Complete IAAPA Wrapup Pages 29-38 TM www.AmusementToday.com Vol. 14, Issue 10 JANUARY 2011 $5.00 Scheduled for Jan. 30 to Feb. 4 in Orlando, Fla. NAARSO expects good turnout for 24th annual safety seminar Mary Wade Burnside tagout” procedures as set Amusement Today forth by the U.S. Occupational SEE RELATED SAFETY STORIES: Safety and Health Adminis- In October, a 53-year-old tration (OSHA) in which a man was killed on the It’s a lock is placed on a ride’s start- PAGE 25: AIMS SEMINAR A SUCCESS Small World attraction at Dis- ing mechanism and a note is neyland Paris when someone placed on it explaining not to PAGE 25: ASTM HONORS GREG HALE started the ride while he was start up the ride. If there are working on it and he became five workers on a ride, there trapped under a boat. are five locks, Barber said. “It will be more of an ad- industry or have never been and incorporates those guide- That’s just the type of “The machine is not start- vanced situation,” Patton said. to NAARSO before and there lines into the classes, Patton accident that could — and ed until the last lock is re- “Last year we were in Fam- is a secondary set of classes said. should— have been prevent- moved,” Barber said. ily Kingdom Park at Myrtle for those who hold NAARSO “Some states require any- ed, said James Barber, chair of Lockout/tagout proce- Beach, and at that park they certification,” Patton said. body that’s doing inspections the communications commit- dures are just one of many top- divided our attendees into “They can pick classes that are on rides to be NAARSO-certi- tee of the National Association ics that will be covered from groups and each group went more challenging and more in- fied,” Barber said. “That was of Amusement Ride Safety Of- Jan. 30 to Feb. 4 during the to a ride and were asked, depth.” never our intention when we ficials (NAARSO) and a past 24th Annual NAARSO Safety ‘What do you think the inspec- NAARSO certification started this program, but we president and member of the Seminar that will be held at tion points on this ride are?’ lasts for two years and then take it to heart when we say certification board. the International Palms Resort They would say, ‘This and this the individual must get 32 our certification standards are “That’s where the industry in Orlando, Fla. and this,’ and we would say, hours of continuing educa- high enough to ensure that has to continue to emphasize About 60 to 70 classes will ‘This is what the manufacturer tion to renew the certification certificate holders have met the safety of those individuals be taught during the four days recommendation is and this is for another two years, Patton certain requirements.” and keep them safe,” Barber of instruction. Participants what you should be looking at said. That includes a written said. “There’s an old adage also will have the opportunity so they could see those points Those who are “new to the examination as well as docu- that many times, people are so to get hands-on training at on the ride.” industry” must have a high mented time in the industry, familiar with a ride and that’s Universal Studios on Feb. 2. Attendees will be divided school diploma or equivalen- Barber said. when they become careless. “We were excited that Uni- into two tracks: newcomers cy plus one year in the indus- Massachusetts is one state That’s not generally the case, versal asked us to come in,” who never have attended a try, or, without a high school that requires NAARSO certifi- but it happens. It happens at said Connie Patton, NAAR- NAARSO seminar before and diploma, three years in the in- cation for ride inspectors, Bar- home when you are stepping SO’s office manager. “It’s a those who have NAARSO cer- dustry, Patton said. ber added. on a chair instead of a steplad- great hands-on activity.” tification who need continuing As different states have Florida, for instance, Pat- der. We all do stupid things. Participants will not learn education to keep their certifi- different requirements for their ton said, requires inspectors We try to emphasize that you about the working amusement cation current. inspectors, NAARSO certifica- to have 40 hours of continu- have to stay safe yourself be- rides at the park but instead “With our program, on tion has different interpreta- ing education each year. In fore you can keep the public will attend workshops in the the Monday and Tuesday, we tion depending on the area the Missouri, if the inspector has safe.” back shops where they will be divide attendees into a prima- inspector will be practicing. a NAARSO certification, they Ride inspectors can do able to deal with electrical cars ry set of classes for those in- NAARSO keeps current with turn in an application and that by following “lockout/ and the welding shop. dividuals who are new to the ASTM International standards 4See NAARSO, page 4 INTERNATIONAL AMUSEMENTPARKS WATERPARKS BUSINESS MIDWAY/CLASSIFIEDS SEE PAGES 5-8 SEE PAGES 9-16 SEE PAGES 17-24 SEE PAGES 25-38 SEE PAGES 39-47 FAST FACTS Tracking IAAPA's 2006 — Atlanta, Ga. — 20,500 Dated material.Dated show attendance RUSH! 2007 — Orlando, Fla. — 26,500 NEWSPAPER PLEASE December 20, 2010 Mailed Monday, POSTMASTER: 2008 — Orlando, Fla. — 23,800 PERMIT # 2069 # PERMIT FT. WORTH TX WORTH FT. 2009 — Las Vegas, Nev. — 23,850 (14,600 buyers) PAID US POSTAGE US PRSRT STD PRSRT 2010 — Orlando, Fla. — 25,000 (14,800 buyers) 2 AMUSEMENT TODAY January 2011 TM Gary Slade Founder and Publisher [email protected] Time for stability The recently concluded WWA and IAAPA trade shows at the end of 2010, both finished with good, strong, positive shows. Attitudes were upbeat. New orders were being both planned and placed. In general the mood was good. And that is something this industry (in the U.S.) has not seen in a number of years. Despite the long list of bad things that have happened to this industry in recent years, many positives continue to out- weigh the negatives. The shortsighted closing of Geauga Lake was offset by the long-range vision to bring Coney Island back to its glorious heyday. Phase one of that plan came to life this year with the opening of Luna Park. The poor management decisions that led to the rise and very quick fall of Hard Rock Park will be offset by the new vision Merlin has to transform the historic Cypress Gardens into Legoland Florida. And while the indoor waterpark growth may have slowed a bit, new wa- Tim Baldwin terparks continue to spring up, especially in the partnerships IAAPA Expo presented “What’s New” on many levels private operators are enjoying with municipalities, who are stuck with aging city pools. The IAAPA trade show this past fresh ideas at theming, original concepts But several park chains continue to tread on unstable November had such a good vibe going, it and more efficient ways of doing business ground and need to find stability in a hurry. was really rewarding to feel the renewed are all on display. energy permeating throughout the show. AT took note of some intriguing new While Six Flags may have emerged from bankruptcy, it is With a recovering, but tentative, economy ideas presented on the floor. For an out- far from being healthy. The parks continue to show their age being brought back to the show, it is almost look on some of the engaging new exhibi- and are still in need of paint and infrastructure improvements. time to give the expo a fresh look. tors on the trade show floor this past While this had been an area of great improvement under Mark For vendors, the November show is Baldwin November, AT will begin a series of articles Shapiro’s guidance, only time will tell if the new leadership somewhat of a return to the old annual in February’s issue on what might be some will keep this train on the proper tracks. grind. It’s necessary for business, but with the right fresh new ideas that happen to be a good fit for Another park chain, Cedar Fair, continues to make news synergy with the customers, IAAPA can be hugely you. like a daytime television soap. The internet chatter is 24/7 on invigorating. It appeared that was being felt this High marks also have to be given to the IAAPA what will happen with its CEO/board seat dispute. Only time time around. Vendors and exhibitors were brightly organization for a solid selection of classes, work- will tell how this drama will play out. optimistic. shops and seminars for its membership. Classes For the customers and buyers, it is easy to ranging from crisis control to new social media And that leads us to the group of CNL-owned parks that fall into a trap of darting into the show, seeing networking, as well as presentations on the indus- were formally managed by Parc Management. Numerous sup- who you planned to see, and then getting out. It’s try’s past to training your staff for the future — it pliers remain unpaid for services or products provided, thus unfortunate when time constraints, or the sense was there. Attendees had to feel these offerings placing these parks on a pre-pay status. The CNL ownership that the show is the “same old thing,” take hold of were time well spent.