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ITPS Amusement INdustry News
April 9, 2008
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ITPS has proudly served the leisure industry since 1983. Visit http://www.interthemepark.com for more information.
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Amusement/Theme Park News
Six Flags Announces Marketing and Sponsorship Alliance with Kraft Foods Featured brands include Nabisco 100 Calorie Packs, CornNuts and Lunchables Six Flags, Inc. (NYSE: SIX) announced today a multi-brand partnership with Kraft Foods Inc. highlighting selected brands including Nabisco 100 Calorie Packs, CornNuts and Lunchables Lunch Combinations. The companies will collaborate on co-branded marketing initiatives designed to increase attendance at Six Flags and drive product purchase for the Kraft brands. These programs will activate consumers through multiple platforms including in-park, on grocers' shelves and through traditional and digital media.
Commission Okays Application for Two New Rides at Quassy MIDDLEBURY - The Planning and Zoning Commission, at its Thursday, April 3, meeting, approved Quassy Amusement Park's application for site plan revisions, 4 to 1. Quassy's site plan revisions called for the addition of a fun slide and a pirate ship.
Kaleidoscope: What will become of park property? With the deadline for sealed bids having been extended, about six weeks remain before all interested parties must submit bids for the purchase of nearly 500 acres at Geauga Lake Park. Ever since Cedar Fair Entertainment Co. announced last September that it would shutter the amusement park side of the park, speculation among area residents has run wild about what may become of the properties which straddle Aurora and Bainbridge Township. Although the developers who have already submitted bids or plan to do so by the deadline have plans in mind for the land, area residents are still speculating.
Proposed theme park hearing set in Lansing Developer, DNR to give updates on planned park GRAYLING -- Supporters of a proposed theme park in Crawford County will travel to Lansing to hear a project update from state officials and the developer. Members of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission will learn the status of the theme park proposal on Thursday, after nearly two years of discussions between the developer and the state Department of Natural Resources.
'Wild West' case going to grand jury NEWTON — Despite an hour of negotiations on Tuesday, charges stemming from the shooting of a Wild West City actor are slated to go before a grand jury. But the negotiations were "productive" and may set the table for a plea or other form of resolution in the coming days, the attorneys said. "We moved the ball forward," Assistant Prosecutor Gregory Mueller said. "All options are still being discussed, but the time frame is dwindling."
Roswell theme park up in the air The future of Roswell’s planned alien theme park is now up in the air. Last year the state agreed to shell out more than $240,000 toward the alien amusement park. But the state pulled out once it realized the city wouldn't be in charge of the park.
Social Media Marketing at SeaWorld Social media can be a very effective mechanism for marketing as shown in this video case study produced by Shel Israel as part of FastCompany.tv. The campaign was put together by SeaWorld San Antonio and focused on a pre-launch campaign for a new ride at the park called Journey to Atlantis.
Family First Federal Credit Union Welcomes SeaWorld San Diego’s Shamu’s Worlds of Discovery Tour Public Invited to Meet Some of SeaWorld’s Most Fascinating Animals Including Penguins, Alligators and Cuscus Family First Federal Credit will welcome SeaWorld San Diego and its Shamu’s Worlds of Discovery Tour to its Home and Business Loan Center on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm.
Chamber jobs initiative backs Bible Park plan Destination Rutherford touts tourism Destination Rutherford has thrown its influence behind the proposed Bible Park USA. The $175 million to $200 million Bible theme park in the Blackman community was endorsed Tuesday by leaders of Destination Rutherford, the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce's economic development initiative. Chamber officials have already spoken out in favor of the development, touting the economic advantage of the tourist dollars the park is projected to attract.
Best Western signs Official Hotel of Universal Studios Japan Best Western International, a hotel chain with over 4,000 hotels in more than 80 countries, is joining hands with Universal Studios Japan to open the Best Western Premier Hotel Osaka Bay, USJ’s official hotel. A twelve-storey hotel with 190 rooms, construction begins this month with a planned opening of July 2009.
Chongming plans nation’s first bicycle theme park Shanghai’s Chongming Island will build the country’s first theme park for bicycles that will include bike paths, competitions, entertainment as well as research and development, Jiefang Daily reported today.
Waterpark News
Garforth Purchases Land For $3.25M In Michigan Sault Developer Philip Garforth has been given approval to purchase the land used for the popular I-500 snowmobile race to construct a tourist attraction for the Michigan Sault. SooEveningNews is reporting that Garforth will pay $3.25 million for the parcel of property to construct a biodome, water park, theatres and a 300 room hotel.
Aquarium/Zoo News
SPANISH FIRM BUYS CITY AQUARIUM DEVELOPER UK Blue Reef, based in Newquay has been bought by Spanish firm ASPRO for an undisclosed amount. The deal was unveiled just a day after Blue Reef confirmed its £4 million plans to build the Bristol aquarium. A spokesman said it was business as usual for Blue Reef, which will keep its name and whose Bristol plans will be unaffected by the takeover. Bristol's aquarium will include tropical displays, jellyfish and a coral reef but no large mammals.
Zoo exceeds goal for new exhibit The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo sent out the call for help - and the community answered. The zoo's newest major exhibit, the Rocky Mountain Wild, opens May 2. Tuesday, zoo supporters announced the Rocky Mountain Wild Capital Campaign had reached its goal of $8.2 million, raising $8,279,000 from foundations, organizations and individuals.
Zoo prepares to move last of its chimps 3 headed for nicer digs in Knoxville, Tenn When three longtime West Siders move from Cleveland in the next week or so, it's bound to be plenty emotional. That's why they're going to be anesthetized and caged first. It's the only way to get the three chimpanzees into a truck for their 12-hour road trip to the Knoxville Zoo, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo keeper Dave Winkler said Tuesday.
Critics blast S.F. zoo's use of bond funds When the San Francisco Zoo asked voters to approve a $48 million bond measure in 1997 to improve zoo facilities, orangutans and chimpanzees were literally the poster children for the campaign. Flyers distributed to voters showed pictures of the primates' exhibits, which bond backers called "awful cement islands." Officials promised that two-thirds of the aging facility would be rebuilt, moving the zoo "from concrete to grass."
FEC/LBE/Museum News
MagiQuest(TM) Japan Opening an Instant Success MagiQuest(TM), a live- action interactive game that immerses players into a world of fantasy propelled by sophisticated technology, debuted internationally to enthusiastic crowds March 20th, 2008 at Lagunasia theme park, located in the Laguna Gamagori Resort in central Japan.
Groundbreaking set today for area's only Chuck. E. Cheese A late-afternoon groundbreaking and open house is set for Page Field Center, on U.S. 41 in Fort Myers, where the area’s only Chuck. E. Cheese restaurant will be located. Representatives of the developers, New York City-based Richmond Properties, and the Chuck E. Cheese chain, are scheduled to attend the event, which will run from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. today.
Castle Parks Announces New High Flying Ride New DragonFlyers Ride will be Ready to Fly on Memorial Day Riverside, CA – April 5, 2008 Castle Park announced an exciting new ride coming to the park that will allow riders to feel what it’s like to soar through the sky on a “flying dragon”.
Dinosaurs of a Feather Flock Together in New Exhibition at Discovery Place DINOSAURS: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries Landmark exhibition explores breakthroughs in modern paleontology including link between dinosaurs and modern-day birds. Opens Friday, April 18.
Other News
“Brass Ring Fund” hopes to “Save the Carousel” Dallas, PA —Through the auspices of the Luzerne Foundation and Director Charles Barber, a non-profit entity has been formed with a sole purpose in mind—to raise enough money to bring a historic carousel, a priceless heirloom, back to Northeastern Pennsylvania. The “Brass Ring Fund” is much more than just a fundraising committee, however. The group is passionate about the Hanson’s Amusement Park carousel. This treasured piece of regional history dates back to 1909.
It's not only about Disney trips, says ad campaign for time shares Disney pitches time shares as about more than theme parks. They're also about . . . Disney Vacation Club has grown rapidly in recent years, adding members and locations at a dizzying rate. But now the Walt Disney Co.'s Celebration-based time-share arm is trying to get over a uniquely Disney hurdle: Persuading new buyers that Disney Vacation Club is about more than visiting Disney's theme parks.
Amusement enterprise folds Assets sold to North Shore co. What was one of the state’s busiest amusement companies is no more, its sprawling office and storage complex on Route 9 in Leicester vacant and up for lease, and its name and remaining few assets sold off to another amusement business on the North Shore. The old Bruce Smick Amusements Inc. was formally dissolved April 1 by its president and lawyer, Pamela A. Massad. Bruce Smick founded the company in 1982 as a traveling carnival and built it into a thriving concern with several dozen employees and trucks that drove across the country staging corporate events and children’s parties.
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Contact:
Shawn M. Haas
Vice President of Retail, Operations and Information Technology
International Theme Park Services, Inc
2195 Victory Parkway
Cincinnati, OH 45206
513-381-6131 Phone
513-381-2756 Fax
http://www.interthemepark.com
shawnhaas@interthemepark.com
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ITPS Services
ITPS provides a full spectrum of services to all types of attractions no matter the size, small to large.
Below are some of the services that ITPS' experienced team of experts can provide:
- Acquisitions / Mergers / Property Valuation / Due Diligence
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Call 513-381-6131 for more information on how ITPS can assist your facility!
25 Years...
Through the good, the bad and the ugly, International Theme Park Services, Inc. (“ITPS”) continues to provide the industry with its skilled services internationally.
ITPS celebrates its 25th year in 2008 and has served over 450 projects in over 40 countries! Considered a leader in the industry by the many companies who have used ITPS’ services, ITPS is still growing and offering its knowledge and experience to every continent. Dennis Speigel, President of ITPS, is a past president of the IAAPA and remains active on their Board of Directors. He is called upon by people throughout the industry to advise and recommend on projects. A leader today and for the future, ITPS is there when you need assistance.
Feasibility, design, pre-opening planning, business audits, on-site training and management…ITPS is still leading the industry into the future.
Leisure Capital Resources
International Theme Park Services provides merger, acquisition, financial, and strategic advisory services to public and private entertainment companies that wish to acquire or sell a business, raise equity capital, raise or restructure debt, or sell real estate.
Contact: Dennis Speigel at 513-381-6131 or Howard Kahn at affiliated Leisure Capital Resources in New York at 516-621-5183.