About Us

A SUMMARY OF EXPERIENCE OF PRINCIPALS IN THE OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT OF ATTRACTIONZ

• George Smith, President, has been in the entertainment and amusement business for more than thirty years. During his industry tenure he has been involved in all facets of facilities operations and management. Currently, Mr. Smith is President/COO of Family Entertainment Group/Skymart and Chief Operating Officer of IVC Interactive Vending Corporation.

  2004-2007 Mr. Smith was Senior Vice President Business Development with Animaland Inc., a leader in the interactive plush toy market.

  2003-2004 Mr. Smith was Chief Operating Officer of Paradigm Entertainment.

  1998-2003 Mr. Smith was Vice President of Business Development for Namco Cybertainment Inc., the largest operator of amusement facilities in the United States. He oversaw the expansion of new business development from inception to operation in over 1,100 facilities including close operating relationships with Disney, McDonald's, AMC Theatres, MGM Casinos and over 50 Fortune 500 companies. Operations covered 48 states and Puerto Rico. Mr. Smith oversaw the growth of this division into Namco's largest subsidiary.

  1992-1998 Mr. Smith was Vice President of Operations for Namco. His responsibilities included all facets of day-to-day facility management including the operation of nearly 500 stores. He also assisted in the acquisition of many companies and related businesses.

  Prior to joining Namco Mr. Smith was Sales Manager with Nancy Sales, the largest provider of toys and novelties to the amusement business. In this capacity Mr. Smith created new markets and affirmed alliances with the largest amusement park operators.

  From 1978-1990, Mr. Smith held many positions with Dream Machine, a privately owned and operated company in Boston, Massachusetts. Dream Machine operated amusement facilities in malls and vacation locations along the eastern seaboard. During this time, Mr. Smith was Director of Technical Services, Fleet Management, Purchasing and Regional Management.

  Mr. Smith is also the past President of the International Association for Leisure and Entertainment Industries. During his term, Mr. Smith made alliances with the Amusement and Music Operators of America and the American Amusement Manufacturers Association. This culminated in the joint purchase of the FunExpo Amusement Show. Mr. Smith was Secretary for many years of the Leisure and Entertainment Trade Show Association. He is currently on the FEC committee for IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions) the largest amusement trade organization in the world.

  Mr. Smith is also an industry lecturer and writer. His ongoing consulting clients include the United State Air Force, the United State Army Services Recreation Equipment Program and E Ball Games of Melbourne, Australia (an amusement game developer). Mr. Smith received his B.S.B.A Magna Cum Laude from Clark University.

• Marc Bear, Chief Financial Officer, received his B.A from DePaul University in 1982 and his J.D. from IIT-Chicago Kent College of Law in 1985. While attending law school, Mr. Bear worked for Arthur Rubloff's private firm in acquisitions and syndication. In 1987, Mr. Bear co-founded Bear Kaufman Realty, Inc., a firm specializing in residential real estate brokerage in Chicago.

  In 1995, Mr. Bear opened and operated his first of several McDonald's franchises. McDonald's Corporation granted Mr. Bear special permission to design and operate a family entertainment arcade facility in his restaurant. There currently exists only a handful of these special venues within the United States. This McDonald's "Playland" has become the top family entertainment destination in its class throughout the northwest suburbs. It is affordable to all and attracts everyone from young children to adults.

• Michael Kaufman, Vice President Business Development, received his B.A. from the University of Illinois in 1982 and his J.D. from IIT-Chicago Kent College of Law in 1985. While attending law school Mr. Kaufman worked in the insurance and property management division of Balcor/American Express. From 1985 to 1987 Mr. Kaufman worked in the marketing and private placement division of Realcorp, a residential real estate investment company. In 1987 Mr. Kaufman co-founded Bear Kaufman Realty, Inc., a firm specializing in residential real estate brokerage in Chicago.

  Mr. Kaufman has won the Chicago Association of Realtor's "Good Neighbor Award" twice for his own new construction developments in Chicago which included the "Skybox On Waveland," a state-of-the-art, luxury three story building that offers rooftop and indoor viewing of Chicago Cubs baseball games located directly across the street from Wrigley Field. Mr. Kaufman's innovations included a foul pole on top of the building showing that it was 460 feet from home plate and a strikeout board with giant "K"'s. Both of these features are the focus of many television broadcasts and newspaper/magazine photographs. Along with great food, excellent amenities and outstanding management, the Skybox On Waveland (now known as "Beyond the Ivy"), is consistently sold out and is one of the top tourist destinations in the Wrigleyville/Lake View neighborhood. Mr. Kaufman managed all aspects of the parties and events. Skybox clients consisted of a who's who of Chicago Crain's corporations, trade show and tourist groups and local social clubs.