Family Entertainment Center Track

Monday, November 16
Tuesday, November 17
Wednesday, November 18
Thursday, November 19

Monday, November 16

9 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Birthday Parties
For family entertainment centers and facilities worldwide, the party business can bring big profits. In this seminar, participants will learn how just a few small changes in their party business can mean mega dollars for their bottom line. Participants will take away tools they can use right away to make over their party business. One lucky participant will be eligible for a personalized party makeover for their facility!
Speaker: Sheryl Bindelglass, President, SherylGolf

10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
A New Generation of Common Courtesy
Please. Thank you. Yes, ma’am. Sometimes we take these simple courtesies for granted—or maybe we have just learned to live without them. Some will blame the decline of common courtesy on society, Gen Y, or the media. Whatever the cause, guests expect employees to greet them in a friendly manner and take care of their needs. During this session, speakers will go beyond simple awareness of various generations in the workplace and explore proven methods for setting clear expectations, enforcing those expectations, and explaining the reasons behind your decisions. Move employees from an unemotional “have a nice day...” to a sincere desire to put your guests first.
Speaker: Matt Heller, Senior Trainer—Leadership Development, Universal Orlando Resort

2 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Things We Know, But May Have Forgotten
You run a great facility, and you continually look for ways to advance, improve, and innovate. But sometimes the basic fundamentals, the very things that helped make you successful, seem to get lost in the shuffle. This fast-paced workshop will provide reference points for examining operations and finding areas that could benefit from a little more attention. You may be surprised at what you know… but may have forgotten.

3:30 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Driving Group Sales in a New Economy
Businesses are tightening up and cutting expenses. Company picnics may not be a priority anymore. Despite the challenges, you can still drive your group sales business through tough economic times. Discover ways to work smarter and profit in times of economic uncertainty.
Speaker: Robert J. Araiza, Director of Marketing & Sales, Mulligan Family Fun Centers

5 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
A Practical Guide to Social Media
Social media sounds like a great idea, and its marketing effectiveness is proven, but how does a family entertainment center get started? This session will introduce a practical guide to creating a social media strategy specifically for small parks, attractions, and FECs. Speakers will define which services to use, what to focus on, and specific strategies and tasks to take the guesswork out of social media sites like MySpace, Twitter, and Facebook. Get examples of facilities that are doing it right.
Speaker: Katie Bruno, Director, WDD Online

Tuesday, November 17

10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
What Are You Doing and Why Are You Here? Understanding Your Guests Attitudes, Desires, and Behaviors
Understanding your guests can be the difference between years of profits and growth or an uncertain future. Fortunately, the information needed to achieve success is often right in front of you. In this seminar you will learn to harness technology utilizing the web and point-of-sale systems, and how to implement other simple tools to collect and gather information from guests. Tracking habits, traffic flow, and frequency factors can give you new insight into how to market, expand, and grow your business in the near future and for years to come. The more you know about your customers, the better you can serve your customers!

2 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
From Myspace to the Midway and Facebook to the Fun Center: How to Communicate with Today’s Employees
Today’s young workforce is tech savvy, online, and interconnected more than ever.  Managing and motivating these workers requires a new set of tools and a completely new approach to employee relations. The presenters will outline how to reach and  communicate with these workers. The session will also explore how a number of operators are using MySpace and other social networking sites as operational tools to stay connected with employees. The presenter will explore the practical aspect of these tools and consider any challenges they present.
Speakers: Mike Manassee, Director of Training and Development, Mulligan Family Fun Centers; Ken Whiting, President, WAVES for Success; Leanna Muscato, Games Manager, Knoebels Amusement Resort

3:30 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
“The Oz Principle:” Building an Accountable Culture
Building an accountable culture is the key to creating a productive and fulfilling workplace. The process taught in this workshop will assist participants in identifying and internalizing a corporate culture, the case for change, and the key results. This process integrates the key culture management tools proven to accelerate both individual and organizational change. Gain a better understanding of how people need to think and act throughout an organization in order to achieve the desired results.
Speaker: Marcus Nicolls, Senior VP, Partners In Leadership, Inc.

5 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
How Inviting Is Your Party Marketing?
Parties are a major slice of your bottom line. It’s not always a piece of cake when it comes to marketing your parties beyond the conventional brochures and ads. In an economy where your guests may be tightening their budgets, find out how to make the most of marketing opportunities. This session will give you new ideas and tools to keep your guests celebrating year after year while capturing new customers and new parties. Learn how to expand your marketing to include new business by using your current customer base. Make your facility THE place to party for all occasions!
Speakers: Dorothy Lewis, Fun Station Associates; Michelle Kapushinski, President, Fiesta Village

Wednesday, November 18

9 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
FSI: Financial Scene Investigation
Economic conditions can make the process of financing look more like a crime scene than a business transaction. Don’t become a statistic! Despite the entertainment industry’s recession-resistant nature, financiers continue to focus attention on only those businesses that possess solid financial planning and a clear understanding of the road ahead. Learn from a former commercial banker about proven techniques and strategies for appropriately positioning an entertainment business for financing within today’s economic climate. From collateral packaging to multi-tier financing structures, this seminar offers critical solutions for all small-business owners.
Speaker: Jerry Merola, CFO, Amusement Entertainment Management, LLC

3:30 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Big Ideas, Little Budgets
Looking for new ideas to help promote your facility? Are there times when your facility is underutilized? Learn new ideas and refine old processes to create opportunities for increasing sales at your facility. Big ideas don’t have to cost big bucks to promote and market your facility. This seminar will show you how a little creativity can go a long way toward increasing the bottom line.
Speaker: Sheryl Bindelglass, President, SherylGolf

5 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
The Power of E-mail Marketing
Discover why e-mail is the most cost-effective, targeted, trackable, and efficient way to build and maintain relationships in all types of businesses and organizations. Learn how to master the basics of professional e-mail communications with this comprehensive look at best practices and strategies for finding and keeping permission-based subscribers, increasing deliverability and open rates, writing good subject lines and content, getting readers to take action, and becoming a trusted sender in the eyes
of consumers.
Speaker: Ron Cates, Regional Development Director, Constant Contact

6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Family Entertainment Center Reception
Meet and network with family entertainment center operators and celebrate the winners of the 2009 Top FECs of the World Awards at this fun and lively annual event!

Silver Sponsors:      

Supporting Organization: American Specialty Insurance; Rhode Island Novelty, Inc.; Sureshot Redemption

Thursday, November 19

9 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Go to the Head of the Class
It is no secret that school groups are a vital part of our bottom line. This unique seminar will show you firsthand how your facility can become an educational setting for students of all ages. Observe a program that can be adapted to any facility, large or small, as local middle school students participate in a version of “ABCs & 123s of FECs.” Your facility can gain an educator’s stamp of approval after learning how to integrate educational programming into your weekday offerings.
Speaker: Dorothy Lewis, Fun Station Associates

3:30 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Games & Redemption: The Circle of Profitability
Join us for an informative and exciting seminar outlining the key components to establishing a redemption management system for today’s FEC. This session covers all of the bases: redemption game selection and management, setup, merchandising, redemption center throughput, hot products, and superior customer service techniques. This seminar provides something for everyone from beginners to industry veterans.
Speakers: George McAuliffe, President, Pinnacle Entertainment Advisors; George Smith, President, Entertainment Management Group, Inc.; Michael Getlan, President, Amusement Consultants, Ltd.; Karyn Gitler, Buyer, CEC, Inc.

5 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
Sticks and Stones Will Break Their Bones; But Slips, Trips, and Falls Are What Usually Hurt Them
By studying insurance companies’ data, FEC operators can learn to become more proactive about improving guest safety, and that can help prevent costly claims. In this session you will gain new ideas on how to lower your facility’s insurance premiums and hear the best practices for handling claims.
Speakers: Tony Wittwer, President, American Specialty Insurance; Michelle Kapuscinski, Fiesta Village, Rich Powers, Senior VP, Risk Management, American Specialty Insurance; Lowell Gratigny, Senior VP, Claims, American Specialty Insurance

 

Check the event schedule and planner for full details on all education programs and events.