Fun Academy |
Fun Academy At A Glance
Fun Academy Course Descriptions
Fun Academy Brochure
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Attendees Register for Fun Academy
Exhibitors Register for Fun Academy |
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INSPIRE. EDUCATE. MOTIVATE. PROFIT. |
| Fun Academy is designed to do all this and more. it is a targeted educational program focused on owners and managers of family entertainment centers to help them succeed and be more profitable. |
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| In this economy, FEC owners and managers will have to learn to do more with less. every workshop and Fun Academy session is aimed at providing practical information that you can take back to your facility and implement immediately to improve your productivity and profitability. |
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Each of our Fun Academy faculty are committed to helping you make your business the best it can be!
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They will INSPIRE you with their stories of what has worked for them – and
what has not. |
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They will EDUCATE you in a way that is both fun and practical to help you find
solutions to your biggest challenges. |
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They will MOTIVATE you with more low-cost and no-cost ideas that will add to
your bottom line. |
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| Here are their “profitability” statements — the deliverables that you will take away from Fun Academy. These are just a few of the “how’s”, the “why’s” and the best-practices you will learn at Fun academy that will lead your center to greater profitability! |
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How conflict affects you, your employees and the bottom line |
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How to work with schools to boost your bottom line |
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How to add value and charge more for your parties |
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How to create an environment within your center to boost sales |
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How to ensure your laser tag attraction reaches the highest levels of success
and profitability |
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How to generate more income from new programs and special events |
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How to maximize profits through concessions |
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How to make money with attractions and what to buy next |
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How to raise the capital necessary for your next entertainment project |
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How to really make money in this business through redemption |
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How to self-evaluate your inflatable operation |
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How to turn a profit with everything from t-shirts to glow sticks |
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How to turn downtime into primetime with new profit centers |
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The best way to sell an attraction or facility |
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Profit centers for outdoor facilities |
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Why happy staff + happy guests = increased revenue |
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| Plan now to attend. Plan ahead for even greater profits! |
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WS-01
Rookies & Newcomers Workshop
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Monday, September 8
8:00 am – 6:00 pm |
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| Moderators: |
Dorothy Lewis, Fun Station Associates
Alan Ramsay, CLM Entertainment |
| Presenters: |
David Cohen, Firestone Financial
Jerry Merola, Amusement Entertainment Management, LLCJim Newberry
Rich Oltmann, Trails Family Entertainment Centers
Rich Sanfilippo, Sam’s Fun City
Beth Standlee, TrainerTainment, LLC
David Sterling, Sterling & Sterling |
| Cost: |
$429 IALEI Members; $479 Non-members (before August 1, 2008) |
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Continental Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Break, Workbook, Reception.
Cost also includes admission to Fun Academy and the Exhibits
Rookies participants DO NOT need to register separately for Fun Academy. |
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They are back and ready to get down to business - Yours! This powerful team of industry experts has collaborated for years to bring you the information and tools necessary for business success. Their experience becomes the power behind your profits. Whether you are still in the start-up stages, newly opened or thinking about entering the Family Entertainment Center industry, this workshop will jump-start your business needs.
Topics include:
- Arcade Layout
- Attractions
- Corporate/Group Sales
- Facility Design
- Feasibility Studies
- Finance
- Food & Beverage
- Insurance
- Marketing
- Operations
…and it doesn’t stop there!
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You will have the opportunity to take advantage of the “Red Carpet Rookies Treatment”. Our team will be there for you every step of the “Fun Expo Way”. We will maximize your time and investment by offering the following value-added options:
- Pre-show online “Rookies Blog” - Get your questions answered in advance so you can come prepared!
- Daily “Recap” & “Wrap-Up” throughout the week with the workshop moderators
- Personalized seminar selection
- Customized trade show floor plan
- Welcome Packet with tips on how to get the most out of your time at the show
- Pre-show vendor introduction
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ROOKIES & NEWCOMERS WORKSHOP SCHEDULE – MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2008
8:00 – 8:30 |
Overview & Intro |
Dorothy Lewis & Alan Ramsay |
8:30 – 9:15 |
Feasibility |
Jerry Merola |
9:15 – 10:00 |
Finance |
David Cohen |
10:00 - 10:15 |
Break |
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10:15 - 11:00 |
Redemption / Arcade |
Rich Oltmann |
11:00 - 11:45 |
Facility Design |
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11:45 - 12:45 |
Lunch |
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12:45 – 1:30 |
Attractions |
Rich Sanfillippo |
1:30 – 2:15 |
Operations |
Jim Newberry |
2:15 – 3:00 |
Marketing |
Dorothy Lewis |
3:00 – 3:15 |
Break |
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3:15 – 4:00 |
Corporate / Group Sales |
Beth Standlee |
4:00 – 4:45 |
Insurance |
David Sterling |
4:45 - 5:30 |
Food & Beverage |
Alan Ramsay |
5:30 - 6:00 |
Wrap up |
Dorothy Lewis & Alan Ramsay |
6:00 - 7:00 |
Cocktail reception |
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ROOKIES & NEWCOMERS RECAP & WRAP-UP SCHEDULE Your progress will be followed each day of Fun Expo to help you maximize your Fun Expo experience! You will meet daily with workshop moderators and presenters to answer your questions and help you every step of the Fun Expo way!
Participants will be notified of the location of the daily recap and wrap-up sessions. |
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Tuesday, September 9
8:00 – 8:30 am Rookies Daily Recap
5:00 – 6:00 pm Rookies Daily Wrap-up |
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Wednesday, September 10
9:30 – 10:00 am Rookies Daily Recap
5:00 – 6:00 pm Rookies Daily Wrap-up |
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Thursday, September 11
Noon – 1:00 pm Rookies Daily Recap
5:00 – 6:00 pm Rookies Daily Wrap-up |
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WS-02 ALL NEW SESSION!
ServSafe™ Food Safety Training Program & Certification Exam |
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Monday, September 8
8:00 am – 6:00 pm |
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| Speakers: |
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| Cost: |
$129 IALEI Members; $149 Non-members (before August 1, 2008) |
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Class supplies, exam and lunch. |
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| Pre-registration is required for this event. You must be registered by August 1, 2008 in order to attend this workshop. Registrations will NOT be accepted at the door. Textbooks will be mailed to you at least three weeks prior to the program for review purposes. There will be no refunds for cancellation of this program after August 1, 2008. |
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| Help protect your customers, your employees, and your business by participating in a ServSafe® Food Safety Training Course at Fun Expo. ServSafe®has always set the standard in food safety training and certification. |
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Why ServSafe® Training?
Because you need the highest standard of food safety training and certification. The ServSafe Program has evolved to meet the most urgent food safety training challenges in our industry and it is more engaging, for greater comprehension and better application. Food safety impacts your customers, your employees and your business. With so much on the line, the right preparation means everything. |
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| WS-03 IALEI Inflatable Safety Certification Course |
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Monday, September 8
8:00 am – 6:00 pm |
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| Speakers: |
Phil Slaggert, President, Mobile Midway Safety Institute |
| Cost: |
$129 IALEI Members; $149 Non-members (before August 1, 2008) |
| Includes: |
Lunch, handouts, workbook, exam |
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This workshop is a must for people who own/operate outdoor rental inflatables, indoor inflatable facilities, family entertainment centers with indoor inflatables, and inspectors or manufacturers of inflatables.
This course is based on ASTM International Standard F-2374-07 (Design, Manufacture, Operation, and Maintenance of Inflatable Amusement Rides and Devices) and was developed in conjunction with the Responsible Operators of Amusement Rentals (ROAR).
The purpose of this eight-hour course is to:
- Identify hazards found in the setup and operation of inflatable devices
- Accurately record compliance with an established criteria
- Educate owner/operators concerning results of inspections or evaluations
- Apply the results to improving the safety of inflatable amusement device operations
- Give owners/operators a method of self-evaluating their inflatable operations
Testing will commence immediately following the workshop. |
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WS-04 LASER TAG FUNDAMENTALS WORKSHOP
Starting & Operating a Successful Laser Tag Attraction |
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Monday, September 8
8:00 am – 12:00 pm |
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| Speakers: |
Brad Feinman, Creative Works
Eric Guthrie, Zone Laser Tag
Jeff Schilling, Creative Works
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| Cost: |
$39 IALEI Members; 149 Non-members (before August 1, 2008) |
| Includes: |
Continental breakfast and all handout materials |
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An experienced team of design, building, and management professionals specializing in the laser tag industry have put together an all new workshop to give you more options, more opinions, and answers to more of your questions on how to open and operate a successful laser tag attraction.
For new operators, this fast-paced energetic workshop will focus on the laser tag industry’s history and statistics, the keys to site selection, site development, operations, and marketing for a successful laser tag attraction. For experienced laser tag operators, this invaluable workshop will solve the challenges of lackluster operations, ineffective marketing promotions, and slumping sales. By focusing on proven "turn-around" strategies, keys to competing in your marketplace, and operations and marketing best practices, this course will ensure your laser tag attraction reaches the highest levels of success and profitability. Topics include:
- Introduction to Laser Tag
- Site Selection
- Design & Development
- Operations & Marketing Best Practices
- Turn-Around Strategies
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| WS-05 REDEMPTION WORKSHOP
Hands-On Redemption: See It, Touch It, Feel It |
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Monday, September 8
1:00 pm – 6:00 pm |
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| Speakers: |
Frank Seninsky, Alpha-Omega Amusements
Rich Oltmann, Family Fun Companies/Trails Entertainment
George McAuliffe, Pinnacle Entertainment Group
Michael Getlan, Amusement Consultants, Ltd. Rich Yee, Family Fun Center
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| Cost: |
$39 IALEI Members; 149 Non-members (before August 1, 2008) |
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Afternoon break and all handout materials. |
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Join well-known industry experts for this hands-on experience and learn how to really make money in this business. All you need to do is show up – we’ll have the games and show you how to make them look good, play well, and be programmed and priced correctly to provide your customers with the best value.
You will also learn the basic maintenance of how to load tickets, clear token and ticket jams, and what to look for to keep your redemption games in top operating condition.
See how to set up a redemption prize center properly as we show you the “before” and “after” of a full redemption prize center right there in the room. In addition we will cover all of the basics of redemption, game and room layout, traffic flow, and secrets on how to make even more money with your games. |
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| WS-06 PARTY WORKSHOP |
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Friday, September 12
8:00 am – 12:00 pm |
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| Speakers: |
Dorothy Lewis, Fun Station Associates
Beth Standlee, TrainerTainment, LLC
Patti Garrand, TreePaad Family Entertainment Center
Sondra Doyle, Sureshot Party Supplies
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| Cost: |
$39 IALEI Members; 149 Non-members (before August 1, 2008) |
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Continental Breakfast, Party CD with custom materials, goody bag, all handoutmaterials – and birthday cake, of course! |
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Join us as we gather the some of the industry’s most experienced Party Pros including tips from last season’s Golden Token winner for “Most Creative Party Package”. This is the place to be to watch, listen, experience and learn the best party practices from simple party tips to some of the latest additions to the party menu. Find ways to re-invent some old party favorites with little or no-cost to breathe new life into your current packages. Learn how a young child sees his special day, experience a hands-on teen party setting and get the skinny on adult celebrations too! Bring your questions, your favorite party secrets and get some true life experience from your peers as we close the session with our traditional “Great Party Debate”. This session will bring you up to speed on the latest in party trends and how to shake things up to add value and charge more! Be ready to party as this is an interactive celebration! |
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| Tuesday, September 9 - Fun Academy Sessions |
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FUN-01
8:30-10:00 am |
ADDING FOOD TO YOUR FUN: SETTING UP A CONCESSION TO FINANCIALLY SUCCEED
Speaker: Mike Holtzman, Profitable Food Facilities
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This seminar will emphasize the basics needed to launch a food and beverage (f/b) operation within the captive market setting. Concessions revenues deserve close attention just for the profit potential they represent. Setting up the foundation and a framework of systems and procedures for management to follow can maximize that potential. Included in the discussion:
- Strategies for managing the food and labor numbers
- What it takes to make concessions a healthy, stand-alone business
- What items to sell and what items to avoid for maximum effect
- How to research “red flags” and what policies should be in place to help keep honest people honest
- Current food trends to adjust your concessions to maximize sales
- How to negotiate better pricing with vendors/suppliers
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FUN-02
8:30-10:00 am |
WAVES FOR TEENAGE WORKFORCE SUCCESS: RECRUITING, INTERVIEWING, HIRING
Speakers: Ken Whiting, WAVES for Success |
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Your success depends on the service delivered by those closest to the customer. And for thousands of businesses that means…teenagers! At times, they may confuse and frustrate you with their ability, ambition, attendance, attitude and appearance. However, when you tap into the enthusiasm and efficiency that they can deliver, they will excel at work and increase their contributions and commitment. After all, it all starts with recruiting, interviewing and hiring.
You will learn:
• Five elements necessary to create a lasting culture of success
• Secrets to managing retention
• Why today’s teens are the way they are
• Communication tips that produce results
• Hire better, reduce turnover and create loyalty |
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FUN-03
8:30-10:00 am |
MAKING THE GRADE WITH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Speaker: Dorothy Lewis, Fun Station Associates |
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| Learn how your facility can score an A+ by adding classes for the elementary through high school level. See how these award-winning programs can be adapted to your facility by using the attractions you already have. Participants will become the students in an actual classroom demonstration. It doesn’t stop there as you will also learn how forming partnerships with your schools will set your facility apart from your competition. |
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FUN-04
8:30-10:00 am |
POS/DEBIT CARD FORUM – EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW BUT JUST DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TO ASK!
Moderators: Frank Seninsky, Alpha-Omega Amusements
Beth Standlee, Trainertainment LLC |
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| Talk to the experts. Owners and operators participate in an open forum to answer your questions regarding the highs and lows of today’s technology opportunities. You have an open forum to ask questions and understand how point of sale and debit card integration can help you market, track, and operate your facility. Representatives of the major POS/Debit card companies will be in attendance to answer your technical questions but this is no sales pitch. You’ll interface with your peers and understand which systems make the most sense for your operations. |
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FUN-05
8:30-10:00 am |
ARE YOU PREPARED? INCIDENT RESPONSE TRAINING
Speaker: Alan Ramsay, CLM Entertainment |
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| It’s an operator’s worst nightmare. An incident has occurred at your facility and after the dust settles, the time has come to review your documentation and determine what happened. But, what if you had never trained your staff on how to write a witness statement? What if you were relying on the written statement of a young staff person who states they saw someone doing the wrong thing, but has never written a witness statement before? How do you translate what you saw into a written statement? During this session we will prepare you for such an event. Participants will watch an actual incident live in front of their eyes and then practice creating those valuable documents. In addition, the presenter, Alan Ramsay, will also discuss ways to train your staff and give you common helpful hints that can help you when you need it the most. Participants will leave this session with sample documents and sources to help them effectively train their staff. Don’t wait until it’s too late; now is the time to prepare! Attend this session to help your business survive after an incident. |
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FUN-06
10:15-11:45 am |
EAT IT UP
Moderator: Alan Ramsay, CLM Entertainment
Panelists: Jim Newberry
Mike Holtzman, Profitable Food Facilities |
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Join us for a panel of four industry professionals as they discuss food and beverage related issues in the FEC/LBE industry! This is the first time in the history of Fun Expo that a panel discussion on food service and related issues has been done!
Moderator Alan Ramsay will be joined by a foodservice facility designer, supplier and an FEC operator who has expansive F & B operations as the four discuss and debate:
- Pro’s & con’s of F & B
- New trends
- Profit making ideas
- Cost saving hints
- What’s next in FEC food service
- Your own questions and concerns
Whether you are a seasoned operator or considering adding foodservice to your existing or new operations, this is a session not to be missed! By bringing together a designer, supplier and operator, you will be guaranteed to hear all sides of the discussion. Be sure to bring a notepad, as you will leave this session energized with tips, tricks and proven concepts to help you make money. |
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FUN-07
10:15-11:45 am |
YOU’RE HIRED … NOW WHAT?
Speaker: Sheryl Bindelglass, SherylGolf |
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Finding, hiring and training staff are a challenge we all face. Are there times when you have to put a new employee on the floor without any training? How many new hires don’t make it past the first week? You spent time interviewing and hiring, now what do you do to make the players part of your team? We will provide you with ideas on creative orientation and training programs to motivate new and returning staff. Coaching your players to be great is vital for success. Happy staff + Happy guests = increase in revenue!
Hiring is just the beginning. Providing your staff with the proper training and motivation are needed for a successful team. The difference in your facility’s success rests in the hands of your staff. If you were going to play a round of golf, you would never consider going on the course with out all of your clubs, so why let your staff down? Give them all the tools they need to be a great player on your team.
In this session you will learn:
- Techniques to help make the hiring process and your training programs better than they are today
- How to turn staff into superstars with your guests
- Tips for achieving exceptional guest service beginning with orientation
- How a small facility can train a small staff
- How orientation programs can boost your bottom line
- Tips for successful orientation programs
- How to develop an orientation program that will be FUN!
- Orientation programs that won’t break your budget
You don’t want to miss the opportunity to learn about these best practices from industry veteran, Sheryl Bindelglass! |
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FUN-08
10:15-11:45 am |
OUTSIDE SALES METHODS THAT WORK INSIDE YOUR CENTER: CORPORATE PARTIES GALORE
Speaker: Beth Standlee, TrainerTainment LLC |
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Come learn how to sell a corporate party program that will stimulate and rejuvenate your sales team and excite your customers. This program shows you how to gather 30-40 different companies, groups and organizations, together in your center and experience how your family entertainment center can be made available to them for meetings, events and parties. The “'Outside-In Sales Method' is play therapy and designed to increase camaraderie and productivity. |
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FUN-09
10:15-11:45 am |
REAPING REWARDS FROM REDEMPTION PART 1
Speaker: Michael Getlan, Amusement Consultants Ltd. |
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This session is a complete examination of the topic of redemption covering percentaging, game selection and layout, prizes, displays, technical service issues, guest service issues and more. Part 2 of this program will be presented at Fun Expo 2009.
The purpose of this seminar is to examine the three main parts of a successful redemption program: equipment, merchandise and procedures; how to adapt to the individual facility and how to develop an action plan for implementation. |
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FUN-10
10:15-11:45 am |
MANAGING YOUR RISKS & HOW IT IMPACTS YOUR INSURANCE PREMIUMS
Speakers: David Sterling, Sterling & Sterling
Ken Vondriska, Essential Services & Programs LLC |
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Learn how reducing your risk can impact your insurance premiums. This session will explore how loss control and risk management affect the underwriting process and how operators can control their insurance costs. |
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FUN-11
1:45-3:15 pm |
FECS GO GREEN |
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| The leisure and entertainment industry has untapped potential for greener practices and policies that can have a significant impact on this business sector's impact on the environment. The paper menus, the plastic utensils and the take out containers made of expanded polystyrene all contribute to non-recyclable waste products being produced by the food service areas all the time. In this workshop, you'll find out about the latest trends, developments and cost-saving solutions to make an informed decision about taking your food service area to the next level. Learn how to:
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FUN-12
1:45-3:15 pm |
TRAINING THE TRAINER: DEVELOPING A STRONG TEAM
Speaker: Beth Standlee, TrainerTainment |
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Training the Trainer deals will how to successfully develop a training program for your staff. Unlike bringing in help from the outside, this program teaches you to have effective training from people within your center.
Three main objectives of this presentation are:
- To help center owners, operators and employees feel like they’re working for a company that is successful when dealing with their customers
- To help create an environment within centers that will boost their sales
- To build a team atmosphere within each section of the center
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FUN-13
1:45-3:15 pm |
The Art of Selling Fun
Speaker: Bill Robinson & John Robinson, William H. Robinson, Inc. |
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Amusement park marketing maestros, Bill Robinson & John Robinson of William H. Robinson, Inc., will demonstrate some of the simple "do's" and "don'ts" of amusement attraction marketing. From showing the benefits of creative marketing that can come from "...one dumb idea..." to discussing examples of the best way to sell an attraction or facility, the two will help attendees guide their advertising & marketing program to the next level. The seminar will include discussion groups, a Q&A session, as well as working examples of successful advertising & marketing elements for selling the "fun" of their facility.
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FUN-14
1:45-3:15 pm |
“10” THINGS YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK
Speakers: Sheryl Bindelglass, SherylGolf
Michael Getlan, Amusement Consultants Ltd. |
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Looking for the best practices in the industry? Finding it tougher to motivate your staff? Is your facility making as much money as you would like? This highly interactive session promises to leave you with new ideas to motivate your staff without spending big bucks! Objectives of this session are:
- Learn what top facilities do to increase profits
- Identify great training ideas
- Discover how the “best” motivate staff
Join Sheryl Bindelglass and Michael Getlan as they show you fun and creative solutions to daily operations, inexpensive ideas to motivate your staff and ways to keep your team energized.
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FUN-15
1:45-3:15 pm |
Litigation Tracking and Trends: Avoid The Proverbial Rollercoaster
Speaker: Jade Gummer, Esquire, Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A. |
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This seminar is intended to be a 90-minute segment that exposes its listeners to the ups and downs, twists and turns and heart pumping action of litigation. Also, the material will expose its listeners to areas of concentration, hot buttons and buzz words utilized by plaintiff’s counsel within their practice.
The presenter will utilize a small case study of (5) active litigation files (names changed to protect the innocent of course) to share real-life, adrenaline filled stories of the Good, the Bad and The Ugly of deposition testimony, settlement demands, mediation and jury verdicts throughout the country.
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FUN-16
3:30-5:00 pm |
ON-THE-JOB SAFETY – TAKING CARE OF YOUR WORKERS
Speaker: Mike Holtzman, Profitable Food Facilities |
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| Employers have the primary responsibility for protecting the safety and health of their workers. Employee exposure to wet floors or spills and clutter that can lead to slips/trips/falls and other possible injuries. Employee exposure to kitchen equipment such as slicers, dicers, choppers, mincers, microwaves, and mixers present other possible hazards. Workers who cook in restaurants are especially at risk of burn injuries while cooking w | | | | |
