“RESOUNDING SUCCESS!”
ATTENDEES RAVE ABOUT FIFTH
“FOUNDATIONS ENTERTAINMENT UNIVERSITY”
THREE-DAY EDUCATION EXTRAVAGANZA VISITS
DALLAS;
5TH EDITION DRAWS WIDEST RANGE OF STUDENTS YET
Comprehensive Workshop Shows How to Design, Build and Operate Profitable
Destination Entertainment Sites
DALLAS, TEXAS – Now boasting 28 Elite Sponsors who also add
to its educational expertise, Foundations Entertainment University
drew its broadest variety of students yet to the fifth edition of
this three-day intensive seminar. From Feb. 8-10, some 31 students
gathered at the Sheraton Dallas Brook Hollow to hear presentations
from top FEC consultants, enjoy one-on-one consultations, networking,
and a hands-on instructional visit with a back-of-the house tour
to The Main Event, the top local bowling-anchored family entertainment
center in Grapevine, TX.
On the way to a night of play at The
Main Event, Grapevine, TX. Note that Foundations University
Regent Randy White (White-Hutchinson Learning Group) is the
only one without a seat belt (middle). |
The mix of participants
and students included two executives from the Bowling Proprietors
Association of America as well as assorted investors, established
FEC owners and managers, and entrepreneurs who are planning
to enter the FEC industry for the first time with a range
of projects from the smallest Children’s Entertainment
Centers to the largest $20 million and above mega-complexes.
Attendees came from outside the U.S. to the north (British
Columbia) and south (Barbados), as well as from coast to coast
(Hawaii, Pennsylvania, and dozens of states in between).
“Overall, this course is a resounding success,”
stated Rich Brooks of Beach Blast (Fort Walton Beach, Florida).
“It’s an excellent preventive and protective measure
for the FEC industry. It is comforting to be taught the information
in a supportive yet assertive manner.” |
U.S. Pizza Works’ Bob Sullivan said his company joined the
roster of elite sponsors because FEU is “the most focused
and comprehensive briefing on the Location Based Entertainment Business.
If you are planning to get into this business, this seminar is the
road map to success and a necessary first step.”
The Foundations University ‘Reds’
& ‘Greens’ Teams gets set to attack each other
in the Main Event’s laser tag arena. This was the first
time that a large majority of the group played laser tag. It
should be quite obvious that this was not the first time for
Regents Jerry Merola (AEM) and Alan Fluke (All Entertainment
& Associates), middle or Elite Sponsor, Mark Marchido (US
Bowling)-back row-2nd from left. |
“The money spent was well worth it,” declared Marcello
Tedesco of Midwest Integrated Technology (Ann Arbor, MI). “Presenters
were well prepared, very knowledgeable, lots of information –
it really helped!”
Attendee Theresa Schneider of Houston,
TX sets the scene for Elite Sponsor MaxFlight’s Gary Arvedon’s
simulator presentation. ‘Take 2.’
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As usual, most attendees
gave both the event and the instructors the highest possible
ratings in post-event evaluations. Seminar sessions were taught
by five of the industry’s most respected FEC experts:
Frank Seninsky (Amusement Entertainment Management, East Brunswick,
NJ); Randy White (White-Hutchison Leisure & Learning,
Kansas City, MO); Alan Fluke of All Entertainment (Raleigh,
NH); Peter Olesen of Peter F. Olesen & Associates (Mt.
Prospect, IL); and Jerry Merola (‘Mr. Finance’)
of Amusement Entertainment Management.
The FEC industry has returned to an expansion mode in the
last two years. Successful business people from other fields
attend FEU to learn the basics – and many admit they’re
surprised to learn discover much there is to know about running
a successful family entertainment center… and grateful
for the opportunity to learn the crucial lessons that spell
the difference between success or failure, BEFORE they spend
millions creating their facilities. |
MaxFlight’s new virtual flight simulator is unveiled
at FEU 5 as Hubert Raimer, C&R Investments, Detroit/Southfield,
MI takes himself through the pre-flight training exercises.
In the next picture is the real Max Flight with Pattrice and
Nick Samara, Extreme Fun, Waterford, Mi. |
Topics covered at FEU5 included: The Market ~ Site Selection ~
Feasibility ~ Costs ~ Financing ~ Design ~ Food & Beverage ~
Games ~Safety ~ Marketing ~ Birthday Parties ~Groups ~ ADA and other
legal requirements ~ Operations ~ and more. As always, great emphasis
was placed on avoiding costly mistakes that are typical of newcomers,
and ensuring profitability from Day One of a new site’s operation.
The curriculum applies to anything and everything from a $250,000
children’s birthday party center to a $10 million standalone
outdoor pocket theme park to a $100 million hotel/indoor waterpark
resort.
Behind the Scenes Tour at The Main Event:
Bowling Tech, Aaron Tusken shows the FEU 5 Group (including
Regent Peter Olesen-middle (Peter Olesen & Associates) how
a pinsetter operates. The Main Event’s 28-lanes are kept
in perfect working order. The pinsetters are 55 years old and
look brand new. “This was the cleanest and best maintained
‘back of the house’ I have ever seen.”-Regent
Frank Seninsky (Amusement Entertainment Management). |
New additions to the list of Elite Sponsors include U.S. Pizza,
Chestnut Identity Apparel, Imonex, Deltronic Labs, Coin Tech, and
BPAA. Sponsors pitch in with the interactive educational sessions
and make themselves available for consultation and dialog throughout
the three-day affair. FEU is now approaching an estimated $7 million
in new business generated for the Elite Sponsors through opportunities
with attendees, or with speakers, or sponsor-to-sponsor.
There is little doubt that the Foundations
Entertainment University Class 5 formed a very close-knit group—bonding
is an essential part of the Foundations program.
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Graduates of the
conference program received a complete, bound copy of all
presentation materials, as well as a full set of worksheets
(one for each person attending), a Foundations Entertainment
University diploma, plus sponsor demos and special discounts
from all Elite Sponsors.
The next editions of Foundations Education University will
take place April 26-28 in Chicago, IL (hosted by the Enchanted
Castle) and July 19-21 in Kansas City, MO (hosted by Paradise
Park). Early registration on or before 3/18 Chicago and 6/10
KC: One person $595, two or more people from same company
$500 per person. Standard Registration from (3/19-4/8 Chicago
& 6/11-7/1 KC): One person $695; two or more from same
company, $600 per person. Late registration after 4/8 Chicago
& 7/1 KC: $795 per person; two or more from same company,
$700 per person. Fee includes all meals and tuition but does
not include hotel accommodations. However, a limited block
of rooms is available at a special reduced conference rate.
All the fun is free. |
Full information and registration are available online at www.foundationsuniversity.com.
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