Charlie Keegan is now the CEO of Five Star Parks and Attractions, the company announced. He’s been on their board since February 2023 and brings more than 30 years of international experience in entertainment, leisure and hospitality. “I’m honored to serve Five Star Parks and Attractions at such an exciting time,” Keegan said. “This is a company with incredible momentum, a strong culture, and a clear mission to deliver joy through unforgettable experiences. I look forward to working with the team to build on that foundation and take our parks to new heights.” Most recently, Keegan led DistrictPlay, his advisory…

Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, is joining up with Saudia Arabia in a deal to buy the publicly-traded Electronic Arts video game giant. According to CNN, Kushner’s Affinity Partners and the Kingdom’s public investment fund Silver Lake will be putting up $55 billion to acquire the company that produced such consumer hits as Madden NFL (the deal is scheduled to conclude in the first quarter of 2027). CNN reported that Kushner said he grew up playing videos and now enjoys playing them with his children. “I couldn’t be more excited about what’s ahead,” he reportedly stated. (CNN also advised that Electronic Arts…

LAI Games and Ubisoft are building on their past success Virtual Rabbids with a new unattended attraction called Ubisoft All-Star VR. The first demo of the 2-4-player game was shown recently at IAAPA Expo Europe. The companies say the new attraction “represents a major leap forward in arcade VR” and “features groundbreaking driving and steering haptics, high-precision motion by D-BOX and a stunning cinematic LED wall that makes it a true showstopper on any game room floor.” Players can choose from a lineup of Ubisoft heroes like Ezio from Assassin’s Creed, Sam Fisher from Splinter Cell or even the Just…

Shaffer Distributing Company’s director of business development, Adam Kleinhenz, was honored with AAMA’s Shining Star Award at the association’s gala. The award recognizes those who “demonstrate exceptional dedication and impact within the amusement industry.” “I’m incredibly honored to receive this award,” Kleinhenz expressed. “It’s meaningful to be recognized personally, but even more rewarding to see the effort of the AAMA, and the work it does to improve our industry, acknowledged as well.” Scott Shaffer added: “We are so proud of Adam for his work with the AAMA. He always puts 100% of his heart and soul into what he believes in. I’m…

The Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America will host Bowling University’s School of Entertainment Center Management starting this week. The event runs at their International Bowling Campus in Arlington, Texas, from Oct. 5-10. Industry experts like Megan Burtch and Daniel Mueller will be on hand with topics like “Discover Your Redemption Merchandising Skills” and “F&B Trends and Operations.” It’s everything you’d need to know to run a successful bowling entertainment center. For questions and details, you can contact [email protected]. While you may have missed out on attending this one, you can check to see if last-minute spots are available or plan…

The New Jersey Attractions Association will have their East Coast Gift & Variety Show from Feb. 25-26 in 2026. It’ll be held at the Golden Nugget in Atlantic City. This will be the 31st annual show for the Jersey association and is dubbed “the trade show to keep you connected to the amusement industry in the tri-state area.” Expect the annual scholarship awards party and much more. For exhibitor information, contact NJAA Executive Director Kimberle Samarelli at [email protected] or call 732-904-0580. Additional details will be announced closer to the event.

Semnox Solutions has successfully launched its complete venue management system at Pop Culture Arcade in the Netherlands, the company reported. The project was done in conjunction with their partners at Uplay, a machine distributor in the region. “Launching Pop Culture Arcade as my first venture in the Netherlands has been incredibly rewarding, particularly with the exceptional product and service support provided by Semnox through their collaboration with Uplay,” said owner Danny Merkelbag. “The technology platform perfectly aligns with our vision for creating an engaging gaming destination.” It was also Semnox’s first installation in the country, which Vinayaka Kamath, the business…

Betson’s 14th Annual Northwest Amusement Showcase in Portland was held Sept. 19, welcoming attendees from all over the Oregon trade and Pacific Northwest region in general. “The 2025 Northwest Showcase was one of our most successful to date,” said Steve Lamoreaux, a regional sales director for Betson Enterprises. “Having an opportunity to bring together owners, manufacturers, operators and industry leaders to showcase their skills and new products is something we always look forward to, and this year did not disappoint. The energy on the floor throughout the day proved again why this event has become a popular tradition in the…

The twice-yearly FEC Success Institute recently concluded its second training of 2025. The two-day training and networking event was held Sept. 23-24 at Fun Warehouse in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The educational program was created by Amusement Products, based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and has been running for more than 25 years. “From the beginning, the FEC Success Institute has been about more than selling attractions,” said Dutch Magrath, president of Amusement Products. “It’s about giving operators the knowledge and resources they need to succeed long-term. By connecting them with experts across the industry, we help people see the bigger picture…

Smash Park, located in Westerville, Ohio, opened on Aug. 26, and AVS Companies was the group that installed the arcade. It’s the small chain’s first location in the state. They also offer pickleball, axe throwing, duckpin bowling and more. “Working with AVS has been an outstanding experience from start to finish,” said Todd Lindberg, the vice president of operations for Smash Park. “Their team truly understands the amusement and gaming business, and their commitment to quality and service made the entire process seamless. We’re thrilled with the games and the support we’ve received.” Added Tony Shamma, the AVS vice president…