FEC Network

Hey Friends... for new fun center developers and startups, we all know there are two rocks on the road - location and funding. For many of us, funding is most likely the larger of the two, but in a few markets location can be a royal challenge as well. Over this past weekend in a Startup Academy consultation, one of our students had a question regarding location,... and build to suit vs. tenant lease option came up. With his permission, here is the short version of that c...onversation... Building from scratch has it's appeal when it comes to developing exactly the vision in your mind, and owning your own location. At first glance - it may also seems like the best path forward. However the choice between build from scratch vs. lease option is a mountain of difference when it comes to funding and build-out. Not just in the startup phase, but long term operations as well. As building owner, everything falls on you. If real estate development is not in your previous experience, or among the members of your team, the process of acquiring land, zoning, permitting, site preparation, architectural development and construction, is in itself a monumental task. Of course, each project is unique, and as part of a professional feasibility analysis, might be the right choice for your fun center project. However in our experience, the easiest, most time and cost efficient choice for smaller fun centers and indoor party center projects, is to find a good landlord and secure a lease. You can read some other benefits of lease space vs. buying here. https://zurl.co/OitA As always, if you are working or developing your entertainment center plan and have questions, we are a quick call away, feel free to reach out to us. Thanks for hanging with us.

Hey Friends... as a few of you may know, I spent many years in the indoor play business - helping new party center startups pull together their project plans, and helped them with the design of the perfect indoor playground and facility layout. We get a lot of requests from new amusement developers looking for information on playground equipment and how to get started. Here's a pretty good article I posted a couple years ago - very relevant for today's new party center developer: https://zcu.io/b0kK

Hey Friends... Once again, I find it has been some time since my last post. After a lengthy battle with Parkinson's, my awesome big brother friend, loving human and world's best Dad passed. A gentle man, it was difficult for all friends and family to watch him go. Over this same time my wonderfully fun, caring and social butterfly mother fell under the unfortunate grasp of 2nd stage Dementia. They were each other's high school sweethearts and every weekend you could find the...m out dancing. They raised two (mostly) great kids up north on a nice little 10 acre spread with a variety of farm animals, including horses, pigs, chickens, ducks, geese and a very happy and cool goat named Harold. It was a wondrous, first 16 years. With the estate business finished, and mom finally starting to settle into her new wonderful resident care home behind me, it's time for me to get back to business. I want to thank all who have found us, expressed interest and stuck around during these past number of years. The first piece of business (experience) from this past few years I would like to share with everyone - if you haven't yet, get your family affairs in order. Aside from the time and emotional stress caring for family - planning in advance can help save you from having to step away from your business interests for too long. This I have learned the hard way. As I am certain, more than a few of you have experienced, primary care giver for parents and loved one's is both an opportunity to spend final moments, and can be an unexpected, and very costly detour. Onward to a great new year.

Hey Friends... I had an interesting chat with a new developer today, and thought I might pass along part of that conversation, as it is more often than not, common when speaking with new amusement business entrepreneurs. Personally, this month marks my 24th year in this business... from amusement operator to consultant, and attraction developer, and over those years I have had the pleasure of speaking with many diverse and successful business owners and startup entrepreneurs....Continue reading

Hey Friends... how is it, that as we get older time seems to go by so much faster? Is it because we are that much more aware of the precious resource? Or because there is just so much more fun stuff to do? Hmmm.... Anyway, we have been doing some ground work on a new Fun Center project, and as part of that process, looking at business planning and community demographics. I wanted to share with you all, a really good website we use often to set a base foundation of market p...otential and opportunity. If you're looking to get started, the first serious step is to start forming a plan based on the local opportunity... These guys have done a great job with lots of city and community data and resources. Check them out... And super cool.... they haven't left out us good-looking Canadians... you can find all the provinces by scrolling to the bottom :) http://www.City-Data.com

Hey friends... we are off to a pretty good start here in 2019, with new projects being developed in Tennessee, Florida, Michigan, Quebec and right here in good old BC. To celebrate and show thanks, we are running an FEC Network Super Sale on all of our Fun Center planning and startup materials... if you are not on our newsletter list... you can check it out here: https://tinyurl.com/yxz98sr7 But for (5) days only.. :)

Hey Friends... it's been awhile since our last post, thanks to everyone for hanging out with us, and to all the new friends who have stopped by :) Over the last year or so, we have been working on a project in Montreal. It's been a bit of a challenge, and has once again demonstrated the need for Fun Center start-ups to CONTROL YOUR ARCHITECT. Make no mistake the process of starting a new business of any kind is a monumental task, and when it comes to fun centers, many new de...velopers get overwhelmed with the entire process, and default to letting those who they have hired and paid - do their job - rightfully so, and generally a smart bit of delegation. However, in our experience when it comes to architects, many have very little or no experience in designing family fun centers. Rather than look for ways to minimize operational expenses, control unnecessary startup costs with outrageous finishing costs, materials used, etc... it seems like they tend to focus on creating the next 'magnificent' design for their own portfolio. This leads to many onsite issues with your contractor, your suppliers and most important your budget. Layouts that make no sense when it comes to traffic flow, finishings that are too expensive and mostly unnecessary, change fees required to have new drawings done... I tell you, some times it feels like the architect is making these expensive 'mistakes' just so they can ding you for another drawing revision. I would never say you don't need an architect, but I would encourage the entrepreneur to do as much of their own design as they can, with input from those inside the industry. First, you MUST understand how FEC design is absolutely critical to your bottom line. When it comes to your guest experience, and your staff serving it - learn what makes efficient FEC design, what kinds of finishings and materials are available, and how to conserve capital by strategically using those alternative materials and options ... and THEN use your architect to fill out your plan and to ensure you are building to code. I did a two-part video on this a while back. Perhaps you might find some tips and tricks to consider. Here's a link to part one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGvpZo9A2AQ

Hey Friends... my how time flies,... I find this especially true as you get older... lol. So here we are - officially 7 weeks this side of IAAPA, and very excited to once again be attending this premiere Amusement Attractions expo in Orlando. If you are unaware of the expo, or just getting your planning started, take a look at what's on the agenda for this year. http://www.iaapa.org/expos/iaapa-attractions-expo/home... Word of advice... it is a HUGE event (close to 1,200 exhibitors). Impossible to see everything - so making an advanced plan is super important. On the above link... click "exhibitor list" on the right side to find a list of all exhibitors and a viewable floor plan. There is so much eye-candy at this expo, it's very easy to get distracted and miss out on the exact reason you attend. Make a plan, hit the booths you need to first, but give yourself additional time to browse... lots and lots of inspiration, networking and knowledge to be gained. We'll be back with more shortly... happy planning :)

Hey Friends~! Looky here, summer just around the corner, and we're very pleased to announce another ARENA-X project coming to a location near you. ARENA-X is a turnkey, mutli-media, arena game attraction from the FEC Network. Specifically designed to attract a wide demographic of birthday parties, walki-ns, groups, corporate events and team building... containing three unique attractions/games all from the same capital investment and floor space.... Preview our latest design option on... https://youtu.be/0NUU2vTljd0

Hey friends... so this is Christmas. I spent a good hour inside the FAQ page trying to connect my mail chimp to my FB... and it appears without success.... So here it is in the raw ... http://mailchi.mp/smartlasertag/very-merry-holiday-3109865