Volume 3, No. 17. September 12,2003
FUN EXPO Preview
Getting
the shift
Fun Expo in Las
Vegas, Nevada, is making a significant shift, even if it is just one day. Instead
of a Thursday-through-Saturday trade show, Fun Expo opens next Wednesday and
concludes Friday, September 19.
In a way, the shift in days mirrors the show’s subtle shifts. After a devastating
2001 show when many pundits predicted it was on its deathbed, Fun Expo rebounded
last year with solid if not spectacular traffic. This year the rebounding trend
looks like it will continue as numbers of exhibitors and registration are even
with or better than last year’s. Attendees likely will see a shift in goods
on the trade show floor, too, with more extreme sports equipment and activities
and more rides.
Another shift is noticeable in the Fun Expo Academy, the education program run
in conjunction with the trade show put on by the show’s host, the International
Association for the Leisure and Entertainment Industry. This year’s schedule
evidences the organization's intention to maintain its relevancy among small
operators in particular and for the amusement industry as a whole.
The Academy opens Sunday with a now-traditional program for rookies and newcomers,
people wanting to get into the business. The “somewhat superficial overview”
gives participants insights into all areas of family entertainment center operations,
said IALEI President Carole Sjolander. Because of these sessions “Probably
half of (participants) will have their eyes open real wide and not get into
the business,” she said. IALEI approves of the dropout rate because the
entire industry is stronger if only dedicated and knowledgeable operators open
FECs.
Supplementing the traditional Birthday University by F.L. Price and Associates
will be the Advanced Birthday University, also taught by Price. “This assumes
that people have a good idea of how to run birthday parties,” Sjolander
said. “This takes them to a higher level in all aspects, from the party
itself to marketing and management and training.”
Also new this year are couple of training seminars that will tackle highly charged
controversial topics. Traditionally, seminars on arcade games have been conducted
by revenue sharing vendors. “We’ve never addressed the advantage and
disadvantage of owning your own games,” Sjolander said. This year, a panel
combining revenue sharing vendors and operators who own their arcade units will
offer their points of view. Similarly, a panel will tackle the issue of serving
alcohol in family entertainment centers.
Last year, IALEI for the first time booked a keynote speaker for its business
meeting, conducted on the morning before the trade show opened its doors. With
the success of last year’s meeting, IALEI has again scheduled a keynote
speaker for the Wednesday morning session, Rob Peck of Zestworks. A juggler,
he incorporates his acrobatic act into his management message: “Left Brainers,
Right Brainers, and No Brainers.”
THE LOOP is written and produced by Eric Minton, Minton Enterprises, LLC. To see more examples of Eric Minton's work and Minton Enterprises services, visit www.ericminton.com.
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