On October 9, 2016, we celebrated our 19th year of building themed attractions and creating memorable experiences for the family entertainment industry.

Jeff Schilling founded the company in 1997 after he spent time working at a laser tag facility and learning the industry. At the time, most laser tag arenas were simple layouts with plastic partitions and sloppy fluorescent paint. Schilling saw an opportunity to take laser tag to the next level by turning the arenas into fully themed environments. He wanted to deliver memorable experiences and amaze people, and that’s when the idea of the “WOW Effect” began.

Over time, we grew in every aspect: more clients, additional employees, and expanded production space. “It’s been amazing to see the company grow from when I joined in 2008,” commented Armando Lanuti, an Owner and the VP of Operations. “The evolution of our themed attractions and growth over the years has been phenomenal. It’s always fun to reminisce on the past, thinking about the fun projects, great times at trade shows and events with partners and clients, and just realizing how far we have come.”

Our company sure has come a long way, and today we are much more than just a laser tag arena builder. We employ over 30 staff members and provide a number of products and services including mini golf courses, arcade attractions, architectural design, and educational conferences.

Beyond the success of our own company, we all find joy being in this industry. “There is a level of camaraderie and fellowship unlike anything else out there,” added Lanuti. “It never ceases to amaze me when I see the sharing of information and genuine desire of those within the industry to help each other. We all have the mindset that when one of us succeeds, we all succeed.”

Looking toward the future, our ownership team has a strong vision for growth. We are currently revamping our 360 Event educational program to provide even more impact for operators. In addition, we have a number of products in the research and development stage in the Creative Works Lab, but we’re not ready to announce anything yet. In fact, we will debut a new attraction at the upcoming IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando.

When we look back, Creative Works as a company has accomplished a lot in 19 years. Just imagine where we’ll be when we hit the 20-year milestone!