Kalina Yordanova’s Post

The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the development of the former New York Wheel site, now known as the North Shore Entertainment and Amusement Site. This project is a part of the Staten Island North Shore Action Plan, which includes a $400 million investment aimed at transforming Staten Island's North Shore into a vibrant, mixed-use waterfront community. The plan, announced by Mayor Eric Adams and others, is expected to generate an estimated $3.8 billion in economic impact over 30 years. The development will focus on creating a premier recreational destination with entertainment, amusement, retail uses, and over seven acres of public open space. It aims to create over 7,500 jobs and facilitate the completion of over 2,400 new homes. The RFP prioritizes high-quality waterfront access, an iconic visual gateway, year-round programming, and a design and financial plan to achieve these goals. #NYCEDC #StatenIslandRevitalization #NorthShoreActionPlan #NewYorkWheelTransformation #WaterfrontDevelopment #EconomicBoost #PublicOpenSpace #RecreationalDestination #CommunityEnhancement #UrbanRenewal #JobCreation #SustainableInfrastructure #RFPAnnouncement2024

Well-deserved recognition! Rebecca Morter and Lone Design Club are doing important work in creating new models for the real estate and retail sectors, helping brands generate better value. This is set to transform the entire retail industry! See more below. #RevoAward #retailinnovation #retail #popup #futureofretail #retaildata #dataanalytics

The #experience economy: #Concerts, #museums, #sportingevents, #amusementparks, #dining, #vacations, #retreats, #zoos, #aquariums, etc. 🎟️2023: Live Nation sold 620 million tickets to concerts and events – its biggest year ever – due in part to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and Beyonce’s Renaissance Tour. ✈️Spending on experiences in the US has increased 65% from 2019 to 2023 (Mastercard’s Travel Industry Trends Report) Remember a simple visit to a Chuck E. Cheese, Discovery Zone or your local #bowling alley? Experiential entertainment isn’t new, but it has been reimagined. Think bowling alleys that are now a Lucky Strike Entertainment or a Pinstripes Think your local zoo and now you have zoos that provide birthday parties, playgrounds, and carousels Think kid-friendly arcades of yester year and now you have Sky Zone, Xtreme Energy, BounceU, Bounce Safari, Nerf Action Xperience, etc Sky Zone is a fun example. It was founded in 2004 – an indoor trampoline park chain that has a franchise model. ▪️They are looking to expand to 300 locations nationwide by the end of 2024 ▪️Sky Zone generated $426 million in sales in 2022 ▪️As malls and shopping centers continue to evolve, Sky Zone looks to convert closed grocery stores, movie theaters, and other big box retailers in the right locations. Have you heard of any of these kid-friendly chains? If not, I bet there’s one close by. More of this is coming as malls and shopping centers look to get to a 50/50 shopping/entertainment split. There's indoor "skydiving." What's next?

Our belief in story-driven destination districts is available to read in the latest edition of Experience on Main Street Guide by Experience UK. The changing retail landscape and the reimagining of public spaces in UK high streets and town centres over the past decade have been crucial to combating the surge in online shopping, with a shift towards more immersive and experiential offerings. Libertyland USA, our proposed project in South Dakota, is a pinnacle testament to the power of story-driven experiences, destination districts and reimagining high streets and urban-scapes around the world. Read more here: https://hubs.la/Q02sxhzT0 _____ #ExperienceUK #UKExperienceEconomy #TradeBody #SupportServices #NetworkingOpportunities #BusinessOpportunities #CreativeSector #GlobalMarket #DestinationDistrict #HighStreet #HighStreetDesign #LandscapeDesign #LandscapeArchitecture #ExperienceOnMainStreet

🔎 Case Study: Optimizing Space at Neo Game Oasis, Phnom Penh Turning a compact garage into Southeast Asia's first indoor karting track, we faced the challenge of optimizing a small area for maximum entertainment at a premium shopping mall in Phnom Penh. Before: An empty 946 m² garage space, waiting for a remarkable transformation. After: A groundbreaking multi-level karting track that has become a magnet for mall visitors, enhancing foot traffic and entertainment value. 💡 The Solution: A Multi-Level FUN track was designed to serve as the anchor attraction, maximizing the use of space with a 938 m² area and a 232 m track length, providing an adrenaline-pumping experience for teens, families, and corporate groups. With a surrounding population of nearly 4.8 million within a 60 km radius, Neo Game Oasis is projected to generate €1.3 million in yearly revenue! #malltertainment

FUN TRIVIA AMUSEMENT PARK VINTAGE NOSTALGIA THE “ORIGINAL” “FERRIS-WHEEL” The Ferris Wheel(Ferris’ Wheel), was originally called ”Ferrisis’ Wheel” after Its Designer, The Estimable Mr. George Washington Gale Ferris Jr., The original “Ferris Wheel”, towered over the 1893 World's Fair fairgrounds in Chicago (Opening to the public on June 21, 1893), rising above the fairgrounds which featured 36 cars, each capable of holding up to 60 passengers and operating flawlessly until the fair's end on November 6, 1893. (Its capacity was 2,160 passengers—each weighing about 140 pounds, suspended in the air, with a total weight-bearing capability in-motion reaching a then-astonishing 1,191 tons at that time)! Then, at a cost 50-cents, then lots of $ in those days of 1893, (50-cents-then, was called “four bits”). (2-Bits=25-cents) (4-Bits=50-cents) (6-Bits=75-cents) (8-Bits=$1.xx) (8-Bits, however, was almost-never/ rarely-used ‘back-when’!) During this period, it drew 1,453,611 paid admissions, with an additional thousand or more free trips granted to dignitaries and special guests. Each ride consisted of one single-revolution with six (6) stops for loading, followed by a nine (9)-minute, nonstop whirll. Financially, the Ferris Wheel was as successful as it was spectacular, grossing earnings totaling $726,805; (so the company retained $513,403 after expenses), netting a substantial profit of $395,000. (Again, a “WHOPPING FORTUNE” IN 1893 DOLLAR VALUE ‘purchasing-power’ capability)!

Every day is busy at Halo but, as event season approaches, our team are raring to go, pushing the boundaries of modular structures to help brands catch the eye. #SummerEvents #EventSeason #TemporaryStructures #SustainableEvents #ModularStructures

Neonopolis is a shopping mall on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas. The owner, Rohit Joshi, plans to spend $300 million to add several rides to the roof of Neonopolis to create a new theme park called "Mini Disni." He is correct that shopping malls for goods are becoming a thing of the past, and is wise to add attractions and experiences to make use of the property, and bring footfall to the stores below. On the other hand, naming it "Mini Disni" is a really questionable choice. On the upside, he's already getting extra 'free press' about the name (and here I am helping do my part), and people will be able to remember it easily. On the other hand, the blatant appropriation of a beloved global brand known for its quality of theme parks and entertainment demonstrates a tragic lack of creativity and innovation. Perhaps I'm not the target market for this theme park. There are a few wonderful attractions in downtown Vegas (the Mob Museum is a must!), but for the most part I have a hard time finding reasons to step foot on Fremont except for professional curiosity.... and that one time I bought an amazing sequin hat. 😉 The idea of adding a theme park is a good one. The name just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Even though he thinks they are not violating any copyrights, I hope a healthy chunk of that $300 million is set aside for legal fees. What do you think? What other examples of obvious, but still 'legal' brand appropriation have you seen? Did it work? #lasvegas #fremontstreet #downtownlv #fremont #lvnv #lasvegasnevada #themepark #retailinnovation #retail #shoppingmall #shoppingcenter #icsc #icsclv #icsv2024 #ip #disney #disni #minidisni #retailinnovation #rides #attractions

CNBC dropped an article on the big moves in the theme park world. Linked it below if you want to read the whole piece or giving a quick summary if you're trying to save a few minutes. 🎢 In what could be a big shift for the industry, Cedar Fair and Six Flags are set to merge in an $8 billion deal (fingers crossed), reshaping the landscape of amusement parks. This merger, currently under scrutiny by the Department of Justice amidst increasing anti-trust vigilance, represents a significant consolidation in the sector, bringing together over 40 attractions including Knotts’ Berry Farm, Magic Mountain, and Canada’s Wonderland. Amidst the challenges faced by smaller theme parks, this merger is seen as a strategic move to bolster market presence, operational efficiency, and make more money. The proposed merger comes at a time when the industry giants, Disney and Comcast's Universal, are aggressively investing billions into their theme parks (inclduing a whole new park in Orlando), intensifying competition. This has placed immense pressure on smaller parks, as highlighted by the recent closure of Cincinnati’s historic Coney Island (RIP). In contrast, the merger aims to harness combined strengths, optimizing purchasing power and guest experience, and leveraging partnerships with major tech firms. However, the path forward is not without its complexities. Six Flags has experienced a tumultuous period, marked by leadership changes and underwhelming performance (look at the stock price), raising concerns about the merger's operational synergy. Yet, Cedar Fair's stability and seasoned leadership (at times light on innovative changes in my opinion) are seen as a counterbalance, promising a more consistent operational approach. Financially, the merger is positioned to create a formidable entity. Six Flags reported a 9% growth in guests in the first nine months of 2023, while Cedar Fair showcased a robust increase in per capita spending and revenues during the same period. Analysts speculate that the new entity will likely adopt a growth strategy combining attendance and pricing optimization. In the broader industry context, the merger is expected to redefine market dynamics. While it will not significantly impact destination resort giants like Disney and Universal, it could strengthen the regional theme park segment, offering a more cohesive and compelling product mix to guests. This assumes that Six/Cedar adopt a one brand strategy ultimately shedding one park's name for another. As the industry anticipates the outcome of the merger, its success is pegged on the strategic integration of the two brands by driving increased profits and the ability to enhance the guest experience, ensuring the legacy and vibrancy of the theme park experience continues to thrive. https://lnkd.in/eyJwbMSD #themeparks #disney #sixflags #cedarfair #universalstudios #tgitay

#CommScope and #Boldyn Networks have collaborated to deploy Wi-Fi 7 indoor access points at #Camping World #Stadium in #Orlando, #Florida, initially focusing on press and #VIP areas. This deployment marks the first use of Wi-Fi 7 in a major stadium setting. The Wi-Fi 7 #technology has shown a significant improvement in throughput, with a 60% increase reaching 900Mbps compared to Wi-Fi 6E, and latency has been reduced by 75%. These advancements enable new use cases like augmented reality (#AR) and real-time #entertainment experiences. Boldyn Networks' focus on enhancing fan experiences drove this deployment, supported by #RUCKUS #AI™ for network #management, ensuring resilience and seamless user experiences. Christos Karmis, #CEO of Boldyn's #US #business, highlights Wi-Fi 7's potential to revolutionize fan engagement. Bart Giordano, #president and #SVP of CommScope, expresses excitement about this milestone, emphasizing the significant leap in-stadium connectivity and the positive impact on fan satisfaction. https://lnkd.in/ge4nnk6q