News
Recap of the 2024 IAAPA Public Affairs Conference
IAAPA held the Public Affairs Conference on September 9, 10, & 11. This event was packed with great speakers and meetings with House and Senate staff. NEAAPA members attended this event that highlighted issues facing the attractions industry. Representing the NEAAPA region was Ed Hodgdon from Hodgdon Consulting and NEAAPA Secretary; Erik Beard from International Ride Training and NEAAPA’s First Vice President; Carl Berni of Canobie Lake Park and NEAAPA Past President; and future NEAAPA member Jamie Fisher
Amusement Today staff surprise Publisher Gary Slade with Legend Award
Publications are routinely about deadlines and reporting on stories accurately. Rare in the field are opportunities for surprises. The staff of Amusement Today and friends within the amusement industry collaborated on honoring the publication’s publisher, Gary Slade, with a secret acknowledgment during the recent 2024 Golden Ticket Awards. The final awards of the evening recognize industry Legends, typically awarded by Slade. Before he had the opportunity to take the stage, a team member introduced the
Phantom Fall Fest Brings Two Terrifying New Haunts to Lake Compounce
Scream Dreams Come True Every Weekend This Fall With Double the Scare Actors & New Roaming Horror Hoard There’s more horror around every corner as Phantom Fall Fest takes screams to the extreme at Lake Compounce. America’s First Amusement Park will feature more fog, more effects and more screams this fall as the park doubles its scare actor team and introduces two all-new haunts including its longest and most interactive haunted house in Phantom Fall Fest history. Three years into the park’s new
Tatvam Launches Revolutionary New Mobile App
Tatvam by NetServ is proud to announce the launch of its first Mobile Application. Developed with the user in mind, it is a game-changer in the social listening and customer experience space, offering a unique blend of features and functionality that sets it apart from the competition. Tatvam Mobile is designed to offer a one-click solution to simplify and analyze qualitative customer feedback. With the new mobile app, users can gather feedback from multiple touchpoints like social media, review sites,
International Ride Training’s Patty Beazley receives AIMS International 2024 Safety Award
Founder and managing member of International Ride Training Patty Beazley was awarded Amusement Industry Manufacturer and Suppliers (AIMS) International’s 2024 Safety Award during Amusement Today’s 26th Annual Golden Ticket Awards on Saturday, September 7 at Kennywood in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. This award is presented annually by AIMS International to an organization or individual that demonstrates leadership, innovation, and foresight in improving safety in the attractions industry.Patty is a current
The 2024 Golden Ticket Awards recognize 30 winners live from Kennywood
Amusement Today honors parks, rides and individuals in the amusement industry The Golden Ticket Awards were established by Amusement Today in 1998 to shine a spotlight on the amusement park industry and attractions by recognizing the “Best of the Best.” Today, they are among the most recognized awards among theme parks, amusement parks, family entertainment centers and water parks. In 2024, Amusement Today presented awards in 22 categories, as well as special recognition with Publisher’s Picks awards and
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AIMS INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCES 2024 SAFETY AWARD RECIPIENTS
Patty Beazley Awarded 2024 Safety Award; Jim Seay To Receive Prestigious Lifetime Contribution Award AIMS International, the unmatched leader in amusement safety education recognized two amusement industry veterans at Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards last night. Patty Beazley of International Ride Training was awarded the 2024 AIMS International Safety Award and Premier Rides’ Jim Seay was awarded the prestigious AIMS International Lifetime Contribution Award. Improvements to safety come in
THE BIG E HOSTS VIP MIDWAY EXPERIENCE GIVEAWAY, INTRODUCES NEW RIDES AND DISCOUNTED ADVANCE TICKETS
The Big E’s Midway is the place to be this September with rousing new rides and limited-edition advanced ticket deals. Currently, The Big E, in partnership with North American Midway Entertainment (NAME), is hosting a carnival VIP giveaway on social media pages like no other. Midway is open every day of the Fair, September 13-29, Sunday-Thursday from 11am-10pm and Friday-Saturday from 10am-11pm, weather permitting.“We’re proud of our long-standing partnership with The Big E,” shared Blake Huston, General
IAAPA welcomes new Global Director of Health & Safety and Security
Linda Freeman joins IAAPA as Safety Expert, bringing over two decades of industry experience IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry, is excited to announce the addition of Linda Freeman as its Global Director of Health & Safety and Security. With over 24 years of experience in the amusement industry, Freeman brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective, having worked closely with manufacturers, operators, and inspectors since 2000.Freeman's extensive background includes being a
THE BIG E IS BACK FOR SEVENTEEN FUN-FILLED DAYS! SEPTEMBER 13-29, 2024
The food, music and must-see attractions of The Big E begin Sept. 13, and the fun-filled event runs through Sept. 29. Here is the most up-to-date information on this year’s Fair. Please note: All information is subject to change. EntertainmentFrom major headliners with chart-topping hits, to up and coming artists performing original tracks, The Big E is bringing more than 80 live bands to three stages: The Big E Arena, sponsored by Truly Hard SeltzerAll shows 7:30pm – Doors open at 5:30pm. Sept. 13
International Ride Training Keeps Leveling Up with New Clients
International Ride Training (IRT), a leader in safety training and operational consulting for the amusement industry, has been on an upward trajectory in the last year, adding new clients from around the world to its iROC Program. iROC, which stands for International Ride Operator Certification, was designed by International Ride Training and includes all the tools and resources necessary for an attractions facility to succeed in implementing and maintaining compliance with the “Ten Critical Components
Quassy Amusement Park Celebrates Local Hispanic Heritage with New Event
Quassy Amusement Park and Waterpark is excited to announce the launch of a new tradition: Hispanic Heritage Month every weekend starting September 7 through September 29. This celebration highlights the rich Hispanic culture that has long been a vibrant part of the New England community.Hispanic culture has deep roots in the region, and its presence continues to grow, with the Hispanic population in Middlebury increasing by 16% and by 19.5% in Connecticut since 2020, according to the 2023 U.S. Census Quick
Letter from George Smith, Executive Chairman & Founder of Family Entertainment Group
Dear FEG Family and Industry Colleagues, Over 20 years ago, I founded Family Entertainment Group with aspirations, grit, dreams, and a lot of stubbornness. During this time, our industry has undergone significant changes, from equipment advancements to technological innovations. I am incredibly proud of the role that FEG and its dedicated team have played in shaping these transformations. We’ve weathered economic storms, 9/11, and even a global pandemic. From our humble beginnings as an operator in
