What’s the Future for Cashless Payment? Intercard CEO Shares His Vision for the Sector and His Company By Robert Sax In 2019, Intercard CEO Scott Sherrod declared that “the future of payment is 100% cashless.” It turns out he was right. While there are still some amusement operators clinging to cash, in 2024, the majority of parks, FECs and arcades are now partially or totally cashless. So, what future does Sherrod see now? “It’s about options – providing cashless technology options that allow guests to pay and play the way they want,” he said. “From mobile devices to wearables to…
Author: RePlay Editor
The ninth miniature golf course to open in the Delaware/Maryland coastal area, Nick’s Jurassic Mini Golf, opened its doors this summer, complete with animatronic dinosaurs creating hazards on the course. Customers are welcomed by a ferocious dino as they walk through the former bank facade. As reported in the Cape Gazette, Nick’s Golf LLC principal Nick Geracimos has been quite busy developing fun mini-golf concepts along the coast. Joining the new Rehoboth Beach dino-themed location with fun themes of their own are Maui Golf, Golf Down Under, the Dino Golf & Mining Company, Beach Ball Golf, Dinoland Golf, Pirate Golf,…
Officials in the Las Vegas-area town of Henderson, Nev., approved plans for a new $70 million, 180,000-sq.-ft. indoor sports and FEC complex that is a public-private partnership between the city and KemperSports of Illinois. (KemperSports will operate the facility.) Getting the green light on July 2, the two-level facility, referred to as the West Henderson Fieldhouse, is expected to feature bowling, laser tag, mini-golf and arcade games along with basketball courts, “hybrid turf fields” and gathering rooms for parties and the community. The icing on the cake is that the venue will be built “without burdening taxpayers with long-term financial…
We’ve seen some interesting things inside cranes, including some kids who’ve managed to crawl inside, but here’s a new one… A groundhog was found in a crane at The Meadows Family Fun Mini Golf in Duncansville, Penn., nestled right in with all the cute plush toys and other prizes. Originally spotted in late July, the news has been making the rounds ever since, shared on the location’s Facebook page, the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Instagram site (see photos), USA Today and other news outlets. As reported in USA Today, “State Game Warden Salvadore Zaffuto was called to respond to a groundhog…
Ashley Hoopo has joined the long-running education program Foundations Entertainment University (FEU) and Amusement Entertainment Management (AEM) as their marketing and event assistant. Hoopo previously worked at Newspaper Media Group as a marketing consultant and currently works part-time for her husband’s family at Niupi Development Academy, regarded as one of the best soccer training programs in New Jersey. She has a bachelor’s degree in marketing and advertising from Universidad Tecmilenio in Mexico. And she’s on it when it comes to the new post. Shortly after receiving an email about her hire, she followed up with news about the upcoming Foundations…
Newly joining the IAAPA team is Jessi Quillen, who will serve as VP of Digital Strategy for the association. With a background in global digital marketing and technology spanning over 15 years, Quillen brings a wealth of experience from the retail and tourism sectors, specializing in CRM, web and loyalty experience. She said she’s looking forward to leveraging her expertise in digital strategy to drive IAAPA’s initiatives and create innovative solutions that align with the needs of members. Quillen’s passion for digital marketing and technology was ignited early in her career while working for a pioneering online retailer in the…
If you haven’t made plans to attend the International Adventure and Trampoline Park Assn.’s 2024 convention, there’s still time! The event takes place Sept. 9-11 at the Margaritaville Beach Resort in Hollywood, Fla. From the seminars and exhibits to the “meet and greets,” organizers say they’ve designed a “laid-back, fun-filled experience you won’t want to miss!” They’ve even had a good time naming the events to elevate the fun. There’s the Flip-Flop Fiesta Welcome Bash, Parrot Head Business Meeting Breakfast, It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere Meet & Greet Reception and Cheeseburger in Paradise Lunch with Exhibits. To learn more, visit the…
Jersey Shore amusement operator Steve Linzey died suddenly, Monday, Aug. 26, of an apparent heart attack while in his workshop. He was 71. Friend Peter Novakovic (Big City Auctions, Long Beach, N.Y.) said had just finished a phone call with Steve and then, just three minutes later, got a call from Linzey’s employee saying he was gone. The pair had been working in Linzey’s shop behind his home in Jackson, N.J. “He told me to get the tools from the shed,” the employee told Novakovic. “When I returned a minute later, he was on the ground.” Emergency services were called,…
In an announcement from AAMA, RePlay learned the tragic news that Scott Blair, son of association leader Jeff Blair, died unexpectedly on Sunday, Aug. 25. In expressing their heartfelt sympathies to Jeff and his family, AAMA wrote, “We pray that in the coming days, weeks, months and years they find some measure of comfort in the many cherished memories of Scott they carry in their hearts.” A visitation will be held Thursday, Aug. 29, from 4-9 p.m. with a funeral service beginning at 7 p.m. at Elmhurst Community Funeral Home – The Ahlgrim Chapel – at 567 S. Spring Road,…
Three of Sacoa Cashless System’s customers – Europa-Park, Gravity Max Liverpool and NIKITO World – are eagerly awaiting the announcement of the winners of this year’s Park World Excellence Awards. The reason? They’re nominees! The Park World Excellence Awards celebrate excellence and innovation in amusement parks and FECs in the EMEA region and after the group’s “rigorous decision-making process,” the three Sacoa customers are on the award “shortlist.” Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on Sept. 25. Sacoa International CEO Pol Mochkovsky said, “We are delighted to see Europa-Park, Gravity Max Liverpool and NIKITO World…