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The Amusing Stats Of Amusement Parks
- 400+: Number of amusement parks in the U.S.
- 300 million: Number of amusement park visitors annually
- 1.7 billion: Number of amusement park rides
- $11.5 billion: Revenue generated by amusement parks and attractions
- 28: Percent of Americans who visited an amusement park last year
- 50: Percent who plan an amusement park visit in the next 12 months
Source: International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions
A Cross-Section Of Recreation Workers
1.1 million: Number of employees of other amusement and recreation industries (golf courses, sports clubs, etc.)
152,000: Amusement park and arcade workers
143,000: Workers in the gambling industry
132,000: Museum and historical site workers
129,000: Spectator sports workers
118,000: Performing arts company workers
109,000: Promoters of events, and agents and managers
50,000: Independent artists and performers
Source: BLS National Employment Matrix, 2008-18
Did You Know?
The first carousel-like rides were used in the 1600s to train European princes for horse competitions.
- The first roller coaster was invented in Russia in the 1600s. People hopped on carved-out blocks of ice and careened down snowy hillsides for fun.
- Nearly all (94 percent) of amusement park visitors have a favorite food. The top-ranking snacks are funnel cake (28 percent), ice cream (17 percent), pizza (14 percent), hot dogs (13 percent) and cotton candy (12 percent).
Source: International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions
Libraries And Museums: The Low-Key Side Of Leisure
Mark Lippett, account executive with Omaha, Nebraska-based distributor Bergman Incentives (UPIC: BERGMAN), has a handle on the slower-paced, cultural side of the leisure market. He regularly works with the Omaha public library system and the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame and Museum. Here are his top do’s and don’ts when pitching in these sectors.
Do be persistent. “Libraries and museums are like any other customers—they have other people calling on them. There’s no doubt about that. So be creative and keep at it.”
Do enjoy the creative process. “I always look forward to seeing what these clients will want to do. Their creativity makes it fun to work with them.”
Don’t neglect the details. “The museum is extraordinarily particular. We always get it right, but sometimes it takes three or four proofs. They want to be sure they’re representing the correct image, so it’s never an easy order.”
Don’t stagnate with the same ideas. “The library’s summer book club is huge, and they do a lot of other events. They buy regularly and they’re always looking for new ideas.”
There are more than 17,500 museums and more than 120,000 libraries in the U.S.
Sources: American Association of Museums and American Library Association
Make A Splash At Water Parks
How Jack Wodarski of Erie, Pennsylvania-based distributor Promo Specialties, Inc. has had six years of success creating promotions for the water park Splash Lagoon.
The relationship began with … “a cold call. I went in with an overnight bag that you could stuff with soda and chips.”
Now I do a little of … “everything. Printed towels, inflatable toys, mugs, stress balls and more. I also do their staff products: polos, security shirts and neon shirts.”
It’s an ongoing process of … “meeting with the buyer every other week. Whenever I go to a show, I return with ideas for them. They’re very loyal to their vendors, which is great for me.”
My biggest obstacle is … “sitting them down and getting things done within a timeframe. We’re all swamped. And since the public likes changes, we’re always planning new activities. There’s no schedule or routine.”
It’s amazing when … “I can go to them with a new water bottle that floats or a pen that has a banner with hotel names. It’s so exciting to see their faces when they see how a new product can work for them.”
When I sell a product … “I put it in my vehicle, deliver it and stand with clients as they open it. I can sell the excitement this way, and it’s so much easier to serve them.”
I advise other distributors to … “avoid pre-appointments. It’s better to catch prospects by surprise. If you let them know you’re coming, they have time to come up with negativity. If you walk in the door unexpected, they might give you a few minutes.”
Fun Finds
Here are a handful of products to round out those happy-day promotions.
