30 AMUSEMENT TODAY <strong>July</strong> <strong>2010</strong>IAAPA to open Asia officeThe International Association of <strong>Amusement</strong> Parksand Attractions (IAAPA), based in Alexandria, Va.,will expand and enhance the services it provides itsmembers by opening an office in Asia. Led by a newexecutive director, the office will support the attractionsindustry in the Asia-Pacific region through governmentrelations, education and professional development,information dissemination, member service, and membershipmarketing.The executive director of IAAPA’s Asia-Pacificoperations will report to IAAPA President and CEOCharlie Bray and will work closely with IAAPA’s AsianAdvisory Committee. The office will be located in HongKong or Singapore and will open by October 1.“The attractions industry is growing and evolvingat a rapid rate in the Asia-Pacific region,” said IAAPAChairman Chip Cleary. “We expect that growth willcontinue, and we want to further develop the serviceswe provide to our members where they conduct theirbusiness.”Six Flags Entertainment Corp. trims corporate staffSix Flags Entertainment Corp. announced thatthree park executives are leaving the company aspart of recent layoffs that the company estimates willsave it $16 million a year.The company did not disclose how many jobswere affected in the June 16 reductions, but said themove mainly targeted its New York City and GrandPrairie, Texas corporate offices. Six Flags is also movingits CEO to the company’s Texas corporate headquarters.The estimated savings excludes severanceand other costs, Six Flags said in a filing with the Securitiesand Exchange Commission.Leaving the company are Michael Antinoro,executive vice president of entertainment and marketing,Andrew Schleimer, executive vice presidentof strategic development and in-park services, andMark Quenzel, executive vice president of park strategyand management.Six Flags back on NYSE under stock symbol SIXSix Flags EntertainmentCorporation, formerlySix Flags, Inc., announcedthat its sharesof common stock commencedtrading on theNew York Stock Exchange under the symbol “SIX”at the market opening on Monday, June 21, <strong>2010</strong>.Al Weber, president and interim chief executiveofficer of Six Flags, said, “We are excited to be onceagain listed on the New York Stock Exchange underthe familiar SIX ticker symbol. With the financialrestructuring behind us and a much improved balancesheet, Six Flags is well positioned for futuregrowth.”Six Flags enters into partnership with Post FoodsSix Flags Entertainment, based in New York City,has entered into a strategic cross-promotion agreementwith Post Foods, LLC, and its suite of family-targetedcereal brands.The national promotion will be featured on 12million boxes of Post’s cereal brands - including FruityPebbles, Cocoa Pebbles, Honey Combs, Waffle Crispand Alpha-Bits - and provide consumers with one freekids admission coupon (valid with a paid adult admission)to any Six Flags theme park. In addition to on-boxcreative, the free admission coupon giveaway will besupported with in-store merchandising and a nationalNEWS IN BRIEFFSI drop with a circulation of 46 million.Post Cereals also will present a national Six Flags“Rise-n-Scream” event. On <strong>July</strong> 13th, Six Flags themeparks across the country will open their gates one hourearly for Post consumers who registered online to bepart of the special promotion (www.sixflags.com/riseandscream).Star Trek Live comes to San Diego County FairOne of the most popular science-fiction franchisesof all time was featured at the <strong>2010</strong> San Diego CountyFair, located in Del Mar, Calif.Mad Science Productions presented Star Trek Live,an action-packed, interactive spectacle that is out ofthis world! Fairgoers joined the newly formed StarfleetAcademy and were whisked into an exciting adventuresteeped in the grand tradition of the Star Trek franchiseand the thrilling new Paramount Pictures movie, StarTrek: Final Stand.Participants had to quickly master the intricaciesof modern communications, space travel and NASAtechnology as they draw on 21st century achievementsto try to defeat alien adversaries. With cutting-edgespecial effects, unmatched audience interaction, andon-screen appearances from Captain Kirk and Spock,Star Trek Live is an exhilarating and unforgettable journeythrough the Star Trek universe for audiences of allages.The theme for the <strong>2010</strong> San Diego County Fair was“Taste the Fun,” which highlights local agriculture,producers, culinary arts and all things related to food!The Fair operated for 22 days opening Friday, June 11and closing on Monday, <strong>July</strong> 5. (The Fair closed the firstthree Mondays, June 14, 21 and 28.)Chance Morgan launches Unicoaster Web siteChanceMorgan Inc., based in Whcita, Kansas,recently launched a new Web site for its Unicoaster,now in operation at Minnesota’s Mall of America,Nickelodeon Universe.The Web site features downloadable ride specs,has a video and photo gallery of the ride in operation,contact information and more.•www.chancemorgan.com/unicoasterIconix Brand group closes acquisition of PeanutsIconix Brand Group,Inc. announced on June 3that it has completed theacquisition of the Peanutsbrand and related assets ofUnited Media Licensing, adivision of United FeatureSyndicate, Inc. througha newly formed joint venture company, PeanutsWorldwide LLC, owned 80 percent by Iconix and 20percent by Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates, managedby the Schulz family.This transformative deal changes the landscape ofIconix and moves the company well beyond fashioninto a true global brand management entity. Iconix nowhas a diversified portfolio of brands with consumerproducts outside of fashion representing approximatelyone-third of the company’s overall revenue.The cast of Peanuts, includes, among others, iconicand well known characters such as Charlie Brown,Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, Sally, Schroeder, Peppermint Pattyand Woodstock. In addition, Iconix has acquired thelicensing and character representation for a number ofcharacter brands, including Dilbert and Fancy Nancy.Peanuts has a strong diversified global licensing platformwith over 1,200 licensing agreements includingrelationships with MetLife, Hallmark, UniversalStudios, Warner Bros., Cedar Fair, H&M, Benetton,Old Navy, CVS and Walgreens. The Peanuts brand islicensed in over 40 countries and generates annual retailsales of over $2 billion.The purchase price for this acquisition was $175million. Iconix funded its portion of the purchase pricewith cash on its balance sheet.Bigpoint to develop “The Mummy’” franchiseinto a Massively Multiplayer Online VideogameBigpoint, a leader in browser-based MassivelyMultiplayer Online Games (MMOG) announced onJune 3 that it is developing a browser-based MMOGbased upon Universal Pictures’ “The Mummy” filmfranchise. Developed in partnership with UniversalPartnerships & Licensing, The Mummy Online willonly be available online at http://www.bigpoint.comand will be delivered to gamers worldwide in winter<strong>2010</strong>.The Mummy Online is developed with Unitytechnology for MMOG audiences. This platform independentengine makes it possible to produce real-time3D applications such as MMO games in any internetbrowser with exceptionally high quality graphics withouthaving to download a client. The game is beingdeveloped in multiple languages by Schell Games, aPittsburgh-based development studio.Former AstroWorld property soldThe land, that was the former home to theAstroWorld theme park in Houston, has been sold tothe Mallick Group of Fort Worth, Texas.The transaction closed on May 21, according toDavid Angel of Angel/McIver Interests, the Conroebasedreal estate firm that had owned the 104-acre tractsince 2006.Angel said the company always planned to sell thevacant property and had gotten “quite a few” offersover the years.“He made the best offer,” said Angel of the MallickGroup’s Michael Mallick, who could not be reached forcomment.Six Flags sold the property to Angel/McIver for$77 million. The site is located along the South Loopbetween Fannin and Kirby.CLM Entertainment renews contract with IAAPARhode Island-based CLM Entertainment has beenchosen by the International Association of <strong>Amusement</strong>Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) as the amusement rideand device safety inspection and supervision companyfor the Asian Attractions Expo in Kuala Lumpur andIAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando, Florida.“Our team of inspectors will be assessing the ridesand attractions on the trade show floor during set-upand while the trade show is open daily to attendees, aswell as in the months leading up to the show by assistingexhibitors in various ways,” notes Alan E. Ramsay,President of CLM Entertainment. “For example, if anamusement ride or device vendor wants to offer attendeesrides on one of their attractions, we will review theirset up and operational plan so they can adequately prepareprior to shipping their products to Kuala Lumpuror Orlando.”“The overall safety of everyone on the show flooris our primary concern and our team will be reviewingevery square foot of the trade show floor daily” Ramsayadds.•www.clmentertainment.com
<strong>July</strong> <strong>2010</strong> AMUSEMENT TODAY 31How I spent my vacationC.W. CravenPuyallup SkyrideAIMS instructorcwcraven@earthlink.netWhenyou thinkabout vacationsyouusuallythink aboutgoing to anexotic place, Cravengetting awayfrom work, and doing somethingout of the ordinarythat will be relaxing or makeyou feel good. So why thenwould I spend my vacationtime going to the AIMS SafetySeminar? I was asked thatvery question the other dayand although I was in sixthgrade the last time I wrotean essay on what I did onmy last vacation, I thought Iwould give it a try.In reality, many of thesame reasons that peoplegive for going to a particularplace on vacation are thesame reasons that compelme to use my vacation timegoing to the AIMS SafetySeminar. First of all AIMSgoes to the exotic placeslike Las Vegas and Orlando.Now I realize this is no Caribbeancruise, but I haveno plans on going on oneof those anyway. The greatthing really is not the location,but it is the people.The last job I had, workingfor an aerial passengerropeways company, I wasconstantly on the road, goinghere and going there.There was very little time athome so I cultivated a supportcommunity of friendsall across North America. Ialways figured when yougo on vacation you wantto be with people you like.Since I had friends all overNorth America it was difficultseeing a lot of them atone time. I could only counton this happening at gatheringpoints such as the AIMSSafety Seminar. So for mebeing at the seminar is kindof like being on vacation. I’maway from home and I amsurrounded by a lot of myfriends. But what about thepart of doing something thatyou find interesting and/orrelaxing and fulfilling.I am a person who alwaysbelieves you shouldbe learning something newevery day of your life andwhen the opportunity arises,you should be sharing someof that information with othersso they can also be learning.Because of this philosophyI have always been aperson who asked questionsand who would dig throughdifferent materials lookingfor answers to my questions.Finding answers and learningnew things is very satisfyingand rewarding. Beingable to spread some of thatknowledge to others is evenmore rewarding.Being in front of a groupteaching may stretch yourcomfort level and may notbe considered a vacation.The first time I had to makea presentation I was nervoustoo. But I found out thatyou get better and more relaxedwith practice. So themore I taught the easier itbecame, and the easier it becamethe better I felt. Yes,interacting with others andrelating information withothers is very rewarding. Ihave found that teaching isa great way to learn aboutsomething new. It doesn’tmatter what the topic is, Ilike steam locomotives andbeing a volunteer firefighterwith my local fire department,but those activitieshave allowed me to stretchmy mind and keep learningnew things that I have beenable to relate to others. Sowhy do I spend my vacationat the AIMS Safety Seminar?The answer is really verysimple, I enjoy it.www.aimsintl.org<strong>Amusement</strong> Industry Manufacturers and Suppliers International, Ltd. • 3026 S. Orange • Santa Ana, Calif. 92707Phone: (714) 425-5747 • Fax: (714) 276-9666 • E-mail: aims.office@gmail.com • Web: www.aimsintl.orgAIMS announces next BOD meeting datesIn an effort to serve our members better,AIMS International has picked two key industrydates for the organization’s annual meetings.The Board of Director’s meeting will nowbe held in conjunction with <strong>Amusement</strong> <strong>Today</strong>’sannual Golden Ticket Awards held each year inSeptember and the general membership meetingwill be held in conjunction with the annualAIMS Safety Seminar and the IAAPA AttractionsExpo held in November each year.By choosing these key industry dates weNew classes to be offered at <strong>2010</strong> AIMS Safety SeminarArea/TitleGeneral Classes:•Navigating the IAAPA Trade Show Floor•OSHA Top 6 Training TopicsH2O Park Classes:•Recruiting & Retaining Lifeguards in <strong>Today</strong>’s Job Market•Basic Safe Waterpark Operations•Inspection of an Aquatics Facility•Water Quality <strong>Today</strong>•Lifeguard Placement Considerations•Emergency Action Planning for Aquatic Facilities•Writing SOP Manuals for Aquatics•Hot Topics and Industry Trends in AquaticsLeadership Classes:•Operational Risk Management for Supervisors•Cash In With Buy InMaintenance Classes:•Sling Inspections and Recording Keeping•Electric Motor Maintenance for Mechanics•Inspection Considerations for Aging Rides•Electrical Safety for carnival Operators•Visual Inspection•Blueprint-Pneumatic & Hydraulics•Blueprint-ElectricalOperational Classes:•Making Training Fun•Auditing-putting What I know to Work•Safe sense of UrgencySafety Classes:•OSHA Top 10 Violations•Ergonomics in the Work Place•OSHA-Personal Protective Equipmentfeel this will make better use of the little volunteertime that is available to members.The AIMS International Board of Directorsmeeting will be held the two days afterthe Golden Ticket Awards September 12 and13 at the Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Va.The Golden Ticket Awards will be hosted byBusch Gardens Williamsburg this year.The general membership meeting will beheld the afternoon of November 14th (Sunday)at the Doubletree Resort Orlando. Exact timesand places will be announced at a later date.InstructorGina ClaassenTom EdgarTBAMike Neace/Kristin MuehleisenTBATBARichard CarrollRichard CarrollMike Neace/Kristin MuehleisenFranceen Gonzales/Lori KauppDennis ClarkMike Neace/Matt BossletC.W. CravenC.W. CravenLeon Verwijlen/Casper OosterwaalBucky ElkinsJeff AbendshienGreg Stevens/Steve McAllasterGreg Stevens/Steve McAllasterLori KauppPatty BeazleyPet Carmichael/Jen JutteTom EdgarTom SmithTom SmithPDF copies available atamusementtoday.comSpace for this AIMS page is provided courtesy of <strong>Amusement</strong> <strong>Today</strong> as a corporate partner of AIMS Intl. Content is provided by AT & AIMS. Please direct comments to info@aimsintl.org
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