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NJAA Newsletter   
March 2015
 
Promotion
 
In This Issue
Kimberle Samarelli - NJAA Executive Director
Ed McGlynn - NJAA Lobbyist
Lary Zucker - NJAA Legal Counsel
St. Joseph's Benefit Concert
Amusement Today 2015 Golden Ticket Awards
Congratulations to Jane Zucker and Alex Menasche
Industry News & Announcements


Upcoming Industry Events
2015


March

NEAAPA
102nd Anniversary Annual Meeting
Providence Biltmore Hotel
Providence, RI
March 23-25, 2015

April

WWA Middle East Symposium World Waterpark Association Safety Skills Training
Dubai, UAE
April 13-14, 2015

DEAL
Dubai Entertainment, Amusement
& Leisure Show

The Arena, Dubai World Trade Centre
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
April 21-23, 2015

May 
 
NJAA 56th Annual Dinner Dance
Shadowbrook
Shrewsbury, NJ
Monday, May 11, 2015

June

IAAPA
Tools of the Trade: Midway Games & Retail
San Francisco, CA
June 23 - 24, 2015

July

Worldwide Circus Summit 2015
Big E Fairgrounds
West Springfield, MA
July 14 - 18, 2015

NEAAPA
102nd Anniversary Summer Meeting
Story Land
Glen, NH
July 21, 2015

September

Amusement Today 2015
Golden Ticket Awards
Luna Park
Coney Island, NY
Sept. 12-13, 2015

18th Annual NJAA
Fritz Rolle Legacy
Golf Outing
Sea Oaks Golf Club
Little Egg Harbor, NJ
September 22, 2015

October

ASTM International
F24 Meeting
San Diego, CA
October 14 - 17, 2015

WWA
Annual Symposium & Trade Show
Palm Springs, Ca
Show Dates:
October 20-23, 2015
Trade Show Dates: October 21 & 22, 2015

Orange County Convention Center
Orlando, FL
Nov. 16 - 20, 2015

NJAA Annual Membership
Breakfast Meeting
Orange County Convention Center
Orlando, FL
Room & Time TBA

IAFE
Annual Convention
Paris Hotel
Las Vegas, Nevada
Nov. 29 - Dec. 3, 2015
 


2014-2015
 
NJAA  Officers

President
William Gehlhaus

1st Vice President
Scott Simpson

2nd Vice President
Angelo Cappetta

Treasurer/Secretary
  John J. Maurer

Executive Director
Kimberle R Samarelli

Legal Counsel
Lary I. Zucker

Registered Government Affairs Representative
Edward R. McGlynn


From the Desk of


Kim Newsletter Photo (2)

Kimberle Rolle Samarelli
NJAA Executive Director


Wow, this has been the longest and coldest winter on record that I can ever recall. The hustle and bustle of the holiday season has come and gone, but on a very happy note I'm letting my industry family know that we, The Samarelli's, had our own ribbon cutting ceremony! On December 20, 2014, almost two years and two months to the day since our house was lost to Superstorm Sandy, we moved back home. I often joke and tell everyone that the house was 80% unpacked and 100% decorated by Christmas Eve and that even our elf Jet Star had found the new location - geez it's amazing how those stuffed animals can find their way into our hearts and homes!

  

 What's truly amazing, and I mean this from the bottom of my heart, is our amusement family and friends. I can't thank ALL of you enough for your prayers, support and love. There was a tremendous amount of sorrow and loss in 2014, but there was also an abundance of joy and new beginnings. Again, thank you to everyone!

 

Now, as I look toward the future of 2015, I'm full of hope for a record breaking summer season. The NJAA trade show was a huge success. We tried new things and are constantly reinventing ourselves to stay on the forefront. Many of us shy away from change but this year we decided to hold the NJAA scholarship cocktail party on the trade show floor. I must give a big thank you to John Maurer for really selling the idea. It was a huge success and well received by everyone who attended, especially the vendors. In addition, the NAARSO training was well attended and we're considering going back to the Golden Nugget in 2016.

 

As I write this, I am on a plane to Dubai for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Dubai is not only one of the wealthiest places in the world, it's also a place that's been on the amusement industry forefront for many years. This is another item off my bucket list. If you haven't created a bucket list, there's no better time like now to create one and start living out those dreams. In our business we make memories happen every day and sometimes it's nice when you can be on the receiving end of those memories. We only live this life one time. 

 

There are good ships and wood ships, ships that sail the sea,  

but the best ships are friendships, may they always be!

 Irish Proverb

 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

    

* * *

 

James Jr. and Samantha Samarelli do the ribbon cutting honors!

 

Our Elf Jet Star 

 

Home Sweet Home 

 

 
2015 NJAA 20th Annual
East Coast Gift & Variety Show




 

 









From the Desk of




Edward R. McGlynn, Esq. 
Government Affairs Agent For 
The New Jersey Amusement Association  

As is always the case when the New Jersey legislature is in session, attacks seem to come from various legislators on businesses located in this state, or doing business within our borders.

Members of the New Jersey Amusement Association are not immune from these attacks. Presently, both houses have on their agendas the passage of a mandatory sick leave ordinance which would be applicable to all of our members who hire employees. Despite our attempts to get part time employees excluded, and our being part of a coalition steered by the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, it appears the Democratic majorities in both houses are going to pass this bill and send it to Governor Christie for his review and possible signature.

Also now receiving some notoriety and traction is a new proposed increase in the minimum wage. As you may be aware a few cities in New Jersey have adopted their own minimum wage for businesses located within the municipal borders of those cities. To date, Newark, Jersey City and Trenton have led the way in adopting those ordinances. Some in the legislature think the minimum wage should be a state function and not left to individual municipalities. Others believe the ability of individual municipalities to adopt minimum wage increases should be legitimized by statute and have proposed those changes.

Directly impacting our industry is a push by a nationally recognized business to permit the serving of alcohol where games are located. Additionally, they are proposing that amusement games be permitted in locations where they are not presently permitted and in locations which did not vote in favor of the constitutional amendment which became effective in 1959. I have had many meetings with various legislators attempting to convince them of the negative effect such a law would have on our industry. Attending those meetings with me has been Wayne Cimorelli, a longtime member and operator of arcades and games. Our President, Bill Gelhaus has also met and is scheduled to meet with other legislators in an attempt to educate them on the downside of adopting this legislation.

Finally, it appears maybe the worst of the bad winter weather is over.

I wish everyone a successful Easter season and look forward to the sun.



From the Desk of


zucker2

Lary I. Zucker
NJAA Legal Counsel



SPRING 2015: LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

The NJAA has been actively monitoring many important issues.  Here are the latest developments.

1.     At the recent East Coast Expo in Atlantic City, the DCA presented its annual Spring Update to a packed room of interested owners and operators.  Mike Triplet acknowledged that Easter is early this year and he urged every owner/operator to submit their paperwork and applications as soon as possible.  In addition, Mike confirmed that the DCA has started to inspect and permit portable electric generators.  This season, the DCA is compiling a list of portable electric generators and is asking all owners and operators to indentify the generators in their possession.

2.     Harmonization of New Jersey Ride design regulations with the latest ASTM F-2291 standard has been one of our primary goals and I am pleased to report that progress is being made.  Recently, the DCA, NJAA and ASTM F24 Committee collaborated on a new regulatory proposal that would replace our 2004 version of ASTM F2291 with the latest version designated F2291-14.  The DCA insisted on amending F2291-14 to make it consistent with New Jersey policy and procedures but there is no doubt that New Jersey is moving closer than ever to the amusement ride design standard that all ride manufacturers follow.

On March 19, 2015, CARSAB will hold a special meeting to review and (hopefully) approve the new regulatory proposal to adopt F2291-14.  Once CARSAB approves, the proposal will be published in the New Jersey Register for a 60-day public comment period and adoption later this year.

Not only is New Jersey moving closer to the ASTM standard, the ASTM standard may be adopting some of the amendments suggested by the DCA.  For the first time, the ASTM Committee is balloting the amendments in the New Jersey proposal for possible inclusion in F2291.  The balloting process resulted in 288 pages of comments, positive and negative, from members of the ASTM Committee.  Moving forward, the DCA and the ASTM Committee are reviewing the ballots to further align our regulations and the ASTM standard.

3.     New Jersey's "Opportunity to Compete" Act, N.J.S.A. 34:6B-11, signed into law in August, 2014, went into effect on March 1, 2015.  The law is nicknamed "Ban the Box" because it effectively bans the checkbox on an employment application that asks an applicant about his or her criminal record.  Thirty-six states have enacted a version of this law which is designed to give all job applicants a fair chance to be judged on their personal merits.

The Opportunity to Compete Act, as originally adopted, exempts small employers and only applies to businesses with 15 or more employees over 20 calendar weeks.  Moreover, employers impacted by the Act may still ask about a job applicant about a criminal background after an initial interview; employers can still screen applicants as fully as before, just a bit later in the hiring process.

On February 25, 2015, the New Jersey Department of Labor (NJDOL) published draft proposed regulations to implement the new law.  The proposed regulations will be published in the March 16, 2015 issue of the New Jersey Register followed by a 60-day period for submission of public comments.  The NJDOL will also schedule a public hearing on the new law.  A link to the draft regulations can be found on the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development/LWD home page.

The draft proposed regulations clarify certain requirements in the Act but leave questions unanswered.  For example:

*     Under the Act, a covered employee is one with 15 or more employees over 20 calendar weeks.  Under the proposed regulation, the Act only applies to employers that have 15 or more employees for each working day during at least 20 work weeks in the preceding calendar year.  It is not clear from the regulation whether a covered employer is one with 15or more employees in total or just one with 15 or more employees in New Jersey.

*     The Act prohibits employers from making any oral or written inquiry into an applicant's criminal background during the Initial Employment Application Process (IEAP) until after an initial interview is conducted.  The regulation does not clarify whether an "initial interview" requires conversation or dialogue between the applicant and the employer or whether some other sort of interview would be sufficient, such as a written interview questionnaire.

*     The Act does not apply where the job being advertised is for a position where a criminal history record background check is required by law, rule or regulation.  This exemption would seem to apply to employers in the amusement game industry under N.J.A.C. 13:3-39, which provides that no licensee shall employ in any capacity on the licensed premises any person who would fail to qualify as a licensee by reason of conviction of a crime or otherwise.  This section also permits a licensee to require employees to complete an application certifying the employees' eligibility for employment.

One open question is whether the "licensed premises," referred to in N.J.A.C. 13:3-39A, applies to the game area or to the larger amusement park where the game area is located.  This issue is not addressed in the proposed regulations and the answer has to be clarified.

4.     At the recent East Coast Expo, John Salmen of Universal Design presented an update on the latest ADA issues and requirements.  John has served as a consultant for many New Jersey amusement park operators and several NJAA members have asked for his contact information which I have listed below.

John P.S. Salmen, AIA
President - Universal Designers & Consultants, Inc.
6 Grant Avenue
Takoma Park, MD 20912
Ph:   301.270-2470  


Have a great Spring and a great season!
 

 

LARY I. ZUCKER, ESQUIRE

Marshall, Dennehey, Warner, Coleman & Goggin

200 Lake Drive East, Suite 300

Cherry Hill, NJ 08002

 

Phone: (856) 414-6001

Fax: (856) 414-6077

Cell: (856) 816-8876

 

[email protected] 

 



Concert to Benefit
St. Joseph's Church Food Pantry

Featuring Famous Irish Tenor

Ronan Tynan

Thursday, March 19, 2015
7:00 - 9:00 PM

Ever since Superstorm Sandy hit the Jersey Shore, St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church has been responding to the needs of many in our local community. They provided emergency housing on the parish property for as many as 24 people, while their homes were being rebuilt or other living arrangements could be found.

Since Sandy, the demand has risen dramatically to provide food for those in need. The Church's food pantry, currently housed in the basement of the Parish Office, is staffed by caring and nurturing volunteers who consistently work to assist over 700 families/clients each month. "Due to an alarming increase in demand," Pastor, Fr. Scott Shaffer announced plans to move and expand the food pantry's operations to another building on the church's campus, which "will provide easy access on grade to clients in a more modern facility."

To help offset the expense, St. Joseph's Church is hosting a benefit concert on Thursday, March 19, 2015. The famous and very talented Irish Tenor, Ronan Tynan will perform from
7:00 -9:00 PM with doors opening at 6:00 PM. Premium Seating ($100 per ticket), General Admission ($55 per ticket), and Balcony Seating ($25 per ticket) are offered through  www.RonanTynanInConcert.eventbrite.com.

Donations can also be made through the church website at www.stjosephtomsriver.org or by mailing them directly to St. Joseph's Church, 685 Hooper Ave., Toms River, NJ 08753.

Individuals and/or companies interested in event sponsorships may call the Parish Office at 732-349-0018.





 

 

 


Mark Your Calendars!

2015 Golden Ticket Awards

Presented by

Amusement Today

September 11-12, 2015

Coney Island, New York




Registration information will be posted soon!

You can view the 2014 Golden Ticket Awards results by visiting www.goldenticketawards.com

For more information, you can send an email to: [email protected]

 

Congratulations to
 
Jane Zucker and Alex Menasche!



 
Congratulations to Jane and Alex on their recent engagement, and best wishes to Jane's parents Lary and Nina, and their entire family - mazel tov!


Industry News
&  
Announcements

  

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Opportunity to Compete Act

 

As Lary mentioned in his article above, the Department of Labor published draft proposed regulations on their website. The proposed regulations will be published in the NJ Register on March 16, 2015 followed by a 60 day comment period and a public hearing before final adoption.

 

 You can read the draft proposed regulations by clicking on the link below.  

  

  

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  

 

NJAA attended the Seaside Heights media announcement for the Gentlemen of the Road Stopovers music festival. The two day concert, featuring Mumford & Sons, will be held on June 5th & 6th in Seaside Heights.  

 

L to R: Kimberle Rolle Samarelli, NJAA Executive Director; Amanda Pepe, OCC Extern; Davina Resto, OCC Extern; Jessica Naia, OCC Extern; and Mike Forcella, liason to NJAA from Ocean County College. 
  

Tickets are set to go on sale 10 a.m. Friday, March 6, through the Gentlemen of the Road website.  





* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The above article links are from the Abacus Payroll, Inc.  website. In addition to NJ payroll tax rates, you can also find Pennsylvania payroll tax rates as well.

Please visit the Abacus website for more information.


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Acting Governor Kim Guadagno Announces Tourism Tuesday Challenge to Highlight Favorite Destinations Throughout New Jersey

Social Media Campaign Will Direct
Tourism Stops Across the State

Trenton, NJ - New Jersey residents are encouraged to come together on social media to share their travel and tourism experiences as part of a new interactive campaign created by Acting Governor Kim Guadagno. During the summer, the Acting Governor will pick winning suggestions to visit during her Tourism Tuesday stops.

According to the Acting Governor, the effort was created to bring people closer together while promoting the many great parks, beaches, cultural attractions and other family-friendly destinations in New Jersey.

"As we look forward to spending time with our families and friends during the summer tourism season, it's time to start finding exciting places to visit here in the Garden State," said Acting Governor Guadagno. "By sharing photos of some of your favorite destinations during our Tourism Tuesday campaign, you can give me and other residents some great ideas, support our local businesses and draw attention to the many attractions that make New Jersey such a special place."

Residents are invited to participate in the campaign by posting photos and comments about their favorite tourism spots using #tourismtuesday on Twitter and Instagram (@LtGovGuadagno). Participants can also post on the Tourism Tuesday tab on the Visit New Jersey Facebook page or email [email protected] with ideas about destinations to promote.

Tourism Tuesday began last year with ten visits to tourist locations throughout the state, from museums to State parks. Acting Governor Guadagno followed up the summer tour with a family visit to Sussex County in December to enjoy New Jersey's winter tourism activities.

At the 2015 Conference on Tourism, Acting Governor Guadagno announced that, in 2014, New Jersey's non-Shore counties accounted for 51.2 percent of all tourism spending, and 20 of 21 counties saw an increase in tourism industry sales in 2014. Overall tourism-related demand generated a record-breaking $42.1 billion in 2014, a 3.8 percent increase over 2013. Visitation in New Jersey also rose to 93.2 million in 2014, a 4.4 percent increase compared to 2013.


 
Media Contact:
Kevin Roberts - 609-777-2600


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Jersey Shore 2014 tourism money revealed
by
Michael L. Diamond

The Shore's tourism industry, stopped in its tracks by superstorm Sandy, began to pick up speed last year, according to a report released Thursday by the state.

 

Monmouth and Ocean counties generated $6.6 billion, up 3.7 percent from the previous year, the state reported Thursday, showing at least some progress following what amounted to the lost summer of 2013.

 

"It was a little bit better last year," said Mari Kennelly, the innkeeper at The White Lilac Inn, a bed and breakfast in Spring Lake. "People were still not quite 100 percent sure whether they should come here, or to the Shore in general, because of the storm."

 

The report was prepared by Tourism Economics, a research group based in Wayne, Pennsylvania. It was released by the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism at the industry's annual convention Thursday in Atlantic City.

 

The tourism industry is a huge economic force for the Shore, accounting for nearly 70,000 jobs. In Ocean County alone, it amounts to more than 15 percent of its total employment, the report showed.

 

The report was the mixed bag that you might expect from what was an uncertain summer season. The weather was picture-perfect, but parts of the Shore continued to rebuild from the damage caused by Sandy in 2012.

 

Statewide, the study found, the number of visitors rose 4.4 percent. But spending didn't keep pace, rising only by 3.7 percent.

 

Meanwhile, direct tourism employment fell 1.3 percent, the first decline since 2010. The main culprit was Atlantic City, where four casinos closed last year. Atlantic County's tourism employment fell 14.1 percent, the study showed.

 

Still, early signs for this season are brighter, Kennelly said.

"What I am seeing this year, which is really good, is people are calling now already for (reservations for) the summer," she said. "That used to be the case years ago."

 

 The above article was written by Michael L. Diamond and appeared in the Asbury Park Press on March 12, 2015.  

 

Contact info: 732-643-4038; [email protected]  

 

 TOURISM SPENDING

 

Here is a look at annual tourism spending in Monmouth and Ocean counties and New Jersey, and the change from the year before.

 

2014

 

Ocean: $4.4 billion; +3.9 percent

  

 Monmouth: $2.3 billion; +3.3 percent

  

 New Jersey: $40 billion; +3.7 percent

 

2013

 

Ocean: $4.2 billion; -2.3 percent

 

Monmouth: $2.2 billion; +4.9 percent

 

New Jersey: $38.6 billion; +1.8 percent

 

2012

 

Ocean: $4.3 billion; +6.8 percent

 

Monmouth: $2.1 billion; +6.5 percent

 

New Jersey: $37.9 billion; +3.1 percent

 

2011

 

Ocean: $4 billion; +14.4 percent

 

Monmouth: $2 billion; +4.6 percent

 

New Jersey: $36.8 billion; +6.3 percent

 

2010

 

Ocean: $3.5 billion; (n/a)

 

Monmouth: $1.9 billion; (n/a)

 

New Jersey: $34.6 billion; (n/a)

 

Source: Tourism Economics

 

   

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NJTIA Lobbying effort yields success

The following appeared in the December 2014 Travelogue

After weeks of frenzied activity trying to get the Senate to pass the Brand USA reauthorization legislation, our industry was successful in having the reauthorization included in the omnibus spending package that passed the House earlier this week and the Senate just minutes ago. The broader spending package, with the Brand USA reauthorization intact, now heads to the President's desk for his signature.

This is a remarkable achievement. We applaud our champions throughout Congress who saw the economic importance of this critical partnership and led the fight in each chamber of Congress to get this included in the compromise spending package. If you have a personal relationship with your Congressional office, we recommend following up with them to thank them for their support.

Above all, we applaud you - it was your hard work, dedication, and invaluable advocacy that guided us to success with this policy effort in 2014. You stepped up to the challenge and activated your networks to get the message to important Members of Congress, and without you, it could not have been done.

The travel and tourism industry is strong and it is only getting stronger. In achieving the reauthorization of Brand USA through 2020, we will be able to attract more visitors, increase U.S. economic growth, spur job creation and generate new tax revenue for communities all across America.

It is clear that your efforts speak volumes to our elected officials and we are tremendously grateful for your persistence and collaboration over the past year. On behalf of the Power of Travel Coalition and the U.S. Travel Association, we congratulate you on this remarkable accomplishment and thank you for your partnership in 2014.

NJTIA Travelogue


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Volunteering at Give Kids the World
is an Annual Activity for the Dippin' Dots Team during IAAPA Week




IAAPA (our largest trade show) was held in Orlando Nov. 17-21st, 2014. It was a great show with lots of activity and the Dippin' Dots booth was chocked full of Dippin' Dots options as well as Doc Popcorn and Rocktops. With a prime location it was hard for anyone to miss us.

The team did a great job interacting with the guests and lots of samples were enjoyed by all.

Thursday evening the team volunteered at Give Kids The World-where every Thursday is Christmas. Dippin' Dots has volunteered in years past and this year we made the decision to make volunteering at Give Kids The World an annual activity during IAAPA week. Kim Milite and Holly Blake assisted in making gingerbread houses, while Hovik Kepenyan and Jeff Fortson assisted the kids in the very popular 'feed the penguin the fish' game. While all of this was taking place Bryan Carney and Rob Israel played reindeer games with the other children.

The rest of the group- Michael Barrette, Blaire Lipert, Nicole Dubinsky, Jay Radcliffe, Dan Siler, Pam Wells and Nate Heider participated in the parade. There were elves, carolers, and toy soldiers.

The entire team enjoyed the evening and there was even snow and Santa! If you aren't familiar with Give Kids The World, I urge you to visit their website and anytime you are in Florida and have a few extra hours, volunteer. It is a very worthy experience.
Holly Blake
Dippin' Dots West Division Sales Manager


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College Internship Sought


We received the following inquiry from Kevin Joralemon, a student at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida, who is seeking an internship.

Mr. Joralemon wrote:

"Currently, I am pursuing a degree in Hospitality Management with a track in Theme Park and Attraction Management. I am writing to you to inquire about any possible internships and/or industry experience the New Jersey Amusement Association has to offer to young professionals.

Recently, I had the pleasure of attending the IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando, Florida, where I spoke with Edward Hodgdon of New England Amusement Parks and Attractions. I told him that I was a New Jersey native, and asked for information on NJAA. He gave me your contact information to inquire about how to become involved in the organization.

I am keenly interested in any possible internship I could apply for within the organization, in order to continue toward achieving my career objective as an industry professional. My belief is that learning as much of the industry as possible and gaining a greater understanding how everything functions (and ties together) will prove immensely beneficial to me in the long term.

For the past two years, I have been an employee in the Rides Department at Six Flags Great Adventure, winning "Team Member of the Year" in 2013. I also am involved with the American Coaster Enthusiasts, and am a member of Future Theme Park Leaders Association at my university.

I am very amenable to gather any kind of experience possible, for someday I hope to gain enough knowledge to give back to the industry. If you are interested in discussing any potential opportunities, I can be contacted at this email [email protected]. I appreciate your time for reading my email, and the work your organization does to keep riders safe within the state of New Jersey."

If you have an available internship and would like to know more about Kevin, please review his resume below.


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If you would like to submit an announcement or share news that is industry related, please send an email to:

Thank you!


The NJAA is a pro-active organization, identifying concerns, while working for the safety, health and overall economic betterment of the amusement industry.


If you have any questions or concerns, we can always be contacted at 732-240-0000 or [email protected].

Remember to check our website www.njamusements.com for valuable resources, recent news and up-to-date information.



Sincerely,

Kimberle Samarelli
Executive Director 
New Jersey Amusement Association