Planning an event should be fun. Booking rides, games, food, music, attractions—it’s the kind of thing that sparks creativity and excitement. Unless, of course, you’re dealing with legal and risk management.
Yes, we said it.
You know who we’re talking about—the folks whose job is to say “no” before you even finish your sentence. The ones who hear “mechanical bull” and immediately imagine someone getting launched through a drywall partition like a cartoon character. Or who see “carnival ride” and assume you’ve personally assembled it with duct tape and dreams.
And hey—we get it. Their job is to ask “what could go wrong?” But here’s the thing: most of what they think could go wrong is based on outdated, misinformed, and frankly overdramatic ideas. So let’s clear the air and talk about how to plan a fantastic event without triggering a corporate panic attack.
First, Let’s Talk Safety. (Spoiler: We Take It Seriously.)
At ACP Entertainment, safety isn’t just something we slap on a brochure—it’s a full-time job. Literally. We employ multiple NAARSO-certified ride inspectors, even though we’re not required to. We have a full-time, in-house Safety Supervisor who inspects every ride before, after, and between events. And we perform thorough daily safety inspections on every attraction before operation.
We carry millions of dollars in liability coverage, exceed industry standards in maintenance and operation, and have one of the cleanest track records in the business.
In short, if safety were a sport, we’d have more trophies than Michael Phelps.
But… Your Risk Department Still Isn’t Convinced?
Welcome to the club.
Sometimes, no amount of data, insurance, or sparkling safety records will convince a department whose motto seems to be “If fun is happening, shut it down.” So, what do you do if you still want an exciting event but need to avoid giving your legal team heart palpitations?
You give them safe bets—the attractions even the most cautious departments can’t argue with.
Risk-Friendly, Lawyer-Approved Attractions
Let’s call these the “legal-easy crowd-pleasers.” These attractions bring energy and engagement, but don’t involve anyone getting strapped in, buckled up, or bouncing skyward.
Here are the MVPs of low-risk fun:
- Game Trailers – High throughput, high player count, and high energy. And not a seatbelt in sight. These games are huge, have bright flashing lights, draw a lot of attention and give away awesome prizes.
- Digital & Arcade Games – Zero liability, all nostalgia. Think PacMan, Pin Ball, Skee Ball and more.
- Small Carnival Games (Without Prizes) – Fun for the kids, plus no one ever sues over a bean bag toss.
- Yard Games – Giant Jenga, Giant Connect 4, Giant Pong. Giant fun that’s safer than a company potluck.
- Mini Golf & Gem Mining – Interactive, immersive, and almost absurdly safe.
- Photo Booths – Because the only risk here is someone posing too enthusiastically.
- Casino Parties (Indoors only) – Blackjack, poker, and roulette with no real money on the line? It’s basically just fun math homework in tuxedos (we’re talking those fake tuxedo shirts, actual tux’s are way too fancy).
What About Inflatables?
Some departments are cool with inflatables. Others? They picture chaos, kids somersaulting into each other, and a parade of twisted ankles. The irony? Inflatables are often more risky than rides.
Climbable inflatables can lead to bumps and bruises simply from kids doing what kids do—running, bouncing, crashing into each other like a hundred bouncy balls dropped in the middle of your driveway. Meanwhile, rides are supervised, secured, and controlled. Guests are buckled in, monitored by trained operators, and far less likely to injure themselves from pure enthusiasm.
Still, if inflatables are frowned upon, here are a few examples of non-climbable options:
- Inflatable Axe Throwing (Make sure they know that the axes are foam and Velcro, otherwise they may blow a gasket)
- Shooting Stars Basketball
- Batters Up Baseball
- First Down Football
- Soccer Fever
These inflatables are interactive, but no one’s flying off them or climbing inside. Engaging, exciting, and engineered to keep feet firmly on the ground.
Final Thoughts
Look, we love our friends in legal and risk management (really, we do). But we also love fun, and we believe the two can peacefully coexist. So next time they raise an eyebrow at your event plans, just remember: we’ve got the credentials, the insurance, and the impeccable safety record to back you up.
Whether you’re aiming for mechanical rides (we’ll help you make your case), or you’re stuck planning a zero-risk, fun-filled day that won’t send your compliance team into a tailspin, ACP Entertainment has the attractions—and the experience—to make it happen.
And if your risk department still says “no,” just remember: photo booths never hurt anybody.
