Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Monster City Studios brings "Fresh Ideas Marketplace" to IAAPA Expo



I have to admit that one of my favorite activities at IAAPA is enjoying all the amazing themed environments companies bring to the hall. Monster City Studios has made some of my favorites in the past and I'm excited to see what they bring this year.

For 2015 their theme is “Fresh Ideas Marketplace.” With the goal being to escape the run of the mill trade show booths everyone is so familiar with, Monster City Studios promises to take an organic approach. Monster City Studios’ Fresh Ideas Marketplace will be located outside at IAAPA exhibit space # 7110.

“We want this year’s exhibit to be different from traditional booths and get back to the roots
of our creative business. The goal is to inspire our customers and give them a fresh,
new way to approach and grow their ideas from concept to project completion.”
says Richard Deaver, President of Monster City Studios.

Deaver also stated “We are excited to be outside this year because our exhibit is a natural, original, upcycled concept so we wanted to capitalize on that and really get our message to our prospective clients that we are doing things in a fresh, new way. Creating a memorable experience has to begin somewhere. The Fresh Ideas Marketplace is the best place to start.”

“Our work and attention to detail speaks for itself, but we want to go beyond that and share our creative process with others," stated Kelley Nelson, Head of Business & Brand Development for Monster City Studios. "We want to show how working with Monster City in a collaborative way, can cultivate new, original ideas that will make their own brand standout.“

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Lazer Frenzy invites IAAPA Attractions Expo Guests to Play New Games

News from the team at Creative Works:


IAAPA Attractions Expo is just around the corner and Creative Works isexcited to announce that their popular laser maze, Lazer Frenzy, has four new unique game modes! Stop by Booth #825 to play Lazer Frenzy as well as learn about other attractions like laser tag and miniature golf.

Lazer Frenzy laser maze is an exciting arcade-style attraction that has been captivating the world with its high-tech interactive game play and its use of lasers, mirrors, haze, effects, and unique theming. With a footprint of less than 150 square feet, it's small enough to fit comfortably in an arcade environment, and even accepts coins or swipe card as payment - no attendant needed.

The unique customization features and continual enhancements to the product make it one of the quickest ROI pieces in the attraction industry. Whether you have an existing bowling or skating center, or you're developing a new FEC, this attraction is a fantastic boost to your bottom line. For more information, visit the Lazer Frenzy Website.

Monday, September 24, 2012

IAAPA appoints Universal Exec as Future Leader

The board of directors of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) has elected John McReynolds third vice chairman. McReynolds is senior vice president – external affairs for Universal Parks and Resorts. He will move through the positions of third, second, and first vice chairmen before leading the association as its chairman of the board in 2016.

“John has been an industry leader and active IAAPA volunteer for more than 10 years,” said Darrell Metzger, chairman of the IAAPA nominating committee and chairman of Themed Attractions and Destinations Resorts in Malaysia. “His extensive experience, understanding of the key issues and opportunities facing the worldwide industry, and his leadership acumen will play a key role in moving the association forward for the next five years.”

McReynolds started his career in the attractions industry in 1995 when he joined the Universal Orlando team as manager, government relations. He was named vice president in 1999, and in 2001 he assumed oversight responsibility for political, regulatory, and legislative matters for Universal’s parks and resorts in Orlando, Florida, and Hollywood, California. He was promoted to senior vice president in 2007 and is responsible for government and community relations for the company. Prior to joining Universal, and for eight years, McReynolds served on the staff of United States Senator Connie Mack.

McReynolds has also been an active volunteer within IAAPA for 10 years. He is a member of the board of directors for the IAAPA Foundation; has served two terms on the IAAPA Board of Directors; was on the association’s executive and nominating committees; and has chaired the IAAPA Government Relations and Political Action committees. McReynolds has also been a featured speaker at IAAPA Attractions Expo.

McReynolds is involved in a number of travel industry, civic, and community organizations including California Attractions and Parks Association, Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, Visit Florida, Orlando Business Force, Efficient Transportation Coalition of Central Florida, Orlando Inner-City All Stars, West Orange Chamber of Commerce, California Tourism Industry Association, and the YMCA Aquatic Center.

Friday, July 1, 2011

IAAPA Attractions Expo 2011 Registration Now Open

Just received the following notice from IAAPA. Registration for the 2011 Attractions Expo is now open. Looking forward to a great show this year. Orlando is on the road to recovery and with Disney, Universal, Legoland, and SeaWorld all working on new projects, it's going to be exciting.

This November, the world’s savviest attractions industry professionals will come together to kick off the biggest, most exciting event of the year—IAAPA Attractions Expo 2011, Nov. 14–18, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Find revenue-generating ideas that will rev up your business at every turn. You’ll have the chance to:
  • Test new products and services from more than 1,100 of the world’s leading suppliers including your favorite vendors and up-and-coming innovators. 
  • Network with more than 25,000 attractions professionals from 96 countries. 
  • Choose from more than 100 education sessions headed by the most experienced pros in the industry, and keynote presentations by Pat Koch from Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari and Jim Pattison from Ripley Entertainment. 
  • Take advantage of on- and off-site special events, exclusive tours at Busch Gardens Tampa’s Cheetah Run, Legoland, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and more. 
Online registration is now open, so get your ticket to ride and land at the industry’s biggest marketplace: IAAPA Attractions Expo 2011.

Drop us a note in the comments if you're attending or your company has a booth. 

Sunday, November 14, 2010

AMI Debuts new Cash Prize touchscreen game at IAAPA

Editor: Looks like they're picking up on some very popular social gaming examples. Be sure to check your local laws first.

AMI Entertainment Network is proud to announce its participation in the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Expo in Orlando, Florida, which begins on November 16.

Visitors to booth #1603 will have the opportunity to test their touchscreen skills on AMI’s new Prize Farm machine and win instant cash!

Prize Farm is AMI’s first skill-based coin-op machine offering instant cash payout in the U.S. AMI will be offering show attendees at the Orange County Convention Center the opportunity to play the new games for free and walk away with up to $50 cash. Visitors to AMI’s booth also will have the opportunity to play the newest games from the Megatouch 2011 software.

The latest release features nine new games, including Little Shop Road Trip, the sequel to 2010’s smash hit Little Shop of Treasures.

Philadelphia-based AMI Entertainment Network Inc. is a global provider of on-location digital entertainment, from touchscreen games and jukeboxes to streaming news, music, and video programming. It provides content-rich entertainment solutions to bars, restaurants, and commercial venues in over 30 countries worldwide through a wealth of product brands: Megatouch, Rowe, Rock-Ola, Gameswarehouse, TAP.tv, and Almotech. Expanding its digital portfolio to touchscreen PCs and mobile devices, AMI is at the forefront of touchscreen entertainment for any venue or platform.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

SurfStream Barreling Wave Machine debuts



American Wave Machines, Inc. (AWM), an innovator in artificial wave technology, recently announced the successful commissioning of the first modular surfing system delivering multiple wave types including a left and right breaking barrel option.

AWM will be exhibiting at this year's IAAPA Attractions Expo. The AWM team (Bruce, Marie & Jennna) will be at the booth, along with East Coast Pro Surfer Lauren McLean. We'll be at booth number 4415.

Surfers are lining up to ride real surfboards with fins on the first barreling standing wave in Europe. The machine debuted at the Himlabadet Municipal Aquatic Sports and Spa Facility in Sundsvall, Sweden and is another first for AWM.

The locals in Sundsvall came out in full-force to ride SurfStream at the opening day event, sponsored by Quiksilver™ and Red Bull.

The event featured a live demonstration of the newly patented barreling wave technology and patent pending adjustable gated stream delivery system. The installation of the 16' x 4' high SurfStream (model 4016) paves the way for larger systems and establishes a value benchmark in the industry.

As early adopters of innovative technology, Himlabadet has received positive responses from the riders.

"We rode the SurfStream® with a 4'2" twin fin and a 5'0" thruster. The riding was awesome," said Per Öhman, a local Baltic Sea surfer from Sundsvall. "With the modular inserts, we can alternate between frontside and backside surfing in 82 deg. water. We're totally stoked to have a SurfStream® in our hometown."

The modular system can be configured into four different waves; a wide wave for beginner stand-up surf training, a left barrel, a right barrel, and a wide standing hydraulic jump wave.

"It's been a great experience working with the team at Himlabadet and VinterTeknik to bring this SurfStream on-line," said Bruce McFarland, President of AWM. "After a long development project, to finally see surfers, snowboarders and wakeboarders surfing a man-made barreling wave was fulfillment of a shared vision."

About American Wave Machines, Inc.
American Wave Machines, Inc. (AWM) develops artificial wave technology for applications in the aquatics, amusement, and resort industries. Its patented SurfStream®, the world’s first standing wave machine, is a technology breakthrough that delivers authentic surf and wave riding capabilities. The company also offers PerfectSwell™ wave generators for wave pools and custom surf pool design and equipment for large surf pools. For more information, visit www.surfstream.com.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Announces new Attractions

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Introduces A New Breed of Speed

For more than five decades, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has found inspiration in its animals. Animal care experts have turned that inspiration into adventure with immersive natural habitats like the Serengeti Plain, Myombe Reserve, Edge of Africa and Jungala. Engineers have also turned it into adrenaline, capturing the spirit of the animals in wood and steel with coasters like Kumba, Gwazi and SheiKra.

Now, the next generation of thrills emerges from the crossroads where up-close animal encounters and awe-inspiring rides come together. This spring, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will introduce a new mega-attraction that introduces guests to join the hunt for excitement and experience a new breed of speed.

Cheetah Hunt

The centerpiece of the new attraction is Cheetah Hunt, a Linear Synchronous Motor (LSM) Launch Coaster that uses the force of repelling magnets to launch riders from 0 to 60 in a matter of seconds – not once, but three times.

This one-of-a-kind, multiple launch-point coaster will board in Busch Gardens’ historic monorail station, which has been completely renovated as part of the new attraction.

The first launch propels the train out of the station and into the grasslands that surround the new area. Moments later, a second burst of speed accelerates riders to 60 mph and up into the ride’s signature tower element that climbs more than 10 stories above the African landscape before plunging 130 feet into a subterranean trench.

Cheetah Hunt covers a lot of ground, setting a new distance record for Busch Gardens’ roller coasters at 4,429 feet of track. After leaving the Crown Colony Plaza area, it races across a portion of the Serengeti Plain, staying close to the ground to give guests the experience of a cheetah sprinting across the plains. Elements such as over-banked turns, air-time parabolas and a heart line roll inversion imitate the agile creature chasing its prey, leaping and pouncing into the Nairobi area, where the train twists through a rocky gorge that was formerly part of Rhino Rally.

At the far end of this three-quarter-mile path, a third burst of speed rockets the train back across the plain toward the station in a thrill-ride experience unlike anything Busch Gardens’ guests have ever experienced.


Cheetah Run

But this one-of-a-kind coaster experience is only a portion of the new realm. Building on Busch Gardens’ unrivaled ability to combine thrills with immersive animal encounters, Cheetah Run will set a new standard for bringing nature and humans together in a really unique way.

Located in the area that formerly housed the Budweiser Clydesdales, this expansive new habitat will give visitors the opportunity to get closer to cheetahs than ever before with elevated, glass-paneled viewing areas. Even more exciting will be the chance to witness the world’s fastest land animal in action. Busch Gardens’ trainers will conduct daily sprints with the cheetahs for an awesome opportunity to see one of nature’s true wonders in full form!

Families can also explore interactive touch screens to learn even more about these big cats and SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment’s work on their behalf. Through the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, the adventure parks have been helping wild cheetahs since 2005.

The Realm

While thrill-seekers race across the plain on Cheetah Hunt, and even non-riders appreciate the beauty and grace of the cheetah in Cheetah Run, the realm surrounding this new mega-attraction offers many more opportunities for adventure and exploration.

Built at the crossroads where Morocco, Egypt and the Edge of Africa all come together, the plaza will be a bustling, colorful celebration inspired by the sights and sounds of the cultures that feed into it. Busch Gardens’ famous Crown Colony House Restaurant will remain a focal point of the area as well with a new, terraced entrance that will feature additional outdoor seating and natural landscaping.

Cheetah Hunt and Cheetah Run open in spring 2011. Together, they form a unique experience – the kind you’ll only find at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.