''A Unique Experience and Opportunity'' Sums Up the 20th Foundations Entertainment University Held July 13-15, 2010 in Chicago, IL
Attendees at the 20th Foundations Entertainment University (FEU) had a lot to say about their experience in Chicago, IL, July 13-15, 2010. Susan Hoffland is in the process of opening a new Childrens Entertainment Center in Phoenix, AZ and commented, ''Foundations is a unique experience and opportunity to be taught by the brain trust of the entertainment industry. For anyone thinking about starting a facility, they should absolutely attend Foundations!''
Susan represents the majority of the attendees who are planning to either open a new facility or expand an existing facility and are heavily invested in the development process. ''Foundations 20 ranks as one of the most significant session's in the program's 7-year history,'' according to Jerry Merola, FEU presenter and Managing Partner of Amusement Entertainment Management. ''What is generally coined as the next Great Recession is now seen as the key incubator in fostering project development within the leisure entertainment sector. De-valued real estate, eroding construction and materials costs, and pro-business attitudes with regulatory and government agencies has created the perfect storm for entertainment development.''
From boutique bowling and movie theaters to children and family indoor/outdoor fun centers, the diversification within the entertainment industry was easily seen within the Foundations classroom. Yet all of the attendee's comments about their experience at FEU echoed Susan's. Chris Brandt of Emagine Entertainment in Novi, MI stated, ''For anyone opening their first family entertainment center, Foundations is a must. I highly recommend this seminar!'' Kevin Lewis from Waukegan, IL, felt he ''learned more in three days than in a month of college business courses.''
Foundations Entertainment University's three-day comprehensive educational program for the family and leisure entertainment center industry focuses on all aspects of planning, designing, developing and operating a location-based entertainment business for long-term success. Top industry consultants, Randy White, CEO of White-Hutchinson Leisure & Learning; Frank Seninsky, President/CEO of Alpha-Omega Amusements and Partner of Amusement Entertainment Management (AEM); Alan Fluke, President of AEA Consulting Group; Jerry Merola, CFO of Alpha-Omega Amusements and Managing Partner of Amusement Entertainment Management (AEM); and Peter Olesen, President of Peter F. Olesen & Associates, cover over 22 hours of instruction for entrepreneurs looking to get into the location-based entertainment industry, individuals and companies in the planning, designing and building stage, and new operators and businesses looking to grow and expand their current operations.
Unique from many other seminar programs, Foundations takes its program outside the traditional classroom as well. While in Chicago, the class took field trips to visit The Enchanted Castle and Lucky Strike Lanes in Lombard, IL, as well as Sugar Grove Family Fun Center in Sugar Grove, IL. Co-Regent Frank Seninsky points out that ''Attendees are able to go on 'behind the scenes tours' with the owners/managers of existing facilities and see first-hand what it takes to operate a successful facility, while also spending valuable one-on-one time with their classmates, the presenters and several industry suppliers who support the Foundations program.'' Micheaux Hollingsworth of Jupiter Bowl, Raeford, NC, was, "glad that my partner and I attended the three-day seminar…the presenters were very helpful and friendly and we met some great sponsors such as Embed, US Bowling, Prime Play, Betson, Creative Works, Birthday University, and more. I would recommend everyone to attend if they are trying to enter the FEC business.''
Joining the Foundations class this year was long time industry expert on the business of birthday parties, Frank Price. Frank is the president of F.L. Price and Associates, a training, operations and concept development firm, based in Raleigh, North Carolina, that specializes in family fun, recreation and children's entertainment. Frank is also the founder of Birthday University (BU), which is now in its tenth year. Frank will be teaming up with Foundations University in September to provide an all NEW BU program, 2010 … EVOLVING THE ATTRACTIONS BASED PARTY / GROUP PROGRAMS, as a follow up to the Foundations program. Frank's program will begin immediately following the end of FEU #21 [Dallas, TX) on Thursday afternoon and run through Friday afternoon. Attendees of both FEU and Birthday U ~ 2010… will receive a discount on a combined registration for both workshops. More information will be available on the FEU website at www.foundationsuniversity.com. The next Foundations Entertainment University/Birthday University 2010 is scheduled for September 21-24 in Dallas, TX.
Robert Phillips of Liberty Hill Family Fun Center in Liberty Hills, TX sums the Foundations program up by stating, ''FEU is a wonderful concept. Just attending this session has put my mind as ease, knowing that there is such a wonderful support group in the industry. All of the instructors are great and appear to be looking out for the potential new owners.''
~ Please send all Breaking News, Press Releases, and Product Announcements & Promotions to: news@highwaygames.com
796
|
|
