7/25/05
FUN ALERT – FUN EXPO CRANKIN’
Chicago, Illinois – Fun Expo and the Fun Academy will take place in September at the LasVegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada USA. Dates: Fun Academy Sunday, September 11 – Friday, September 16, 2005 -- Exhibits Wednesday, September 14 – Friday, September 16, 2005
Exhibit space for Fun Expo is going fast and deadlines to be included in the Official Fun Expo/AMOA combined show directory distributed to buyers attending both events is quickly approaching. If you’d like the opportunity to exhibit at the only trade show focused on the family entertainment center industry, contact Jim Winslow at jwinslow@wtglasgow.com or call (708) 226-1300.
HOTEL ROOMS AT A PREMIUM
Rooms are filling up fast at the Las Vegas Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations! Rates at the Las Vegas Hilton are $115 single/double. Hilton Grand Vacations offers a Studio for $99 and a one-bedroom suite for $135. Rates are exclusive of tax. August 8 is the cut-off for reserving rooms.
REGISTER BY AUGUST 15 AND AVOID LATE FEES
Prices go up after August 15 so you’ll want to sign-up now to attend Fun Expo and the Fun Academy programs. Sign up early and as an IALEI member and save EVEN MORE! For more information about joining IALEI, visit their website at www.ialei.org or call Linda Brandl at 1-888-464-6498or 603-464-6498.
AIMS OFFERS CERTIFICATION TESTING
The AIMS Maintenance Certification Program is the only internationally recognized program for the verification of knowledge and participation in the field of amusement ride maintenance. The AIMS Maintenance Certification Program is designed to test the knowledge of individuals working in the maintenance field within the amusement industry. Certification testing will be offered on Monday, September 12, from 5:30 – 8:00 pm. The cost is $100. For more information about certification testing, go to www.aimsintl.org
IIPGA TO HOLD ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP BREAKFAST AND SEMINARS
The International Inflatable Products & Games Association (IIPGA) will hold a Membership Breakfast Meeting and seminars on “Marketing Your Business” and “Inflatable Risk Management” on Friday, September 16, from 8:00 am – 10:00 am. All are welcome to attend. For more information contact Scott Borowsky at 610-645-6940 or visit www.iipga.com.
AIMS ON THE ROAD PRESENTS ONE DAY INFLATABLE SAFETY SEMINAR
AIMS International, as part of their Educational & Safety Program, will present a one-day inflatable safety session on Monday, September 12 from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. Safety consultant Patty Beazley and Certified safety professional and NAARSO certified ride inspector Barry Richard will conduct the full day session covering important operational and safety training, maintenance of equipment, working with inspectors, training the renter and the importance of documentation. This class is eight (8) contact hours in correlation with the Greenville Technical College/AIMS Continuing Education Program. Cost is $179. Additional fees apply to CEU credits.
BUYERS BONANZA OFFERS EXCLUSIVE “SHOW-ONLY “DISCOUNTS
Buyers attending Fun Expo will be able to cash-in on special discounts only available at the Show. In the coming weeks, Fun Expo exhibitors participating in the Buyer’s Bonanza will be listed on the Fun Expo website so buyers can start planning their purchases. At the Show, a full list will be included in the Show Directory plus signs identifying Buyer’s Bonanza participants will be prominently displayed in the booths of participating exhibitors. Visit www.funexpo.com in the coming weeks to view a list of participating exhibitors.
FACILITY I.D. ON FUN EXPO BADGE SPEEDS UP THE SALES PROCESS
If you’re an operator, your name won’t be the only thing on your Fun Expo badge year! This year, the type of facility will print out in the upper right hand corner of the badge to help sellers readily identify the type of location the buyer represents. This saves valuable time for buyers as the exhibitor can quickly assess which products or services are best suited to your location. It’s just one more way we make it easy for you to do business at Fun Expo.
WANTED: FECS TO SHARE THEIR MAKEOVER STORIES
Have you performed a little “makeover” magic on your facility? Nothing major, but just a little something that really made a difference, didn't break the bank nor required an entourage of expensive professionals? If so, submit your non-extreme makeover story for inclusion in our Non-Extreme Makeover Session that will take place on Tuesday, September 13, from 10:15 – 11:45 am. To be considered, you must submit “before and after” photos, cost and explanation of your project. Submissions will be broken down into four categories and selected by industry professionals. The categories are: Total costs under $500; $501-$1,000; $1001 - $1500; $1501 - $2000. Winners will be notified if their makeover story will be presented, and you need not be present in order to be selected. Remember, these projects are to be non-extreme and something the average operator can accomplish. Submit your entries to IALEI Education Chairperson, Dorothy Lewis at dlewisfsu@aol.com by August 15. Reference “MAKEOVER” in the subject line.
WANTED: A FEW GOOD GM’S FOR THE FEC APPRENTICE
Are you a general manager that’s ready, willing and able to pit your skills against other GM’s in the business? Let us hear from you if you’re interested in participating in the fun, lively and informative FEC version of the wildly popular “Apprentice”. You’ll be given scenarios and asked to share your solutions with the audience. If you would like to be considered for this panel, submit your name together with a brief description of your facility including type, size and number of employees to IALEI Education Chairperson, Dorothy Lewis, at dlewisfsu@aol.com. Reference “APPRENTICE” in the subject line.
ROOKIES & NEWCOMERS LIKE IT’S NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE!
What happens when two of Fun Expo’s top rated speakers team up for the Class of 2005 Rookies & Newcomers Workshop? You get Dorothy Lewis and Alan Ramsay who bring their special brand of expertise, enthusiasm and entertainment to one of the most popular programs at Fun Expo. Cost for this 1-1/2 day workshop is $399 for IALEI Members and $449 for non-members before August 15. The fee includes the Rookies & Newcomers Manual, continental breakfast on Sunday and Monday; lunch on Monday and a welcome reception on Sunday evening sponsored by Firestone Financial Corp., a leading source of equipment and inventory financing for manufacturers, distributors and operators of income-generating equipment since 1965. The Rookies & Newcomers workshop is sponsored by Colliers International Las Vegas, one of the largest, most successful and most innovative commercial brokerages in Las Vegas providing services in commercial real estate sales, leasing and management; AND Looney Productions, supplier of music, commercials, pictures, promos, entertainment software, hardware and systems.
“THE DON” OF CARNEGIE MELLON’S ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGY CENTER TO KEYNOTE AT IALEI’S ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP BREAKFAST
Dr. Don Marinelli will deliver a lively and inspirational keynote address at IALEI’s Annual Membership Breakfast on Wednesday, September 14, from 8:00 – 9:45 am. The focus of his presentation, “Forging Partnerships Between Colleges/Universities & FECs”, will be to address the ways that FECs can team up with colleges and universities to solidify each other’s standing as enhancers of the overall quality of life of their communities. Dr. Marinelli is Co-Director of the Carnegie Mellon University Entertainment Technology Center, a joint initiative between the university’s College of fine Arts and the School of Computer Science. The Entertainment Technology Center will also have an exhibit on the show floor showcasing some of their latest student projects. The IALEI Annual Membership Breakfast is open to all Fun Expo and AMOA attendees and there is no charge to attend. Another highlight of this annual event is the presentation of IALEI’s Annual Golden Token Award winners. Plan now to attend!
SAFETY SESSION TAKES NOVEL APPROACH TO SERIOUS TOPIC
Safety is a serious subject, and Michael Getlan and Alan Ramsay want to make sure that participants in their “And The Winner Is You: A Game Show Approach To Safety” are presented with this important information in as memorable a way as possible. Michael and Alan will share daily safety practices, amazing statistics and actual stories from the industry that focus on safety in and around your FEC. This could be the most important (and FUN!) class you take this year!
THE PARTY PLACE OFFERS ONE-STOP SHOPPING FOR PARTY GOODS & SERVICES
The Party Place (formerly Party Pavilion) at Fun Expo is the place to shop for all of your party goods and supplies this fall. Suppliers of party goods and services are conveniently located in one central area on the show floor. A special feature this year will be Party Rooms. Party goods exhibitors will have the opportunity to “theme” a party room with their products. Various themes will include action heroes, princess and glamour parties, licensed themes, unisex, teen party themes, adult and holiday just to mention a few. If parties are your business, make this your first stop at the show. There is still space available in this section, so anyone interested in exhibiting should contact Jim Winslow at jwinslow@wtglasgow.com or call (708) 226-1300. Watch our next edition for more exciting news about The Party Place!
GET YOUR PARTIES STARTED WITH PARTY DIVA DOROTHY LEWIS AND THE PARTY PROFESSOR FRANK PRICE!
Dorothy Lewis of Fun Station Associates and IALEI Education Committee Chair, and Birthday University’s Frank Price take the cake as the top party professionals in the business. If anyone can tell you how to deliver the most memorable parties ever in your facility it’s these two party pros!
Dorothy Lewis takes parties to the next level in her Fun Academy sessions on corporate and special events and adult, teen & specialty parties. Alan Ramsay, CLM Entertainment joins Dorothy in “Thinking About Having An Affair? Corporate & Special Events” on Tuesday, September 13 at 8:30 am. In “Party On: Expanding Your Party Market”, Dorothy will cover adult, teen and specialty parties, also on Tuesday, from 3:30 – 5:00 pm. This session is sponsored by Fun Expo exhibitors, Korte Paper and Redemption Plus.
Birthday party basics are covered in Frank Price’s full day workshop, Birthday University 101 on Friday, September 16. Birthday University registration is $229 for IALEI members and $259 for non-members before August 15. Frank will also introduce a new session as part of Fun Academy called “An Experience To Remember … Everyday”. In this session, you will learn how to create remarkable experiences for your guests everyday … just like it was their birthday! This session will be held on Thursday, September 15, from 8:30 – 10:00 am.
SHeDAISY TO MAKE A BIG SPLASH AT POOLSIDE GALA RECEPTION
Thanks to our partners at AMOA, one of the hottest acts topping the country music charts today, SHeDAISY, will play poolside at the Las Vegas Hilton during the annual Fun Expo/AMOA Gala Reception on Wednesday, September 14, 2005. There’s no better place to meet, eat and hear one of the most talented acts on the country music scene today perform their hit single “Don’t Worry “Bout a Thing”. Mark your calendar for this memorable evening. Fun Expo thanks Sterling & Sterling for their continued sponsorship of this event!
FORE A GOOD TIME AT FUN EXPO, TEE-OFF WITH AMOA!
A 12:30 p.m. shotgun start on Tuesday, September 13, 2005 will signal the beginning of the Third Annual AMOA Expo Golf Classic at the beautiful Las Vegas National Golf Club. Shuttle bus service between the course and the Las Vegas Hilton will be provided. Special features include AMOA sponsored Hole-In-One contest with a chance to win a new car, pre-golf luncheon at the course, complimentary beverages on the course, “best ball” format with competition for prizes. Cost is $160 plus green fees and golf cart rental of $40. To register for the 3rd Annual AMOA Expo Golf Classic, go to www.amoashow.com or call 800-937-2662.
HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY LAS VEGAS! LAS VEGAS TRIVIA CONTEST
May 15, 2005 marked the 100th birthday of faaabulous Las Vegas. And you’ve been going to Las Vegas how many times a year for how many shows and you think you know it all? In keeping with their yearlong birthday celebration, we’re going to have a little fun and test your Las Vegas I.Q. with our Trivia Contest! The first five people to give us the correct answers will win a Fun Academy pass for this year’s Fun Expo valued at $199! Send your answers together with your name, company, address, phone, fax and email address to: info@funexpo.com. In the subject line, refer to “TRIVIA #1”.
1) I’m a legend in Las Vegas and sold the El Cortez Hotel to finance construction of my desert dream and named it for my mistress. Who am I and what hotel did I open in 1946 that still stands today?
2) I’m home to the largest bronze statue of an animal in the United States. What am I and where do I live?
3) I’m the largest freestanding observation tower in the U.S., the tallest building west of the Mississippi and have the highest thrill rides in the world. What am I?
4) What is the age of the landmark "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign?
5) I was a child movie star who tied the knot 8-times in fabulous Las Vegas. Who am I?
6) I am one of three man-made objects visible from space. What am I?
7) Since 1959, I’ve been home of the .99 shrimp cocktail. I’m a Las Vegas landmark that opened in 1906.
8) Tipping the scale at a mere 130,000 pounds plus, I made my debut when Vegas turned 100 in May. My reward was making it into the Guinness Book of World records. What am I?
9) I’m the best-kept secret in town, known only to the locals who ask for my $7.77 unadvertised special at this Las Vegas hotel restaurant. Where can I get such a deal?
10) When I opened in 1958, I was billed as the world’s largest resort complex and rooms went for $6 per night. I’m the site of the oldest Sports Book in Las Vegas and still managed to escape the bulldozer. What am I?
FUN EXPO THANKS ITS SPONSORS …
Sterling & Sterling – Fun Expo/AMOA Gala Reception
Colliers International – Rookies & Newcomers
Looney Productions – Rookies & Newcomers Luncheon
Firestone Financial Inc. – Rookies & Newcomers Welcome Reception
Amusement Business Magazine – IALEI Annual Membership Breakfast & Opening General Session
Redemption Plus - IALEI Annual Membership Breakfast & Opening General Session
Sureshot Redemption - IALEI Annual Membership Breakfast & Opening General Session
Korte Paper – Fun #16: Party On: Expanding Your Party Market
Redemption Plus - Birthday University
Jane Farrell Turf & Carpet – Fun #14: Outdoor Attractions: An Inside Look at the Great Outdoors - Siriani - Fun Academy Workshop Sponsor
