Getting Your Product Noticed

I am a start up company with some new product, which I believe would be great for Amusement Park and Theme Park industry.  How do I go about introducing my product line to the industry?

Harold S., California

Dear Harold,

First, I should indicate that our industry is always looking for innovative new product introductions, particularly items that promote attendance generation, revenue increases, and safety.  We rely on outside companies to facilitate and foster new product development.

Through the decades, we have seen many new products presented to our industry.  One that immediately comes to mind is the Lineal Induction Motor (LIM), which launches and propels roller coasters at amazing velocity, creating a thrilling ride.  Premier Rides was one of the first ride manufacturers, if not the first, to pioneer and introduce the LIM system to our industry.  At first, it was somewhat scoffed at by many operators and other ride manufacturers.  However, to date, this system has become the leading manner in which to create thrilling starts to roller coaster rides.  It is now being utilized by the top roller coaster manufacturers.  The fastest roller coasters are propelled in this manner.  The LIM was a dream of designers that was introduced and well received by our industry.  It helped change the way roller coasters are designed and how they now entertain our guests.

Also, we are always looking for the “invisible dog leash” and the “glow necklaces” to promote in-park sales and revenues.  I use these two examples because when they were first introduced to theme parks four decades ago, we sold these unique, one-of-a-kind items to basically every guest who came to our parks.   The invisible dog leash was on a taut metal wire inside a casing that had a dog collar or harness on the end, but with no dog.  When a person used it, it looked as if they were leading an invisible dog!  Everybody had to have one.  They could not be kept in stock.

The glow necklace was equally as popular.  They were sold at night, of course, because they glowed.  Guests wore them on their heads, around their necks, and on their arms and legs.  They came in four or five colors, so people bought multiple necklaces to be colorful.  They actually promoted guests staying in the parks longer at night so they could be seen.  Parks made sure they had salespeople outside at the exits to sell to people who were leaving.  Going home from a park on an interstate, you could see people glowing as they drove home from a day at the park.

Belgian waffles also when introduced as a new park novelty food item created instantaneous sales increases.  At Kings Dominion in Richmond, Virginia, I was the first Taft Broadcasting park to introduce Belgian waffles.  I had seen them at the New York World’s Fair where they were one of the biggest food items for sale.  When introduced at Kings Dominion in 1974, the line was about two blocks long all day and all night.  We could not make or sell them quickly enough to satisfy our guests.  They still sell today in large numbers.

Harold, since you did not indicate what your new product is, I would suggest that you attend the industry’s largest exhibition and trade show – the IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions) in Orlando, Florida.  The show is actually about to commence, as it begins next week.  It is a major gathering for vendors and buyers of all types of wares and products.  I suggest you attend as an interested party.  You will see hundreds and hundreds of products.  You may get some ideas on how to reach out to our industry with your new product.  If nothing else, you will have fun!  But, above all, wear comfortable shoes!