INSIDE: TM & ©2015 Amusement Today, Inc. IAAPA Attractions Expo show recap Pages 46-53 January 2015 | Vol. 18 • Issue 10 www.amusementtoday.com SAFETY SEMINARS RAMP UP AIMS offering 400 different classes for certification NAARSO adding new Level II STORY: Tim Baldwin That will be our kick-off class Operations Certification at forum [email protected] of the morning.” STORY: Pam Sherborne AIMS Excecutive Director ORLANDO, Fla. — The [email protected] annual AIMS Safety Seminar Karen Oertley reports, “We is on track for January 11 – have 30 new classes this year.” MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — 16, 2015. The AIMS Interna- Coston adds, “We are of- The National Association of tional’s focus is dedication to fering new inspector classes Amusement Ride Safety Offi- the continuing safety in the and new aquatic classes — cials (NAARSO) will offer the amusement industry. This we’re taking it up to the next second level of the Operations year’s seminar will be held at level.” Certification program for the the DoubleTree by Hilton Or- Registration and a wel- first time when the 28th An- lando at SeaWorld. Both hotel come reception will take nual Safety Forum gets under- and registration information professionalism with amuse- place on Sunday, January 11. way later this month in Myrtle can be found at the AIMS ment industry trade associa- Classes begin bright and early Beach, S.C. website at www.aimsintl. tions along with the various on Monday, January 12 and The non-profit organiza- The new Level II track of org. AIMS is pleased that it is government entities in order continue for the entire week. tion that provides resources, the Operations classes comes nearing its 45th anniversary to promote and preserve the NAARSO testing and CRI oral education, and certification two years after the first Level to have the seminar available prosperity of the amusement testing takes place on Tuesday, programs for amusement de- I Operations track. to the industry. industry. January 13. AIMS certification vice inspectors will meet Jan. “This has been an ex- The organization evolved When asked what is new testing takes place Thursday 25-30 in Myrtle Beach with tremely popular session,” said from the American Recre- for this year, AIMS Seminar afternoon, January 15. The meetings being held at the NAARSO Executive Director ational Equipment Associa- Operations Manager Holly seminar concludes on Friday Ocean Dunes/Sands Resort Leonard Cavalier. “We felt it tion in February of 1994. The Coston told Amusement Today, with certification completion and the hands-on sessions was time to add Level II.” purpose of the association is “This year we are re-introduc- and picking up certificates, held at Broadway at the Beach. Connie Patton, NAARSO to establish communications ing a keynote speaker. It is awards and raffle drawings. NAARSO is expecting a office manager, said between and foster working relations Mike Withers, and he is with The range of classes is good turnout for this year’s 65 to 70 people came just using the highest degree of Walt Disney Engineering. 4See AIMS, page 4 event. 4See NAARSO, page 5 International Ride Training projecting another sellout at annual iROC safety school LAS VEGAS, Nev. — International Ride Training, LLC (IRT) the past years, IRT has offered certifications to Instructor and SAFETY: PAGES 4-16 will host their annual iROC school in Las Vegas, Nevada, Febru- Trainers. In 2015, certification will also be extended to the front ary 4 – 6, 2015 at the Circus Circus Adventuredome, Hotel and line operator. Furthermore, IRT has transformed and enhanced Casino. The iROC school is designed as an operational train the the iROC 10 critical components of ride operator safety basics trainer curriculum that includes the standards of performance that support and complement the manufacturers requirements for specific operator skills with significant focus on preparation of operations and compliance with ASTM F24. of teaching the standards. Huddy stated, “We are committed to strengthening trainer The 2014 school, with approximately 100 training instruc- and operator effectiveness across the amusement industry con- tors in attendance and more than 40 parks represented, was a tinuum, which is why we focused the upcoming year on build- sell out crowd. IRT managing members, Cindee Huddy and ing a strong team of experts to review and help refine our train- Patty Beazley, anticipate the attendance to increase for 2015. ing program. This process includes opportunities for current New for 2015, IRT is offering a three-tiered program that instructors to see, reflect upon and discuss how the program will ensure operations instructors are more effective teachers of can best be used as a tool to support professional growth in an ride operator skills, both in the classroom and in the field. In 4See iROC, page 5 Dated material. material. Dated RUSH! SUBSCRIBE TODAY! NEWSPAPER POSTMASTER: 19, 2014 December Mailed Friday, PLEASE PERMIT # 2069 # PERMIT (817) 460-7220 FT. WORTH TX WORTH FT. PAID US POSTAGE US PRSRT STD PRSRT 2 AMUSEMENT TODAY January 2015 NEWSTALK EDITORIAL: Gary Slade, [email protected] CARTOON: Bubba Flint Hello 2015! During the recently concluded 2014 IAAPA Attractions Expo, exhibitors saw the trade show floor buzzing with activ- ity as 19,400 buyers made their way into the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. In total the Expo drew 30,500 at- Slade tendees. The show enjoyed a continuation of the record attendance numbers IAAPA had both at its Asian and European shows. The amuse- ment industry is certainly enjoying a strong worldwide market and great attendance numbers. The new 2015 amusement season is shaping up to be another blockbuster year thanks to the great variety of new product going into facilities of all sizes. Roller coasters lead the way with a wide assortment of sizes and thrills awaiting guests. Kid spinners, spin- ners in the dark, hybrids and record height monsters, launched rides and shuttle-type coasters are all under construction. Flat rides and small ground space rides continue to spin, drop, bounce and flip riders in unique ways — making one wonder who thinks up these twist- ed flipping motion rides? It’s good to see dark rides making a return, as guests are always on the lookout for EDITORIAL: Scott Rutherford, [email protected] an indoor air-conditioned ride that’s not a roller coaster. A time for rest In the water park sector, innovation continues to rule. The 2014 season is done. day where it’s business as usual. These are Slide concepts and theming, innovative longer lasting For the most part, it was a typically the parks’ maintenance staffs who raft/tube designs and new pool and river opportunities pretty good one. As usual, toil behind the scenes during the dark win- are all available for owners to consider. there were highs and lows ter months, carefully disassembling each And don’t forget all the options being offered to but we’ve come to expect and every ride. This is when they inspect, capture guest comfort with the various cabana styles. that; it’s simply the nature of rebuild and replace components as neces- The most unique thus far has to be the two-story ca- this beast. sary to ensure that when the time comes banas introduced last season at Schlitterbahn Galveston Rutherford Now that the intensity of next spring, everything will be in proper Island. the IAAPA Expo is finished, working order. The same can be said for the FEC owners have more choices than ever before to as is the associated madness of the holidays, marketing folks planning for the season as sort through. New efficient food equipment and prod- it’s finally time for a much-needed break. For well as construction crews assembling the ucts are debuting, games continue to ring, ding and many of those in this industry who spend newest blockbuster additions. Few guests flash, dazzling guests in the arcades. Outside, owners every waking hour of the summer months ever know just how much labor goes into looking to add ziplines have decisions to consider than (and the ever-increasing bumper seasons) keeping their favorite attractions safe and ever before. Mini Golf suppliers continue to design to working to make sure guests are having the operational. time of their lives, this is when they allow So, those of you who can, take this time fit any size of footprint, and now one has added a water themselves a brief respite. to rest and relax and reflect on all that hap- element into the mix...see page 21. But let’s not forget those who are not pened last year, and what the promise of the Location Based Entertainment continues its popu- afforded extended time off. As with the 2015 season will bring. You’ve all earned it. larity with the Orlando Eye observation wheel under year-round parks in Florida and California Though the days are now short and construction in Orlando and newly announced record where it never, ever stops, there are some the nights are long, that will soon begin to setting I-Drive projects: the StarFlyer and Skyscraper who just keep going. Though the cold change. Before we know it, the time will Polercoaster. Las Vegas just completed the zipline craze winds are howling and snow is piling up in come when you can throw open the gates in 2014 with three units opening...we will have to wait record-breaking amounts in many locations, and welcome them all back. and see what surprise The Strip has in store next. there are still employees who begin every Happy New Year! AMUSEMENT TODAY STAFF Gary Slade, Founder Dean Lamanna Sammy Piccola Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Editorial Accounting / Circulation [email protected] [email protected] (817) 460-7220 [email protected] Deliveries Member of: Amanda Childress / Childress Media Pam Sherborne 2012 E.