The Amusement & Music Owners of Idaho met for their annual association meeting last week from July 8-9 in the town of McCall. On the agenda was “new business avenues in the coin-op world,” reported Jim Roe of Moss Distributing, who attended the event. The group had dinner on Friday night, a huge breakfast on Saturday morning and followed it up with a boat ride on beautiful Lake Payette in the afternoon. “They and I agree that these organizations do so much good not only locally but help with state tax laws, beverage sales laws, gaming license laws and on and…
Author: Matt Harding
Virtuix has installed its 60th Omni Arena at Xtreme Action Park in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., according to the company. In its first few weeks there, they say the attraction generated average revenues of $5,400 a week. “Omni Arena is the most exciting and interactive VR experience I’ve ever seen,” said Seth Behar, director of operations and technology at Xtreme Action Park. “Its experience is truly one of a kind, leaving each and every guest thrilled and wanting more.” Added Virtuix CEO Jan Goetgeluk: “We’d like to thank our customers and partners for helping us achieve this milestone. Omni Arena has…
BMI Merchandise’s Kim Davis-Vanyo will celebrate 30 years with the company on Aug. 1. She is currently a design replacement specialist for BMI and has held other important roles over the course of her career. She was hired in 1992 as CEO David Katz’s personal assistant. When BMI launched their first catalog, Kim took on this huge responsibility with tenacity and continued this until BMI launched AMRS in 2009. She then took on an even more integral role as field installation director, managing a merchandising team that travels the country to set up, merchandise and train redemption centers that are…
The new Main Event facility in Brownsville, Texas, opened its doors July 1. The grand opening gave the first 200 patrons the chance at winning free laser tag for a year. Other attractions include the arcade, billiards, bowling and more. According to ValleyCentral, the entertainment center is the latest business to move into the city’s Sunrise Mall. From July 1-8, Main Event also donated $10 (up to $10,000) for every strike in Lane 10 during their Pins for Purpose fundraiser. Learn more about the new venue at www.mainevent.com.
In another “major step forward for our industry in restoring reasonable access to banking services for ATM operators nationwide,” NATMC executive director Bruce Renard reported that the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued “a significant and favorable statement aimed at persuading banks to consider banking independent ATM operators.” Renard said the “rare and unusual” FinCEN statement comes as a direct result of the association’s “intensive governmental affairs advocacy efforts … and your grassroots efforts over the past several years to halt bank account discrimination against independent ATM operators.” Click here to see the full FinCEN…
Bob & Willie’s Wonderbowl, a mini bowling bar and restaurant that made its debut in January in Omaha, Nebraska, is opening a second location in Lincoln by the end of the year, according to the Lincoln Journal Star. All Together Hospitality Management, owners of Wonderbowl, said the business will take over the spot formerly occupied by Dino’s Crafted Burgers & Pizza, which closed in October 2021. Their version of mini bowling has 30-ft. lanes with bowling balls weighing in at 3 pounds. The Omaha location is only open to patrons ages 21 and up, but the new Lincoln venue will…
Creative Works recently unveiled their latest escape room creation Slime Works. “What makes this theme unique is that it’s designed for kids,” the company said. “Most of the escape rooms out there are mainly meant for adults, both in terms of the theme and the skill level. Even though many rooms are described as ‘family-friendly,’ younger children usually aren’t able to help much with the puzzles and clues. Therefore, they feel left out.” With Slime Works, designed for ages 6-12, kids have the chance to be the heroes of the mission and accomplish the challenge themselves. Click here to see…
German Axe Throwing Company held a grand opening ceremony on July 9 to celebrate a building extension and a new rage room, according to The Cullman Tribune. The axe throwing venue has been there in Cullman, Alabama, since February 2021. In addition to axe throwing lanes, there will be a mechanical bull, foosball tables, a golf simulator and a stage for live music events. That’s also in addition to the new “rage room,” which allows guests to “release emotional tension by smashing the items on display” – like glass bottles filled with colored powder. Safety glasses and suits, of course,…
SPREE Interactive recently became one of 17 companies to be selected for the joint Deutsche Telekom and Qualcomm augmented reality program “Snapdragon Spaces,” an effort to drive metaverse growth with leading XR companies. The Snapdragon Spaces program “supplies access to futuristic technology, including high-quality AR glasses, exclusive business networks and funding opportunities for the most innovative ideas.” SPREE said it was the only location-based entertainment supplier chosen to be a part of the Snapdragon Spaces program, which will allow them to develop a range of new products featuring AR technology. Learn more at www.jointhespree.com.
Mark your calendars: The Southern Amusement & Entertainment Expo is scheduled for Aug. 24-25 at the Gas South Convention Center in Duluth, Georgia, and registration for the regional event is now open. “We have a record number of exhibitors and it is almost sold out,” said Christina Kaiser, executive director of the Georgia Amusement and Music Operators Assn., which hosts the expo along with the North Carolina Coin-Operators Assn. and North Carolina Citizens for Free Enterprise. “It’s shaping up to be our best show ever.” The trade show floor will be open Aug. 24 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (with an…