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Engineers at the GPS Wing considered the two basic factors of risk management, probability of occurrence and resultant consequences, as they initiated the L5 Demo project. Working with contractor teams, [...]

Growing up in Shamokin, Pa., Bill Alter and his family never owned an automobile. When he got his first one as a teenager--a used 1951 two-tone DeSoto with overstuffed cloth [...]

Nearly everybody contacted by AB is in full support of the Outdoor Amusement Business Assn.'s Foundation for the Future program, but many have questions about a system that may be [...]

Teresa L. Rimes, trade show secretary for the 35th annual Feb. 4-9 trade show and extravaganza of the International Independent Showmen's Foundation, has been busy contacting exhibitors since learning of [...]

Smokey's Greater Shows carnivals will try to alleviate a shortage of help in 1998 through more advance planning, and it looks forward to a busy Spring tour. Many festivals are planned along the tour route, which has changed again this year. Smokey's make use of a variety of promotions, and it will add attractions in 1998. Founded in 1956, Smokey's has about 50 show-owned rides, 18 food concessions, and 2 bulldozer trailers., LAS VEGAS -- George (Bud) Gilmore, owner of Smokey's Greater Shows, is looking forward to a season where everything will get better than it was in 1997. 'Last year our [...]

Pennsylvania's newest arenas are the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park and CoreStates Center in Philadelphia. The Bryce center, which opened in January 1996 and cost $55 million, already has been paid off with state and private financing. CoreStates Center, which opened in August 1996 and cost $210 million, is the home of three pro sports teams. The Pittsburgh Civic Arena, three facilities in Erie, Stabler Arena in Bethlehem, Hersheypark Arena and other arenas are discussed., Business is brisk for most facilities across the Keystone State. Heading the list are the two newest buildings: Bryce Jordan Center in University Park and CoreStates Center in Philadelphia. The [...]

Auditorium and stadium managers are pleased with revenues generated from carnivals and fairs. In addition to direct revenues from admission, carnivals also generate indirect income from meals, sales and admission taxes. Hildebrand's Midway of Fun in scheduled for the Louisiana Superdome from May 29-June 15, 1997, and Amusements of America will play RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., from June 8-19, 1997., If reaction from arena officials is any indication, look for more of them to be searching for ways to work with carnivals to fill their dark days and nights. 'An [...]

Pat Reithoffer, Jr. has dedicated his life to the development of Reithoffer Shows. Reithoffer continues to be actively involved in the day-to-day operations and planning for the carnival despite being 75 years old. Reithoffer Shows began the innovative practice of mounting its rides on trailers under Pat Reithoffer, Jr. Pat's children and grandchildren are involved in the development of Reithoffer Shows., Pat Reithoffer Jr., owner of one of the largest carnivals in the world, has been many things in his life, including a schoolteacher, coal miner, janitor and fighter pilot. 'It [...]

Attendance at the 1995 International Association of Auditorium Managers Conference will be about 2,500, 225 higher than in 1994. A new president, John Christison of the Washington Convention & Trade Center will preside. Doris Stovall, manager of the Embassy Theater in Fort Wayne, IN, has been nominated for second vice president. The membership will vote on proposed bylaw changes. One change would allow an allied member to serve on the board., As of July 10, registration for the International Assn. of Auditorium Managers (IAAM) Conference & Trade Show was running approximately 225 ahead of last year's total. The 70th annual event [...]

The history of the publication 'Amusement Business' is integrated with the history of carnivals and circuses. The publication, which is known as the 'Showmen's Bible,' has documented information about these businesses through the two World Wars, the Great Depression and numerous disasters. A discussion of the changing economic conditions and how it affected carnival and circus businesses is also included., It is virtually impossible to separate the history of the carnival and the history of Amusement Business. From the time of their beginnings -- the carnival as an outcropping of [...]

Reunification, Good Weather Give German Industry Edge Over '90 MUNICH, Germany - The season has been excellent for German showmen, park operators and ride manufacturers, but poor for their counterparts [...]

CHICAGO -- The high cost of fuel might be the biggest problem facing carnival operators, but it ranked only fourth among the top five concerns for those attending the April [...]

GIBSONTON, Fla. -- The International Independent Showmen's Foundation will stage a five-day trade show in 2006, following this year's experiment with a four-day run. The annual exhibition has typically been [...]

Despite eight days of rain, the 168th State Fair of Texas in Dallas had the second-best run in its history. Attendance at the No. 1 attended fair in North America [...]

Love, loyalty, honesty, reliability ... these are words used by agents, artists and clients in describing their business and personal relationships with Peggy Kaltenbach and her son, R.J., the folks [...]

Like the average motorist, carnival owners and others in the outdoor amusement industry are coping with the rapidly rising price of fuel in a number of different ways. Jim Murphy [...]

>From a copper to a carny is how Cliff Anderson, who will be succeeded as president of the Greater Tampa Showmen's Assn. by David Conedera in Feb. 16 inauguration ceremonies, [...]

Archie 'Hawk' Lidey, who becomes the 39th president of the largest showmen's organization in the world Feb. 11, has established a theme of 'Hog Wild' for his tenure. Lidey, whose [...]

Tony Cefaratti, the 55th president of the Greater Tampa Showmen's Assn., said the club is OK financially, to a point, but he's looking to the next 50 years, and has [...]

Some carnival owners are charging ahead with ride purchases, but many seem to be holding the line, waiting to see what happens with the economy and the war on terrorism. [...]

The shopping list for carnival people attending the International Assn. of Amusement Parks & Attractions Convention in Orlando is probably shorter than it has ever been, but that doesn't mean [...]

CALLAHAN, FLA. -- After a very rainy spring, Myers International Midways finally got a break the first of August and put six strong weeks together. 'Before that, we had tons [...]

Paul R. 'Duke' Smith, 69, chairman of Allied Specialty Insurance, Treasure Island, Fla., died of natural causes at his home in Treasure Island June 14. He's remembered by many as [...]

GIBSONTON, Fla. -- Bill 'The Brush' Browning believes lots of people can paint, but if you don't know what to paint, it doesn't mean a thing. 'It's the creative part [...]

One of the highlights of the May 7-9 47th annual meeting of the Florida Federation of Fairs in West Palm Beach, Fla., will be a keynote address by David Grimm, [...]

Jerry and Sherry Soderquist's Leisure Time Attractions Inc., which works 80% of its dates in conjunction with Lester Colegrove's Sarasota Amusement Enterprises, had a great 1997 season, up 12% from [...]

SANTA FE, N.M. --A panel of six fair managers spoke about things that worked and things that did not work during the March 22-24 Mid-West Fairs Assn. annual convention here. [...]

The International Independent Showmen's Foundation had its trade show from Feb 3-8, 1998. Foundation Pres Joe Royal has four goals for 1998. Royal wants ground broken on the new museum building. Royal also want the group to increase its youth activities. The retirement village must also remain strong. Finally, Royal wants the organization to increase membership from the present 4,000 to 8,000., GIBSONTON, Fla. -- The Feb. 3-8 International Independent Showmen's Foundation's trade show and extravaganza was one of the best in its 30-year history, according to officials Joe Royal and Phillip [...]

Many convention centers are creating their own shows and events when there are none other available. Every year the IX Center of Cleveland, OH, creates the Amusement Industry Expo in the fall and a carnival in the spring. Bill Holmes produces a fair every year in his Biloxi, MS, venue, usually with the Farrow Shows carnival. The Ocean Center of Daytona Beach, FL, and the Ocean City, NJ, Convention Center also create their own shows each fall., While many convention centers are so busy they don't have time to create their own events, others make a business out of it. Bill Holmes does a lot of promoting [...]

Dallas, TX-based Leisure and Recreation Concepts Inc. is a design, management and consulting company for the amusement and entertainment industry. Owner Michael A. Jenkins says his firm has operated in 44 countries between 1970 and 1997. Jenkins is also the management director of Dallas Summer Musicals at Fair Park., Everything seems to be fast and furious in the life of Michael A. Jenkins, exactly the way he likes it. Jenkins owns Leisure and Recreation Concepts, Inc. (LARC) of Dallas, [...]

Errol M. McKoy, pres & general manager of the State Fair of Texas, started his facilities management career at Six Flags Over Texas, in Arlington, just after finishing high school. Although management of a fair differs from running a park, both require strict attention to details, especially sanitation, and maintenance of good customer relations. McKoy is the holder of several patents for amusement rides., Errol W. McKoy, president and general manager of the State Fair of Texas, Dallas, believes he is the youngest person to ever become a major theme park vice president and [...]

The Florida Federation of Fairs & Livestock Shows' conference, held April 17-20, 1997, in Tampa, FL, featured several discussions regarding marketing, safety and the legality of various games. Showcase acts at the conference included Texas the Band, Joe's Girls and The Dazzling Mills Family. Attendance at the conference reached about 565, the largest turnout in the 46-year history of the event., TAMPA--Marketing, ride safety, entertainment and what games are legal and what games are not were among topics attracting attention during the April 17-20 Florida Federation of Fairs & Livestock Shows' [...]

Smokey's Greater Shows has purchased new attractions and new equipment. Bud Gilmore, owner of the company, added to its attractions through the purchase of a 1001 Nights ride. The company also purchased ticket boxes equipped with automated teller machines (ATMs). Mr. Gilmore purchased the ATMs upon the recommendations of other carnival operators. The company has also added engagements to its route, such as the Kiwanis Club Spring Fair., The addition of a 1001 Nights and the knowledge that the weather can only get better have George 'Bud' Gilmore, owner of Smokey's Greater Shows, in an optimistic frame of [...]

Frank Roach worked for Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus and Combined Shows Inc. for 15 years before eventually starting his own entertainment-tour company, Tourven Inc. Roach also spent two years as an MCA Concerts Inc. vice president. With MCA, he oversaw a Power Rangers tour that totaled $30 million or more in US ticket sales. Roach left MCA to form Tourven and run a tour featuring the children's TV character Barney., Frank Roach, owner of Tourven Inc., Los Angeles, has an interesting explanation describing how his company, which is currently booking the Barney tour, got its name. 'I had three sheets [...]

Dick Janas is the new president of the Outdoor Amusement Business Association and Florida commissioner of education Frank Brogan was the group's keynote speaker at its 32nd annual meeting. The exposition held concurrently with the meeting was also a success. Speeches and changes to the bylaws are discussed., GIBSONTON, Fla.--Frank Brogan, commissioner of education for the state of Florida, lauded carnivals for their dedication to family and education in his keynote address at the 32nd annual Outdoor Amusement [...]

A panel at the Stadium Managers Assn seminar discussed gaining, keeping and losing professional sports teams. If politicians and team owners cannot agree there is a good chance that the team will move to another city. There are always other locations that are interested in sponsoring a sports franchise with a new stadium., ORLANDO--Accounts of gaining and keeping teams, as well as losing them, highlighted the opening session on franchise free agency during the Stadium Managers Seminar. Rick Nafe of Tropicana Field, St. [...]

LAS VEGAS -- The official signing of the contract here to play the New Mexico State Fair was the first in a number of steps designed to make 1997 another [...]

James Jay Murphy took over as president of the Showmen's League of America (SLA) at that group's 1996 meeting in Las Vegas, NV, which was held alongside the annual conventions of several other entertainment industry trade associations. Both Murphy's father Jim and his uncle Jerry have served as president of the SLA. The group also elected other officers and board members, and heard progress reports on its many professional and charitable activities., LAS VEGAS--When James Jay Murphy assumed the role as the 73rd president of the Showmen's League of America, he became the ninth man to follow in his father's footsteps to [...]

Amusement park experts say marketing and maintenance are keys to success. Silverwood Park in Athol, ID, used promotions to build group business from 32,000 people in 1994 to 92,000 in 1996. The Miracle Strip and Shipwreck Island parks in Panama City, FL, boosted revenue significantly after undergoing a significant renovation and upgrading its entertainment. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in Santa Cruz, CA, relies on targeted advertising, creative promotions and public relations., NEW ORLEANS -- Developing an identity and what to do when a park identity is altered were among subjects discussed during a panel entitled 'Determining Your Amusement Parks Future.' The [...]

United Shows of America's 1996 season yielded mixed results. On the one hand, the fair operator experienced strong runs at some locations on its 32-stop itinerary, but was otherwise plagued with poor weather or other attendance-diminishing circumstances. United Shows is looking forward to its 1997 season and plans on purchasing more new equipment to add to what it acquired during 1996., Ed and Jo Gregory's United Shows of America completed another successful season Nov. 10 at the Volusia County Fair & Youth Show, Deland, Fla. The 11-day run was down a [...]

Attendance at Conklin Shows' carnival in West Springfield, MA, was hurt by rainy weather on five days during in the Sep 13-29, 1996, period. The number of attendees fell from 1,160,779 in 1995 to 1,078,120 in 1996. The carnival did offer 29 attractions and major rides, as well as 33 rides for children. Additionally, the carnival did benefit by increasing the number of days it stays in West Springfield at the Big E event from 12 to 17., WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- With the last weekend remaining of the Big E here, Bob Negus said Conklin Shows was 'about even with last year's grosses despite some horrendous weather.' [...]

Delaware North Companies Inc's Sportservice division is doing well during its 1996 Major League Baseball season, despite television networks competing over broadcasting the games. The competition among ESPN and NBC, for example, at Ballpark, in Arlington, TX, lasted so late into one week that it resulted in employee scheduling difficulties and food service planning problems., With three teams in the playoffs, Sportservice, a division of Delaware North Companies Inc., Buffalo, N.Y., is capping an already big Major League Baseball season while facing some rather unusual [...]

The Floyd family which operates the midway at the Kentucky fair is glad that the contract for it has been ceded by Kentucky Kingdom Inc. to the Kentucky State Fair and Exposition Center. Jimmy Floyd and father J.D. believe that the Kentucky State Fair and Exposition will do a better job in managing the midway because it has more experience in playing carnivals and fairs than Kentucky Kingdom, which operates more like an amusement park., LOUISVILLE, Ky.--Jimmy Floyd and his dad, J.D., are happy that control of the fair midway contract here has returned to tim Kentucky State Fair & Exposition Center. In previous years, [...]

Lundy's Catering is selling food and beverages at eight sporting venues during the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, GA. The Lexington, KY, company is working the archery, cycling, tennis, shooting, beach volleyball, rowing, canoeing and equestrian events. Lundy's expects to sell 694,000 bottles of water for $3 apiece, prepare 500,000 boxed meals for the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games, and serve breakfast and lunch to 1,500 competing athletes. Lundy's has 1,285 people working at the events., Jerry Lundergan, owner of Lundy's Catering, Lexington, Ky., whose company is servicing eight venues at the July 20-Aug. 4 Olympics, is projecting the sale of 694,000 bottles of water at [...]

Brooke Evans, president of the Green Unit of Reithoffer Shows, said he is expecting a great season, 'once we get good weather, and the forecast for this week is super.' [...]

Venue managers and entertainment promoters expressed their views at a meeting of the Florida Facility Managers Assn, which was held in Orlando, FL, during Jun 23-26, 1996. Many of them focused on the management of concert events with particular attention devoted to problems with ticket prices, insurance issues, and artists' demands for guarantees., ORLANDO--'You want more shows? You've got to become competitive. Do it with incentive programs, and promoters will be competitive with you. There are so many markets in the U.S.' That [...]

Sports stadium managers are grappling with the question of whether to rebuild existing stadiums or construct new arenas. The fate of the Tampa Stadium in Tampa Bay, FL, was discussed during a general session of the 22nd annual Stadium Managers Seminar. Managers are changing teams' class statuses and conducting extensive retrofit analysis to determine which options are more economically feasible., TUCSON, ARIZ.--With all the day-to-day controversy taking place regarding renovating Tampa Stadium or building a new facility, a general session here during the 22nd annual Stadium Managers Seminar drew a [...]

Phyllis Duvall, 46, is the new president of the International Independent Showmen's Assn. She has run Duvall Concessions with her husband Monte since 1978, and the couple now have 20 games. Duvall has also worked food concessions since joining the carnival circuit after leaving her job as a secretary. Her goals as president include keeping the annual trade show growing and increasing attendance at weekly meetings. Women who have inspired her are discussed., On Feb. 12, Phyllis Duvall will be installed as the third woman president of the International Independent Showmen's Assn., Gibsonton, Fla., the largest showmen's organization in the world. She has [...]

Fine Host Corp. sold an average of $19.47 in concessions per person at Super Bowl XXX in the Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, AZ, on Jan 28, 1996. Fine Host Chmn Randy Ziegler said the firm knew it would not make the $23 per cap it had at the last Super Bowl, because this stadium has 52 fewer points of sale and was more difficult for crowds to navigate. The total gross was about $1.43 million from the game, which was attended by 73,565., By Tom Powell TUCSON, Ariz. - The per cap for Fine Host Corp. at Super Bowl XXX at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz., Jan. 28, was a whopping $19.47. [...]

The blizzard during the first week of Jan 1996 caused the cancellation of several activities in the eastern US. Professional basketball games in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania had to be cancelled. Professional hockey games in New York, North Carolina and Massachusetts had to be cancelled. College games were also cancelled throughout the region., The blizzard of '96, one of the worst snowstorms in history, played havoc with buildings' schedules up and down the Coast. Many buildings were lucky because they were dark between [...]