EXCLUSIVE LOOK AT S&S 4D FREE SPIN — PAGES 14 & 16 © TM Your Amusement Industry NEWS Leader! Vol. 17 • Issue 11 FEBRUARY 2014 Gibsonton gearing up for the NJAA’S 19th annual trade event Atlantic City welcomes back 46th annual IISF trade show East Coast Gift & Variety Show STORY: Pam Sherborne is pretty much nonstop for STORY: Dean Lamanna [email protected] planners. [email protected] This year the Trade Show GIBSONTON, Fla. — The Extravaganza, located on the ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. club grounds of the Interna- club’s Gibsonton grounds, — One year ago, this sea- tional Independent Show- runs from Feb. 4-8. Hours are side entertainment Mecca men’s Association (IISA) the year,” said IISA’s Teresa 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on those days. served as a focal point for may be at its busiest during Rimes. “But, now with carni- Since many show attend- amusement industry heal- ready running ahead of last the 46th annual Internation- vals staying on the road lon- ees, as well as exhibitors, wait ing and camaraderie when year as Amusement Today al Independent Showman’s ger, our actual operating time until late to register, the 2014 — just three months after went to press, were expect- Foundation (IISF)Trade Show has decreased.” pre-registration numbers are Hurricane Sandy wrecked ed to be ongoing until the Extravaganza held the first So, the club does what unavailable, but Rimes feels it much of the Garden State’s start of the event. week of February, but IISA it can during those months. will be about the same as last coastline — the New Jer- The trade show was club members are finding it When they are over, Rimes year. Numbers have dropped sey Amusement Association established to provide more profitable to stay busy said they have experienced off over the years due in part (NJAA) presented its annual close-to-home buying and all year long, especially dur- quite a bit of success rent- to technological advances East Coast Gift & Variety business opportunities, as ing the four and half to five ing out the back part of the that, Rimes said, allows the Show. well as direct interaction months of the carnival off lot and buildings for parties, industry to do just about ev- For its 19th year, the and networking with season. weddings and such. erything they want to do on- event returns to the Golden suppliers specializing in “We used to be operating But, as the club gears up line. Nugget resort and casino plush, novelties, licensed for more like six months of for the annual trade show, it Yet, she feels there are the for two days of exhibition toys, gifts, rides, games, loyal attendees and exhibitors and buying Feb. 19-20. insurance, uniforms, and, as long as they remain And very likely, there will be staffing, ticketing, food and that way, “we will keep on renewed industry optimism much more. existing.” for a still-recovering region. Attendees converging Some of the exhibitors “Last year, it was an on the Golden Nugget’s expecting to be on hand this emotional show,” said Grand Ballroom include year feel that 2014 will be a NJAA Executive Director amusement owners, good year for the industry Kimberle Samarelli, noting partners, managers and as a whole. Len Soled, Rides that the traditionally buyers, plus workers who 4-U, said 2013 was a superb intimate event drew about staff arcades, games, year for his business and 2014 nearly 100 exhibitors and concessions and food has started out promising. about 1,000 attendees outlets at amusement parks. “We did start out 2014 from as far as New England Vendors are encouraged to very positive,” Soled said. and Virginia despite the promote the event to their “The IAAPA (International hardships created by the customers. Association of Amusement disaster. “There was a “This is the trade Bob’s Space Racers will be on hand at the upcoming Inter- Parks & Attractions) trade real need for connection show that keeps everyone national Independent Showmen’s Foundation 2014 Trade show was strong. The phone within our industry, and connected within our Show Extravaganza. One of the products the company will has been ringing off the hook. those attending were there industry within the tri-state exhibit is this three-games-in-one event trailer, one of the So, we will be giving it the old to show resilience and area,” Samarelli said. newest Bob’s Space Racers has built over the last two years. college try again this year.” resolve. The show helped Two key seminars COURTESY BOB’S SPACE RACERS 4See IISF, page 4 communicate that we were have been organized and going to be okay and that have been scheduled to we were moving forward.” prevent conflicts with show Samarelli, now in her operating hours. The Annual SUBSCRIBE TO eighth year of organizing Ride Regulations Update and overseeing the event, will take place Wednesday, Dated material. material. Dated AMUSEMENT TODAY describes it as a “very busy Feb. 19, at 10 a.m., and the RUSH! buying show” that draws Legalized Games of Chance primarily from the North- Update will be conducted NEWSPAPER POSTMASTER: PLEASE 24, 2014 Jan. Mailed Friday, (817) 460-7220 east corridor — including Thursday, Feb. 20 at 10 a.m. PERMIT # 2069 # PERMIT the New York and Philadel- Some fun is planned, FT. WORTH TX WORTH FT. com phia metro areas, as well as too, of course. On PAID amusementtoday US POSTAGE US New Jersey. Registrations Wednesday, Feb. 19, NJAA PRSRT STD PRSRT for this year’s meeting, al- 4See NJAA, page 6 2 AMUSEMENT TODAY February 2014 THIS JUST IN Knott’s enhances NEWSTALK OPINIONS CARTOON LETTERS Camp Snoopy with CARTOON: Bubba Flint trio of Zamperla rides BUENA PARK, Calif. — side-by-side on 16 swings for a 2014 marks the beginning of an spin that whisks riders up to 18 exciting time in Knott’s history feet above the ground. Charlie as its treasured Camp Snoopy Brown’s Kite Flyer will replace celebrates the big 30 with a Snoopy Bounce. complete restoration of the en- •Pig Pen’s Mud Buggies tire land. lets tykes climb aboard their As AT was go- very own all-ter- ing to press, Knott’s rain vehicle for an Berry Farm officials adventurous ride announced three around the High new rides coming Sierras. Six four- to the land of High seater ATVs will Sierra fun: Charlie spin, bounce, and Brown’s Kite Fly- bump up to 24 er, Pig Pen’s Mud guests at a time, Buggies and Linus while Pig Pen looks Launcher. The ad- on from his center dition of the three perch. Pig Pen’s new family rides, Mud Buggies will built by Zamperla, demon- replace Log Peeler. strates Knott’s commitment to •Linus Launcher recreates reinvestment in one of the most that classic Peanut’s moment EDITORIAL: Scott Rutherford, [email protected] beloved children’s areas ever when Snoopy grabs Linus’ created. blanket and launches him on a Networking history •Charlie Brown’s Kite wild ride. On Linus Launcher, Flyer invites campers to “fly a guests lay on one of 12 blankets It’s no secret that historians, avid collectors and fans who are kite” with Charlie Brown and as they fly round and round. social media has changed the all eager to exchange their knowledge and soar above the land’s winding Up to 24 guests lay side-by-side world. Web-based networking explore their passion for the amusement indus- paths and babbling streams while Snoopy launches them up services have made it pos- try. — but watch out for the kite- almost 10 feet in the air. Linus sible for millions of people Countless are the instances I’ve found eating tree! This 32-passenger Launcher will replace Charlie to instantly connect with oth- something in one of these groups that is adventure allows guests to sit Brown’s Speedway. ers who share similar interests completely new to me. And for a dedicated Rutherford and activities across political, researcher, there is a rare and special kind of economic and geographic bor- joy in such discoveries ... particularly for some- ders. one who is as passionate about the history of Of course, there are the inevitable roller coasters, amusement parks and carnivals downsides to the technology. Many users of as myself. Often these treasures – rare pho- Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, for example, tos, newspaper clippings, or simply a relevant are guilty of over-sharing – that relentless, anecdote – are gleaned from the personal col- overwhelming need to post each and every lections and memories of individuals who spent mundane occurrence in one’s daily life. their entire lives working in the early years of But one of the more positive benefits of the industry that holds such fascination for social networking has been the wealth of infor- many of us. mation, especially that of a historical nature, There’s an educational component to this being brought to light and shared. Prime aspect of social media as well. These detailed In the picturesque rendering of the enhancements to Knott’s examples that appeal to some of my unique discussions amount to a bountiful contribution Camp Snoopy, the three new attractions are stunningly de- interests stem from several groups I subscribe of knowledge that ultimately benefits the entire picted: Pig Pen’s Mud Buggies (front left); Charlie Brown’s to on Facebook: Forgotten Carnival Rides, human collective. It affords us a rare glimpse Kite Flyer (front right); Linus Launcher (back right). All three Royal American Shows and Wooden Coaster into history and therefore helps to keep the rides are being supplied by Zamperla.