AIMS: Behind the Scenes

Inspector Certification

2010-06-30T22:14:00.002-05:00

AIMS is proud to announce the addition of a new comprehensive inspector certification program. Individuals who attend this program are exposed to important guidelines used in the industry such as: ASTM, AWS, NFPA, NEC and many other consensus-built codes and standards used to inspect rides and devices. The certified inspector program provides individuals more intense and focused study in the areas of what an inspector needs to consider and the different variables to understand while inspecting rides and devices.

The amusement industry continues to grow and fresh challenges are created by new technologies and innovative ride systems. Local, state and federal regulations, codes and standards, and expanded legislation mandate inspection requirements. The AIMS inspector certification program is designed to meet these requirements by preparing and certifying individuals who have chosen a career in the amusement inspection field for permanent or mobile equipment.

Stay tuned as more details on the certified inspector program will be released soon.

Sad Industry News

2010-06-15T21:35:00.002-05:00

It is with great sadness that I write this blog. The Amusement Industry lost an industry icon this week with the sudden passing of Will Koch, President and CEO of Holiday World in Santa Claus, IN. In an earlier post, we celebrated that Holiday World was the first group to sign up for the AIMS Safety Seminar. This is a direct result of Will's genuine dedication to safety in our industry.

With Will's sudden passing, the easy decision would have been to close the park and deal with the shock, but Will's family and the Holiday World family wouldn't have it. The park opened the very next day because they knew that's what Will would have wanted. What a great testament to his love and commitment to his park and the industry.

Holiday World, the industry loves you and we're grieving with you. We are all going to miss Will, but this industry is so much better because of his desire, dreams and dedication. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Classes are Posted!!!!

2010-06-10T22:18:00.003-05:00

Hello everyone!! I am so excited to tell you that we have got the classes posted!! It took a little longer than planned but we’ve had great instructor response and have added even more classes. Don’t wait any longer. Register now to make sure you get your first choice of classes. The word is getting out quick and classes will start filling up soon. Click here to register.

Continue to follow this blog for more exciting announcements and updates regarding the AIMS Safety Seminar.

Class Schedule Coming Soon

2010-05-20T19:57:00.002-05:00

OK, here's the latest scoop...

The class schedule is going to be posted on June 1st -just under 2 weeks away. Patty and Holly met Gina in Branson this week to layout the class schedule. Meshing over 400 class hours with over 160 classes is no easy task. The girls spent 2 days laying out the schedule. Now all that is left is the finishing touches and adding a few more classes that are awaiting instructor information.

Remember, class selection is on a first to register/first to pick classes basis. Register now so that you are at the top of the list and ensure you get the classes you want.

Congrats to the First Registrants!!

2010-05-10T21:55:00.004-05:00

Congratulations and Thanks to Holiday World who signed up the first paid registrants for the Safety Seminar!! And on the first day registration went live!! We are grateful for their ongoing committment to safety and training. We look forward to seeing their team members in Orlando!!

A few of us at AIMS have a very busy week ahead of us next week. Holly Coston and Patty Beazley will be meeting with Tony and Gina Claassen in Branson, MO to lay out the class schedule for the seminar. We are very excited and ready to complete this big task. Be sure to check back next week as we try to give updates on our progress.

And don't forget...the first 50 people registered for the seminar get $100 off their tuition.

Registration is Open!!

2010-05-04T11:18:00.002-05:00

We have more news from AIMS this week. The seminar schedule is available online and registration has gone live. In addition to the classes, we have lots of great networking events scheduled, including an exclusive Behind the Scenes Tour of Sea World. Click here to receive all the updated information.

PLUS…The first 50 people to register get $100 off their tuition.

Keep watching this blog for weekly updates and more special offers from AIMS.

AIMS Host Hotel for Orlando

2010-04-22T21:49:00.004-05:00

HELLO again!! The AIMS Behind The Scenes Blog is officially up and running again. We took a brief hiatus, but since everyone is getting back to business for the season we thought we needed to do the same. AIMS has made several exciting announcements recently. One that we are all very excited about is our host hotel for the 2010 Safety Seminar.

The Doubletree Resort on I-Drive will be our host hotel for the 2010 Safety Seminar in Orlando. The facility just completed a $35 million upgrade, including newly renovated guest rooms. The resort sits on 28 acres of rich tropical landscape and is located next door to Sea World and across the street from Aquatica.

Thanks to a lot of tough negotiating, we are pleased to offer rooms for $89 a night!!! You can choose to stay in the tower or a room with a resort view. Click here to check out the hotel and make reservations.

This hotel will be a centralized location for all the AIMS activities that will take place throughout the week. AIMS classes will be at the Orange County Convention Center in conjunction with the IAAPA Attractions Expo. Shuttles will be offered from the hotel to the convention center. We are planning an event that will be held at the hotel and also an event at a (nearby) park. More details will follow on those events, but trust me; this hotel will be a great place to stay for the week.

AIMS Certification

2010-01-26T22:17:00.002-06:00

AIMS Certification Tests will be offered this week at NAARSO in Myrtle Beach and again at Northwest Showman's in Oregon, Feb. 15 - 19.

Stay tuned to this blog for future announcements.

Have a Safe 2010.

Happy New Year!!

2010-01-09T13:36:00.003-06:00

Everyone here at AIMS International wants to wish all of you a Happy New Year!! May 2010 be safe and successful!!

I invite you to stay tuned to this blog and AIMS International as we make some exciting announcements.

Shipping Day!!!!

2009-11-05T09:40:00.001-06:00

Hey Everyone!! First of all, my apologies for not posting a blog all week!! And I must say, WOW!! What a week it has been!! The seminar team has been spending many hours putting the final touches on this year’s seminar. Today is a big day on our calendars. It’s Shipping Day!! That’s right, it’s the day we ship all the supplies to Vegas. We’ve put in some really long days this week packing box after box. In just a little while, I’ll be heading to our friendly UPS store to drop everything off. I think they’ll need a big truck to hold all of our stuff.

The seminar starts in just 10 days. It’s definitely not too late to sign up. We still have lots of great classes to choose from. Be sure to visit www.aimsregistration.com to see a complete list of classes. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone in Vegas very soon.

AIMS Scholarships Awarded

2009-10-30T19:31:00.003-05:00

Two weeks from this weekend!
That's correct. About two weeks from now hundreds of us will be arriving at the NYNY Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The team conferenced today and everything is coming along great. Patty Beazley reported that in spite of the largest selection of classes ever the seminar has every class covered with knowledgeable and dedicated instructors who are ready to share their experience with the attendees and at the same time encourage the attendees to share their expertise with everyone else.

AIMS also announced today its prestigious Jimmy Floyd Foundation scholarships.

Recipients are:

Bobby Park – California Department of Occupational Safety and Health

Chad Rankin – Disneyland

Jimmy Floyd was one of the owners and the operator of Cumberland Valley Shows headquartered out of Lebanon Tennessee. Cumberland Valley Shows, under Jimmy's leadership, was one of the premier traveling shows to run the mid-west from Michigan to Florida. Jimmy was an advocate for safety and the betterment of the amusement industry and was active in ASTM F-24 and OABA. He was a big believer in safety training. Jimmy succumbed to cancer in early 1998 and has been missed by all those who knew him. He was a voice for the carnival industry and for safety. It was in his honor that a scholarship program was established by AIMS to allow others the opportunity improve their knowledge and skills in amusement ride safety.

Congratulations Bobby and Chad. I look forward to seeing you guys!!

17 Days, but Who's Counting...

2009-10-29T18:33:00.002-05:00

17 days to go! Both the seminar and the hotel are filling up quickly. If you are waiting to sign up – don’t! You want to make sure you get as many of your preferred classes as possible (although with some 250 to choose from there are a lot of choices!).

There is going to be a great mix of people coming together in Vegas. I just saw that there are students registered from as far away as Hong Kong and Australia!! I have always liked the fact that the seminar gets a stronger international presence each year, and this is looking like it may be the most global seminar yet. It is really great to see the attendees from other countries sharing best practices with people from the facilities here in the US. Great dynamic!! We will have to consider recognizing the student that travels the furthest. It says a lot for both the individual who makes the long trip and the overseas facility that is making the investment.

On a logistics note, the AIMS seminar planning team has a big conference call tomorrow to go over all the details to ensure a smooth running seminar. This team has invested many long hours to ensure a very productive and focused learning environment.

I hope everyone's plans for Vegas are coming along smoothly. Become a follower of this blog to receive daily updates with the latest information leading up to an awesome week in Vegas.

18 Days and Counting...

2009-10-28T20:55:00.002-05:00

18 days to go! Actually, almost 17 days since I'm posting so late tonight. But who's counting! It will be here before we know it. Just saw great news that OABA the Outdoor Amusement Business Association has awarded four scholarships to the AIMS Safety Seminar. Sweet!!

Recipients are:
Ronald J. Haen – 30 years experience in the mobile amusement business – Ray Cammack Shows

John D. Lamoreaux – 37 years experience in the mobile amusement business – Funtastic Shows, Inc.

Roger Martinski – 4 years experience in the mobile amusement business – McDonagh’s Amusements, Inc.

Robert A. Stoker – 11 years experience in the mobile amusement business – Ray Cammack Shows

Wow! That is a lot of years of combined experience!! What a great opportunity to hear and learn from their industry knowledge. Congratulations guys!!! I look forward to seeing you in 2 ½ weeks!!!

Welcome Everyone!!

2009-10-27T10:08:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone! Thanks for checking in on our new feature AIMS: Behind The Scenes where you can keep up with what is happening regarding the amusement industry's largest safety seminar. Over the next few weeks I'll be keeping this blog updated with many of the interesting things that are happening in relation to the upcoming seminar in Las Vegas. Things are coming together great. We are 19 days and counting. Wow! Approximately 250 safety related courses with over 100 instructors have been organized and attendance is looking excellent. The AIMS team is in full gear and looking forward to seeing everyone on November 15!!