INSIDE: Records fall at Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo TM & ©2016 Amusement Today, Inc. See pages 25, 26 March 2016 | Vol. 19 • Issue 12 www.amusementtoday.com Vegas presses ‘play’ for Amusement Expo 2016 host hotel. These informa- and others involved in the Education program to precede show tive, interactive sessions will amusement and entertain- AT: Dean Lamanna chine Association (AAMA) cover topics ranging from ment industry — as well as [email protected] and the Amusement & Mu- improving sales and maxi- two full days of a fun, excit- sic Operators Association mizing employee effective- ing trade show floor show- LAS VEGAS, Nev. — (AMOA), this year’s expo ness to expanding customer casing the latest products The 2016 edition of Amuse- will offer comprehensive reach through social media. for the industry.” ment Expo International, the industry education and a “Amusement Expo According to Glasgow, annual conference and trade convention floor packed International is the com- some 3,000 exhibitors and show of the coin-op and with well over 100 exhibi- plete package,” said Brian attendees participated in revenue-generating amuse- tors. Vendors specializing Glasgow, senior vice presi- last year’s Expo. ment, music and family en- in coin-op machines, elec- games and more are partici- dent of Mokena, Ill.-based “For 2016, we’re neck tertainment center (FEC) in- tronics, go-kart equipment, pating. WT Glasgow, Inc., which and neck with our exhibi- dustry, is rolling out March laser games, photo booths, The event kicks off with manages the event. “It offers tor and attendee numbers 15-17 at the Las Vegas Con- plush/novelties, redemp- a full day of educational ses- one day of compelling edu- from last year,” he said. “We vention Center. tion equipment/merchan- sions on Tuesday, March 15, cational programs designed expect to meet and exceed Co-sponsored by the dise, sports games, tattoos, at the Westgate Las Vegas for street operators, fam- them this year.” American Amusement Ma- token dispensers, video Resort & Casino, the expo’s ily entertainment centers 4See EXPO, page 4 Adventureland area puts new spin on Wildlife World Rides, animals, fitted with boulders, climb- ing logs and hiding places. eatery highlight “He was raised from a kitten in our own nursery building, 15-acre expansion so this is a whole new envi- AT: Dean Lamanna ronment for him. He loves [email protected] The new section, which en- people and is very friendly.” joys a high profile along the Rounding a corner on LITCHFIELD PARK, recently completed Loop 303 Adventureland’s natural Ariz. — More than ever be- freeway, officially opened dirt path (Wildlife World, fore in its nearly 32-year- Feb. 1 following a weekend in keeping with its overall year history, the call of the preview. theme, is refreshingly free wild is being punctuated On that windy and un- of asphalt paving), Ollson by giddy shrieks at Wildlife usually chilly desert day, waved toward the Soaring World Zoo, Aquarium & Sa- Amusement Today tooled Eagle — a scenic zipline from fari Park. around Adventureland on a the Stan Checketts-founded The 100-plus-acre zoo on golf cart with the zoo’s inde- company of the same name the northwestern outskirts fatigable proprietor and di- that rapidly transports pas- of Phoenix has upped its rector, Mickey Ollson, who sengers backward and for- family entertainment center beamed like a proud parent ward on an inclined cable in quotient in a major way with as he pointed out the added a two-seat cart. the debut of Adventureland, animal species and rides. The ride proved a hit The Soaring Eagle zipline, one of four new rides at Adven- a 15-acre expansion featur- “There’s our bobcat!” during the section’s soft tureland, the new 15-acre amusement and animal exhibit ing four rides and several he said, gesturing to a wild opening the previous day. area at Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park, provides dozen additional outdoor feline ambling about in a “It’s really fun and really a thrilling raptor's-eye view of the park. and indoor animal exhibits. roomy outdoor habitat out- 4See WILDLIFE, page 6 COURTESY WILDLIFE WORLD ZOO/BRITTNEY POWERS Dated material. material. Dated RUSH! NEWSPAPER POSTMASTER: PLEASE 23, 2016 Feb. Tuesday, Mailed PERMIT # 2069 # PERMIT FT. WORTH TX WORTH FT. PAID US POSTAGE US PRSRT STD PRSRT 2 AMUSEMENT TODAY March 2016 NEWSTALK EDITORIAL: Gary Slade, [email protected] FLINT’S VIEW: Bubba Flint Tree swings to ziplines: We've come a long way It may be only March, but our industry is already getting into the “swing.” Amusement Expo International 2016, running March 15-17 at the Las Vegas Con- vention Center, is an annual early momen- tum-builder. The event features a day of Slade education sessions followed by two days of trade show activity for owners and opera- tors of family entertainment centers (FECs), arcades and other amusement facilities, as well as the vendors that serve them. Produced by WT Glasgow Event Management and co-sponsored by the American Amusement Machine Association (AAMA) and the Amusement & Music Op- erators Association (AMOA), the event gives exhibitors and attendees the opportunity to learn about the lat- est industry practices and innovations while finalizing equipment and service transactions ahead of the peak INDUSTRY OPINION: Andrew Mellor, [email protected] amusement season. The press release debate Among the most popular recent trends identified in I was intrigued recently by an email ple, on the kitchen table and my 24-year- this segment of our industry by the Amusement Today from my friend Ron Gustafson, director of old son is sitting there chatting or hav- editorial staff are aerial adventures. Evolving technology, marketing and public relations at Quassy ing a coffee, he’ll for sure flick through it Amusement and Waterpark in Connecticut, and read various items, including press coupled with imagination, has led to new zipline attrac- in which he told me that he had read a com- releases! tions appealing to a broader range of customers ment from a national public relations firm There is little doubt that the role of It’s a fresh take on a recreational tradition. that “the press release is dead.” Ron, for the press release is different from what Baby Boomers will remember the simple pleasures one, felt nothing could be further from the Mellor it used to be, but it still serves an impor- of a backyard swing set or, if a sturdy tree branch and truth, and I wonder what other attractions tant function. They are a necessary part a strong piece of rope were available, the old-fashioned industry PR and marketing people think about of content creation, still announcing news but also this? helping organizations to be located on search en- tire swing. These youthful activities allowed us to reach I too have heard similar comments on occa- gines and to build a following. Written correctly and for the sky — or at least grasp for a few tree leaves. sion, in particular from younger PR and marketing with genuine news content that appeals to an edi- Kids today can find mild-to-wild variations on this type representatives, and it is an interesting subject to tor or journalist, a release will inspire the reader to of fun — incorporating the very latest safety systems — at debate. For those readers of a similar generation investigate further, and, in the case of an attraction, many FEC’s, location-based entertainment (LBE) facilities to me (and older), press releases have always been for example, go to a website to find out more. And, and amusement parks. Even zoos and roadside attrac- an “ever present” in a public relations and market- of course, they also help build brand awareness. tions have welcomed the high-flying act. ing campaign, being just one element of any or- Today, printed publications will also have a ganization’s promotional activities. They offer valu- website, and the content they use in print will also Ziplines and rope courses have become dynamic able opportunities for publicity in local and even appear on the web. It’s what they do, so it is an- “hands-on” amusement offerings that provide uniquely national newspapers, and elsewhere depending other rock solid reason to keep sending out press thrilling, individualized experiences for their participants. on which publications and websites pick them up. releases. It’s no wonder fun spot owners and operators are adding Granted, the younger generations today tend I could go on, but space here doesn’t allow them to keep their guests on-site just a little longer. to read everything on their mobile devices or PC, much more comment. Suffice to say I agree with but I have to say if I leave a newspaper, for exam- Ron — the press release is far from dead! Call (817) 460-7220 for advertising, circulation or editorial inquiries Amusement Today is an independent, privately- Founder, Publisher and Editor Editorial Print Issue & Extra Extra owned trade newspaper published 14 times Gary Slade • (817) 460-7220 x3 Tim Baldwin Desktop Edition Production per year by Amusement Today Inc., P.O. Box [email protected] [email protected] John Robinson • (513) 256-1441 5427, Arlington, Texas 76005. Print issues are [email protected] $50 per year and are mailed Presort Standard Accounting & Classified Dean Lamanna Postage (permit No. 2069) Pre-Paid Fort Worth, [email protected] Texas. The entire contents of this newspaper, Sammy Piccola • (817) 460-7220 x1 Website Maintenance [email protected] Stacey Childress and its related web sites, are Copyrighted and B. Derek Shaw • (717) 650-8330 Trademarked 2016 by Amusement Today Inc., [email protected] [email protected] all rights reserved.