Buying Outside the Box

For the February/March issue each year, we bring you the Who’s Who Buyer’s Guide. The listing is a chance to get familiarized with all of the top vendors in the industry, and highlights the companies that are advertisers in the issue with all of their contact information. This year’s edition has been streamlined, and we hope you find the guide useful and informative.
The economic changes of the last several years have altered how many guests spend their time and money. In this issue’s Large Park Report, we examine efforts at Universal Orlando to offer affordable lodging to patrons. The plan is likely to pose an interesting challenge to Disney, our contributor found.
With customers simultaneously pinching pennies and eager to treat the kids to fun, family entertainment centers are the perfect answer to the question of where to spend. In our Family Entertainment Center Report, we offer articles on adding bowling to FECs and insurance trends at the centers, as well as finding the best laser tag vendors.
As professionals in the food service industry have always been aware, guests will always want to take a break to eat and drink. Knowing this fact, investing time and money into eatery and menu improvement are rarely wasted enterprises. Museums are in a unique position to create excitement with food for their audience. In our AAM Report · Food Service Spotlight, we shed light on how these institutions are developing unique and enticing menu items.
Compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) is an ongoing concern for all types of centers, including waterparks. In this issue’s Waves feature, we interviewed parks around the country for their perspectives on meeting deadlines and complying with these at times complex rules.
The ADA regulations allow attractions to create safe and inclusive environments for all patrons. When the attractions are portable and set up at parties or events, safety is a huge challenge and concern. In the Amusement Rental/Inflatable News section, our contributor discusses how inflatable rental companies can tie marketing efforts to safe operating efforts aimed at educating and safely entertaining customers.
With Amusement Expo slated for mid-March, we offer expanded industry coverage in this issue that includes articles on vending machines at zoos, aquariums and family entertainment centers and the outlook for new games. Please stop by and visit our booth at the show, and look for the results of the 2013 Excellence in Family Entertainment Center Awards, which will be announced during the event.
I hope you enjoy the issue, please contact me at editortapmag@Kanec.com with your questions, comments and suggestions.

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