Spotlight on Safety NAARSO Forum Participants to Go Through AIMS Intl
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} IAAPA Attractions Expo recap...Pages 31-44 TM Celebrating Our 15th Year Vol. 15 • Issue 10 JANUARY 2012 Spotlight on Safety NAARSO forum participants to go through AIMS Intl. grows their Sky Wheel controls during 25th seminar international presence STORY: Pam Sherborne rum routinely has 250 students [email protected] and teachers attending. The STORY: Pam Sherborne MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — outreach programs held sev- [email protected] Since the National Association eral times a year draws about of Amusement Ride Safety Of- 50. And, since beginning its ORLANDO, Fla. — More ficials (NAARSO) began hold- certification program in 1994, international participants than ing its annual safety inspec- NAARSO has certified 744 ever before were drawn to the tion forum 25 years ago, the Level I inspectors, 275 Level II 2011 AIMS International Safe- non-profit organization has inspectors, and 74 Level III in- ty Seminar, Nov. 9-15, Orlan- provided ride safety educa- spectors. The varying levels of do, Fla., held in conjunction tion and training to hundreds certification are specific upon with the IAAPA Attractions across the U.S. the amount of education. All Expo. Created to provide re- those receiving certification According to AIMS Presi- sources to amusement in- have to participate in continu- dent Mike Gutknecht, the dustry professionals who are education. ing education as well. overall seminar went very time,” Gutknecht said. “Also, dedicated to ride safety and At its first conference 25 “We are always looking well. The seminar is a compre- when we had short down to provide a consistent level years ago, 50 industry profes- for new avenues for train- hensive safety-training experi- times between sessions, it was of proficiency to industry in- sionals, primarily represent- ing individuals in ride safe- ence for individuals respon- not feasible for participants to spectors, NAARSO has great- ing state inspection agencies, ty,” said Leonard Cavalier, sible for the care and safety go over to their rooms. There ly improved industry safety attended. NAARSO’s executive director. of the amusement industry’s wasn’t enough time for that, through communication and Now, the annual safety fo- “We are even contemplating guest. so they just pretty much had creating a school on the west This year AIMS held all to sit around and wait.” coast to reach more people. classes in the Doubletree Ho- With participants staying Currently, the Northwest tel just minutes away from the in the Doubletree, it just made Showmen’s Association holds Orange County Convention sense to have the meetings a safety school annually in Center where IAAPA ran from there. March. We sanction them. We Nov. 14-18. Last year, classes “We had our testing on accept the training hours of were held in the convention Sunday evening (13th), fin- those attending their school.” center, but the logistics were ished up on Monday (14th) But, the industry contin- somewhat challenging for par- and then many of our partici- ues to change so quickly, ac- ticipants. pants went to the first day of cording to current NAARSO “There was some trouble the trade show on Tuesday President Clyde Wagner, that getting our participants over (15th),” he said. they continue to look for new to the classes at the conven- The increased internation- 4See AIMS, page 8 ways to reach more profes- tion center on the buses on sionals. “One of the newer trends SAFETY INSIDE Clyde Wagner, left, current president of NAARSO, and Leon- we are seeing that we are ad- }Page 5: Santa Cruz safety manager retires ard Cavalier, NAARSO executive director, prepare for the dressing now is the growth in } upcoming 25th Annual Ride Safety Inspection Forum set for zip lines,” Wager said. Page 5: ASTM launches new online presense Jan. 29-Feb. 3, 2012 in Myrtle Beach. Additional avenues of }Page 6: ROTC School set for Las Vegas AT/PAM SHERBORNE 4See NAARSO, page 4 SUBSCRIBE TO Extra! Extra! Desktop Edition Dated material. material. Dated AMUSEMENT TODAY RUSH! Get FREE news delivered to NEWSPAPER POSTMASTER: PLEASE 23, 2011 December Mailed Friday, (817) 460-7220 your inbox EVERY DAY! PERMIT # 2069 # PERMIT FT. WORTH TX WORTH FT. com PAID amusementtoday Sign up now at: US POSTAGE US PRSRT STD PRSRT www.amusementtoday.com 2 AMUSEMENT TODAY January 2012 NEWSTALK OPINIONS CARTOON LETTERS AT CONTACTS EDITORIAL: Gary Slade, [email protected] CARTOON: Bubba Flint Tidbits...G.L.S. In honor of H.V. O’Brien, longtime and still current publisher of Eastland County [Texas] Newspapers (of which this publisher learned so much from him) I’ve named this month’s editorial column in honor of his long standing “Tidbits... by H.V.O.” column that Slade appears in each of his printed newspapers. Thank you my friend! *** Randon tidbits of industry news: Hats off to Merlin Entertainments for a successful opening and rebranding of the former Cypress Gardens theme park in Legoland Florida. While AT would liked to have seen the historic Starliner roller coaster saved, your company is still to be congratulated for the efforts made in saving the park’s beautiful gardens and that lovely Banyan Tree that have made the gardens so famous. And thanks for returning the famed water ski show to the lake. Two long standing traditions are now back and better than ever! *** While we are dishing out compliments, a big Thank EDITORIAL: Andrew Mellor, [email protected] You goes to two of our industry association leaders: •Thanks to IAAPA’s Chip Cleary for stepping in dur- Another great week at IAAPA ing the early morning hours during the Expo to make sure If there’s one thing that’s a What a way to start the week! the exhibit hall was back to 100 percent following an early ‘dead cert’ to happen during Another highlight was a visit the follow- morning fire that caused some minor damage to the ex- any year it’s my annual trip to ing day to the new Legoland Florida park. The hibit floor. I’m sure most attendees never knew that there the U.S. for the IAAPA Attrac- site of the old Cypress Gardens (and there was a fire incident on the floor. Great job Chip! We hope tions Expo. are still the botanical gardens to explore) has you have now caught up on your missed sleep. My visit in November was been transformed and now provides families •Thanks to WWA’s Rick Root for listening to my con- again extremely enjoyable with younger children with a great day out in cerns at the 2011 Golden Ticket Awards about our industry Mellor and like us all gave me the op- the true Legoland tradition. An excellent ar- not doing enough to record our own history, especially portunity to meet up with in- ray of attractions, magnificent Lego models from those that are still alive that can tell the stories the dustry colleagues both during the four days of throughout the park and a beautiful setting way it really was. Rick has promised to make this a new the trade show and at a variety of other events combine to make this an excellent addition to priority for the association in 2012. held throughout the week. the Florida theme park arsenal and when the *** Things got off to a superb (and very early) waterpark opens in time for summer this year, As we turn the calendars to 2012, AT takes this time start on the Sunday with my first ever partici- it will be even better! to say Thank You to all who have helped make our first pation in the IAAPA International Charity Golf And then, of course, it was on to the trade 15 years a success. We can’t wait to see what the next 15 Tournament. It was one of the most enjoyable show which again proved to be the amazing rounds of golf I’ve ever played, on a wonderful shop window for the industry that it has been years have in store. We wish everyone much success in the course and among great company. The spon- for so many years. Anything and everything new year ahead! —Gary Slade sored Vodka shot at 8:45 a.m. after our first a park or attraction operator could want was Gary Slade is the founder and publisher of Amusement hole, followed on the next by a huge Bloody to be found under the roof of the North and Today. His love for amusement parks began at age six Mary probably didn’t help my score if I am South Concourse of the Orange County Con- when he first visited Pontchartrain Beach Amusement brutally honest, but hey, it doesn’t really mat- vention Center and a really positive vibe ema- Park and Six Flags Over Texas. His long newspaper career ter when you are helping a great cause, play- nated from exhibitors. ing in 80 degree heat and laughing so much So a very busy but most enjoyable week. helped lead to the launch of AT in 1997. with your playing partners that your jaw aches! And this year’s dates are already in the diary! 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