Contactless payment systems prove popular during pandemic, here to stay — page 40 INSIDE: Six Flags Fiesta Texas opens Zamperla attraction TM & ©2021 Amusement Today, Inc. PAGE 11 February 2021 | Vol. 24 • Issue 11 Digital Edition IISF Super Trade Show & Extravaganza: the show must go on AT: B. Derek Shaw trade show secretary for the [email protected] Several rides were set up behind the IISA clubhouse — seen here from the IISA, said, “[It’s] somewhat down but understandable.” The top of a Fredericksen slide — during GIBSONTON, Florida — association has reduced vendor the 2020 IISF show. AT/B. DEREK SHAW The 53rd annual International booth rental fees by 50% this Independent Showmen’s year. “Please understand that Foundation (IISF) Super Trade things will be different this year Show & Extravaganza takes in regard to locations. Our plan place February 16-19. This four- is to utilize the middle rows for day buying bonanza for rides, inside vendors and work our games, trailers, plush, insurance way out in regard to placement and ancillary products and ser- as not to utilize the entire build- vices will feature a diminished ing. Social distancing will be trade show and attendees as put into place. Outside booth the coronavirus pandemic rages placement will be at the exit of on. European ride manufactur- the trade show building,” as ers are forbidden to fly into the explained on the website. United States at this time. The association is beefing “Florida Week,” as par- up safety measures. “[It is] our ticipants refer to the various responsibility to protect our- scheduled events and activi- selves and our members,” said ties, will feature a scaled down Rimes. From the IISA website: itinerary. Due to Super Bowl The following mitigations will be LV occurring in nearby Tampa in place for the 2021 Trade Show: during the usual timeframe, a popular option for attend- “After much thought and con- Florida State Fair dates, was not Temperature checks — the trade show, produced by ees, has moved to dates not sideration, the supervisors of an option as the facility clos- Anyone having a temperature of the IISF, the fundraising arm of yet determined in April due to the IISF Super Trade Show and es each year the third week of 100.4 or higher will be required the International Independent COVID-19 considerations. Extravaganza have decided to March since many carnival oper- to have secondary screening. If Showmen’s Association (IISA), Organizers decided to stay move forward with our sched- ators will likely be on the road. occurrence continues, that per- was moved back a week. The the course with the dates that uled event.” Moving later, to When asked about vendor Florida State Fair, always were set. The IISA website said, perhaps coincide with the 2021 participation, Teresa Rimes, 4See IISF, page 6 AIMS propels into the future with the first AIMS Virtual Seminar AT: Pam Sherborne "We received some great feedback," said 470-475," Brewer said. [email protected] Mary Jane Brewer, AIMS executive director. "But AIMS coordinators including Brewer, Eric Flu- I think the thing I heard the most was 'thank-you.' " ent and Rick Achard, Coulter Associates, saw reg- JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Harold Hudson, pres- Hudson has been in the industry for over 40 istrants coming on board the day before the seminar, ident and CEO, AAPRA Associates, gave the key- years. He spent more than 21 years with Six Flags after it had already started, and, with the on-demand note address at this year's first virtual AIMS Safety Theme Parks as the senior vice president of engi- feature running thought the end of January, people Seminar. In his address, entitled Words of Wisdom neering and development. He also is a founding were still registering the week of Jan. 18. in Changing Times, the long-time industry veteran member of the ASTM F24 Standards Committee. The AIMS Board of Directors made the deci- emphasized several points by using quotes from "I found this seminar to be inspiring," Hudson sion last August to hold the 2021 seminar virtually several famous Americans. said. "I know we don't want to have to do things due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event was to His favorite was from Henry Ford: "Whether virtually forever, but this was very nicely done." run Jan. 11-15 in Galveston, Texas. By October, you think you can or think you can't, you are right." There was a total of 160 hours of content pre- AIMS seminar coordinators had hired an outside It turned out to be very apropos for the 2021 sem- sented this year. There were 278 attendees that virtual event production company, O'Design, and inar as the organization embarked on a new way to were not connected to the seminar in any other added three first-time features. One was bringing present its safety education. By all accounts, the semi- way but getting instruction. There were 101 pre- Ellis and Associates on board to deliver the semi- nar, held Jan. 11-15 with on-demand access through senters, some of whom were also students. There nar’s aquatics curriculum. the end of the month, was deemed a success. were 45 student moderators and 27 sponsors that The other new feature was 20 hours of con- "And now it has given us a new tool for our had at least two representatives enrolled. tent delivered entirely in Spanish for a separate shed and will propel AIMS to wherever we want to "With the board members and several other go," said Eric Fluet, AIMS marketing. special members, the total number ran between 4See AIMS, page 8 AMUSEMENT VIEWS PARKS & FAIRS WATER PARKS BUSINESS SAFETY CLASSIFIEDS Page 4 Pages 11-28 Pages 29-31 Pages 32-39 Pages 40-46 Page 46 Get the most up-to-date industry news from AmusementToday.com! 2 AMUSEMENT TODAY February 2021 February 2021 AMUSEMENT TODAY 3 4 AMUSEMENT TODAY February 2021 AMUSEMENT VIEWS AT NOTEBOOK: John W.C. Robinson, [email protected] FLINT’S VIEW: Bubba Flint FECs step into spotlight As a kid, I remember my father explaining how the wild roller coaster ride at Coney Island in The Sting II was really Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and its popular Giant Dipper. After visiting the park not long after, I remember my excitement when I recognized the boardwalk and its rides on the screen in The Lost Boys. Robinson Since then, I'm hard-pressed to think of a time an amusement ride hit the local theater and I didn't try to place where the ride was located or who manuafactured it. From Coney Island's appearance in the climax of Spider-Man: Homecoming to Kennywood acting as Adventureland, amusement rides and parks have been a constant presence on the silver screen for all kinds of adventures. Even the American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) has its roots in a promotional event for the thriller Rollercoaster. With family entertainment centers more popular and prolific than ever — and a generation of children who grew up having birthday parties at Chuck E. Cheese and Showbiz Pizza — it's only natural that FECs are being featured more and more as a setting for on-screen stories. INDUSTRY VOICE: Deno "D.J." Vourderis, Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park The fictional Golf-N-Stuff played a minor roll in the original Reflecting before a new year Karate Kid movie, but it has returned as a major reocurring setting in the film's sequel series Cobra Kai. Neil Patrick History will remember us all based together. We ended the year 2020 with Harris' Barney Stinson on the series How I Met Your on what we do now. It isn’t the pandem- a catastrophic pandemic about to dev- ic that will define us; it is how we unite astate the world. We will respond with Mother made no secret of his love for laser tag FECs. in its aftermath. We will start listening, a roaring ‘20s that bring about peace, Most notably in recent years, the popular video game and learn to accept each other, even prosperity and compassion. The eyes franchise Five Nights at Freddy's sees players fighting for when we disagree. We will realize that of generations to come will be watch- their survival against FEC animatronic characters come to life. just as COVID doesn’t care where we’re ing what happens now. Let’s show them Vourderis This concept is taking the next step, and putting FECs into from, where we pray, or who we love, who we are. the spotlight cinematically, with the forthcoming release of the neither should any of us. And most of all, we We are all part of a one-of-a-kind com- Nicholas Cage flick Willy's Wonderland, the trailer for which need to enjoy the little things more. A hug from munity. Our industry provides a place where was released in January. The horror/comedy takes the haunted someone you love, holidays with family, a night people, who half a world away are at war, can house tropes and applies them to a classic FEC environment. out with friends. So many things we had taken stand next to each other in line, their children All of this helps to remind this industry how much a part of for granted. So many joys of life put on hold. smiling at each other with mutual excitement, everyone's day-to-day lives the world of amusement parks — Once we get back to these moments, let’s before stepping into a ride together. And as and now FECs — truly is.