Rockin’ Jump Arena (l) and Rockin’ Jump Dodgeball (r). Jump! Spin! Fly! Indoor trampoline parks continue to be one of the fastest growing indoor entertainment attractions worldwide. ber of the IATP, believes that healthy activities combined with jumping on a by the end of 2015 there will be at trampoline creates a ‘fun physical fit- least 100 indoor trampoline parks ness’ outlet for children and adults of here else can you literally open internationally. all ages. Rockin’ Jump’s Web site refer- Wbounce off the walls, jump high There are parks popping up all over ences a 1980 NASA study that states: in the air, slam dunk a basketball while the globe operating in the U.K., Singa- 10 minutes of jumping on a trampoline catching some serious hang time, pelt pore, , New Zealand, Mexico, provides the same fitness results as 33 friends with balls in an extreme game Hong Kong, Malaysia, Dubai, Spain, minutes of running. of dodgeball, soar into a pit of foam or Estonia, , The Netherlands, “Our motto is ‘Fitness and Competi- flip onto an airbag, all the while burn- Thailand, Indonesia, and France. Every tion Disguised as Fun,” said Wilson. ing up some serious calories through week the IATP receives several “We like to bring the element of com- exercise that is fun! inquiries from individuals interested in petition into the attraction and provide Indoor trampoline parks have been opening indoor trampoline parks out- an activity for kids that gets them out gaining popularity since the first park side of the U.S. of their houses and unplugged from opened in 2004 in Las Vegas, Nev. their computers/game systems and into Last year, at this same time, the Inter- ROCKIN’ JUMP, a safe, clean, and fun environment.” national Association of Trampoline ROCKIN’ JUMP FRANCHISE The first Rockin’ Jump opened in Parks (IATP) had been able to roughly So what is the attraction? Sue Wil- Dublin, Calif., in May 2011, less than identify over 280 existing parks or son, Co-Founder and Co-Owner of six months after Sue and her husband those in the development stage of Rockin’ Jump and Rockin’ Jump Fran- Drew changed their minds from want- opening. Just one year later we are esti- chise LLC, and a current board mem- ing to open a health club to, at the urg- mating that there were 345 parks open ing of Rockin’ Jump’s Co-Founders by the end of 2014, and anticipate Marc and Shelly Collopy, opening an there will be another 115 open by the By Tracy Sarris indoor trampoline park. In just three end of 2015 in North America alone. years, the founders opened up three The international market is quickly more parks and created Rockin’ Jump recognizing the popularity of this new Franchise LLC at the recommendation family attraction. At the end of 2014, it of a business partner who had success was estimated that there were over 40 in health club franchising. outlets outside of North America, and “Our first franchised park opened in

PLAY METER 66 APRIL 2015 Rockin’ Jump Basketball (l) and Rockin’ Jump Beam (r).

June 2014 in Trumbell, Conn.,” said They have also added some custom What was to be a temporary job relo- Wilson. “There are now 11 Rockin’ elements to their parks like the X-Beam cation became a permanent move for Jumps open in the U.S. and our goal is and Trip Wire—a customized version of Bice after receiving a call from a col- to have 30 open by the end of 2015. Creative Works’ Laser Maze. Other league, and now co-owner, telling him We also work with converting existing attractions include climbing walls, tod- about an idea a family member had parks into Rockin’ Jumps in territories dler areas, party rooms, and cafes. pitched to him regarding opening a where there is a franchise interest and trampoline park in Hawaii. existing sites become available.” I-TRAMPOLINE Bice and Co-Owner, Kelsey Lewis, Rockin’ Jumps average around IATP member Robert Bice of i- opened the first and only indoor tram- 23,000 square feet and require an Trampoline did not initially set out to poline park in Hawaii in 2013 on the investment of around $1-1.3 million to open a trampoline park when he trans- island of Oahu. I-Trampoline is a open. Their model includes the usual planted from Louisiana to Kapolei, 36,000 square-foot facility with more open arena, dodgeball courts, basket- Hawaii, after hurricane Katrina forced than 14,000 square feet of trampoline ball zones, and foam pits or airbag pits. his former business to shut down. courts. Although the park is similar to

Marines from Air Station Kaneohe Bay visit i-Trampoline. Photo by Jay Parco.

PLAY METER 67 APRIL 2015 many other parks in its structure and attractions offered, Bice feels that its uniqueness comes from the diversity of their guests. “We pride ourselves in capturing the culture of the Hawaiian Islands, which emphasizes family traditions and diver- sity,” said Bice. “With a demographic that is 35 percent Asian in culture, we recognize the need to accommodate our guests and create an experience that meets their needs and expecta- tions for fun, family, and fitness.” Another unique feature of i-Trampo- line is its relationship with the military presence on the island. Just three Main Court and Foam Pit at i-Trampoline months after opening, Marines in the Single Marine and Sailor Program from Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay Wilson and Bice, along with IATP’s safety as their number one priority. visited the park for a day of physical founding board members, worked “I love the fact that individuals who fitness that was all fun. That presence alongside the American Society for can be competitors in the industry are has continued to grow as military per- Testing and Materials (ASTM) Interna- able to come together through ASTM sonnel realize the overall physical ben- tional to establish a set of operating and IATP and be able to share ideas efits that trampolines provide. standards that address the design, man- and know that we are all in this togeth- “We open our doors at 5:30 am to ufacture, installation, and maintenance er,” said Wilson. “I chose to be a part accommodate early morning physical of indoor trampoline parks and estab- of and support these organizations training for our military personnel,” said lishes a safe level of construction and because I want to see the industry Bice. “It’s also been great to see the conformity among parks. This group thrive and survive.” local military groups as well as fire- continues to meet and review fighters laughing and having a great improved practices and performance INSURANCE time on the dodgeball courts or enjoy- standards that will continue to elevate In addition to its focus on safe oper- ing the various attractions at the park.” safe operations in parks. ations, IATP leaders believe that it is One constant theme that we see Both individuals are now active on also important to address some of the with these parks and their owners is IATP committees that are pursuing more substantial challenges facing their commitment to the optimal safety new programs to promote safety stan- indoor trampoline parks and provide of their guests. Due to the nature of the dards and provide resources to encour- the services and tools necessary to activities associated with the trampo- age patron education to ensure park facilitate commercial success and stabil- line, there exists the opportunity for owners both in the U.S. and abroad are ity in the industry. injury if not used correctly. operating their parks with the jumper’s Insurance is a critical business need for parks. When it became apparent that many of its members were experi- Sky Zone Parks encing significant premium increases that did not appear to be substantiated In 2014, we spoke with Sky Zone Franchise Group’s President and CEO, Jeff Platt, who gave us by any apparent loss activity, IATP lead- a snapshot of Sky Zone trampoline parks that had opened and were projected to open over the ers realized this could have a significant next year. We can now compare a year later and see that growth has not slowed down yet and Sky Zone is on target for continued expansion both in the U.S. and internationally. impact on the industry in the long term. The association began a rigorous 2014 selection process in early 2014 to find 55 Sky Zone parks open an insurance product and service Another 85 sold but not yet open provider who could develop a program Locations in: U.S. , Australia, and Mexico for the IATP members. After an exten- Prediction: 200 franchises sold by 2015 sive Request for Proposals (RFP) and 2015 interview process, the IATP Board of 100 Sky Zone parks open Directors approved the selection com- Another 80 sold but not yet open mittee’s recommendation of Haas & Locations in: U.S. Canada, Australia, Mexico, New Zealand, and Wilkerson Insurance for their new Prediction: On target for 200 franchises sold by 2015 insurance program partner.

PLAY METER 68 APRIL 2015 “An estimated 345 trampoline parks were open by the end of 2014; another 115 are anticipated to open by the end of 2015 in North America alone.”

“While researching the insurance satisfy insurability standards for their and putting the right people in place to landscape this past year, we found vast business. The IATP Insurance Program lead it. Fun, family, and fitness is not inconsistencies in the rates, terms, con- will be rolled out this year and is antic- just an i-Trampoline target.” ditions, and coverage,” said Doug ipated to be a vital member benefit. For more information about the Flora, Senior Producer of Haas & Wilk- IATP and its members will continue Indoor Trampoline Park Association, call erson. “Multiple insurance companies to work hard to make sure that indoor (717)533-1945, or visit (www.indoor had entered the marketplace and exit- trampoline parks are here to stay for trampolineparks.org). ed within a relatively short period of the long term. To learn more about: Rockin’ Jump time causing instability. This left tram- Bice summed it up by saying, “It is Franchise LLC, visit (www.franchise. poline park owners frustrated, con- critical to take the right steps to address rockinjump.com); i-Trampoline Hawaii, fused, and concerned about future issues that could turn a thriving indus- visit (www.itrampolinehawaii.com); or insurability.” try into a ‘fad.’ We need to realize the Sky Zone Franchise Group, visit The association’s goals for the pro- value of what we can learn from others (www.skyzone.com/franchise/Active gram include: availability of insurance, by supporting associations like the IATP Fun.aspx). ▲ affordability of insurance premiums, stability of the insurance market that serves the members, and appropriate protective coverages in the market- Tracy Sarris is the Executive Vice President of the International Association of Trampoline Parks (IATP). IATP is a 501(c)(6) industry trade association place. In addition, through its partner- whose purpose is to promote safe operations, facilitate commercial suc- ship with Haas & Wilkerson, IATP cess, and stimulate growth of the trampoline park industry. For more infor- looks to provide educational resources mation, visit (www.indoortrampolineparks.org). Inquiries should be directed to assist member trampoline parks to to Sarris, (717)533-1945; e-mail (tracysarris@indoortrampoline parks.org).

PLAY METER 69 APRIL 2015