If you still haven’t booked travel to the 2021 Amusement Expo – held June 29-July 1 in Las Vegas – now is your chance. The rate for Expo attendees is $95 at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, which is where the event’s education seminars on June 29 will be held. It’s also conveniently located next to the Convention Center for the trade show itself. Show organizers say the price of hotel rooms have been reduced for this year’s show, “reflecting both off-season pricing and the aggressive push to bring trade shows and visitors back to town.” The deadline…
Author: Matt Harding
The Panama City, Fla., bowling alley Bowl-A-Rama is coming back this summer after closing in March 2019 following Hurricane Michael. New owner Donald Williams is hoping to open July 1 but has a deadline of Aug. 1 to be ready for fall leagues. According to WJHG, Williams bowled at the business regularly from 2002-2006 while stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base and is now back and in charge. He put up a new sign outside that got the community talking. “I knew as soon as the sign went up, more people would start asking,” he said. “We kind of expected…
Glow Golf Hawaii at the Pearlridge Center in Honolulu will open soon, according to KHON. The indoor mini-golf course is glow-in-the-dark and features interactive holes with artwork to compliment it, says owner Keo Akina. “It’s a very unique experience,” Akina said. “There is something different about it and it’s really challenging.” One of the holes features an obstacle that opposing players can move in your way, making it great for competition. The business will be open in the beginning of June. For more information, visit www.pearlridgeonline.com/stores/glow-golf.
The Dubai-based children’s play area and café chain Fiafia recently implemented Semnox’s cashless RFID wristband system, handheld POS, food and beverage POS and inventory management systems for its facilities. “Our search for the right system to manage the kids play area and the cafeteria ended with Semnox,” said Fiafia owner Alia Nabooda. “A simple-to-use system, easy metrics and their extensive experience has helped in automating most of our work.” Added Semnox’s client manager Meghashyam: “Fiafia is one of our best clients in Dubai. This popular children’s play and entertainment centre chain serves as a perfect venue for the children to…
With about a month to go for this year’s Amusement Expo, organizers say attendee counts are currently outpacing last year’s numbers. So far, total registration for the 2021 Las Vegas event, held from June 29-July 1, is up 7% from the New Orleans show in 2020. Advance signups are even higher in the buyer category, they report, where the year-to-year increase is trending 13% above last year’s pace. Also, exhibitor space at the trade show is nearly sold out with only a few booths remaining. “All signs point to a solid showing for the industry’s first major gathering in more…
Four industry associations including AAMA recently collaborated on the Cool Fun Jobs project, a hiring initiative to address a pressing need across the entire attractions industry. Learn more at www.coolfunjobs.com. The idea for the website came from a conversation that took place during one of TrainerTainment’s Peer Talk meetings, which began shortly after the Covid shutdown. The concept started off as a single hiring event but evolved into a year-round platform. Staff turnover in entertainment centers, they say, is like that of restaurants; they’re always looking for frontline team members. TrainerTainment’s COO Candi Kelley, Sheryl Bindelglass of Sheryl Golf, Don…
The National ATM Council, which will host its NAC2021 event at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas from Oct. 12-14, is always keeping busy. Lately, executive director Bruce Renard joined the recently-formed Special Committee on Payments Inclusion and has been fighting legislation in Texas. If it helps independent ATM operators – the National ATM Council is involved with it. That includes the Special Committee on Payments Inclusion, a public-private partnership sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Their goal is to find solutions for cash-reliant people, getting them better connected to the economy. This collaboration of payments and financial inclusion…
Effective May 28, New Jerseyans no longer have an indoor mask mandate or social distancing requirements. Businesses like entertainment centers, however, can continue to keep those rules in place for their own establishments. Gov. Phil Murphy (right) has also lifted the prohibition on dance floors at bars and restaurants. Those businesses can now – once again – allow patrons to drink at the bars rather than only at tables. Effective Friday, June 4, the state will remove the indoor gathering limit altogether. It’s currently set at 50 people. They will also remove the 30% capacity limit for indoor venues with a…
A newly-renovated Kingpin location in Norwood, South Australia, opened May 22 with more arcade games, a refreshed laser tag arena, an added café and a luxury private function space called Room 300. According to TEEG, Room 300 is the “crown jewel of the renovations.” The space, dubbed the ultimate VIP room, has private bowling lanes and a spacious private party area – ideal for birthday parties or other special events. “The new and updated Kingpin Norwood will be a true reflection of the brand as a luxury entertainment hub that is ideal for casual social visits or as a destination…
It’s the “Summer of Fun” at Chuck E. Cheese from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The company recently debuted a new mobile app and rewards program that includes a Summer Fun Pass Program – offering games, special menu promotions and exclusive offers. App users can also redeem rewards, book birthday reservations, buy gift cards and manage the other Summer Fun Pass benefits. Each dollar spent in a store gets customers one reward point. “These new initiatives mark an expansion of its operational strategies to further engage its diners beyond the in-store experience, a move that could help it bounce back…