The train-themed EnterTRAINment Junction in West Chester, Ohio, has added a new theme to its facility. Now through Oct. 31, according to Dayton.com, they’ve added Jack-O-Lantern Junction to the mix for Halloween. The fun at Jack-O-Lantern Junction features an indoor, no-scare walk-through trick-or-treat maze, featuring kid-friendly ghosts, skeletons, cobwebs and the like. “The whole thing is really designed to be kid-friendly,” said Bill Balfour, general manager at EnterTRAINment Junction. Learn more at www.entertrainmentjunction.com.
Author: Matt Harding
Part of IAAPA Expo’s educational slate will include a panel called “Legends 2022: Epcot, 40 Years in a State of Becoming.” The panel will feature Bob Weis and Jodi McLaughlin (both of Walt Disney Imagineering), Kartika Rodriguez (Epcot) and Rick Rothschild (FAR Out! Creative Direction). The event will be hosted by Bob Rogers (BRC Imagination Arts). “We could not be happier with the speaker lineup we have for this year’s Legends panel,” said Michael Shelton, vice president and executive director of IAAPA North America. “This popular session lets IAAPA shine a spotlight on just some of the outstanding industry leaders…
Congressman John Rose of Tennessee recently gave the keynote speech at the National ATM Council’s NAC2022 Conference & Expo; the organization makes it clear that Rose has their backs. They wrote that Rose “used his allotted time during this week’s high-profile U.S. House of Representatives Financial Services Committee hearing to pointedly question CEOs of the nation’s largest banks on why they are categorically denying banking services to independent ATM operators throughout the U.S.” (Click here to watch part of the hearing.) According to NAC, Rose was able to get commitments from big banks to make a “careful reevaluation of their…
With an Oct. 1 grand opening, Encrypt Escape Rooms is officially open in Norfolk, Nebraska. According to KLKN, there are two storylines for guests to explore. The two challenges give teams 60 minutes to find the missing teddy bear in “Playroom Pandemonium” or clear their names in “Framed!” The founders Austin Truex and Kiley Anderson said they welcome groups of all ages to enjoy family-friendly or team-building fun. Parties of 3-6 guests can reserve a room online. Visit www.encryptescaperooms.com for more details.
SPREE Interactive recently partnered with Amusement Services International to deliver the company’s 6-player family-friendly VR arena to The Zone Amusement Arcade in Dubai. According to SPREE, the 17,000-sq.-ft. FEC learned of the product at the Saudi Entertainment and Amusement Expo. “Since opening The Zone Amusement Arcade, we have always been on the lookout for an attraction that caters exclusively to a younger audience, said general manager Aakansha Sharma. “The SPREE VR Arena game library has an excellent pack of interactive and whimsical games, offering the perfect solution for our younger guests. The games are very easy to pick up without any explanation needed, yet…
Times Square Grand Slam, an entertainment center in Tyler, Texas, was recently acquired by Austin-based EVO Entertainment Group, according to KLTV. Former owner Howard Charba said he entrusted EVO and its CEO Mitch Roberts to continue his family’s legacy. “We are grateful to the Tyler community for embracing us with Times Square Cinema and then the growth to Times Square Grand Slam,” Charba said. “We are excited to introduce EVO Entertainment to Tyler. Their energy and enthusiasm will continue to build on the foundation that was laid.” The facility currently has 70 arcade games, seven theater screens, 22 bowling lanes,…
Jason Kierzek, owner of Cardinal Lanes in Mayville, Wisconsin, is opening a former bowling alley as the revitalized Cardinal Lanes – Columbus in the Wisconsin city of the same name. The new facility is set to open Oct. 16. “When I walked in here, I felt like it was a chain,” Kierzek said. “It didn’t feel local, but I want to bring the local feel of Columbus in here. I want this to feel like one big family.” According to the Daily Citizen, the bowling alley – formerly known as Fast Lanes (and further back as Cardinal Ale House and…
The Anaheim auctioneers at Captain’s Auction Warehouse recently announced what they say is the largest private collection sale of pinball machines since Banning’s Museum of Pinball closure. It’s a one-day only event on Oct. 15 starting at 11 a.m. with a free preview at 9 a.m. Pinball professor Dave Miner will be on hand to give details on the 300 machines up for grabs. There will be live in-person bidding as well as real-time online bidding. Click here to register and view the catalog. The live auction location is at 4421 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, CA 92807. For more…
Registration for the 2023 FEC Summit in Nashville has officially opened. The event will be held at the city’s Renaissance Hotel from Jan. 22-24. Click here to register. The theme of the summit is “Reimagine. Transform. Lead.” “Now is the time to reimagine our family entertainment center industry,” IAAPA said. “Together, we will discover tangible ways to transform our facilities, our attractions, our experiences and our business models.” Register by Nov. 30 to secure the Advanced Rate deal, saving up to 30%. The event cost is $599 for IAAPA members and $999 for non-members. Learn more at www.iaapa.org.
Five former Firestone Financial employees – Sal Cifala, Howard Eisner, Carol Francis, Eddie Sullivan and Cathy Taskaya – have joined Western Equipment Finance after Firestone’s recent announcement that the company will no longer originate new loans for the amusement industry. Cifala (pictured) is now a vice president of business development for Western after serving Firestone for nearly 25 years, most recently as its assistant vice president of sales. (Cifala can be reached at 701-665-5713 or [email protected].) Eisner is the company’s new program manager; Francis joins as a vice president of business development; Sullivan is a senior credit analyst and Taskaya…