The first IAAPA Leadership Conference officially gets under way Tuesday here in San Diego, but there was quite a bit of work and activity happening already.
Today seven IAAPA committees held their annual face-to-face meetings, many of them focused on this year's education planning for IAAPA Attractions Expo 2011 this November in Orlando. I sat in on three different meetings throughout the day: Amusement Parks & Attractions, Waterparks, and Communications.
It was a pleasure for me to be a "fly on the wall" (although I couldn't keep my mouth shut entirely!) listening in on the conversations among these experts about trends and challenges they're facing back at their parks and attractions, and how they want to address these issues during Expo. Whether it's social media, government relations/compliance, or discussion of the latest technology, I'm looking forward to researching these topics further in the pages of Funworld, as well.
I was also impressed with the dedication of these volunteers, some of whom flew halfway around the world to sit in on these meetings and share their expertise and experience. In one day alone, I met with industry folks from Hong Kong, the Philippines, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and elsewhere. The committees had packed agendas and the discussion was enlightening.
And this is just the preview. Starting tomorrow the IAAPA Leadership Conference officially starts with tours to Boomers!, Belmont Park, and SeaWorld San Diego. The goal for this new association event is to give attendees behind-the-scenes access to exemplary attractions, as well as numerous networking opportunities with colleagues; with those two components in place, essentially the learning never stops. Later this week we'll be visiting Knott's Berry Farm, Legoland, and Disneyland, among others.
I'll be in more committee meetings tomorrow, but the Leadership Conference runs through Thursday so I'll have further details later this week and then a full report in the May issue of Funworld.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
CPSIA Database Launches Friday
If you manufacture, import, or even put your logo on a children's product in the U.S., and you have not already registered your company with the new CPSIA database, stop reading this blog and do it now!
A controversial part of the Consumer Product Safety Improvements Act was the Publicly Available Consumer Product Safety Information Database, where individuals can post safety complaints about consumer products. Manufacturers who register with the database will be given 10 days' notice to respond to these complaints before they are posted on the Internet. If a manufacturer is not registered, the complaints will still be posted in 10 days. It's important to remember that the CPSIA expanded the definition of "manufacturer" far beyond the colloquial usage. Importers, retailers, and private labelers can now be held liable if the product does not comply with the CPSIA.
IAAPA has many issues with the final rule regarding the public database. As we said in our comment letter, we disagree with the expansion of the provisions explaining who may file and what information will be published online. We are also concerned about how the CPSC will handle situations where both a manufacturer and a private labeler are identified. The manufacturing community as a whole is concerned with the potential for abuse and fraud.
Last month, freshman Congressman Mike Pompeo (R-KS), introduced an amendment to the budget Continuing Resolution (H.R. 1) that defunded the CPSIA database until certain issues were addressed, but ultimately the Senate voted down the bill, so the database is set to launch later this week.
IAAPA members can register to be notified of a product complaint at SaferProducts.gov.
A controversial part of the Consumer Product Safety Improvements Act was the Publicly Available Consumer Product Safety Information Database, where individuals can post safety complaints about consumer products. Manufacturers who register with the database will be given 10 days' notice to respond to these complaints before they are posted on the Internet. If a manufacturer is not registered, the complaints will still be posted in 10 days. It's important to remember that the CPSIA expanded the definition of "manufacturer" far beyond the colloquial usage. Importers, retailers, and private labelers can now be held liable if the product does not comply with the CPSIA.
IAAPA has many issues with the final rule regarding the public database. As we said in our comment letter, we disagree with the expansion of the provisions explaining who may file and what information will be published online. We are also concerned about how the CPSC will handle situations where both a manufacturer and a private labeler are identified. The manufacturing community as a whole is concerned with the potential for abuse and fraud.
Last month, freshman Congressman Mike Pompeo (R-KS), introduced an amendment to the budget Continuing Resolution (H.R. 1) that defunded the CPSIA database until certain issues were addressed, but ultimately the Senate voted down the bill, so the database is set to launch later this week.
IAAPA members can register to be notified of a product complaint at SaferProducts.gov.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Do State Budget Shortfalls Mean Trouble for the Attractions Industry?
I’ve been on the road a lot lately, visiting associations for state and regional attractions. Two weeks ago, I was in Austin, Texas, to participate in the Texas Travel Industry Association's Unity Dinner and give a presentation on federal health care reform to TTIA members. Earlier this week, I attended the Pennsylvania Amusement Park Association’s Spring Meeting in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Later this month I will be in Providence, Rhode Island, at the New England Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions’ Annual Meeting.
Some years state-by-state issues vary greatly, but right now I hear similar themes in every region I visit: the recent economic troubles have left many states with budget shortfalls. Decreased property values and business revenues, coupled with unemployment means states are not getting the tax revenue they are used to. Some states relied on one-time stimulus payments to fund ongoing expenses. One of the things I learned in Texas is that with the appropriations currently in place (meaning no new spending, and no inflation adjustments), the state is facing a $4.3 billion shortfall.
Just like a business does when revenues are less than expenses, state governments are looking at ways to cut spending and/or raise revenue. How they go about this is something members of the attractions industry should pay close attention to.
Most states have agencies dedicated to promoting travel to the state. These agencies are funded in different ways, but in most of the agencies I am familiar with it's through taxes on hotels, rental cars, and other travel expenses. In Texas, 1/12th of the revenues generated by the state's hotel occupancy tax are dedicated to state travel promotion.
Travel promotion is a great return on investment for states: promoting travel to a state is like free advertising for the attractions within the state. The attractions get more visitors, who generate revenue from sales, hotel stays, admissions, and other taxes, which is money for the state and its residents.
Unfortunately, when there’s a budget shortfall everything’s on the table, including state tourism promotion in some states. While I am generally in favor of reduced government spending, cutting state travel promotion actually costs the state money: In a year after defunding its state tourism promotion program, Colorado lost tax revenues that totaled 11 times the amount of tourism promotion funding the legislature cut. Years later, Colorado is still fighting to regain its footing in the tourism market.
If your state tourism bureau is facing budget cuts, speak up! Call your state representative and senator—or, better yet, set up a meeting with them. Don’t know your state elected officials? Look them up on IAAPA’s website. Tell your elected officials not to cut funding for the state tourism office. Explain how it’s a great return on investment, and remind them of the Colorado mistake. For more talking points, or if you need help, contact me.
Some years state-by-state issues vary greatly, but right now I hear similar themes in every region I visit: the recent economic troubles have left many states with budget shortfalls. Decreased property values and business revenues, coupled with unemployment means states are not getting the tax revenue they are used to. Some states relied on one-time stimulus payments to fund ongoing expenses. One of the things I learned in Texas is that with the appropriations currently in place (meaning no new spending, and no inflation adjustments), the state is facing a $4.3 billion shortfall.
Just like a business does when revenues are less than expenses, state governments are looking at ways to cut spending and/or raise revenue. How they go about this is something members of the attractions industry should pay close attention to.
Most states have agencies dedicated to promoting travel to the state. These agencies are funded in different ways, but in most of the agencies I am familiar with it's through taxes on hotels, rental cars, and other travel expenses. In Texas, 1/12th of the revenues generated by the state's hotel occupancy tax are dedicated to state travel promotion.
Travel promotion is a great return on investment for states: promoting travel to a state is like free advertising for the attractions within the state. The attractions get more visitors, who generate revenue from sales, hotel stays, admissions, and other taxes, which is money for the state and its residents.
Unfortunately, when there’s a budget shortfall everything’s on the table, including state tourism promotion in some states. While I am generally in favor of reduced government spending, cutting state travel promotion actually costs the state money: In a year after defunding its state tourism promotion program, Colorado lost tax revenues that totaled 11 times the amount of tourism promotion funding the legislature cut. Years later, Colorado is still fighting to regain its footing in the tourism market.
If your state tourism bureau is facing budget cuts, speak up! Call your state representative and senator—or, better yet, set up a meeting with them. Don’t know your state elected officials? Look them up on IAAPA’s website. Tell your elected officials not to cut funding for the state tourism office. Explain how it’s a great return on investment, and remind them of the Colorado mistake. For more talking points, or if you need help, contact me.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
ASTM Update
Recently I attended the ASTM International F-24 Committee meeting in New Orleans. Although I talk about safety standards and ASTM all the time, this was my first time actually attending a meeting—and I was in awe over not only the amount of work that got accomplished in such a short timeframe, but also at the talent and passion committee members have for the attractions industry.
More than 125 individuals from eight countries attended the F-24 committee meeting, which lasted three days. I personally attended meetings on water attractions, terminology, restraint systems, and a Canadian harmonization session, but there were many other meetings on topics such as ziplines, ropes courses, and challenge courses; fall protection; training, and certification; and, my favorite name for a task group: Gravity or Patron Controlled Non-mechanical Spherical Devices.
One of the highlights of the meeting was when Walt Disney Imagineer Mike Withers was presented with ASTM’s highest award, the ASTM Award of Merit. Mike is only the second member of the F-24 committee to receive this honor, which makes him a “Fellow” of the ASTM society. I have worked with Mike regularly during my time at IAAPA, and can personally attest to why he is deserving of this award, but I think the Awards Task Group’s nomination remarks describe Mike’s talent and passion so much better:
“[we] nominate Mike for this award for his technical expertise combined with his engaging personality, his reputation for integrity, fairness and openness, and his unique ability to solicit compromise between opposing views that have led to increase the standing and relevance of Committee F24 and ASTM in the global marketplace. The work that he has shepherded, participated in or successfully incorporated in regulation has set the bar for safety that will allow for countless happy experiences for generations to come. His contributions have made ASTM the leader in standardization in our industry and have helped us all to address our single most important responsibility – safety.”
The next ASTM F-24 Committee meeting will be held Oct. 13-15, 2011, in Scottsdale, Arizona, at the Valley Ho Resort. If you are passionate about safety in the attractions industry, you should definitely check it out. Membership on ASTM Committee F-24 gives you the opportunity to work with industry and technical experts from around the world in the premier ASTM standards development forum. You’ll help craft the standards that support the global amusement ride industry and promote safety for ride and park visitors everywhere.
For more information on the fall meeting, or becoming a member of the F-24 committee, check out ASTM International’s website.
More than 125 individuals from eight countries attended the F-24 committee meeting, which lasted three days. I personally attended meetings on water attractions, terminology, restraint systems, and a Canadian harmonization session, but there were many other meetings on topics such as ziplines, ropes courses, and challenge courses; fall protection; training, and certification; and, my favorite name for a task group: Gravity or Patron Controlled Non-mechanical Spherical Devices.
One of the highlights of the meeting was when Walt Disney Imagineer Mike Withers was presented with ASTM’s highest award, the ASTM Award of Merit. Mike is only the second member of the F-24 committee to receive this honor, which makes him a “Fellow” of the ASTM society. I have worked with Mike regularly during my time at IAAPA, and can personally attest to why he is deserving of this award, but I think the Awards Task Group’s nomination remarks describe Mike’s talent and passion so much better:
“[we] nominate Mike for this award for his technical expertise combined with his engaging personality, his reputation for integrity, fairness and openness, and his unique ability to solicit compromise between opposing views that have led to increase the standing and relevance of Committee F24 and ASTM in the global marketplace. The work that he has shepherded, participated in or successfully incorporated in regulation has set the bar for safety that will allow for countless happy experiences for generations to come. His contributions have made ASTM the leader in standardization in our industry and have helped us all to address our single most important responsibility – safety.”
The next ASTM F-24 Committee meeting will be held Oct. 13-15, 2011, in Scottsdale, Arizona, at the Valley Ho Resort. If you are passionate about safety in the attractions industry, you should definitely check it out. Membership on ASTM Committee F-24 gives you the opportunity to work with industry and technical experts from around the world in the premier ASTM standards development forum. You’ll help craft the standards that support the global amusement ride industry and promote safety for ride and park visitors everywhere.
For more information on the fall meeting, or becoming a member of the F-24 committee, check out ASTM International’s website.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Maximize F&B Sales at Your Waterpark
Now is the time to fine-tune your plans for maximizing revenue, guest satisfaction, and attendance. This month’s IAAPA webinar, set for Feb. 23 at 1 p.m. EST, focuses specifically on how waterparks can boost food and beverage sales, but any park with concessions can learn from our experts. Ken Whiting of Whiting’s Foods/Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk shares some insight into what participants can expect from the session.
What are the key areas of focus during this webinar?
We’ll address some current trends and strategies that work for all food and beverage operations in the attractions industry, as well as some waterpark-specific areas, including:
- cabana sales
- maximizing beverage revenue
- cashless payment systems
- healthier food options
Can you share a challenge waterparks face in refining and updating F&B offerings?
The spending patterns within waterparks are different than in a dry park. Being in bathing suits without constant access to money limits spending. Aligning their operation with services, menu items, and payment methods that enhance and encourage spending is key.
What types of information can participants in this webinar implement immediately?
There will be best practices and strategies shared that work in our industry. Menu item development, peak sales period management, and staff motivation ideas are typically low cost, easy to implement, and able to be acted on right away.
What is the most appropriate audience for this session?
Anyone with food service, retail, or general management responsibilities at a waterpark attraction will benefit from the information.
What can small/independent operators with tighter budgets glean from this session?
Many operators believe they have to spend big for large returns. Often that just isn’t the case. We’ll provide many proven tactics that are low cost, high return, and industry specific. Even with little or no budget, significant gains can be had. Everyone who participates in this webinar will leave with ideas that will work for them.
To learn more about IAAPA’s free member webinars and to register, click here.
What are the key areas of focus during this webinar?
We’ll address some current trends and strategies that work for all food and beverage operations in the attractions industry, as well as some waterpark-specific areas, including:
- cabana sales
- maximizing beverage revenue
- cashless payment systems
- healthier food options
Can you share a challenge waterparks face in refining and updating F&B offerings?
The spending patterns within waterparks are different than in a dry park. Being in bathing suits without constant access to money limits spending. Aligning their operation with services, menu items, and payment methods that enhance and encourage spending is key.
What types of information can participants in this webinar implement immediately?
There will be best practices and strategies shared that work in our industry. Menu item development, peak sales period management, and staff motivation ideas are typically low cost, easy to implement, and able to be acted on right away.
What is the most appropriate audience for this session?
Anyone with food service, retail, or general management responsibilities at a waterpark attraction will benefit from the information.
What can small/independent operators with tighter budgets glean from this session?
Many operators believe they have to spend big for large returns. Often that just isn’t the case. We’ll provide many proven tactics that are low cost, high return, and industry specific. Even with little or no budget, significant gains can be had. Everyone who participates in this webinar will leave with ideas that will work for them.
To learn more about IAAPA’s free member webinars and to register, click here.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
New CPSIA Resources
Product Safety Daily is a free daily e-mail publication that focuses on global consumer product safety news. Consumer product safety has been a hot topic in the U.S. for the past several years, with the passage and implementation of the Virginia Graeme Baker Act and the Consumer Product Safety Improvements Act, but there have also been major consumer product safety reforms in other parts of the world, such as Canada and Europe. If you’re not already receiving it, I recommend you sign up for Product Safety Daily.
Speaking of the CPSIA, its implementation has been a difficult-to-follow process. Provisions are stayed and stays are then extended, making it can be difficult to keep track of what parts of the law are in effect now. CPSC has created a chart of CPSIA requirements and their stays of enforcement—such as the recently extended Section 102 Testing and Certification requirements. IAAPA members can reference this chart to review the status of the many CPSIA provisions that impact the attractions industry.
You can find the chart and other CPSIA resources over at IAAPA’s Toy Safety webpage.
You can find the chart and other CPSIA resources over at IAAPA’s Toy Safety webpage.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Start Planning: National Tourism and Travel Week Is Coming!
Every year the first full week of May is recognized as National Travel and Tourism Week in the U.S. During this week cities, states, and travel businesses nationwide sponsor rallies and other events to celebrate the power of travel.
The week began as National Tourism Week, and was established by Congress in 1983. In a 1984 White House ceremony, President Ronald Reagan signed a Presidential Proclamation urging citizens to observe the week with “the appropriate ceremonies and activities.” Since its establishment, the U.S. travel community has collectively marked the event in a number of creative ways, from staging local rallies and conducting media outreach to securing proclamations and resolutions from local legislative bodies.
This year, the event will be May 7-15, with the Travel Rally Day occuring May 10.
Travel Rally Day is a concerted effort to demonstrate travel's impact on local workers, businesses, and economies. Individual events are staged in cities nationwide during National Travel and Tourism Week. The goal of Rally Day is to unite a community's travel workers and supporters and publicly represent the industry to media, elected officials and residents with a message that travel matters to this nation and to local communities.
Now is the time to start planning for National Tourism and Travel Week and the Travel Rally Day. Our friends at the U.S. Travel Association have compiled a website of helpful tips and tools to help you plan. Your local visitors bureau or state tourism agency may already have something in the works, so you may want to combine forces with them, or start your own!
If you are planning to participate, tell us, so we can help promote your event.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
