Steven Pereira has been promoted to director of finance at Apple Industries, according to the company. He joined the team in 2019 as its finance manager. “Steve is an instrumental member of our senior leadership team and has been integral to maintaining Apple’s overall financial strength,” said Scott Avery, the company’s president. “Steve brings not only his experience as a successful financial leader, but also passion for the Face Place brand. Steve is highly respected across the organization and I look forward to working with him as Apple continues on its trajectory of innovation and growth.” During the last two…
Author: Matt Harding
An article in the Dallas Business Journal recently detailed “a new chapter” for Chuck E. Cheese as the CEO of CEC Entertainment David McKillips takes the brand into the future. McKillips joined the company in January 2020, just weeks before the pandemic, and led the company through its Chapter 11 bankruptcy. “It’s been an incredible ride, and I think one of the greatest comeback stories in entertainment,” McKillips said. “And it’s just amazing to work for a brand that is an American icon.” Part of his vision for Chuck E. Cheese is to keep modernizing – with more screens in…
The 36th annual BullShooter World Challenge of Champions Regional Tour will begin at the Wyndham Orlando Resort & Conference Center in Kissimmee, Florida, from Sept. 17-19. The event is co-sponsored by Betson Florida, Legacy Coin and Player One Amsuement Group. BullShooter will be awarding qualifying cards again this year for dart throwers who place. The organizers say it will be required to enter the finals in May 2022 in Chicago. A Luck of the Draw tournament will be held on Sept. 17 and the main events start at 10 a.m. on Sept. 18 and will run until they are finished…
SpareMe, a bowling alley, arcade, restaurant and bar, recently opened in Iowa City, Iowa. Located downtown, the venue is the latest attraction at the city’s new Chauncey building. According to the Iowa City Press-Citizen, the two-level business features 12 bowling lanes, including some upstairs that can be rented out by private parties, and an arcade with new and vintage games. Among the games are The Simpsons, Ms. Pac-Man, Stranger Things pinball and Skee-Ball. The restaurant features “upscale bar food” and there are 20 beers and three cocktails on tap. Learn more at www.sparemeic.com.
Cullman, Alabama, will get a new mini-golf course this week. City Park Mini-Golf plans to open there at 3 p.m. this Friday, Sept. 10. Admission to the city’s newest attraction is $7 (or $5 for ages 12 and under) from Tuesday through Thursday and $9 (or $7 for ages 12 and under) from Friday through Sunday, according to WAFF. Drinks and snacks will also be available for purchase. Learn more about the course at www.cityscapefamily.com.
IAAPA recently announced that Patrick Haller has joined the association as its vice president of global marketing, communications and membership. Haller brings more than 15 years of experience in association marketing, strategic planning and management. Most recently, he served as senior director of membership and members services at the National Business Aviation Assn. He previously worked with the American Institute of Architects and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Assn. “Patrick is a great addition to IAAPA’s leadership team,” said David Mandt, IAAPA’s executive vice president and chief engagement officer. “He will work closely with our regional leaders and guide our…
Following the lead of Kings Island in Mason, Ohio, Sandusky’s famed Cedar Point will go cashless in 2022, according to Blooloop. “There are plenty of benefits, both for guests and our parks,” said Gary Rhodes, a Cedar Fair spokesperson. “Cashless transactions are faster, safer and more secure. Guests spend less time in the check-out waiting on change and more time hitting up their favorite rides or other attractions.” Cedar Fair also announced plans to invest up to $200 million across all of its parks in the U.S. and Canada for the 2022 season, including a big investment in food and…
FieldhouseUSA opened its sixth location on Aug. 26 at the Town Center at Aurora in the Colorado city of the same name. According to 9News, the multi-purpose facility is home to eight volleyball courts, which can be converted to basketball courts, as well as a 30,000-sq.-ft. Airhouse Adventure Park featuring a ropes course, “zip zag” coaster, mini-golf, an arcade and more. The venue takes over a space formerly occupied by Sears, which closed in late 2019. FieldhouseUSA hosts year-round leagues, training programs, camps and other youth programs and corporate events. Learn more information at www.fieldhouseusa.com.
Creative Works hosted their first-ever hybrid format Amusement 360 event, with 60 people attending in Indianapolis and hundreds more tuned in virtually. Over the three-day event, held Aug. 24-26, 19 industry experts shared their knowledge with attendees during 20 education sessions. The two tracks focused on existing entertainment facilities and startups. “In the day-to-day work of running your business, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and lose sight of ‘why’ you’re in the business you’re in,” said in-person attendee Jay Mrozek. “Amusement 360 is an opportunity to learn, engage and rediscover your passion and your ‘why.’ You leave excited to get…
There’s a popular Italian restaurant near Disneyland in Anaheim, California called Mama Cozza’s that’s famous for its walls that are covered with hundreds of framed photographs of celebrities, members past and present of the Angels baseball club and good friends of the Cozza family. One such friend was Southern California’s “Jack of all coin-op trades” George Duensing. George passed away on Oct. 1, 2019. To honor his memory, his wife Carol held a combination memorial/picture hanging event on Aug. 29 during which members of his family, as well as old friends from the coin machine business, swapped yarns about their…