Applying Sound Thinking to a Changing Industry

Encouraging innovation and building up your business to be the best it can be goes hand in hand with listening and responding to what the market is demanding when it comes to creating an organization that will stand the test of time and thrive through adversity. The amusement and leisure entertainment industries have surely faced a host of challenges during the last several years, and seeking out advice from colleagues and experts alike can help create new resources and opportunities for growth.
Tourist Attractions & Parks (TAP) and The IAAPA Attractions Expo continue to be solid sources of imagination-sparking ideas at a time of year when facilities are assessing and analyzing their summer seasons. Many of the TAP staff members will be in attendance in Orlando, so please stop by booth 3002 to say “Hello.” Vendors can pick up the 2013 Media Kit and discuss the valuable advertising opportunities afforded by the magazine and website, and readers can learn about what editorial coverage to look forward to in the New Year.
One solid strategy for business growth is to take a highly successful company and add a much-needed and prized service to the mix of products and services. That is exactly what Prime Time Amusements is accomplishing with its new Prop Creations division. You can read about this innovative concept for adding themed elements to facilities in the exclusive story in this issue.
Roller coasters and dark rides are staples in the amusement park industry, and in The Large Park Report Contributor Chad Emerson examines innovations in dark rides. We also offer a story on amusement park ride technology in our Magic of High Technology section.
The issue also covers waterpark insurance best practices, and in the Family Entertainment Center Report, offering multiple attractions in one location, revamping bowling center menus, caring for flooring, carpet and turf at mini-golf and go-kart facilities, bumper car and laser tag trends, a new facility spotlight and the latest information on the TAP and Foundations Entertainment University-sponsored 2013 Excellence in Family Entertainment Center Awards. Additionally, we feature insightful industry coverage in the Street Beat, Haunted Attractions, Food Service Spotlight and Amusement Rental/Inflatable News sections.
TAP’s 40th Anniversary Year
Tourist Attractions & Parks in 2012 is celebrating four decades of service to the industry, and the well wishes and congratulatory letters have been pouring into our Pennsylvania office. We have reprinted a selection of the letters in this issue, and thank everyone for showing their appreciation of the staff’s efforts.
I hope you enjoy the issue. Please email me at editortapmag@kanec.com with your comments, questions and suggestions.

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