction.

    Mahoning Valley Mfg.

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

    National Rock & Sculpture

    Dedicated to the conceptual design and development of themed environments.

    Sippers By Design

    Design and manufacture of specialty custom-shaped drink containers.

    Richie's Italian Ice

    Italian Ice Kiosks and Carts

    A'maze Ventures, Inc.

    Mazes for every location, new and used.

    International Special Events (ISERA)

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

    Subway

    Fresh food and sandwich options.

    Funovation

    Laser maze challenge

    Flagship Carpet

    Custom carpets and rugs.

    Store on Wheels

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

    Adventure Glass

    Unique paddleboats.

    Safari Ltd.

    Leading manufacturer of innovative educational toys.

    Embed

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

    Family Fun Corp.

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

    Comstock - Castle Stove

    Commercial cooking equipment.

    Precision Dynamics (PDC)

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

    Rides-4-U, INC.

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

    Omega Carpets

    Printed carpeting for all your facility needs.

    Laser Star

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

    Gerber Manufacturing, Ltd.

    Outdoor furniture, benches, picnic tables and grills.

    Wells Fargo

    Commercial insurance for inflatables and event planners.

    Fast Corp Vending

    Frozen food vending machines

    Castle Golf, Inc.

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

    Xtreme Inflatables

    Repair and service for all inflatable products.

    CFX Composite & Effects

    Special effects make-up and prosthetics

    Quik N' Crispy (QNC)

    Quik n’ Crispy greaseless fryer.

    R&R Creative Amusement Design

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

    European Body Arts

    Airbrushed temporary tattoo products and systems.

    Amusement Entertainment Management (AEM)

    Premier entertainment consultants.

    Money Tree - ATM

    ATM machines.

    Coast to Coast

    Coin-operated entertainment, crane machines.

    GloCones

    Flashing cotton candy cones.

    Cost of Wisconson

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

    Bulbtronics

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

    Broaster Co., The

    Food programs and food service 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.

    Formula K Raceways

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

    Lazer Runner

    Laser Tag Systems

    Gold Medal Products Co.

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

    Martin Professionals

    A lighting supplier of choice for the entertainment industry.

    American Changer

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

    SnowMasters

    Evaporative snow systems.

    Enchanted Castle Studios

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

    Kay Park Recreations Corp.

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

    Harris Miniature Golf Course

    Design and construction of miniature golf courses and water rides.

    Gould Manufacturing, Ltd.

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

    Nieco Corp

    Nieco automatic broilers.

    Action Lighting Co.

    Lighting supplies.

    Thomco Insurance (Fun Pro)

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

    Tokens Direct

    A wide variety of tokens.

    Empex Water Toys

    Aquatons Water Toys

    Poly Products

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

    Qubica

    Sells capital equipment to bowling centers.

    Extreme Engineering

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

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