Golf, Axe Throwing, Giraffes, Oh My! NEAAPA’s holds its 113th Anniversary Summer Meeting and Golf Tournament in Central Massachusetts

The Northeast’s attractions and entertainment industry met at Apex Entertainment in Marlborough, MA, Southwick’s Zoo in Mendon, MA, and Juniper Hill Golf Course in Northborough, MA for NEAAPA’s 113th Anniversary Summer Meeting and Golf Tournament. Over 150 people attended this two-day event that is as much about having fun as it is building and strengthening connections with industry peers.

NEAAPA – The Northeast’s Entertainment Association – represents attractions and entertainment businesses across Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont, including the manufacturers and suppliers that support the industry.

FORE… the industry’s future leaders
Thirty-six golfers, including a few ringers, teed off at Juniper Hill Golf Course in Northborough, Massachusetts on Monday, July 27 for the NEAAPA Golf Tournament. Now in its fifth year, the tournament raises funds for the Pinnacle Scholarship, a $1,000 award given each year to a person who is actively working towards a career in the attractions or entertainment industry.

Even before the first team headed out, rivalries and trash-talking commenced. Last year’s winning team, The Original Kimball Farm Live! (representing Kimball Farm, Original Pizza of Boston, and Sodexo Live!), was now two separate teams of Kimball Farm and Original Pizza of Boston, vying for the enormous trophy donated by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, Inc. Golf Tournament sponsors Weston and Sampson fielded two teams in the hunt for the trophy.

In the end, Team Kimball Farm took home the trophy, coming in at -9. The trophy will be on display at their Westford, MA location near the driving range until next year’s tournament.

Don’t Axe with Mini Golf
To kick off the Summer Meeting portion of this two-day event, members met at Apex Entertainment in Marlborough, Massachusetts. This four-story FEC features go-karts, bowling, laser tag, a trampoline park, ropes course, sports simulators, giant inflatables just for the kids, glow-in-the-dark mini golf, and axe throwing. When they say “Are you kidding with this place?!?”, they mean it.

While members nibbled on hors d’oeuvres and sipped drinks, others were running back their golf game on the Mini Golf course and getting out some aggression with axe throwing. Apex team members were on hand to help attendees who were trying the axe throwing for the first time.

Day Two at the Zoo
Southwick’s Zoo rolled out the red carpet for attendees on Day Two. There were special opportunities to feed giraffes, meet a sloth, and even build primate enrichment that would be used later in the day. Attendees were also able to tour the new EARTH Nature Center, a space dedicated to providing environmental education, conservation, and meaningful connections with nature throughout the year, which overlooks the giraffe habitat and African Plains.

 Wild Events, Southwick’s Zoo’s event company, put together a delicious lunch at the Daniels Room, located on the lower level of Galliford’s Restaurant. Pepsi was on hand as well to hand out new beverage products. The Zoo’s staff also lead tours on Operations, Marketing, and Events.

There was a Board of Directors meeting held, allowing members to learn how the Association is working to provide meaningful benefits to its members and advocate in the state houses throughout the region. It was also announced that the upcoming 114th Anniversary Education Conference and Annual Meeting would be held at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut beginning on Wednesday, March 3, 2027 and ending on Friday, March 5.

The evening was capped off with a reception at the Carousel, built by Chance Rides and opened in 2024, and an amazing surf and turf dinner at the Daniels Room. NEAAPA President Erik Beard, NEAAPA Executive Director Ed Hodgdon, and Southwick’s Zoo President and CEO Cindy Brewer-Lavoie addressed the attendees and thanked them for an incredible day.

Looking Ahead
NEAAPA’s upcoming events include:

• Member Meet Up with Security Seminar: Date/Time TBD
• Tom Morrow Social & IAAPA Dinner: Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at Maggiano’s Little Italy at The Pointe during the IAAPA Expo in Orlando, Florida
• 114th Anniversary Education Conference & Annual Meeting: March 3-5, 2027, at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut
• 114th Anniversary Summer Meeting & Golf Tournament: July 26-27, 2027 – Location TBD

• Gold Sponsors: Haas & Wilkerson Insurance
• Silver Sponsors – Golf Tournament: Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, Inc. and Weston & Sampson
• Silver Sponsors – Summer Meeting: Dippin’ Dots, Holland Fiberglass & Ralph S. Alberts Co., Inc., Premier Rides, and Sally Dark Rides
• Attendee Gift Bag Sponsors: Great Coasters International and Rhode Island Novelty
• Event Badge Sponsor: High Mountain Enterprises