In The News
Let us know if you’ll be attending anyone of these and we’ll be sure to connect.
• January 7 – 10: Consumer Electronics Show – Las Vegas, NV
• January 20 – 23: Birthday University – Orlando, FL
• February 16 – 18: Birthday University – Los Angeles, CA
• February 26 – March 1: Halloween/Costume Party Show – Chicago, IL
• March: Birthday University – Chicago, IL
• March 10 – 12: Fun Expo – Las Vegas, NV
• April: Birthday University – Raleigh, NC
• April 25: U-Profit Conference – Las Vegas, NV
• April 27 – 28: Roller Skating / Laser Tag Convention – Las Vegas, NV
• May 11 – 13: Foundations University – Kansas City, MO
• June 27 – July 1: Bowl Expo – Las Vegas, NV
• July 13 – 15: Foundations University – Chicago, IL
• July 22 – 25: Comic Con – San Diego, CA
• October 19 – 21: Foundations University – Dallas, TX
• November 16 – 20: IAAPA – Orlando, FL
Sep 2009 –
 "LAZER FRENZY bursts onto the scene at Fun Spot"
The Grand Country Inn in Branson, MO. recently opened the doors to a new entertainment facility, the Fun
Spot. Features of the FEC include a pizza buffet area, black light mini golf, mini bowling, a top-of-the-line
arcade with redemption center, and a new laser maze attraction, LAZER FRENZY. Deborah Robinson, Manager of Fun
Spot, said, "LAZER FRENZY is doing fantastic. It's truly a family attraction. Everyone seems to love it,
including the kids, parents, and even the grandparents as they all gather around to encourage one another and
play. We have had kids as young as four or five going through with adults enjoying themselves as much as the
kids" Jeff Schilling of Creative Works commented, "We've had so much interest in LAZER FRENZY that we're ramping
up production to meet the orders...We're excited to have been part of the Grand Country project, and look
forward to their continued success."
Sep 2009 –
"Adventure Quest entertains the Big Easy"
Suzanne Provenzano, Owner of Adventure Quest, knows a good investment when she sees it. As a certified
financial planner, she was interested in a business with a high potential for income, and relative lack of
inventory. Nestled in a quiet, suburban shopping center just outside of New Orleans, Adventure Quest Laser Tag
fills a unique need to a still-recovering city: family fun. This multi-level facility features a Mayan and
Egyptian ruins theme, which spans throughout the attractions and decor. Provenzano partnered with Creative Works
when creating the theme and flow of the facility, and works with a local amusement company in a revenue share
program for the video and redemption games. Another themed diversion is the 9-hole cosmic mini golf, accented
throughout with hand-painted blacklight hieroglyphics and ancient images. Players golf through a course filled
with statues of pharaohs, sphinxes, and more. Yet the biggest attraction, and the facility's namesake, lies
through the doors down the hall at the laser tag arena. Once inside, players find a cohesive, impressive terrain
for their laser tag adventure. Themed music and fog billows into the 6,000 square foot arena, as players vie to
make their way to the "Crow's Nest" sniper spot in the center.
Aug 2009 –
 "Creative Works Theme Factory introduces Lazer Frenzy"
The release of our newest turnkey attracion - LAZER FRENZY - was announced in the August issue of Play Meter magazine. Jeff Schilling, President and CEO of Creative Works, said "We're very excited to make this
announcement today, as we feel Lazer Frenzy will be recognized as one of the hottest new attractions to hit the
entertainment market in recent years." Described as a new arcade-style attraction that combines the
exhilerating, high-tech excitement of interactive lasers with LED technology, Lazer Frenzy places players in a
glowing blacklight environment with brightly colored laser beams shooting across the room and offers a number of game formats and difficulty levels. The newest game format, called "Maze Craze", challenges players to cross the room of laser beams and back in the fastest time without breaking any of the beams. The attraction is fully
automated (requiring no staff to operate) and provides live video action of the game play as it happens.
Summer Issue 2009 –
 "The Global Theming Arena: Knowledge is Key"
In this article about satisfying the ever-growing demands of visitors, Adrian Lennox speaks to a number of
high profile theming companies in an effort to learn more about the intricacies of operating in a global
marketplace. Hearing from Armando Lanuti, Vice President of Client Relations for the Creative Works Theme
Factory, "Consumer reactions to themed attractions can be both universal and subjective. Fun knows no bounds,
and a smile is universal regardless of where you are from."
June 2009 –
 "Behind the scenes of Premier Bowling's double makeover"
This insightful article written by Frank Seninsky, President/CEO of Amusement Entertainment Management, gave readers an in depth look into what it took to renovate an existing bowling center into an upscale family
entertainment center with multiple attractions. As a part of the renovation plans, Creative Works converted an
existing 2,300 square foot bar and billiards area into an exciting and profitable blacklight laser tag
attraction. In addition to providing the owners with "an attractive quote" we also supplied them with a 19-page
site preparation document and performed an onsite assessment to ensure the space would be viable for the laser
tag attraction. "The laser tag arena had its grand opening on May 1," says General Manager, Rusty Hanna. "The
most popular birthday party is the laser tag/bowling combo, which has opened up a birthday party market to an
older age group of 14, 15, and even 16; younger teens that we didn't have previously. The laser tag attraction
will gross much more in a year than it cost."
June 2009 –
 "Family Fun: Bowling Rediscovered"
Two highly popular Creative Works clients were featured in the June issue of Play Meter magazine, both of
which are taking bowling to new heights by focusing on the entertainment component and eye-catching theming.
Bluefusion Entertainment, located in Marion, Ohio installed a fantastic 9-hole blacklight mini golf course from
the Theme Factory which featured our immersive "Earth Quest" theme. This attraction is highlighted in
the arcade area by a larger-than-life entrance archway featuring the Gods of Fire and Ice in a crouching
position holding up the tremendous weight of the building. Alley Cats, located in Arlington, Texas installed our
stunning multi-level laser tag arena featuring our popular "Space Quest" theme. Taking a twist from the retro era, Alley Cats decided to have us create a Jetsons-style arena complete with a large rocket ship in
the center of the arena that extends from the floor up past the second level play structure.
May 2009 –
 "Trend Setters - THE THEME is the thing"
This feature article by Keith Loria entitled "Trend Setters" discussed how bowling center
proprietors are regularly meeting with design architects and theming companies to determine what they can do to
design or add on to their bowling facility in hopes of attracting more customers. Creative Works was interviewed
for our thoughts on the importance of theming in bowling centers. A highlighted section of this
article entitled "THE THEME is the thing" included insights by Jeff
Schilling, founder and CEO of Creative Works, where he explained how the addition of
theming can help bowling centers stand out from their competition, provide guests with something new and
interesting to see on a regular basis, and can help attract guests while at the same time build a loyal customer base.
Winter Issue 2008/2009 –
 "The Art of Theming: Timeless Creations"
Creative Works founder, Jeff Schilling, recently contributed to an article in the Winter Issue of
InterPark magazine, entitled "The Art of Theming: Timeless Creations." Jeff provided insight
into the history of theming and its gradual rise and sometimes "giant leaps" forward in the
amusement and retail industries. Speaking of Walt Disney's major contribution to the art of theming,
Jeff spoke about how "Disney's implementation of immersive theming throughout the park revolutionized
perceptions of what an amusement park could be and dramatically raised customer expectations for the future.
"
July 2008 –
Theme Factory environment featured in Algonquin, IL. facility
A picture of our Battle Quest themed environment in Algonquin, IL was featured
in the recent article “On Target: More family entertainment centers enter the
laser tag arena” from the July 2008 issue of Fun World magazine. This article
discussed how "laser tag continues to hit the mark at family entertainment centers
around the world" showing that the number of FECs that opened with laser tag almost
doubled in the five years from 2002 to 2007. It also mentioned laser tag's wide appeal to
a large audience, some new trends in the laser tag industry including two-level arenas and
technology improvements to the equipment, and discussed tips to improving the operation of the attraction.
May/June 2008 –
Two Theme Factory projects featured in Kentucky and Illinois
The “Beyond Roller Skating” section from the May-June
2008 issue of Rinksider included two articles that referenced
Creative Works and our themed laser tag arenas. One of the featured
facilities in the article “Want great laser tag income?
Three operators advise to focus on the details,” was Champs
in Kentucky, a Creative Works installation from 2007. The second
article “ ILTA helps navigate the facts about multi-level
laser tag arenas,” featured pictures of a Creative Works
arena from Illinois. |
