Hiring for Peak Season: What’s Worked for Us in the Inflatable Business
In the inflatable business, minor staffing problems don’t stay minor problems for long. They turn into late routes, sloppy setups, stressed-out managers, customer complaints, and sometimes safety issues. And because this is such a seasonal business, those problems usually show up at the worst possible time, when the calendar is full and there’s no room for error.
IO Spotlight
Once a customer reaches the checkout screen on your website, most of the heavy lifting is already done. No matter which marketing channel brought them there, they are no longer just browsing. They have selected their rental items, added them to the cart, and entered buying mode.
That makes checkout one of the most important stages in the entire buyer’s journey because it gives you a final opportunity to increase the order value before the customer completes their booking. If you aren’t upselling party rentals at checkout, you could be leaving a lot of money on the table.
In this guide, ERS explains why upselling matters, why checkout is the ideal time to offer add-ons, and how to do it in a way that feels helpful instead of pushy.
HB433 Successfully Passes Ohio Senate and Moves Fee Restructuring Forward
HB433 in Ohio proposes an amendment to the amusement ride fee categories and was sponsored by Ohio house representatives Roy Klopfenstein and Representative Sarah Fowler Arthur. The bill restructures the inspection and permit fee schedule applicable to equipment regulated by the Department of Agriculture’s Division of Amusement Ride Safety. As a result, inflatable amusements could see a decrease in fees while larger thrill rides and mechanicals may see a slight increase.
Extension Cord Benefit
Magic Jump, Inc., the industry’s “Home of Licensed Inflatables,” is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a groundbreaking new partnership. The company has partnered with SEGA to introduce a full line of Sonic the Hedgehog licensed inflatables.
The collaboration marks the first time Sonic the Hedgehog, one of the world’s most recognized and enduring entertainment icons, will speed into the inflatable industry. The new collection will include bounce houses, combo units, and obstacle courses, giving rental operators and Family Entertainment Centers the chance to bring Sonic’s world of adventure and storytelling to life like never before.
IOA Has Announced Partnership with Connecteam for 35% Discount
IOA has partnered with Connecteam, the world’s leading workforce management platform used by over 80,000 businesses globally, including IOA members Texas Entertainment Group, JP Party Rentals, and Pinnacle Event Group.
From scheduling crews across weekend events to onboarding seasonal staff, tracking certifications, and team communications, Connecteam helps operators manage their entire team from one mobile app. This partnership brings IOA members exclusive pricing, pre-built industry templates, and dedicated onboarding support
Learn how top IOA members cut scheduling time by 80%, eliminate buddy punching, and onboard seasonal hires in days instead of weeks. Free for all members. Spots limited.
