INSIDE: California landmark reborn TM & ©2017 Amusement Today, Inc. PAGE 16 February 2017 | Vol. 20 • Issue 11 www.amusementtoday.com Four Ferris wheels to be on display 2017 IISF Trade Show expecting attendance jump AT: Pam Sherborne ple. I was very busy. It was [email protected] successful so we will do that again for 2017." GIBSONTON, Fla. -— Other events that are Banners are up, spaces are leading up to the 49th trade marked, and travel plans show this year include an have been made. doesn't mean we couldn't Appreciation Party, a Tour- It is that time of year make more room, but that is nament of Champions, again. That is, the time for what we have right now." Showmen's Shrine Car Show, the annual International In- Rimes said there are Family Tradition Charity dependent Showmen's Foun- more ride manufacturers Drawing and several club dation (IISF) Trade Show and bringing in more rides this meetings. Extravaganza, set for Feb. year as well. The Super Bowl Party is 7-11, at the International In- "We are going to have Feb. 5. dependent Showmen's Asso- four Ferris wheels in the lot The trade show hours ciation (IISA) club grounds this year," she said. this year are 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Banners are hung and plans are made for the 2017 IISF, set in Gibsonton. The IISF is the The wheels are being Tuesday, Feb. 7, through Sat- for Feb. 7-11 in Gibsonton, Fla. Expectations are high as foundation arm of the IISA. brought in by Luna Park, Ital urday, Feb. 11. more exhibitors and new exhibitors are expected to be on This event brings togeth- International, Watkins and hand. AT/B. DEREK SHAW er professionals such as own- Used Rides Europe BV. 4See IISF, page 4 ers, operators, supervisors A new ride exhibi- circus last weekend and it and managers of carnivals, tor from last year, Kolmax turned out very well. We had amusement rental compa- Plus, from Czechoslovakia, our kick-off party last night nies, amusement and theme brought three rides to the for Bike Fest (held Jan. 13- parks, family centers with 2016 show. This year, that 15). We are seeing a lot more their colleagues including same company is bringing vendors this year for that manufacturers and suppliers nine rides. than last, so that is good. of amusement rides, food, "Chance Rides is com- "And, it looks like there games, plush, electrical and ing back," Rimes said. "I am are new vendors for the trade lighting, vinyl signage, and so excited about that. They show this year," she said. food and housing trailers. haven't been here in years. Rimes said the IISA had In mid-January, IISA They have indoor space and a booth at last November's show organizers were get- plan to bring in parts of their International Association of ting excited at how things new ride." Amusement Parks and At- were shaping up for the up- JoAnn Arnold, current tractions Expo and gained coming event. IISA president, said start- five new exhibitors from that "We have more exhibi- ing at the first of the year is effort. tor spaces taken inside and a very busy time for the IISA "I usually do go to that outside than last year," said as well as for the IISA presi- show for a couple of days," IISA's Teresa Rimes, the sec- dent. Rimes said. "For this past The landscape of the outdoor exhibits will certainly look a ond week in January. "I was "Things kick into gear for year, we decided to just go little different this year at the IISF Extravaganza and Trade patting myself on my back us because we aren't on the ahead and rent space. I got Show, Feb. 7-11, Gibsonton, Fla. Show organizers expect just this afternoon. I have one road at this time," she said, to see a lot of people I knew four Ferris wheels this year on the club grounds instead of booth left inside to sell. This last month. "We had our and got to meet a lot of peo- just one. AT FILE Dated material. material. Dated RUSH! NEWSPAPER POSTMASTER: PLEASE January 23, 2017 Mailed Monday, PERMIT # 2069 # PERMIT FT. WORTH TX WORTH FT. PAID US POSTAGE US PRSRT STD PRSRT 2 AMUSEMENT TODAY February 2017 NEWSTALK NEWS BRIEF FLINT’S VIEW: Bubba Flint IAAPA board of directors elects David Rosenberg second vice chairman ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The board of directors of the International Association of Amusement Parks and At- tractions (IAAPA) recently elected David Rosenberg second vice chairman. Rosenberg is a vice president of Monterey Bay Aquar- ium. He will serve as second and first vice chairman of IAAPA before tak- ing the helm of the global attractions industry trade association as its chair- man of the board in 2019. The board Rosenberg made the selection in accordance with IAAPA's governance guidelines following the recent passing of Al Weber, Jr. Ph.D., who had been elected to the position in September. "With David as our chairman in 2019, IAAPA will enter its second century with a leader who embodies the membership diversity that now exists in the or- ganization," said Will Morey, chairman of the IAAPA INDUSTRY OPINION: Andrew Mellor, [email protected] governance committee and president and CEO of Exciting times in Dubai Morey's Piers in Wildwood, N.J. "David brings to the The parks industry continues to enjoy numerous FECs and (relatively compact) role 26 years of experience in the travel and tourism much success at the present time with de- indoor parks, with pretty much every industry and has been a key member of IAAPA's lead- velopments of one form or another — be it shopping mall built — and there are ership team over the last 10 years including serving as the addition of individual rides, themed ar- many of them — also incorporating an in- a volunteer chair of several IAAPA committees and as eas, complete new parks or a new techno- door entertainment area with this type of logical innovation — taking place around the offering. Dubai, of course, is a key player a member of IAAPA's board of directors. He has been world on a scale any industry sector would in the sector and, as we have seen with a tireless advocate for membership development be proud of. Mellor previous property developments, does supporting the initiation of many new programs and The current strength of the market was not hold back when it comes to creating member benefits. Given the experience he has gained reflected once again at last November’s IAAPA At- unique places for people to live and be entertained. over the years working in multiple segments of our tractions Expo in Orlando where record numbers of And the Dubai Parks and Resorts development industry, including amusement parks, hotels, and zoos attendees witnessed all kinds of new products and isn’t finished yet either. Plans are already in the pipe- services, exhibiting companies reported healthy or- line for a fourth park, this time a Six Flags location, and aquariums and his strategic insights into creating der books and new attractions and attraction desti- while the idea of a fifth theme park has also now exceptional guest experiences, we are confident Da- nations were revealed. been mooted. With these will no doubt come more vid is ideally suited to chart and lead the association's The show came just prior to the official opening facilities in the shape of additional accommodation course into the future." of the final elements of the fantastic project that is and other leisure, retail and dining options. "I'm humbled to be selected to help lead our glob- Dubai Parks and Resorts, which itself is also a won- Dubai is already a popular tourist destination al association during this exciting time for the world- derful reflection of the industry’s present state. It is and it has big ambitions to increase its visitor num- an unprecedented development, with the opening bers even more in the coming years. It will obviously wide attractions industry," said Rosenberg. "In the of three major theme parks at (almost) the same be crucial to do so for the long term sustainability next few years, IAAPA will establish its new headquar- time accompanied by a water park, entertainment, of all these new parks and attractions and the world ters office in Orlando as we begin to plan for the next retail and dining experience area and a hotel, all − and our industry in particular − will be watching 100 years of the association. I look forward to playing built in the last few years. how it all continues to develop and progress with a leadership role in shaping that future." The Middle East has long been known for its a keen eye. 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