In June 2007, Fun Expedition teamed up with Food City, the largest grocery store chain in the Johnson City area of Tenn. Their promotion, “Food City Five,” consisted of three direct mail pieces sent to customers that included register tape coupons, coupons placed in a birthday card mailed to Food City customers and a coupon in a direct mail booklet which was sent to 1.2 million customers on a quarterly basis.   “At the close of this campaign, Food City and Fun Expedition distributed 955,013 coupons from point of sale locations at every store in the chain over a three month time period which constituted approximately 8% of our gross sales for the same time period,” said Alan Kumpf, general manager of Fun Expedition. “This proved to be a huge success for all involved.” Visit Fun Expedition's Website View Photo Gallery

Best Marketing Campaign or Promotion (over $2 million in sales): Knight’s Action Park & Caribbean Water Adventure

Knight’s Action Park & Caribbean Water Adventure branded itself with the slogan “C’mon, It’s Where the Action Is!” The slogan was the banner line for all advertising materials including: television ads, radio ads, promotional posters, brochures, group mailers, tourism pieces and print ads. The target audience was women ages 25-54 with children, as well as children and teens. The slogan is now well recognized in the community. Visit Knight's Action Park Website

Best New or Renovated FEC (construction cost under $1 million): Mulligan Family Fun Center

The Mulligan Family Fun Center in Palmdale, Calif. went from boring to fabulous, undergoing a facelift that was under $1 million. The facility was built in 1995, and do to financial restraints, was never really completed. Not a penny went in to the upkeep of the facility during the course of the previous ownership. “When we purchased the park, we wanted to present Mulligan to the community with a bang. That is when we decided to ‘gut’ the entire inside of the building and add Lazer Tag, which was the premier addition to the facility,” said Kevin Altobelli, general manager of the Mulligan Family Fun Center.  “In addition to all the cosmetic changes, most importantly, our new management team really helped with the safety, service and appearance of the facility to establish a new reputation to the community.” Visit Mulligan's Family Fun Center Website View Photo Gallery

Best New or Renovated FEC (construction cost over $1 million): Diversia

Diversia is a new concept for family entertainment developed by Neverland Park, one of the biggest park creators in Argentina. The main objection of the renovation was “family integration,” making sure each member of the family could relax and be entertained. With over $1 million in renovations, Diversia is both fun and entertaining while maintaining an air of class at the same time. Diversia built a home in the old Italian Society in Jesus Maria, Argentina and is adorned with candlelit tables in the dining area and Roman-style columns welcoming guests at the entrance. Visit Diversia's Website View Photo Gallery

Best Creative Party Package (Birthday Party): TreePaad

The inspiration for TreePaad’s birthday party package was the typical stressed-out mom who wants to make the day perfect for her little one. “We wanted to make it so that when a mom came to TreePaad, she had nothing to do except enjoy her child's special day,” said Patti Garrand, co-owner and Chief Fun Finder of TreePaad. “We see really excited parents every time they look at our package, and can't believe we do all that!” Visit TreePaad Website View Photo Gallery

Best Web Site: The Amazing Pizza Machine

“It feels great to be recognized for our Web site,” said Tommy Alesio, marketing director for The Amazing Pizza Machine. “We worked very hard to create a site that is bright, fun and interactive, just like The Amazing Pizza Machine, while also providing the information our customers are looking for.” At 60,000+ sq. ft., The Amazing Pizza Machine is the largest family entertainment center in the Midwest. Visit The Amazing Pizza Machine Website

Best Display of Redemption: Family Fun Center

The Family Fun Center in Tuwkila, WA is proud to display their achievement with the Best Display of Redemption for 2007.  The Family Fun Center in Tukwila has won this achievement in 2002 and 2005 and Darren Harmon at our sister store in Wilsonville, OR won in 2004.  "The secret to our success is the attention given to our guests with our redemption from the  Corporate General Manager, Scott Huish to our crewmembers that work the front lines of the prize counter" said Rich Yee, General Manager.  "Also it's good to be in

partners with your vendors like Fun Express and Sureshot who regularly emails updates on new products. Redemption is 70% of our gameroom revenue in Tukwila, so alot of attention is given on Saturday and Sundays to what our guests like or dislike with our prizes.  Changeup the displays monthly, have your orders come in the beginning of the week to react to any back orders before the weekend, communicate with industry partners as we do with Boondocks Fun Centers on their successes and don't be afraid to try some seasonal big ticket items from the Club stores." Visit Family Fun Center Website View Family Fun Center Photo Gallery

Best Food Service Display: Play Café

From fresh fruit to organic sandwiches, Kelliane Lam, president of Play Café, strives to make customers feel like they are in the kind of café they would choose if they didn’t have kids, while at the same time offering kids all of the healthy foods they love. “Our mission with our menu is to offer healthy food options for the kids that they’ll really love and gourmet foods for the parents,” said Lam. Visit Play Cafe Website View Photo Gallery

FEC Manager of the Year Award: Mark Boyd, Fun Fore All

Mark Boyd is known to his employees as someone who motivates through compliments. He has also completed several online time management and business management classes that has helped improve him as a leader at Fun Fore All. “Every aspect of the park has his fingerprint on it,” said William P. Allmann, Jr., a manager at the park. “We are having the best year we ever have, with payroll numbers down, costs down (mainly due to Mark locating discount suppliers), sales dramatically up and the park looking the best it has since it was new.”   View Fun Fore All Website View Mark Boyd's Accomplishments

 Best Creative Party Package (Group Sales Package): Space Odyssey USA

Space Odyssey USA has quickly become a destination for group sales due to their specialized party packages, interesting atmosphere and friendly service. It is a 26,000 sq. ft. facility featuring a multi-million dollar galaxy filled with the most high-tech games and entertainment available. Guest can enjoy the party in numerous spaces such as Galaxy Court, a multi-purpose sports court that is easily transformed into a night club; the VIP room, a cozy, sound-proof place for private functions and many more. “We took an empty 26,000 sq. ft. warehouse (no air-conditioning, no plumbing and only a mere ‘shell’), and transformed into an amazing world filled with outrageous colored lights, lasers and strobes that attack the senses,” said Elvira Grau, founder/president. The entertainment contains “pulse-pounding music, innovative private party rooms and some of the most eye-catching games and attractions you've ever seen!” View Space Odyssey's Website

 

Supplier Awards

Best New Product or Facility Element: Water Wars, Depth Charge

With indoor water parks becoming the latest trend in the industry, Water Wars created a new competitive game designed to soak the opponent. Water balloons are placed in a slingshot and fired across several feet aimed at hitting the enemy. If the balloon hits the bull’s eye, that team gets blasted with a large spray of water. Visit Water War's Website

Best New Redemption or Novelty Product: Sureshot, Themed Monopoly

The customers of Sureshot voted for the themed monopoly games that have become very popular. They are themed with the current movies and TV shows such as American Idol, Family Guy and Transformers. “They’re a huge success,” said Bryn Netz of Sureshot. Visit Sureshot's Website

Best Customer Support/Service: Bryn Netz of Sureshot

This is Bryn’s third year winning Best Customer Support/Service. “He deserves it,” said Rorie Keller of Sureshot, a fellow sales colleague. We congratulate Bryn on another year of success. Visit Sureshot's Website

Best of Show Awards

Best Small Exhibit (1-3 booths): Characters Unlimited, Inc.

Fit with mechanical moose heads, mummies, scarecrows, and more life-like animals and characters, Characters Unlimited, Inc. won Best Small Exhibit at Fun Expo for their innovative display. Visit Characters Unlimited's Website

Best Large Exhibit (4 or more booths): Art Attack

Art Attack created an enticing, black light miniature golf booth complete with a city façade and a walk through area for attendees to play. “Our miniature golf facilities can go up to 18-hols and 4,000 to 5,400 sq. ft.,” said Doug Wilson of Phantom, Inc., the company that owns Art Attack. Art Attack has won in the past and is very proud to win again for Best Large Exhibit. Visit Art Attack's Website