2013 New Attractions..You Get To Help!

The Portland PartyWorks Annual Hunt For New Fun Is Underway

Our 3 weary travelers have begun their annual New Event Exhibition. Travelling over mountains and plains, across the great Mississippi and passing the Gulf until they finally  arrived in the relentless heat of Florida on Monday. Although hungry and tired, our 3 selfless troopers are determined to tough it out for the greater good. Mike, Kristina, and Roy are stuck the entire week in Tornado Alley searching for 2013's crop of interactive fun. 

THEY NEED YOUR HELP!!

They will be sending back potential product choices and it will be up to all of you to vote on which items you like the best. I will be posting them on our Blog, Twitter, Facebook and Google+ from now till Friday.

• Each time you cast a vote you will be entered into a drawing for a $25 gift card.
• Voting will take place on Facebook beginning today at noon.
• Below you will find the first crop of photos and a short description of each item. 
• Take a look at them and then head over to Facebook and VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

1 Wack-A-Mole                                                                               

Once the game starts, the moles will begin to pop up from their holes at random. The object of the game is to force the individual moles back into their holes by hitting them directly on the head with the mallet, thereby adding to the player's score. The quicker this is done the higher the final score will be.

2)  Beat The Bucket:

Allows a player the opportunity to control their fate; provided they have the reaction time and skill to do so. A single player stands behind the station and with the aid of a blocking arm, can defend the two targets from being hit. A second player throws water-logged balls (or Juggle Balls, Tennis Balls, Nerf Balls) while trying to hit the 2 targets. If the player using the blocker can act quickly enough, they can stop the ball from hitting the target. However, should the ball happen to strike a target, a cool, refreshing bucket of water is dumped from above. The bucket then automatically resets and fills with water, ready for the next defender.

Check out the video on the Bucket!

\

Interactive Music Experience http://youtu.be/9JeLUZO5iGs

fun and "revolutionary" game movements. And ReRave is the first music "interaction and reaction" based arcade game to feature a huge 42" multiplayer color touchscreen monitor in a internet-enabled cabinet, combined with a 
real-time global interactive player ranking network with frequent music and software updates in the near future !
It combines music rhythm, as well as physical dexterity and accuracy to create a innovative gaming experience that is both fun and challenging for all ages and skill levels. ReRave gameplay breaks the barrier of "old fashioned" scrolling and matching symbol play typically found in music rhythm games with its unique,

Junior Mechanical Bull

These bulls were built for children to enjoy the ride and not actually go on an 8-second ride straight onto the mat. Soft and realistic without being intimidating this is the perfect answer for your little caballeros (cowboys).
The spin is not as rough as the mechanical rodeo bulls. The bull itself is much lower to the ground than the standard full-size bulls the the padded mat is soft

5.) Professional Mechanical Bull                                                                               

This isn't for the faint-of-heart. The large horns add to the life-like features of this Rodeo Ready Mechanical Bull. The bulls head and textured cowhide skin will have the bull rider holding on tight.
Operated with programmable and pre-set rides this bull almost runs itself. Along with many other safety features there is an auto rider shut-off.

   

6.) Write~in Vote

Now it's your turn. Have you secretly been wishing we had a certain activity available for your event? Write-in your favorite interactive game and tell us.

Okay, there you have it. The 2013 Potential interactive Attractions for the upcoming season.

Founded in 1918, IAAPA is the largest international trade association for permanently situated amusement facilities worl

dwide.Okay, there

Children's Party Locations

Inside Candyland

Inflatable Home Party VS Inflatable Facility Party

If you have ever thought about renting an inflatable game for a child's party, chances are you have come across one of the indoor inflatable arenas that have recently popped up.
Why choose an Inflatable Home Party over going to a Arena?

1. You choose location. You control what setting you would like to have for your party. At home, at a favorite park, at a community center, at a friend or relatives home. Home is a safe environment to have fun, especially for younger children where the loud noise and bustling activity isn't overwhelming.
2. You choose food, beverage and snacks. You control what your children eat. Many times children's party facilities offer just pizza and a non-juice artificial drink.Many times over-priced cake and sweet drinks end up untouched or spilled in the commotion of an arena and the limited time at the table.
3. You choose the time and date. You control how long you want the party to last. 2 hours, 8 hours, 24 hours, the price is the same. You control the date. No date restrictions. Equipment is available anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you are inviting families this can be a more cost-effective approach that allows siblings and parents to be included without breaking the bank.
4. You choose your budget. You control how much to spend on equipment  food, goody bags, extras, decorations. Children's party facilities usually have pre-made packages you have to adhere to.  A home party allows grandma to bring the cupcakes and dad to showoff his Bar-B-Que talent.
5. You choose the size of the party. You have total control on the amount of people to invite. Whether it is 10 or 100, if you have the space, you decide. If you have people RSVP at the last minute, there's room for them. Facilities have minimums and maximums- some as low as 25 guests. They need a head count in advance and may not allow changes close to the party date.
6. Last minute party? You have options! Book the day before your event if you need to. There will always be something available that you and your guests will love. Facilities are many times booked well in advance.
7. Privacy. You control the privacy of your party. You decide who attends. Facilities may have more than one party at a time or have open play time when your party is scheduled. This can be really stressful on you trying to keep track of everyone and your guests as they run around looking for each other.
8. Bonus: At home you control the pace and focus of the party. Your little birthday girl (or boy)won't get left behind as her guests run off without her in the noisy arena. If you have ever seen this happen it's heart breaking.

Kids Inflatables and Bounce Houses 

The choice is yours. Choosing Portland PartyWorks is choosing options, value, service and most of all FUN!!!

Budget Cuts That Won't Cheapen Your Event

Smart Planning Is Key: Negotiate Upfront for Discounts & Extras

THE GOOD NEWS: The boss grudgingly gave the okay for a Company Event
THE BAD NEWS: The budget is going to require EXTREME CREATIVE THINKING

Don't panic, you have plenty of time to put together an event with guaranteed smiles from bosses and employees alike. Everyone is stretching dollars these days and creative financing is more the standard than the embarrassing. The most important tool in your arsenal is PRE-PLANNING. After all, asking for reduced corkage fees will be a lot more attainable before the bottles are corked. Following are 15 tips to help ease your budget crunch and free up some dollars for the entertainment. Some of the tips might sound nagging (see 3), but in today's environmentally conscious society, waste is not only burning cash, its wasteful.

1. Try to limit your coffee breaks. Coffee breaks are the most wasteful type of F&B. If you have ordered a coffee break, give instructions that at the end of the break, dirty cups, and dishes are to be removed and that coffee, tea, and decaf are to be consolidated and left in place until lunch or until breakouts begin again. that way a few thirsty people can still have their thirst quenched, and you will have used your money's worth. Always pay "by consumption' instead of 'per person."   treat continental breakfasts the same. Consolidate everything for latter use.
2. Have large breakfast rolls (Danishes) cut in half when serving continental breakfast. They're easier to eat and discourage heavy consumption.
3. Have food stations attended by a waiter to discourage over-indulgence. People tend to eat less if they see an attendant.
4. Know the history of all of your events. track them carefully so you can give accurate guarantees.
5. Use drink tickets at all bars. The bars hosted and you pay only on the number of tickets taken in.
6. Limit drink tickets to two. And have attendees pay cash after using the two tickets. 
7. Buy liquor by the bottle. If you expect 300 or more guests to be in attendance at your party, and if the duration of the event is two hours or more. Estimate three drinks for each guest, per two-hour period. If your estimate reaches 900 drinks or more, you should purchase liquor by the bottle.
8. Insist on a measured pour for each drink. The number of drinks each bottle can yield is determined strictly by the size of the shot that is poured from each bottle.
9. Don't order shrimp unless it is in a "passed" hors d'oeuvre. When it's gone, don't reorder.
10. Avoid salty snacks. They Simply make your attendees thirsty and make them drink more.
11. Utilize leftovers. If you order a cheese display and it is relatively undamaged after the cocktail hour, have the cheeses sent to the presidential suite.
12. Explore food options. In some cities, you can actually have a sit-down dinner for less money than a reception. (as long as you have a cash bar)
13. Think about hosting only wine, beer, and soda. Provide other alcoholic drinks at a cash bar-especially today when everyone is trying to discourage chemical and alcohol dependency.
14. Shop Around. If you have a particularly expensive event, place it on a bid basis with three hotels who could handle the numbers. 
15. Don't over serve. 
16. Price compare using an Event Planner to help you. Often times they have discounts already negotiated.

Most important. Have fun, it's a party.