mboz773

I dont post here very often at all, but I do check this site often. So I figured this is my moment to chime in. I have been a part of the Ambassador program the past two years (2007 & 2008) and let me say it was the best week of my life; and this past year was even better! If you have any passion for the industry (which is not just theme parks but zoos, aquariums, water parks, and family entertainment centers) or if you want to break into it professionally... then apply for this program! As an ambassador you are basically helping to double the staff IAAPA has to help run the conference and trade show. There are about 30-35 other ambassadors there and you can expect to become best friends real fast! I have made connections through the program that will not only help me but others as well and they will last a long time! You can expect long hours (getting to the convention center at 7am and not leaving till around 7pm), lots of walking (the show floor can be up to 10 miles long aisle by aisle) and meeting lots of people. The program is designed to help the IAAPA staff run the show and assist as needed. It is also designed to do a lot of networking to many people in the industry. The IAAPA staff has been nothing but welcoming and inviting to ambassadors and they appreciate the help greatly. Life as an ambassador can be very tiring when all said and done, but man I look forward to that week and miss it every time! Almost half of the ambassadors have been there for 3+ years while the other half is new. Time away from the convention center may consist of just networking and becoming fast friends with fellow ambassadors. We also do a major volunteer/fun day to kick everything off. In 2008 we helped out Give Kids the World, a charity that is heavily connected to IAAPA. You also get the benefit to check out the show floor (which you can never fully cover) during your free time, as well as assisting with setting up for events, education sessions, tours, and many other happenings during the show. There is a lot I can say about the show and the program. I made a video and posted it to YouTube. I will put the link below. Also you can search "IAAPA Ambassadors" in YouTube and find many things about it. So if you couldnt tell, great program and I would recommend it to anyone interested in the industry! YouTube video: Also feel free to email me if you want more info or just post questions here. Hope this helps!

They have one on this site. Look under videos to download.

So last weekend we decided to go to Silver Dollar City to enjoy a day there. If any of you have not been to the park, be sure to go soon. It is one of the most beautiful and fun parks in the country. I would honestly say it ranks up there with Disney and Cedar Point. It may not have the most rides, but the rides it does has sure are great and rerideable. We were there from about 11-6ish. Weather was great, sunny and warm. The crowds were light resulting in almost no waits. Park looked wonderful all decked out in there Autumn decorations. They also had a lot of their million of Christmas lights up for their upcoming 'Old Time Christmas Festival'. Staff was great and friendly as usual. Landscaping was amazing. Operations were good. They were running one train at Wildfire, ThuNderaTion, and one swing at Giant Swing. However they really only needed that much due to the crowds. Once again a great day at the park, check it out as soon as you can! Below are pictures and video. This is the first time I have tried to post this stuff so bare with me please if it isnt right. I will leave this report with a group photo of us in front of the Cobra Roll. By the way this was done with the camera's timer. Pretty neat the way it turned out. Hope everyone enjoyed. Another shot of their Lost River of the Ozarks. And their kiddy coaster- which takes your photo!! Here is their swing ride. The less wooded part of SDC is their new in 2006 Grand Exposition section. They have a got a lot of flat/family rides to check out. This includes a kiddy coaster, swings, electro spin, a swinging ship and other various rides. I like this Giant Swing shot. One neat (and downside as well) about SDC is that everything is covered by woods. It is so hard to get photographs from regular public pathways. This about all you can see of Powder Keg. Powder Keg's neat transfer launch system. The theming at the park is amazing. SO MUCH detail. If anyone knows anything about Powder Keg you know it was remade from Buzz Saw Falls. This is supposed to be burnt up track from Buzz Saw. Off the picture to the upper left is a boat from Buzz Saw that was "blasted" from powder keg. Sorry, that previous pic was the sign outside. This is the train coming into the station. Fire in the Hole!! This ride has been here forever and is still great. Here is the train coming into the station. The fun thing about the park is they have so much to look at and to do. Here is a little frog racing game. Fun ride, although too short. Giant Swing Barn. New in 2007! And another thing SDC is known for is food. Everywhere you go there is wonderful smelling food, at a decent price too. Big Jack's Sandwhich shop is one of our favorites. On their ThuNderaTion mine ride you can ride backwards in two cars. Really makes for a neat ride! They have a really cool rapids ride as well. I was of course the unlucky one who got wet. Great ride! Cobra roll with the sun- I like this shot. Nice vertical loop shot. Quite a view from the lift hill. I love the view! Silver Dollar City 9-23-2007 2 (Internet 2).zip Fun day at SDC video Download. Silver Dollar City 9-23-2007 2 (Internet).wmv Fun day at SDC. You can have fun at a park with things other than rides!

At my park, we always have the standard set two train operation levels everywhere everyday. When we have a projected high attendance like on weekends, we will staff for three trains everywhere and max units. Usually it is operations full times but supervisors play a big role in it as well. For example, it is the supes job to staff the ride and we need more operators for more trains. Also if the day is really slow or it gets rained out, full times will usually tell the supes to take off a train at rides we can because first we dont need it (walk ons), also to save a little budget money (sending that extra operator home) and to save the operators a little work and maintenance (less wear and tear on a train).