Janel Stone

🎢 5 Vital Lessons From 30 Years in Amusement Park & FEC Operations 🎡 (A Veteran's Playbook for Sustainable Success) 1. 📏 Measure Twice, Install Once "The most thrilling attractions start with boring planning" ✅ Always verify ceiling heights, service access & maintenance needs ✅ Involve ops teams in design - before contracts are signed 2. 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Operations Runs on Teamwork "Your front-line team is your canary in the coal mine" 💡 Hire & train ops staff before installation completes 💡 Create clear handoff protocols between construction & operations 3. 🔍 Heed the Warning Signs "That 'minor vibration' today is tomorrow's emergency shutdown" 🛠️ Implement predictive maintenance programs 📈 Track downtime patterns religiously 4. ⏳ Play the Long Game "Buying the ride is just the down payment" 💰 Budget for 10-year lifecycle costs (not just purchase price) 🤝 Build real partnerships with OEMs for ongoing support 5. 📚 Learn & Improve "Every project leaves breadcrumbs for the next one" 📝 Document post-mortems after each launch 🔄 Share actionable insights across locations Why This Matters: Great guest experiences 🎪 don't happen by accident - they're built on operational excellence behind the scenes. These lessons came from hard-won experience across 3️⃣0️⃣ years and 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣+ attractions. What would you add to this list? Let's discuss in the comments! 👇 #ThemeParkManagement #FECOperations #AmusementIndustry #RideOps #EntertainmentBusiness #OperationalExcellence #ParkManagement

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Levy Restaurants has hired Steve Dolinsky, long known as “The Food Guy” in Chicago, where he spent 30 years covering the food beat, most recently with NBC 5 🍽️ In his new role, Dolinsky will serve as a culinary connector and collaborator focused on trend-spotting, relationship building, and creative execution across Levy’s venues — from sports and entertainment to festivals and cultural attractions. A 13-time James Beard Award and two-time Emmy winner, Dolinsky has appeared on Iron Chef America, Unique Eats, and led food festivals in Chicago, LA, and Nashville. Read more from Bret McCormick: https://ow.ly/Su9q50VUVrH

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**🚀 The Must-Have Sections for Your FEC Operations Manual (Don’t Skip These!)** Running a Family Entertainment Center is complex—but a rock-solid operations manual keeps your team aligned, your guests happy, and your business protected. After helping dozens of FECs streamline their processes, here are the **non-negotiable sections** every manual must include: ### **🔧 1. Opening/Closing Procedures** - Power-up sequences (zone-by-zone—never the main breaker!) - Cash handling & safe protocols - Facility walkthrough checklists ### **🚨 2. Emergency Protocols** - Evacuation maps & emergency contacts - First aid/CPR instructions - Equipment emergency shutoffs (with photos) ### **🎮 3. Game Operations & Maintenance** - Daily/weekly maintenance tasks - Troubleshooting guides (error codes, jams, resets) - Manufacturer contacts & warranty info ### **💵 4. Cash & Payment Systems** - Cash reconciliation processes - Refund/void procedures - Credit card system troubleshooting ### **👥 5. Staff Roles & Responsibilities** - Position-specific duties (managers, techs, party hosts) - Chain of command for escalations - Uniform & grooming standards ### **🎉 6. Guest Service Standards** - Complaint resolution scripts - Lost child/parent protocols - ADA compliance guidelines ### **🎂 7. Party & Group Event Playbooks** - Booking & check-in workflows - Party room setup diagrams - Timeline templates (30/60/90-min schedules) ### **🏆 8. Prize & Redemption Management** - Inventory tracking systems - Ticket counting/auditing procedures - Prize display rotation plans ### **🧼 9. Cleaning & Sanitization** - High-touch surface schedules (game controls, railings) - Restroom maintenance checklists - Illness response plans ### **💻 10. IT & Systems Support** - Wi-Fi/POS troubleshooting - Camera system access - Tech support escalation paths ### **➕ Bonus: Support Departments (Often Overlooked!)** - **Who does what:** Facilities vs. IT vs. HR responsibilities - **Contact matrix:** Who to call for urgent vs. non-urgent issues - **Workflow dependencies:** How frontline and support teams interact **Why This Matters:** ��� **Reduces training time** (new hires can self-serve answers) ✔ **Prevents costly mistakes** (e.g., improper power-up damaging games) ✔ **Ensures consistency** (guests get the same experience every visit) **Pro Tip:** Use a **cloud-based platform** (Notion, Google Docs) for easy updates and team access. Add photos/diagrams where words fail! #FECManagement #AmusementBusiness #Leadership #OperationsExcellence

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PENN Entertainment, Inc has released plans to build a new Hollywood Casino property in Council Bluffs, Iowa after securing a partnership with Gaming and Leisure Properties (GLPI) to fund up to $150m of an expected $180-200m project budget.  https://lnkd.in/de6bVNs3

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Empowering a new generation of Entertainment talent The MGM Theater isn’t just a world-class venue—it’s a fantastic workplace for technical professionals who want to learn, grow, and stay at the cutting edge of live entertainment. Here, our teams work alongside internationally renowned directors and artists to bring extraordinary experiences to life, including the spectacular Macau 2049 residence show. Behind every breathtaking cue, seamless transition, and unforgettable moment is a group of highly skilled specialists working together with precision, creativity, and pride. Over the past year, the MGM Entertainment Technical Team has partnered with leading suppliers and training providers to create a structured development pathway. This initiative strengthens our team’s capabilities and provides recognized accreditation—making those skills real, portable, and future-proof. These programs are designed to complement existing expertise while unlocking new levels of confidence and performance across every discipline. Training and certification opportunities include: - IRATA Rope Access (Level 1, 2 & 3) – advancing safe, professional access techniques - Carpentry - ZAWOOD workshop, teaching carpentry techniques from traditional to modern - Pangolin Laser Training – safe operation and maintenance of laser systems - grandMA Training – advanced lighting control and programming - TAIT Navigator – automation control, leadership, and system operation - L-Acoustics – sound design, tuning, and system operation - Rigging Training (Level 1 & 2) – the first official rigging training of its kind in Macau - Wardrobe Training – immersive community visits to learn traditional costume-making techniques used for Macau 2049 - Stage Management Training – delivered with support from Excel Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts “With a team of 95 dedicated professionals, we believe in giving our people the best tools, training, and opportunities to become the strongest versions of themselves. The result is more than improved competence; it’s a culture of pride, growth, and belonging. And when people feel empowered and supported, they deliver something extraordinary: an elite team that is both highly skilled and genuinely happy,” says Peter Wright, Assistant Director of Entertainment Technicals. #美高梅事業 #澳門美高梅 #美獅美高梅 #MGMCareer #MGMMACAU #MGMCOTAI Please check the video to discover how MGM empowers new talent to flourish and shine!  

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The group behind The Publican and Big Star is opening a new restaurant inside Bally’s temporary Chicago casino in River North next month. Tre Denari, set to open Sept. 9, will be a classic Italian restaurant. It will seat about 45 people, and serve pastas, calamari and other Italian dishes. “Italian is such a big part of Chicago’s history,” said Terry Alexander, founding partner of One Off Hospitality. “We thought, ‘What about just a classic little trattoria in the space?'" One Off’s Chef Paul Kahan created the menu for Tre Denari, and the restaurant group will train the casino’s staff at its commissary before handing off restaurant operations to Bally’s. The bar manager at Avec River North created the cocktail list for Tre Denari, and will train the bartenders, Alexander said. The restaurant will serve bread from Publican Quality Bread. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gaGKmpt7

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The hospitality and entertainment industry isn’t just about service—it’s about people. Every interaction, every moment, and every experience is shaped by the incredible individuals who bring it all to life. 1. People First – Guests may come and go, but our teams are the heart of everything. Let’s celebrate each person’s unique talents and contributions. 2. Cultural Diversity is Our Strength– Our industry thrives on different perspectives, backgrounds, and stories. Sharing and learning from one another makes us better. 3. Wellness Fuels Great Service - A happy, supported team creates memorable experiences. Prioritizing mental, emotional, and physical well-being benefits us all. 4. Authentic Connections Matter– Whether with colleagues or guests, genuine relationships make the workplace more fulfilling and our industry more vibrant. 5. Feedback Drives Growth– Honest, open conversations help us improve, innovate, and create a culture of trust and excellence. By fostering kindness, respect, and support, we create an environment where both associates and guests feel valued.

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A few secrets to success in the Live Event Industry to share. You may not like them, but I have found them to be true. 1. Repetition is a super power. You’ll do the same things over and over again and you will get better and better every time. Do not underestimate the power in repetition. 2. Dependability is a super power as well. Show up every time. Do what you commit to doing. Even when you don’t want to. ESPECIALLY when you don’t want to. 3. Your attitude matters. Be happy and excited to be there. Not every event is the highlight of your career. In fact, those are very rare events, it is the daily events and tasks that make you a great pro. 4. Who you know matters. More people get jobs through contacts than through all of the online submitted resumes ever sent. 5. Arriving early and staying late are things that get you noticed. 6. Do the right thing. Sounds simple and easy but you will be amazed at how many times you will have the opportunity to get away with things. It’s not worth it, stay strong. 7. Be genuinely happy when people grow and get promotions. Your time will come. 8. Enjoy today. The journey. Don’t set your eyes on some distant goal. Where you are right now, IS the reward. Savor it. 9. Eat healthy. Longevity matters. You do not appreciate health until you lose it. You are a better professional when you are at full strength. 10. Putting the team ahead of your own aspirations is another super power. Your time, and reward will come even though it may take longer than you like. #aegsev #empirepoloclub #goldenvoice #venues #liveevents #specialevents

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When clients say "theme park," do they really mean it—or are they describing an amusement park? This distinction isn't trivial—it shapes everything from budgets to how deeply you must integrate the client's story into every aspect of the guest experience. Here's why understanding this matters for your career: ▪️Financial: Theme parks involve massive upfront investment and delayed ROI. Expectations and pressures on the team are extremely high. ▪️Operational: Theme parks require decades-long commitments to training and operational excellence. ▪️Branding: Legacy brands have rigorous IP standards and strict quality expectations extending far beyond initial construction. Recognizing these differences shapes how you strategize, budget, design, and communicate throughout every phase of a project. It's particularly essential when working with iconic legacy brands like Disney or Universal, where every detail counts. Do you clearly understand what type of project you're working on, and how that impacts your approach? Clarity shapes your strategy, your expectations, and ultimately, your success.

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The secret to successful experiential projects? Streamlining the process. - Fewer vendors - Fewer points of contact - Fewer emails - Fewer calls - Fewer emergencies - And yes ... fewer meetings The result: More time and budget focused on the actual guest experience. Simple.

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Casinos have long been a go-to for events, and for good reason. Beyond the entertainment, gaming resorts offer seamless, flexible, and highly customizable event experiences that keep #EventProfs coming back. In an article from Smart Meetings, Shelby R., Director of Event Management at Opus Agency, breaks down the strategic advantages of these venues, from built-in infrastructure to inclusive event design. Key takeaways: 🎲 Customization: Scale and flexibility allow for tailored attendee experiences ✈️ Convenience: Proximity to airports, attractions, and venues simplifies logistics 🧩 Inclusivity: Thoughtful planning guarantees all attendees feel comfortable and engaged Read Shelby’s full insights here! https://lnkd.in/e5f_2iWh #WeAreOpusAgency

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Dear LinkedIners, While the venue is still quiet and the lights are barely on, the Event Operations Manager is already onsite. The early-morning walkthrough is not routine. It’s a risk-control exercise that sets the tone for the entire event day. During this walkthrough, these are the exact checkpoints reviewed: 🔹 Venue Readiness Access points open, signage in place, power and lighting active, HVAC functioning. 🔹 Health & Safety Compliance Fire exits clear, emergency routes accessible, first-aid stations ready, hazards removed. 🔹 Site Cleanliness & Presentation Public areas, back-of-house, restrooms, waste points — guest experience starts with details. 🔹 Technical & Infrastructure Status Power distribution, generators, internet, AV systems, backup plans verified. 🔹 Layout & Flow Validation Crowd movement, queuing areas, VIP routes, staff circulation — nothing blocks the journey. 🔹 Supplier & Team Readiness Contractors, vendors, security, cleaners, volunteers — attendance confirmed and briefed. 🔹 Weather & External Factors Forecast review, wind, heat, rain contingencies, outdoor structures checked. Post-Walkthrough Operational Report Includes: ✔ Readiness status (Green / Amber / Red) ✔ Identified risks and mitigation actions ✔ Pending issues with responsible owners ✔ Safety observations and corrective actions ✔ Final go/no-go confirmation ✔ Key notes for command center and leadership Because when gates open, there is no time for surprises — only decisions. Great events don’t start when guests arrive. They start with a walkthrough, a checklist, and an operations mindset. #Events #Entertainment #VenueOperations #Eventsindustry #Eventsprofs #Checklist #Weather #EventOperations #EventManagement #OperationsManager #Linkedin #Healthandsafety #Suppliers

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