IALEI
IALEI's Educational Workshop Series a
Big Hit in the Lone Star State…

On to Vegas with Over 50 Hours Scheduled at Fun Academy

Some 35 attendees and instructors participated in IALEI's Educational Workshops in the Lone Star State recently. Both developers of new FEC facilities and seasoned professionals enjoyed hands-on experiences for three days in the training program that delivered critical marketing, operational, F&B and financial information. This third in a series of workshops concluded the 2004 programs. Already the first two "Boost Your Entertainment Center's Profits" have been scheduled for 2005 with an additional two being considered. Those confirmed are February 1-3 in Los Angeles and March 1-3 in Chicago. The remaining two being considered are Atlanta and Dallas/Ft. Worth.

A broad representation of IALEI's membership came to the Hampton Inn & Suites in Hurst, Texas. They came from Los Angeles, Brooklyn, Montana, Bethel (Pennsylvania), Beaumont, Bossier City (Louisiana), Las Vegas and even Seven Points (Texas). Attendees represented large, medium and small facilities…both family-based and corporate owned.
Some of the properties attending the educational workshop were Brian Smith with Putt-Putt Golf & Games of Arlington; Quinn and Sandy Kirkland of Qwivals Fun Center, Hamilton, Montana; Rob McCauley, owner of Mountasia in North Richland Hills, Texas and member of IALEI's board of directors along with two of his top managers. From Brooklyn was Valia and Harry Haynes of the Madd Fun, LLC and the Children's Entertainment facility that will be having its grand opening in only a few months.

All of these elements point to the fulfillment and objectives of IALEI's purpose for taking educational programs to the membership and potential members. The board of directors for the International Association for the Leisure & Entertainment Industry (IALEI) approved in 2003 a strategic plan that included one of the primary focuses for the group would be education. The Association hired its past president, Jack Cohen who had just sold his FEC in Pittsburgh as IALEI's director of education. Within 30-days, four educational workshops were announced for Cleveland, Pensacola, Dallas/Ft. Worth and Los Angeles. After surveying the membership, specific topics indicated what would be of interest for the membership. Taking pertinent and useful information to the membership at an affordable cost would be paramount to the success of the new venture for IALEI.

Some of the Educational Workshops speakers/presenters in Cleveland, Ohio in March, Pensacola, Florida in May and Dallas/Ft. Worth in June included: Dorothy Lewis, Regional Manager of Fun Station Associates and IALEI's director of marketing, Ed Stone focused on the marketing of an FEC. Jim Newberry, Alan Ramsay, Ken Vondriska, Glen Femminella, Angelo Caleca and Catherine Casciotti, CPP presented "Operations Best Practices." This group of seasoned professionals provided the participants with sessions on "Hiring and Training for FECs" as well as "Management Ethics." Several sessions included topics covering such areas as lowering insurance, proactive safety, payroll and financial management. In the last two workshops, Frank Price conducted full-day sessions on his Birthday Party University program.

"Major Presenters" and supporters for the popular educational programs are Redemption Plus and SureShot Party Supplies worked extremely hard to market and communicate the workshops. Their products and services were integrated into the presentations and educational workshops. Also stepping up to support were Korte Paper Company as a one-day sponsor and Joissu was a breakfast sponsor. In each location there have been FEC facilities taking on sponsorship positions by providing in-depth tours and hosting of luncheons and receptions. Tim Sorge showcased his "Swings 'n Things" in Cleveland, Rich Sanfillippo toured the group through his Sam's Fun City in Pensacola, Rob McCauley entertained at his Mountasia, in North Richland Hills, Texas and Larry Cummings hosted at his SpeedZone in Dallas. All of these sponsors and supporters are greatly appreciated.

As IALEI prepares for Fun Expo Academy as part of the FUN EXPO tradeshow in Las Vegas in late September, there will be more and more educational programs covering a diverse list of topics. Some 50 sessions of educational presentations will be on the program during the week of September 27 - October 2. And then…the first week of February, it's on to Los Angeles where IALEI will begin a new series of educational workshops for 2005. There will updated topics and more in-depth presentations to prepare our industry for bigger and better ways to boost their entertainment center's profits.