ST. LOUIS — Intercard’s latest cashless technology was chosen to manage the state-of-the-art arcade at Advent Health Sports Park at Bluhawk in Overland Park, Kansas. The 200,000 square foot facility will be the premiere venue in the central United States for traveling sports teams, tournaments and local youth sports play. An in-house FEC will provide entertainment for visiting sports teams as well as local residents. The park is scheduled to open in October 2024.
The 6500 square foot arcade consists of 75 top games provided by Shaffer Distributing, a Triotech XD Dark Ride 8 seat simulator, and a Rollglider aerial ride above the game floor. Next to the arcade are 10 lanes of bowling from Brunswick Bowling, with an additional 6 lanes on an upper level. “Our Intercard system will manage the games as well as access to the Rollglider and Triotech attractions,” says Scott Sherrod, CEO of Intercard. “It also integrates with the Brunswick Sync system for the center’s 16 bowling lanes, making it easy for guests to enjoy a variety of activities with one card.”
Intercard’s industry partner Pinnacle Entertainment Group is the arcade/FEC consultant to The Sports Facilities Companies, which manages Advent Health Sports Park and dozens of others across the country. “The Sports Facilities Companies are the best in the professional sports center management business,” says George McAuliffe of Pinnacle. “We are proud to be their trusted advisors on arcade and FEC operations. This is our third FEC for them with Intercard technology, and there are two more under construction that will also use Intercard.”
Shornaa Island Amusement Park, opened its doors in Accra in September, bringing a new world of fun, excitement and adventure to visitors of all ages.
The park has partnered with Sacoa Cashless System and installed their state-of-the-art solutions. Shornaa Island has chosen to implement Sacoa’s Spark readers, POS system, and triple-award-winning, self-service K4 Kiosk, ensuring a seamless guest experience from start to finish, increased revenues, and decreased costs. Many more implementations are expected for the second phase of the park’s development.
“We at XtremeFun Limited together with our First International Amusement Park are proud to feature Africa’s first cashless card system at Shornaa Island”, stated Richard Lee, General Manager. He added “It gives each customer the control to spend and with the coming of the rewards credit systems makes the Sacoa card a valued entry for all.”
Ing. Magnus Lincoln Quarshie, President of XtremeFun Ltd, commented regarding the installation “A huge thank you to Sacoa Managment Team and with the arrival of Pablo who spent many hours being as late as 2am dialy to ensure the smooth instalation and training to our Ticketing systems for our Amusment Park . Pablos training and expertise methods helped my teams from both techinical and Casheirs perform there duties well and even to this very day Pablo is aways on line to assist us further . AGAIN thank you Sacoa and a special thanks to Pablo . – 5 stars at the very best s.”
For his part, Pol Mochkosky, CEO of Sacoa International, expressed his satisfaction, saying, “We are thrilled to have played a part in making Shornaa Island Amusement Park a reality, and it’s wonderful to see the positive reception from visitors right from the start.”
Strategically located along the A1 Lagoon Bypass, behind the Accra Trade Fair, Shornaa Island offers a unique blend of thrilling entertainment and serene relaxation, set against the stunning backdrop of a tranquil black water lagoon. Visitors can enjoy attractions such as bumper cars, convoy cars, mini golf, and more, ensuring an unforgettable experience for families and tourists alike.
LAS VEGAS — Lovatics, get ready! Fresh off the release of her directorial debut with the acclaimed new Hulu documentary Child Star, GRAMMY-nominated and award-winning musician, actor, and New York Times best-selling author Demi Lovato has revealed her latest wax figure, this time for Merlin Entertainments’ Madame Tussauds Las Vegas. While her first U.S. figure debuted at Madame Tussauds Hollywood in 2015, her second will take center stage in Las Vegas, standing ‘Stone Cold’ under the ‘Neon Lights’ for fans to begin visiting on September 26th.
The figure is adorned in the skirt and top from Lovato’s Alternative Press Magazine photoshoot, with the entire look generously donated by the artist for this special occasion. This marks Lovato’s second sitting with the Madame Tussauds studio artists, who captured around 250 new measurements and photographs from every angle to ensure precise accuracy of her facial and physical features. The figure was crafted in London, with meticulous detailing and months of visual research, taking a total of six months to complete and perfect. Lovato herself revealed the figure, expressing her excitement at the remarkable likeness.
“The first time I ever saw my wax figure in person, it was actually a very healing experience for me because I had dealt with so much body dysmorphia,” said Lovato. “I realized ‘Oh wow, that’s what I look like.’ Not a lot of people get to see themselves in 3D, it was a very healing experience and one that I’ll remember forever.”
Lovato was first known for her onscreen talents, and soon after became a musical phenomenon for her remarkable vocal ability. With over 50 billion streams earned worldwide, she has enamored audiences with her renowned powerhouse vocals and illustrious songwriting. As a mental health advocate, she serves as Global Citizens official ambassador for mental health, with a special focus on vulnerable communities around the world. Most recently, Lovato’s advocacy work which was highlighted in Child Star led her to join California Gov. Newsom as he passed two new laws which offer financial protections for child influencers and content creators, setting aside a percentage of their earnings in a trust fund that they can access once they turn 18.
“Demi Lovato is a global sensation, captivating audiences with her powerful voice, extraordinary talent, and impactful mental health advocacy,” said General Manager at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas Gabriel Hewitt. “Las Vegas is the perfect place to honor her remarkable career and showcase her newest wax figure.”
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Conservation efforts are already making waves at LEGOLAND Florida Resort, with guests diving into action to protect marine life even before the new SEA LIFE Florida Aquarium is built.
During a special structure-signing event at the Park, guests were invited to leave their mark on the project— both literally and figuratively. Hundreds of guests proudly signed the last piece of steel beam for the new building and generously contributed, raising over $1,400 in support of SEA LIFE Florida’s partner charity, SEA LIFE TRUST. This effort further strengthens the Resort’s dedication to ocean conservation. The steel beam carrying those signatures has been placed on the building of the new aquarium, marking a significant milestone in its journey toward completion.
Scheduled to open in in early 2025, SEA LIFE Florida will offer a truly immersive experience for guests of all ages. A key attraction of the Aquarium will be the main ocean exhibit, which will showcase a unique “Theme Park Under the Sea” theme, a first for SEA LIFE. This underwater world will include beloved attractions such as a coral palace and a reef- inspired Ferris wheel.
SEA LIFE Florida aims to inspire children and families with the wonders of the ocean and the importance of protecting it for future generations. Featuring over 25 stunning exhibits with fascinating creatures like a captivating seahorse gallery, an interactive invertebrate touch pool, and a breathtaking underwater tunnel, the new attraction will bring guests face-to- face with the beauty and mystery of the ocean, all while promoting awareness for the environment. Visitors can look forward to seeing a diverse range of animals’ native to Florida waters, as well as species from the Pacific cold waters, Indian and Southern Oceans, and North American freshwater environments.
The donations collected will directly support SEA LIFE TRUST’s conservation projects, with a focus on local initiatives in Florida. Once SEA LIFE Florida opens, its curator will have the opportunity to apply for project funding from the TRUST. This ensures that the donations raised during the structure-signing event will have a direct and positive impact on Florida’s ecosystems locally and across the state.
Dive into Adventure:
Grab your annual pass now and get ready for exclusive access to the Aquarium as soon as it opens at the Resort! Don’t miss out on all the amazing underwater adventures waiting for you.
Embed, the world’s FEC tech partner of choice for the amusement, entertainment, and leisure industries showcased its roster of breakthrough innovations at IAAPA Expo Europe in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, from 24 to 26 September 2024.
“We’re excited to be back in Europe for the showi Now that our expansion plans for the European market are in motion – starting with bringing in a dedicated Sales Account Manager-we look forward to more FECsjoining the cashless and contactless revolution and experiencing the Embed difference,” says Renee Welsh, CEO at Embed. “Being a family-owned company with deep roots in the family entertainment business, we want to see FECs not only make the move to cashless to increase their profitability, but also to experience transformational growth – which includes lowering costs and getting the best rates possible.” Part of Embed’s strategic European market focus is the reason for Welsh’s move from the company’s Singapore office to Dubai, UAE, where Embed’s Europe, Middle East, and Africa operations are managed. Aside from showcasing its dynamic Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions at the show like the award winning, Apple-and-Google-certified Mobile Wallet and STATS business intelligence dashboard powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS), Embed layered value to the the growth these solutions bring by conducting complimentary payment processing consultations at the show.
“We know for a fact that our operators can do better than paying fluctuating published rates for their credit card processing fees,” says Jeremy Dickamore, Payment Gateway Guru at Embed. “By analysing their bank statements, we’re able to help them cut their losses and take advantage of the savings they can get from simply switching to another provider. We’ve had a great turnout and European market reception, with hundreds of consultations at the show and are expecting more, as the exercise is raising awareness in the industry that “thinking twice” about their current rates will keep them from losing 40% of their revenue to processing fees.”
Likewise, Embed educated operators about outsmarting dual pricing schemes, which puts the burden of payment processing costs to guests but is actually costing the FECs more “By giving our Embed family of customers the most competitive processing rates, highest security measures, and highest reliability, our operators won’t need to get duped by dual pricing and lose more revenue and guests because of it,” explains Sara Paz, CMO & Growth Officer at Embed.
SAN SEBASTIAN — The Kingdom of Bahrain is set to transform the region’s leisure and tourism landscape with the launch of the Middle East and North Africa region’s first surf park, powered by Wavegarden Cove technology. The Bahrain Surf Park – Club Hawaii Experience, developed through a partnership between Edamah (Bahrain Real Estate Investment Company), GFH Financial Group and Wavegarden, will be a centerpiece attraction at the prestigious Bilaj Al Jazayer development – a 1.3 million square meter project along Bahrain’s scenic southwest coast.
The Wavegarden Cove technology is the heart of the new surf park, offering an unrivaled surfing experience that is expected to position Bahrain as a leading destination for surfers and water sports enthusiasts from around the globe. Recognized as the industry’s most advanced wave-generation system, the Wavegarden Cove produces up to 1,000 high-quality waves per hour, with the higher surfer capacity (+90 surfers), and with more than 20 different wave types to suit all skill levels, from beginners to elite surfers. This technology allows for a wide variety of wave shapes and sizes, ranging from mellow, rolling waves to fast, steep barrels – perfect for training, leisure, and even international competitions.
“We are thrilled to partner with Bahrain Surf Park and introduce our innovative Wavegarden Cove technology to the region,” said Wavegarden’s Chief Commercial Director, Fernando Odriozola. “The facility will offer the most diverse wave menu in the market and the highest surfer capacity worldwide. It’s a game-changer not only for Bahrain but for the Middle East, where surfing is set to become a major draw for tourism and sports enthusiasts.”
REDUCING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The Bahrain Surf Park, powered by Wavegarden, aims to create a lasting impact on the local community by offering a space dedicated to sports, leisure, and healthy living. With sustainability at its core, Wavegarden’s technology is ten times more efficient than equivalent options on the market, using a maximum of 1 kWh per wave (0.10€/wave) and minimizing energy loss through designs that recover and reuse part of the energy generated.
BEYOND THE OCEAN
On a mission to bring the sport of surfing to places without ocean waves, with 8 surf parks operating successfully, Spanish technology provider Wavegarden will power the Bahrain Surf Park, which is expected to attract approximately 300,000 visitors per year and host over 140,000 surf sessions annually. This makes it a major attraction within the Bilaj Al Jazayer development, earning recognition from the Arabian Property Awards as Bahrain’s Best Leisure Development.
MORE THAN SURFING
The park also features a surf school, skatepark, beach bars, and family amenities, creating a comprehensive destination. Customer attractions include F&B, retail stores, event spaces, and a panoramic terrace, making it a community hub and a major tourist draw.
INVESTORS:
Edamah CEO Chris Calvert emphasized the park’s impact: “Bahrain Surf Park will redefine the leisure and recreation scene in Bahrain, setting a new standard for innovative tourism experiences in the region. This project reflects our commitment to creating world-class facilities that foster an inclusive, vibrant community while showcasing Bahrain’s potential as a top-tier tourist destination.”
Hisham Ahmed Al-Rayes, CEO of GFH, added, “Our collaboration with Edamah and Wavegarden underscores our focus on bringing transformative projects to the Kingdom. Bahrain Surf Park at Bilaj Al Jazayer will elevate Bahrain’s profile as a tourism hotspot and provide a dynamic recreational space for locals and international visitors alike.”
PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Fred Rogers Productions, the iconic producer of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and other hit PBS KIDS series, and Palace Entertainment, a leading theme and water park operator in the United States and Australia,announce a new multi-year licensing deal across six Palace Entertainment parks throughout the United States. This new licensing deal will allow both organizations to bring programming from extremely popular family-friendly properties including Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Alma’s Way, Donkey Hodie and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood to family-oriented Palace Entertainment amusement parks throughout the country.
Park guests will now be able to enjoy immersive experiences and interactions with characters from Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood including meet and greets, weeks-long special events, shows and more. For the first time ever, Daniel Tiger and his neighborhood friends will make appearances at Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Adventureland Resort in Altoona, Iowa; and Castle Park in Riverside, California. Daniel and friends from the Neighborhood of Make-Believe will also expand the entertainment offerings at Lake Compounce in Bristol, Connecticut; Idlewild & SoakZone outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Story Land in Glen, New Hampshire.
Palace Entertainment selected a partnership with Fred Rogers Productions due to the organization’s mission and the rising popularity of its thoughtful content on PBS KIDS, which sees nearly a billion streams per year. The theme park operator plans to expand its multi-year, multi-park partnership with more news to be announced, as the parks continue to build on these character experiences with more interactive experiences for guests to enjoy.
“Our new relationship with Palace Entertainment will bring our characters and brands to families across the country,” said Christopher Arnold, Fred Rogers Productions’ Chief Operating Officer. “The experiences we create together will foster moments of joy and connection for all families.”
Dutch Wonderland will be among the first parks to celebrate the new partnership with five characters from Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood coming to the park for the first time during its expanded Happy Hauntings Halloween event this fall. Coming on the heels of a massive investment in the event in 2023, the park continues to expand its family-friendly seasonal event offerings. Beginning Saturday, September 14, Daniel Tiger and five friends from the Neighborhood of Make-Believe will be at the park for meet and greets. The characters will rotate on a bi-weekly basis until the final weekend, October 26 and 27, which will feature meet and greets with Daniel Tiger, Katerina Kittycat, Miss Elaina, O the Owl and Prince Wednesday.
“We are always looking for new ways to offer our visitors unique entertainment and more reasons to visit,” said Palace Entertainment Chief Executive Officer John Reilly. “Fred Rogers Productions values the same family-friendly entertainment as our organization, they are a natural fit to help us bring beloved IP characters to six of our amusement parks across the country.”
Fred Rogers Productions builds on the legacy of Fred Rogers by creating quality children’s media that models an enthusiasm for learning and earns the trust of parents and caregivers. The non-profit’s commitment to celebrating the wonders, challenges and possibilities of childhood can be seen in each of its current children’s series, from Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, which builds on the legacy of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood and helps to teach life lessons, to Donkey Hodie, which teaches kids persistence, resilience and problem-solving skills, to Alma’s Way, which promotes the development of critical thinking skills.
MIDDLEBURY, Conn. — Quassy Amusement Park & Waterpark will introduce two thrilling new attractions for the 2025 season including a brand-new spinning family roller coaster. This coaster will boast a figure-eight track design with spinning carts, allowing families to share in the excitement as they zip around the winding course, circling around and back again and again for maximum fun.
In addition to the new family coaster, as part of the park’s continuous efforts to enhance the guest experience, Quassy will be retiring the Yo-Yo swing ride and replacing it with a stunning new attraction: the Aladdin Wave Swinger, a custom-built swing ride by Wooddesign Amusement Rides.
Wooddesign Amusement Rides is renowned for its nostalgic, custom-crafted carousels and swing rides, each tailored to reflect the essence of the parks they inhabit. For generations, they’ve produced skillfully carved wood designs, including animals and panels, evoking a timeless charm. The Aladdin Wave Swinger will feature intricate, hand-carved wooden panels inspired by the beloved Aladdin film, combining exquisite craftsmanship with a sense of wonder.
“It’s one thing to be able to introduce a new ride, but having the opportunity to showcase two new rides in one season is rare,” explains Eric Anderson, President of Quassy. “These unique new rides are wonderful additions to our beautiful park. We’re so excited for our guests to experience the thrilling adventure that awaits them in 2025.”
CARY, Ill. — The American Amusement Machine Association (AAMA) is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of its Annual Meeting and Gala, which brought together members, partners, and honorees for a memorable evening of recognition, networking, and celebration. This year’s event, held September 17th through 20th at the Chicago Marriott Schaumburg, highlighted the achievements of the organization and its members, along with new initiatives that will shape the future.
Awards and Recognition
During Wednesday’s Welcome event, two prestigious awards were presented to honor those who have made outstanding contributions to the organization and the amusement industry. Jennifer Poythress of The Rabbit Hole VR was awarded the Shining Star Award and Beth Standlee of TrainerTainment was presented with the Joe Robbins Award.
At the Gala Dinner on Thursday, Ed Pellegrini of Team Play, was celebrated as the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, for his exceptional leadership and service to the association and industry. Pellegrini delivered a heartfelt thank you speech, expressing his gratitude to the organization and reflecting on his illustrious journey in the amusement industry.
About Charitable Fundraising During the Annual Meeting
The American Amusement Machine Charitable Foundation (AAMCF) raised nearly $48,000 through the “Text to Give” campaign during the Gala dinner. That along with monies raised from the Lifetime Ad Journal and other fundraising efforts throughout the year resulted in $50,000 donations made to our three main charity partners; Sunrise Association, KEEN USA and Ann & Robert Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.
The Advisory Board, comprised of past AAMA Man of the Year Honorees donated a total of $13,500 to various charities.
New Leadership and Board Members
We are excited to announce Beth Standlee has been elected the new President of the American Amusement Machine Association (AAMA), taking the reins from Jeff Blair of Sureway Gaming as we embark on another year of growth and innovation. Standlee’s dedication and vision will be pivotal in driving the organization forward. Of the designation, Beth said, “I am very excited about the opportunity to serve the AAMA. I believe this organization is filled with an amazing group of people who have been amusement champions in this big wide world of entertainment for more than 40 years. It is my goal to work diligently to bring industry leaders and newbies alike into this great trade association to help us all grow and have as much fun as the law allows!”
New AAMA board members, Brian Cohen of Entertainment Properties Group and Adam Kleinhenz of Shaffer Distributing Company were also introduced; while Beth Standlee, Rich Babich of Game Exchange of Colorado and Allen Weisberg of Apple Industries were re-elected to three-year terms, ensuring a strong mix of fresh perspectives and experienced leadership. We welcome our new members to the board and look forward to their contributions in the years ahead.
The AAMCF also held their annual elections with Holly Hampton of BayTek Entertainment continuing as the President after her reelection alongside returning board members John Keys, with Embed; Paula Rinker, with Coast to Coast Entertainment and Jeff Blair. Newly elected charity board members include Brittanie Betti of Betson Enterprises, Amy Hedrick of CleanBox Technologies and Sara Paz of Embed. All will serve two-year terms.
Sunrise Association also received $55,000 in designated donations. The Lifetime Achievement Award winner is allowed to designate 20% of the funds raised through the Lifetime Achievement Souvenir Ad Journal to charities of their choice. This year, Ed Pellegrini designated Ronald McDonald House Charities as the benefactor of the $36,000 donation.
New Initiatives and Engagement
This year’s event featured an exciting new education format, which was very well received by all. Attendees took part in engaging and informative workshop sessions that provided fresh insights and strategies to apply in their respective fields. New this year was an expanded product preview, spanning days rather than hours and afforded partners the opportunity to present their new wares.
Members were invited to attend the Government Relations luncheon which featured AAMA’s lobbyist John Russell IV from the DGA Group in Washington DC. John gave an informative update on recent legislation and the nearing elections. This after committee co-chair Joe Camarota of Alpha-Omega spoke of the value of AAMA’s Code of Conduct and Parental Advisory System.
The 2024 annual meeting Keynote event was a packed house as members and guests settled in to hear insight and stories from industry veterans Nolan Bushnell, Eugene Jarvis, Joe Kaminkow and Gary Stern with Rich Babich acting as moderator.
The annual event closed out with the AAMCF hosted KEEN Kids Arcade on Friday, September 20. Local KEEN USA families were invited to an afternoon of free play games brought in for product preview and swag from Bandai Namco, Coast to Coast Entertainment and Embed. The arcade further solidifies our commitment to fostering an inclusive and family-friendly atmosphere at our events.
Networking, Fun, and Success
The Annual Meeting and Gala once again proved to be an outstanding opportunity for members to network, learn, and celebrate. With a blend of professional development and fun, the event continues to serve as a cornerstone of the amusement community, bringing together people from all sectors of the industry.
AAMA Director of Operators and AAMCF Executive Director, Tina Scwartz had this to say “This year’s Annual Meeting was a tremendous success thanks to the many AAMA members and industry leaders who participated. Some of the highlights included a new format, workshops, and fun & exciting entertainment. We are so proud of the generosity of our industry in supporting our fundraising efforts this year, allowing us to make significant contributions to our charity partners and
advisory board organizations. Personally, I was blown away by the surprise celebration of my 25th Anniversary with AAMA. Thank you to my industry family. You really know how to make a girl feel special.”
We extend our deepest gratitude to all who participated, donated, and supported this year’s event. Together, we are making a difference and setting the stage for a successful year ahead.
Sacoa Cashless System delivered an extraordinary showcase at the recently concluded IAAPA Expo Europe 2024 in Amsterdam. The global leader in cashless solutions captivated the audience with new product launches and previews of upcoming innovations.
Pol Mochkovsky, CEO of Sacoa International, expressed his emotion about the company’s performance at the event: “We are thrilled by the large number of visitors to our booth and the tremendous interest they showed in everything we exhibited. The official launch of KwikPay was a resounding success, as were the advances of what’s coming next. The feedback we received has been spectacular, and several new and ongoing projects will benefit from these cutting-edge technologies.”
KwikPay, Sacoa’s new, groundbreaking contactless payment system, is designed to optimize operations for all types of coin-operated machines. As with all of Sacoa’s newest products and solutions, KwikPay drew significant attention, making it one of the most popular new products unveiled at the show.
Sacoa also hinted at even more innovations to come, revealing plans to introduce new kiosk models and other industry-leading technologies at the upcoming IAAPA Expo 2024 in Orlando, Florida.
