The Event Planner's Guide Book

Amusement Ride and Inflatable Game Owners Prepare for Summer!

EPA members ~ remember to get your legal docs and insurance in order early...before the rush!

 

 

It's spring and the leaves are just making their debut, which means summer is around the corner! There’s no better time than right now to make ready for the high-summer-season.  Now is the time to: 

1. Make sure your insurance policies are sufficient and up to date. Get your additionally insured certificates in order early!
   
2. Review your customer liability waivers and rental agreements, making sure they are current and ready for use
3. Implement and complete necessary personnel training on the latest safety procedures
4. And, check , clean and repair your equipment, making sure it is in good quality working order 

Don’t Procrastinate!

Focusing now on your insurance coverage, the latest in equipment standards, safety procedures and training personnel can help you manage your business while reducing the potential risk of accidents and the potential for litigation against you and your company.  By concentrating today on getting things in order you can actually position your company to secure more business in the high-summer-season and can add a layer of comfort for you and your customers.

Consumers are Savvy

Parents and HR department managers alike who are responsible for the hiring of amusement rides and entertainment apparatuses for parties, employee picnics and corporate events frequently conduct research and background checks on amusement equipment owners before hiring them.  They check business viability and capabilities by reviewing consumer reviews on Internet websites like www.yelp.com and they call references to verify customer service experiences.  Some parents and business HR managers even go as far as checking ratings through the Better Business Bureau (BBB, www.bbb.org).

 That's why it's vital for amusement ride owners, inflatable game owners and apparatus operators be prepared with the best trained employees; that they are knowledgeable and they implement the most current safety standards and procedures – and above all, that they are covered by adequate insurance.

That’s where the Event Planners Association members get full value from their annual membership dues.   Annual dues of $249 are a true value because members have immediate access to the EPA’s services including leading in-house insurance companies and premium discounts, a resource library of the most current liability waivers, rental agreements and documentation, access to an in-house legal support team and a newly released DVD safety training and on-line certification program – just to name a few services.  By having all of these products and services available to them, EPA members have an advantage when developing strong relationships with consumers and corporate HR department managers who are looking to connect with and utilize proven, trustworthy vendors. 

 Also, always remember to provide references - referral names and telephone numbers to potential customers.  Add testimonials to your website which allow potential customers to experience the direct thoughts of your best clients. And, where possible, utilize social media to connect and respond to reviews about your company, its service and its personnel.

 Here's to a profitable and safe season!

RECENT INFLATABLE RIDE ACCIDENTS HIGHLIGHT PARENTS NEED TO VERIFY OWNER’S INSURANCE & SAFETY PREPARATION

With nearly 50% of EPA's 4000 members operating in the amusement sector, programs are in place to minimize accidents.  All members have access to EPA's nationally recognized risk management programs.

The EPA's official position on the highly publicized inflatable device accidents is found below.


Event Planners Association helps parents and owners alike

June 7, 2011 – Event Planners Association, Lake Forest, California –The recent rash of inflatable ride accidents (ABC News, Yahoo) highlights the need for inflatable operators to maintain proper risk management/safety procedures, insurance and inspections, as well as the need for parents to take an active role in verifying the inflatable owner’s safe operating procedures, safety training certification and insurance – prior to permitting their child to play in an inflatable device.

One of the Event Planners Association’s (EPA, www.EventPlannersAssociation.com) goals is to assist inflatable owner members with:

• The most current safety standards and procedures
• Safety training and certification
• Proper rental agreements and waivers
• Proper liability Insurance
• And, a network for exchanging industry “best practices”

Kim Sullivan, Senior Vice President of the Event Planners Association, stated, “Our goal is to give inflatable owners the tools necessary for safe operations.  Consumer safety is the primary concern for the amusement industry as a whole.  While the majority of incidents that occur are a result of improper supervision, improper staking or weather related, the Association’s internal claim data collected over the course of the last 6 years shows our members’ claim rate to be far less than 1% for all devices rented/utilized over that same period.  Accidents can happen anywhere, at any time and the fact is, based on injury statistics from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the number of accidents occurring on playground equipment far surpass that of accidents involving inflatable play devices.”

Sullivan continued, “For parents to be at ease when their children are playing on an inflatable device they should first verify the inflatable owner is a member of the EPA, they should then request proof of insurance coverage and safety training.  It’s like driving a car. First, students must pass driver’s education; and, then they must carry proof of insurance.  Parents should also adhere to all safety instructions provided by the rental company.  As the leading trade association for inflatables and events, the EPA offers exclusive safety training and operational guidelines to minimize risk and insurance, should an accident happen.  To date, approximately 97% of all EPA amusement members are insured and operating utilizing industry recognized safety guidelines.”

The blow-away inflatable device accident in New York, where 13 people were injured, along with the recent inflatable incidents in Arizona, underscores the reality for parents to know they are entrusting their children’s health and well being with the most competent operators. 

MEDIA CONTACT:
Cathy Welch
Membership and Media Coordinator
EVENT PLANNERS ASSOCIATION
25432 Trabuco Road, Suite 207
Lake Forest, CA 92630
Phone (866) 380-3372
Fax (866) 230-3044
cwelch@EventPlannersAssociation.com
www.EventPlannersAssociation.com