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Five leisure entertainmeny industry consultants, facility planners, and operators will combine forces to present a three-day education institute called Foundations Entertainment University Feb. 3-5 at Stone Mountain Park in Stone Mountainm Ga, near Atlanta. The first Foundations program was in spring 2003. The intensive three-day training session will teach attendees the secrets of successfully planning, designing, developing, and operating new or renovated location-based entertainment facilities. The curriculum applies to anything and everything from a game room that complements any single anchor facility (bowling, sketing, miniature golf) to FECs of all sizes, and to a multimillion dollar stand-alone indoor/outdoor pocket theme park. In addition to comprehensive classroom sessions, Foudations students will be able to network and brainstorm with the seminar presenter and leading suppliers during meals and in relaxed after-hours sessoins. Instructors are: Randy White of White Hutchinson Leisure and Learning Group; Frank Seninsky of Alpha Omega Amusements, and Alpha-BET Entertainment; Play Meter columnist Jerry Merola of Amusement Entertainment Managementl Alan Fluke of FunWerks Inc.; and Peter Olesen of Peter F. Olesen and Associates. Topics covered will include: the market, site selection, feasibility, costs, financing, design, food and beverage, games, safety, marketing, birthday parties, groups, the Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA) and other legal requirements, operations, and more.
White explained the benefits of the program: "The leisure entertainment buisness can be fantastically profitable for those who understand the intricacies of proper planning and management. But this industr can also present newcomers with an extremely steep learning curve. Foundations will enable entrepreneurs, facility planners, and site owners to avoid the costly mistakes that too often plague uniformed competitors." "Foundations attendees will not only learn about fun; they'll also have fun," said Seninsky. He added: "We are looking forward to sitting down with attendees during meals and in the evenings for informal converations and one-on-one exchanges of ideas. It is so exciting to teach our attendees how to right-size their dream project with the proper number and mix of attractions and revenue sources that will result in a good return on investment for many years to come." "On-site entertainment is one of the fastest growing trends in America today," said Fluke. "A growing number of dedicated sites are built around entertainment attractions. Such sites increasingly serve as anchors in today's most popular shopping and retail complexes. Moreover, a fast-rising trend in the construction of new stores, new complexes, and new public centers is the planned integration of entertainment elements and attractions for blended-use. Foundations is the perfect information resource to learn the best way to create all of these types of sites, and to ensure their long-term success." "Too many entrants into the entertainment market don't realize there is a highly precise science of leisure facilities planning, construction, and operation," said Olesen. "My collegues and I helped pioneer and perfect the science. We know the formulas, the benchmarks, the tricks of the trade; in fact, we invented most of them. Foundations will share this invaluable knowledge with those who need it most." In conclusion, Merola commented, "Through a multidisciplined approach to the industry, Foundations will provide demographic, management, financial, marketing, service, and operational perspectives. From the initial feasibility study that turns a vague idea into hard numbers, to the after-market programs that ensure high-volume repeat traffic and long-term customer loyalty, Foundations will cover the spectrum of expertise required by today's site-based entertainment professionals." Register by Jan, 15 for the best price. Attendees receive a complete, bound copy of all presentation materials, a full set of worksheets, sponsor demos, and special discounts. For pricing and more information, check the Webs site (www.FoundationsUniversity.com).
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