CHESTERFIELD, Mo. — Slick City Action Park, the world’s first indoor slide park featuring proprietary dry-slide technology, has disrupted the active Family Entertainment Center (FEC) space. The company has achieved rapid growth in 2024, becoming the fastest-growing business in the active FEC industry, with the highest Average Unit Volume (AUV) of $4.96 million AUV and 41.04% average EBITDA margin across all open locations during the full fiscal year 2024. A key factor propelling the brand’s success is its unique all-ages appeal, with 26% of guests aged 18 and older and 36% being high school students or older. Slick City’s rapid expansion is evident: from zero to 41 franchises awarded, from three open corporate stores to 12, from a handful of employees to over 50, and from several hundred thousand square feet of signed leases to over a million. 

Slick City began its franchising efforts at the start of 2024 with an aggressive target of 30 franchises sold in the firstyear. The company’s team of industry veterans exceeded that goal by awarding 41 territories in under 12 months. This rapid expansion included signing over 1 million square feet of real estate across 28 corporate and franchise leases, and the opening of the first 12 corporate and franchise parks. In the next 120 days alone, Slick City is on track to open 10 more parks, including its first franchise locations in Brownsburg, IN; North Columbus, OH; Frisco, TX; West Plano, TX; South Tulsa, OK; Scottsdale, AZ; Woodbridge, VA; South Oklahoma City, OK; South Chicago, IL; and Riverview, AZ. Slick City aims to open an additional 10 parks in the second half of the year. 

Beyond the expansion of signed and opened parks, Slick City’s 2024 performance included significant financial gains. The AUV increased substantially from $4.19 million in 2023 to $4.96 million in 2024, with new open park data contributing to this growth. The brand also maintained exceptionally high profit margins, with an average EBITDA of 41.04% (more details are available in the 2025 FDD). 

Slick City sets itself apart in the family entertainment sector through its patented and proprietary slide technology, designed to appeal to all ages. Since opening its first location in Denver, CO in early 2022, Slick City has introduced a first-of-its-kind entertainment experience, featuring thrilling attractions across its first 12 open corporate and franchise locations. This March, Slick City celebrated its first franchise opening in Maple Grove, MN, in the Minneapolis metro area  and anticipates opening in Brownsburg, IN, in the Indianapolis metro area, in the coming weeks. 

“This past year’s success is a testament to the incredible team behind Slick City. There’s simply nothing else like it on the market and the enthusiasm we’ve seen from our discovery day conversations and franchisees speaks volumes,” said Bron Launsby, CEO and Founder of Slick City. “As we look at 2025, it’s our franchisees’ time to shine and we’re thrilled to bring this one-of-a-kind experience to all age groups nationwide.” 

Launsby is an accomplished entrepreneur in the family entertainment space, a board member of the International Adventure and Trampoline Parks Association and a former Family Entertainment Center multi-unit franchisee himself. He built Slick City with the perspective of a franchisee top of mind. 

At the heart of Slick City’s appeal lies its cutting-edge attraction research and development, spearheaded by co-founder Gary Schmit, who also established Slick Slide. This revolutionary attraction company, a vertically-integrated affiliate of Slick City Franchise Group, acts as the dedicated manufacturing and R&D arm of the business. Slick Slide delivers a complete “park in a box” to franchise and corporate locations by producing and installing every attraction in every park. Slick Slide pioneered the exhilarating attractions that define the parks, delivering unmatched sensations of speed and elevation, similar to a waterslide – but without the water – and unlike anything else on the market. With 20 unique slide designs and a robust pipeline of new slides and attractions, coupled with modular construction that allows for easy cost-effective retrofits of future slide designs into existing locations, the brand continues to push boundaries with proprietary, pioneering innovations. Slick Slide has been aggressive in defending its intellectual property against use by would-be competitors, with 55 patents filed or granted globally, and counting.  Slick Slide has already utilized the patents to win favorable settlements, ensuring the unique experience within every Slick City Action Park remains exclusive.

Slick City and Slick Slide’s combined management teams currently consist of over 50 team members. In anticipation of continued rapid growth, the company plans to expand its corporate team (known as the City Support Team) to over 100 members by the end of the year. This strategic expansion has included the recent hiring of several key individuals:  Chief Development Officer Matt Lambeth, Franchise Project Manager Tamra Peters, Franchising Manager Megan Anderson, District Manager Jorge Pina and Designer Michelle Liechty. 

WHAT:

• Viva La Fiesta is the biggest party of the season celebrating the cultural richness and spirited traditions of Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Each morning of Viva La Fiesta starts with a high-energy Looney Tunes dance party where guests can sing and dance in a festive celebration fit for the whole family.
• Traditional music is felt through the Mexico-themed area of the park with Mariachi Bohemio, Forth Worth’s finest mariachi, Ballet Folklórico and the tunes of one of the hottest local djs, Chicana DJ Virah.
• For one weekend only, April 12-13, Viva La Fiesta presents special appearances by:
  • Rumbamena’s international dance company performing salsa and samba choreography
  • Manteca Blue & The Latin Corner playing electrifying Latin-jazz fusion rhythms
• La Cantina dining location now features an all-new menu that includes shredded beef and crispy chicken tortas, Spanish rice, pinto beans and tricolor tortilla chips with roasted salsa.
• More authentic flavors like roasted elotes, crispy tostones with creamy salsa and specialty churros will be available for a limited time.
• Guests will quench their thirst with handcrafted cocktails and mocktails made with the tropical flavors of mango, coconut and pineapple.

WHEN:

• Saturdays and Sundays, April 5 through May 4

WHERE:

• Six Flags Over Texas – 2201 Road to Six Flags, Arlington, TX

Viva La Fiesta at Six Flags Over Texas is ideal for making memories with friends and family in a vibrant atmosphere filled with captivating sights, lively sounds and mouthwatering flavors while experiencing your favorite rides and attractions.

MONTREAL, Canada — Vortex Aquatic Structures International (Vortex), a manufacturer and world leader in aquatic solutions, is proud to announce the launch of VECTORY, a groundbreaking Splashpad collection designed to ignite movement, creativity, and engagement through dynamic play. This strategic move underscores Vortex’s commitment to innovation, customer satisfaction, and its leadership in the aquatic structures industry.

A Bold New Way to Play!
As families and communities grow, so do their recreational needs. VECTORY was created to offer an inclusive, intergenerational play experience that brings people of all ages together. Whether it’s toddlers experiencing water play for the first time, children running through thrilling sprays, or parents and grandparents joining in the fun, VECTORY fosters movement, laughter, and lifelong memories.

“VECTORY was inspired by the way play brings people together.” says Richard Martin, VP Product Development at Vortex. “We saw an opportunity to elevate the game experience for the whole family and engage teenagers, drawing them away from screens and into the excitement of the splash pad. To bring this vision to life, we collaborated with an occupational therapist to test VECTORY with children, parents, and grandparents. Watching them interact and have a blast together was truly incredible.”

Meet the New Products
The VECTORY collection introduces nine brand-new products, many of which bring first-of-their-kind innovations to the industry. Among them, Reflex and Apex feature three DualSpray interactive nozzles, letting players activate sprays on their opponents and engage in exciting water battles. Tactik stands out as the first-ever pulse water cannon, allowing users to precisely control water jet intensity through the revolutionary PulseSpray technology. Dynamik N°1 & N°2 cater to younger players with an easy-turn 360° TwistFlow mechanism, allowing little ones to guide water onto cascading buckets or spinning wheels for an engaging, hands-on experience.

All products are engineered for smart water management, ensuring maximum fun with minimal water usage. With low water flow rate designs, each feature optimizes water efficiency without compromising on excitement, making it the ideal solution for municipalities and designers looking to create sustainable and engaging public play spaces.

Whether designing a new Splashpad or upgrading an existing one, VECTORY is built for adaptability. Featuring the Anchoring System Safeswap, the collection allows for easy layout reconfiguration, ensuring long-term flexibility without major renovations.

30 Years of International Success
For nearly three decades, Vortex has been shaping the way kids and families play in urban environments, water parks, and resorts worldwide. With iconic solutions such as Splashpad, Elevations , waterslides, Dream Tunnel and the new CoolHub, Vortex has created more than 10,000 custom installations spanning 50 countries and five continents. Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, the company has regional offices in the United States, Spain, and the Netherlands,and an extensive distribution network supporting Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Australia, and Latin America.

Innovating Sustainable Aquatic Spaces
As a leader in the aquatic play industry, Vortex sets high standards for environmental, social, and governance practices. Vortex has always been committed to sustainability and innovation in water management, continuously striving to innovate for future ge nerations. From day one, the company’s dedication to sustainability has grown, allowing it to responsibly manage water resources. By combining advanced water controller technology with tailored water management solutions that comply with local environmental regulations, Vortex provides solutions that best meet customers’ ecological objectives. Responding to the challenges of climate change, Vortex introduced CoolHub, an urban oasis designed to provide refreshing spaces for all citizens. This initiative aligns with many cities’ objectives to mitigate urban heat, promote sustainability and enhance the well-being of their population. CoolHub creates an inviting public environment that fosters healthy, equitable, and resilient communities.

W. CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — ASTM International’s amusement rides and devices committee (F24) invites all interested parties to join in developing a proposed standard covering dry slide systems. The committee is particularly interested in participation from designers and operators of both older and new slide systems.

ASTM member William Bussone says that, while dry slides are an extremely old ride type, in the last decade many new types of slides have been introduced. These  include large indoor dry snow tubing slides and drop or jump slides that land in an airbag or a similar impact attenuation device.

“Dry slides have become adventure attractions, whereas traditionally they were more of a typical carnival-style ride, such as burlap sack fun slides,” says Bussone, managing engineer, CBE Consultants. “Different jurisdictions currently have a mishmash of internal rules about how to handle slides, so the regulatory landscape is confused and confusing.”

According to Bussone, developing the proposed guide (WK93943) is an attempt to collect most slide types under a guide that provides consistent direction for how to approach design, manufacture, and operation of a slide as an amusement ride.

ASTM welcomes participation in the development of its standards.

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Fort Wayne Zoo is excited to introduce a new African lion in our care, Kiume (Pronounced as Cue-MAY). Thirteen-year-old Kiume is welcomed from John Ball Zoo as a companion for Ina, the female lioness in our care.

“We have been working with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan to find the perfect match for Ina and we are overjoyed to have Kiume here,” said Michelle Smurl, Vice President of Animal Care and Conservation Education. “Though guests are just now beginning to see glimpses of him, Ina and Kiume have been going through carefully planned and phased introductions for the past several months. Throughout this complex process, our Animal Care Team have been elated to see how well these two have bonded.”

Ina and Kiume both lost their longstanding mates in 2024. Because these big cats are social, naturally living in groups called prides, it was important work to find a suitable match for each lion and we feel privileged to bring these two aging lions together.

“Kiume has quickly become a beloved member of our Zoo family and I know the community is going to love him as much as we do,” states Rick Schuiteman, Zoo Director. “We are currently giving Kiume time and space to explore his new habitat. In order to set these two lions up for success, it takes a lot of time and patience, and I am proud of our Animal Care Team for their continued dedication.”

As Kiume continues to acclimate to his new habitat, he may still have access to his behind-the-scenes spaces to help mitigate any stress, promote natural exploratory behaviors, and maintain a high level of animal wellbeing. As a result, we ask our members and guests to please be patient as he becomes comfortable with the habitat space. Kiume becomes the Zoo’s newest ambassador representing wild African lions. Lion populations have experienced rapid decline over the last two decades, with only about 23,000 lions remaining in the wild today. The Fort Wayne Zoo partners with Lion Guardians, a conservation organization based in Kenya, dedicated to finding and enacting long-term solutions for people and lions to coexist.

For position sensing of vertical and horizontal toggle clamps, JW Winco offers cleverly designed and extremely practical sensor holders. Compatible proximity sensors can optionally be ordered from JW Winco at the same time using the corresponding identification number.

Often the most easily overlooked things turn out to be among the most useful. The sensor holders GN 801.3 and GN 801.4 are perfect examples. These add-on elements help enable position monitoring for many types of toggle clamps and therefore play an important role in process reliability.

These standard parts consist of two pieces: the retaining bracket, which is easily attached using the bores already present on the toggle clamp, and the retaining plate with the bore for the sensor itself. The plate can be quickly affixed to the bracket with setting nuts and features an elongated hole for precise adjustment of the sensor and its switching point. Because no new mounting bores are required, the sensor holder is ideal for quickly upgrading existing installations. It does not matter whether the toggle clamp is oriented vertically or horizontally, whether it has a locking lever or whether the sensor holder needs to be attached on the right or left side. This last aspect is especially worth highlighting as the position of the setting nuts can be chosen during installation to mount the sensor holder on the left or right of the toggle clamp.

The sensor holder is compatible with all typical inductive sensors with M8 thread. To make it even simpler to upgrade or build secured mechanisms, JW Winco also offers the sensor holders as a complete unit including sensor. The sensor has a three-pole M8 plug, can be operated with 10-36 V direct current and indicates via LED as well as a high signal when the toggle clamp has securely arrived at the end point.

This is the case when the knee lever of the clamp has passed the so-called dead point. Sensing methods implemented in this way rule out the possibility of workpieces remaining improperly secured in partially or fully automated systems. The stability of the process is enhanced in this way, which also increases a company’s quality and economic performance.

JACKSON, N.J. — Six Flags Great Adventure is set to launch a highly anticipated addition to its collection of world-class attractions: THE FLASH: Vertical Velocity. Opening this spring, the park’s newest roller coaster promises to deliver an unforgettable ride, combining forward and backward launches, four intense inversions, 10 “airtime” (negative-gravity) moments and a top speed of 60 mph. The combination of these exhilarating elements marks America’s first “super boomerang” coaster.

Inspired by THE FLASH, the iconic superhero known for his incredible speed, THE FLASH: Vertical Velocity is engineered to give riders the sensation of racing through the air at lightning-fast speeds. With a minimum height requirement of just 48 inches, THE FLASH: Vertical Velocity will provide an accessible, action-packed experience for a wide range of guests.

THE FLASH: Vertical Velocity stats include:

• Maximum height: 172 feet
• Maximum speed: 60 mph
• Number of launches: 7
• Inversions: 4
• Moments of negative gravity (“airtime”): 10
• Length of track: 1,430 feet
• Height requirement: 48 inches

“THE FLASH: Vertical Velocity is the perfect addition to our world-class lineup of roller coasters at Six Flags Great Adventure,” said Brian Bacica, park president. “This high-energy ride delivers everything coaster fans are looking for — forward and backward launches, inversions, and an adrenaline rush that even THE FLASH himself would approve of. With its 48-inch height requirement, junior and experienced thrill seekers alike will have the chance  to experience it firsthand.”

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) announces that it has appointed Foster & Fuchs as its new legal counsel, replacing industry legend Jim Tucker, who has retired after an extraordinary career serving IAFE for more than four decades.

Tucker has been an integral part of the IAFE, providing legal counsel to the association. Tucker also served as IAFE’s President and CEO, leaving a lasting legacy on the fair industry. Following his retirement as President and CEO, he continued his service to IAFE as legal counsel. After years of dedicated service, Tucker is now officially retired.

In addition, IAFE is pleased to announce that Foster & Fuchs will now serve as its legal counsel. The firm, led by John Foster and Lance Fuchs, has long been involved in the fair industry, working with organizations such as the Florida State Fair, Florida Federation of Fairs, and more. Foster & Fuchs brings a wealth of experience and IAFE is excited to partner with them moving forward.

To honor the impact of Jim Tucker or the Fuchs family, consider a donation to funds in their honor at iafefoundation.org.

GRAPEVINE, Texas — Gaylord Texan Resort and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences (WBDGE) today announced exciting plans to produce an out-of-this-world summer entertainment experience celebrating DC’s legendary stories and characters. The all-new, walkthrough attraction, Universe of Light, will feature multiple worlds and 40 iconic DC Super Heroes and Super-Villains in more than 1,000 glowing lanterns constructed by master artisans from Zigong, China. Universe of Light joins Gaylord Resort’s lineup of original leisure experiences, including Lone Star Christmas, ICE!, Paradise Springs Water Park, and SummerFest. The immersive event will run May 23 – September 1, 2025.

THE EVENT
Spanning an impressive 17,500 square feet, visitors of the attraction will enter the DC Universe and discover 1,000 brilliantly crafted lanterns (up to 24 feet tall) bringing iconic DC locations and beloved characters from the comic book pages to Gaylord Texan Resort on a larger-than-life scale. From Batman’s Gotham City and Wonder Woman’s home of Themyscira to Superman’s Metropolis, each vibrant display captures the action and artistry of DC’s world-renowned storytelling. The attraction will include unique photo moments for fans, including a chance to sit inside the Batmobile, an aerial confrontation between Superman and Lex Luthor high above Metropolis, interactive experiences such as exploring Themyscira, an epic battle between the Justice League and an intergalactic foe, and meet-and-greet opportunities with real-life DC Super Heroes.

THE ARTISTRY
Hailing from Zigong, China, widely known as the “Lantern Capital of the World,” the artistry behind Universe of Light is rooted in a 1,000-year-old tradition of breathtaking craftsmanship. Dating back to the Tang and Song dynasties, Zigong artisans have perfected the intricate process of lantern-making, blending heritage with innovation.

From concept to creation, each impressive superhero lantern is a masterpiece of design and engineering. Skilled artisans begin with meticulous sketches before building hand-shaped frames, draping them in colorful silk, and illuminating them with thousands of LED lights. Every cape, emblem, and expression has been carefully crafted to create a truly immersive experience unlike any other.

FUN FACTS
The scale of this dazzling attraction is nothing short of extraordinary:

• 30 miles of silk – The amount of fabric used to bring the superhero characters and scenes to life.
• 160 artisans – The number of highly skilled Chinese craftsmen who created the immersive display.
• 1,000 glowing lanterns – The number of DC Super Heroes, Super-Villains, and props created.
• 7,911 miles – The distance the master artisans traveled to Gaylord Texan from Zigong, China to build this display.
• 17,500 square feet – The size of the Universe of Light walkthrough superhero attraction including state-of-the-art insulation.

DUBAI, U.A.E. — Embed, the world’s FEC tech partner of choice for the amusement, entertainment, and leisure industries, is set to bring the freshest updates to its breakthrough innovations to the Middle East for back-to-back tradeshows DEAL Expo (Dubai World Trade Centre, 8 to 70 April, booth #ZS-770) and the SEA Expo (Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center, 20 to 22 May, booth #3B337).

After its successful launch at the recent Amusement Expo International in Las Vegas, the EMBED ECOSYSTEM is expected to gain even more traction in Middle East’s upcoming trade shows

“Guests, experiences, staff, operations, bookings, payments, sales, reports-the integration of these tech components is critical to the success of an FEC The EMBED ECOSYSTEM is designed to redefine and elevate the way these interact and integrate with each other, enabling and empowering operators to create the ultimate cashless, cloud-based system that exceeds their business needs for a seamless guest experience,” shares Renee Welsh, CEO at Embed.

According to a study by Allied Market Research, the FEC market in the Middle East region is at unprecedented growth and development. Majority of the US-based FEC developers and operators a re expanding their presence in region, including Embed’s long-time customer and industry giant Dave & Buster’s, announcing its first multi-country deal in KSA, UAE, and Egypt in a 5-year plan to open many new franchise locations in the region and across the globe.

Early this year, CEO Renee Welsh and CTO Andy Welsh recently relocated from Singapore to Dubai, UAE, Embed’s HQ in EMEA, to deepen Embed’s roots in a region with many Embed customers and unparalleled growth. Rob McMenamin, the Majid Al Futtaim group’s former Director of Leisure & Entertainment for 72 years, also joins the team as EMEA General Manager.

“It’s the new era of the Embed Ecosystem in the region,” says Sara Paz (CMO and Growth Officer). “We’re setting a new standard in the industry with fresh and meaningful updates to our system, modified for hyper-customisation and deeper integrations. With the rise of the API, the Embed Ecosystem is the paradigm shift that begins the consumer experience revolution, where we enable operators to create experiences they want with greater customisation and flexibility.”

The Embed Ecosystem comes with updates to the TOOLKIT POS component SALES, which now has real-time, cloud-based sync with the KIOSK+ for real-time business visibility. BOOKINGS, the end-to­ end online reservation platform for FEC events, is now powered up with a KIOSK+ version so guests can enjoy other FEC offerings like arcades or F&B while they wait for their slot instead of queueing at activities like bowling. Aside from this integration, the KIOSK+ update includes a full 27″ LCD touchscreen interface, a UI operators can re-theme using Embed’s customisable API, and multiple­ value game card purchase functionality.

‘This undoubtedly marks a shift in the industry, highlighting the results of strategic relationships with global tech giants. Our partnership with Apple, Google, and Amazon Web Services for our solutions, along with FEC leaders like Magic Planet MAF, Global Village, and SALA Entertainment puts us in a position to disrupt the disparate digital systems plugging into hardware, which is the current industry norm,” explains Andy Welsh (CTO). “Now, operators can have it all without needing to plug it all. They can connect it all to sync it all-and with today’s consumer demands and global business trends, that’s more like it”

Experience the Embed Ecosystem exactly how you like it to catch the dynamic Software as a Service (Saas) solutions in action at the show, like the award-winning, Apple-and-Google-certified Mobile Wallet and STATS business intelligence dashboard powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Attendees can expect free demos of its roster of integrated hardware and software solutions like smartTOUCH+ card readers, KIOSK+, and TOOLKIT suite, and a full line of game cards and wearable media.