Page 22 - BCM May 2024
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BEC INDUSTRY BRIEFS







                                                                  technology solutions, has opened a new entity in Tennessee
                                                                  to service North, South and Central America, as well as the
                                                                  Caribbean. “   is expansion represents a strategic move to
                                                                  enhance our capabilities and better meet the needs of our
                                                                  clients in [those regions],” said Ventola CEO Mick Ventola.
                                                                  “We look forward to leveraging our expertise and innovative
                                                                  technology solutions to deliver exceptional results for our
                                                                  clients.”

                                                                    ■ Seven Squares, a new entertainment venue, has opened
                                                                  in the Parc de la Villette area of Paris, France. Laser tag, mini
                                                                  golf, VR games, mini-karting and bowling are among its
                Betson Enterprises was named Distributor of the Year
                for 2024 by the American Amusement Machine Associa-  attractions.
                tion. Here, AAMA President Je   Blair (left) and Executive
                Vice President Pete Gustafson (right)   ank Betson’s Bob   ■ PEOPLE IN THE NEWS: Mike Betti has joined H.
                Dipipi, Catherine Algra, President Bob Geschine, Kyle   Betti Enterprises as senior vice president of revenue. Betti
                Berger and Britannie Betti. Betson veteran Rick Kirby (not   brings nearly three decades of experience in the consumer
                shown) was one of 14 inducted into AAMA’s Amusement   video game industry, spanning roles in game production,
                Industry Hall of Fame.                            product strategy, sales and management. “Mike’s extensive
                                                                  experience will be a tremendous addition to our Senior
                                                                  Executive team,” said Robert Geschine, president of H.
              downtown Worldcenter development.                   Betti Industries. “Mike will focus on enhancing our product
                                                                  portfolio and commercial positioning while broadening
                ■ Kalamazoo, Michigan’s Crafted Copper bar is moving  our market presence.”… Family Entertainment Group has
              to a larger venue that will include duckpin bowling to keep   added Gregory Bacorn, founder of Barron Games Inter-
              patrons entertained as they sip pre-mixed cocktails, wine   national, as an account executive… Amusement industry
              and beer from self-serve taps.                      veteran Craig Cohoon has joined LAI Games as a sales
                                                                  executive.
                ■ Rush FunPlex, which operates four locations in Utah
              and one in Kansas, will open a second Kansas venue in
              Shawnee. Go-karts, bumper cars, laser tag, rock climbing,
              mini-golf and bowling are among the announced attrac-
              tions.

                ■ ShotClub Social, a Top Golf-like venue coming to Knox-
              ville, Tennessee, will o  er a wide array of attractions besides
              its 60 golf bays.    ere also will be a mini-golf course, arcade   Mike Betti  Gregory Bacorn  Craig Cohoon
              games, beer garden and eight duckpin bowling lanes.
                                                                           BEC Industry Briefs appears monthly, alternating
                                                                   ENTERTAINMENT
                ■ Ventola Projects, a provider of lighting, digital and    between the Up Front and BEC sections.
            fun    BUSINESS CALENDAR


                  • May 14-16 — FEC University Network (FUN) Con- May 14-16 —  • Oct. 6-11 — BPAA School of Entertainment Center
                ference, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Loveland, Colorado;   Management, International Bowling Campus, Arlington,
                fecfun.com                                        Texas; bowlinguniversity.net
                  • July 23-24 — Foundations University, San Antonio,  • Nov. 14-22 — IAAPA Expo, Orange County Convention
                Texas; foundationsuniversity.com                  Center, Orlando, Florida; iaapa.org
                  • Sept. 17-20 — AAMA Annual Meeting and Gala,     • March 17-20, 2025 — Amusement Expo International,
                Renaissance Chicago Marriott Schaumburg, Schaumburg,   Westgate Resort and Casino and Las Vegas Convention
                Illinois; coin-op.org                             Center, Las Vegas, Nevada; amusementexpo.org


              20  •  BCM  •  MAY 2024                                                                www.bcmmag.com




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