Bemusement - The Attractions Industry Blog

Chad Emerson

Chad D. Emerson is an Associate Professor of Law at Faulkner University’s Jones School of Law.

He is a frequent lecturer, author, and consultant in the area of amusement and hospitality law. Chad is also the author of: The Continuing Showdown Over Who Should Regulate Amusement Attraction Safety: A Critical Analysis of Why Fixed-Site Amusement Attraction Safety Should Remain State-Governed published by the Seton Hall Legislative Journal.

He is the Former Editor and Administrator of the amusement industry’s leading legal and regulatory website—ThemeLaw at themelaw.blogspot.com and a Contributing Writer for a variety of leisure and special events industry magazines, including a regular column entitled The Large Park Report for Tourist Attractions & Parks Magazine.

Chad D. Emerson can be contacted by telephone at (334) 386-7536, or by e-mail at cemerson@faulkner.edu

[Website] [My Posts]

Thursday, November 15, 2012 In Remembrance of Disney’s Dave Herbst    There’s a common misconception about Giants. To be a Giant, you don’t have to be big or tall or otherwise physically imposing. You just have to be strong. That’s why Dave Herbst was a Giant—because he was strong in so many ways....View more

Tuesday, July 13, 2010 The Business of Nostalgia    Nostalgia can be a powerful sales tool and no one in the amusement industry does it better than Disney. Indeed, at its very core, much of the company is centered on the nostalgic reminders of its namesake Walter Elias Disney.
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Friday, November 20, 2009 Themed Design: Lagasse's Stadium hits a home run for sports-themed restaurants    Checking in here live from the IAAPA Attractions Expo in Las Vegas...

The concept of themed dining—sometimes referred to as “eat-ertainment—has been around the amusement industry for several years in several different formats. You’ve had character breakfasts, dinner shows, and restaurants with audio and visual experiences like the Rainforest Cafes from Schussler Creative......View more

Tuesday, October 21, 2008 Amusement Law: Legal Learning at WWA and IAAPA    For those interested in legal and regulatory issues, fall is a useful time as it’s the season when some of the industry’s largest associations hold their annual conventions.
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Wednesday, September 24, 2008 Amusement Law : How IALDA Serves the Amusement Park Industry, Legally Speaking    Many industries have lawyers who specialize in legal issues that matter most to that particular industry. Fortunately, such a legal group also exists for the amusement industry...
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Tuesday, September 09, 2008 Halloween Risk Management for Amusement Parks: Curbing the Scary Specter of Legal Liability    Now that Labor Day has passed, many parks are gearing down for the close of this year’s season. However, a growing trend within the industry has been to keep certain operations going through the Halloween-time....View more

Wednesday, August 27, 2008 Amusement Law : Theme Park Trends in Central Florida and the Game of "What-If?"    I sat down last weekend to write about local government regulatory issues that have slowed, stalled and even stopped new projects from opening, and which vex a wide variety of operators. Then, a fascinating conversation with an industry insider prompted a quick change in direction ....View more

Wednesday, August 13, 2008 Amusement law: Snakes Alive! Amusement Legal and Business Update    This week’s column starts out with an update to one of last week’s stories. Word continues to spread that the Busch/World of Discovery parks will be sold once InBev completes its purchase of Anheuser. What’s becoming especially interesting is the list of potential suitors that are popping up in published reports:...View more

Wednesday, August 06, 2008 Amusement Law: As the Summer Season Winds Down…    Here in the States, August means that the peak summer amusement park season is beginning to wind down since many states now start their school years well ahead of the Labor Day weekend (though efforts continue to reverse that trend and return school starts to their traditional post-Labor Day spot). With amusement park facilities hopefully wrapping up a successful season, this week’s Update focuses on a series of quick legal and business notes facing the industry these days....View more

Wednesday, July 23, 2008 Amusement Law: InBev/Busch Gardens Africa?    InBev / Busch Gardens Africa? This week’s Update begins with word that Anheuser-Busch may be selling its chain of theme parks (the Busch Gardens and SeaWorlds, in particular) now that the domestic beer giant has been purchased by, InBev, one of Europe’s largest brewers.
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Wednesday, July 16, 2008 Amusement Law: How the Airline and Amusement Industries are Tied Together    With the recent high-profile failures of major U.S. banks and lenders like IndyMac, the troubled domestic airline industry has been given a respite from harrowing headlines. However, that doesn’t mean the threat to their business model has gone away. Indeed, with oil surpassing $145 per barrel (and going higher at a brisk clip), most U.S. commercial airlines are facing bleak prospects in both the short and long terms. So, why does this matter to the amusement park and recreation industry?...View more

Wednesday, July 09, 2008 Amusement Law: Gun Laws and the Amusement Industry Take Center Stage    Welcome to the first Blooloop Legal and Regulatory Update. I’ll be writing this on-line column most Wednesdays.
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