FUN EXPO
PACKS IN ALL THAT’S FUN AND PROFITABLE!

FUN EXPO, and the co-located AMOA International Expo, signals the start of the Fall tradeshow season in the amusement industry, and this year’s program is packed with innovative new products, new exhibitors, special display areas and more than 50 Fun Academy educational programs making this the most comprehensive educational program in the industry.

Getting there is only half the fun, but to be sure you don’t get lost along the way, Fun Expo and the AMOA International Expo will be held in the South Hall S-2 of the Las Vegas Convention Center.  This is not the same hall that Fun Expo and AMOA were in two years ago.  The Entrance to S-2 is located on Desert Inn and Swenson Roads.  Or to put it in the perspective of where we were two years ago, Fun Expo and AMOA were on the Paradise Road entrance to the South Hall, so this year, the entrance is on the opposite side of the South Hall. 

The week kicks off with Rookies & Newcomers on Monday, September 27, a highly rated workshop that has become a staple of Fun Expo.  This year’s program has been expanded to 2-full days of workshop activities featuring the industry’s top talent, and a fresh new crop of Rookies & Newcomers faculty advisors.  “From Good to Great” – that’s the message program moderator Phil De Angelo of United Skates of America hopes to drive home to the Rookies & Newcomers audience.  “We need to keep the program fresh and innovative.  We need to continue to provide education and support to people who are new to the business, considering entre into the business, or veterans who are looking to pump fresh new ideas into their FEC business and to offer training to their new managers.”  Rookies & Newcomers takes place on Monday, September 27 and Tuesday, September 28.  It includes lunch both days and a welcome reception on Monday evening.  This combines the best of educational and networking experiences for newbies and veterans looking to brush up on their business skills and improve their operation.

Frank Price’s Birthday University is back and better than ever with both Beginning and Advanced Birthday University full day workshops.  Another of Fun Expo’s most popular programs, Birthday University offers intense training to FECs in the party business to keep their party programs on the cutting edge of creativity and customer service.  BU 101 will be held as a full day workshop on Tuesday, September 28, with BU 201 on Saturday, October 2.  Both programs include lunch.  The pre-requisite to attend BU 201 is that you must attend 101 or be an alumnae of Birthday University.  But there’s more.  An all new, 3-hour Fun Academy session, “Birthday Party Magic”, moderated by Dr. Jack Samuels and his team of party experts, will be held on Friday, October 1 from 2:00 – 5:00 pm.  Rounding off the party programs is an all new “Parties 101” moderated by Dorothy Lewis and her team of “Party Animals” – and they ARE the Party Animals!

A new full day workshop and two new half day workshops have been added to this year’s program.  Laser Tag Education Day is a full day workshop designed for laser tag operators and FECs considering laser tag as an added attraction to their facility.  Experienced laser tag operators make up the panel in this fast paced session that points out the benefits of laser tag as a stand alone or add-on attraction.

Two half day Paintball workshops will be presented.  One targets FEC owners and operators seeking information about how they can profit from paintball and just what it takes to plan and develop paintball as an attraction.  “Paintball For FEC Operators” takes place Tuesday, September 28 from 1:00 – 5:00 pm.  “Paintball for Field Owners & Operators”  takes place on Wednesday, September 29 from 1:00 – 5:00 pm will show paintball field owners how FEC add-ons can enhance their paintball operation and increase profits.

Then there’s Fun Academy.  Count ‘em - 49 sessions, nearly 100 Fun Academy Faculty members and 20 hours of non-stop education.  You can listen and learn from “Miss Wiggles”, Go “FISHing”, get the “SCORE” and DIVE into Group Sales just to mention a few.  It sounds like fun already, so just imagine what these information packed sessions and their presenters have to offer.

 One thing Fun Academy is not and that is boring!   Fun Academy covers all the bases from specific attractions, to general management to parties and beyond.  The faculty consists of the best talent from the industry, academia and beyond to deliver the industry’s most comprehensive educational program designed specifically for FEC operators.  Oh, and about “Miss Wiggles”, you’ll just have to attend Fun Academy to find out who is affectionately called “Miss Wiggles!”

And for those industry veterans who know it all, there’s even something for you!  This year, a special session for veterans in the business a minimum of ten years will be featured called “You CAN Teach An Old Dog New Tricks.”  Conducted by industry consultant Jim Newbury, this two hour session, complete with hot dog lunch, drives home the message that you’re never too old to learn a thing or two … even if you think you know it all.  Advance registration is required for this session that will take place on Thursday, September 30 from Noon – 2:00 pm. 

4 workshops and 21 Fun Academy Sessions are only just the beginning, and these all take place BEFORE the show even opens!

Fast forward to opening day, Thursday, September 30th.   Start the day at 8:00 am with IALEI’s Annual Membership Meeting and Breakfast, Presentation of the 2004 Golden Token Awards and Opening General Session by Marc Kielburger on “Me to We:  Moving To The We Generation.”  Drawing on his experience from his extensive work with “Free The Children” and “Leaders Today”, his travels to more than 40 countries and meeting with youth and adult changemakers, Marc will share stories and tangible advice on how to draw out one’s passion by moving from “Me to We.”  Audience members will leave feeling energized, engaged and have the tools to bring the “Me to We” philosophy into their own lives.  You do not have to be an IALEI member to attend, and all Fun Expo and AMOA guests are invited.

Immediately following the Opening General Session, the joint Ribbon Cutting marks the official opening of the exhibit floor at Fun Expo and co-located AMOA International Expo.  This takes place at the entrance to The South Hall S-2 at 9:45 am.

Once the ribbon is cut and the doors to the Fun Expo 2004 Exhibit Floor officially open, the show floor at Fun Expo boasts more than 300 booths featuring over 170 exhibitors.  To date, there has been an 17-18% increase in the number of exhibiting companies, and a 7-8% increase in booths sold.  In addition, 30 new companies will make their debut at Fun Expo this year.  But the show doesn’t stop here.  Show stoppers include the Party Pavilion, The 2^nd annual Fun Expo Paintball Invitational and the The Portable Skatepark Arena, special areas on the show floor that will feature live demonstrations.

Parties take center stage at the Party Pavilion.  Fourteen companies who supply party goods and services will be grouped together in this area to make shopping for party goods easy and convenient and to showcase the latest trends in products and services in the party business today.   The Party Pavilion will be located on the Boardwalk, Aisle 1700.

The 2^nd annual Fun Expo Paintball Invitational is a live, 5-man competition that takes place on the show floor on Thursday, September 30 and Friday, October 1.  The goal is to let FEC owners experience the thrill of the sport and the excitement of competition first hand in this 2000 square foot arena.  The Fun Expo Paintball Invitational is organized with the help of Giovanni D’Egidio, Hollywood Sports Park and SC Village.

Courtesy of Sun Ramp Solutions, Fun Expo will feature a 1200 square foot Portable Skatepark complete with presentations and demonstrations.  Presentations will be held four times daily and will be complimented by navigational and competition course demonstrations, as well as applications using BMX Bikes and motorized scooters.

The big news for operators attending Fun Expo is the Buyers Bonanza which will offer thousands of dollars in discounts for purchases made at the show.  More than 30 exhibitors have signed up to date to participate in this program.  A complete list of participating exhibitors and the discounts offered will be posted on the Fun Expo website at www.funexpo.com.

And the biggest networking event of the industry takes place on Thursday, September 30, from 5:15 – 7:00 pm at the jointly sponsored Fun Expo/AMOA Industry Gala Reception poolside at the Las Vegas Hilton.  Courtesy of AMOA, guests attending the Gala will be treated to country music’s Tracy Byrd who will perform at Thursday night’s Gala.

Fun Expo will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall S-2 with Fun Academy programs running from Monday, September 27 to Saturday, October 2.  Exhibits are open Thursday, September 30 through Saturday, October 2, and are co-located with the AMOA International Expo.

For more information on exhibiting or attending, contact FUN EXPO Show Management, William T. Glasgow, Inc. at Telephone:  (708) 226-1300; Fax:  (708) 226-1310;  Email:  info@funexpo.com or visit our website at www.funexpo.com.