“We noticed people continued to spend entertainment dollars on their children,” Khouri says, explaining that sometimes meant parents and organizations co-hosted with other parents and organizations to stretch their discretionary dollars.

Hoffman, who owned a small inflatables business and other party rentals, decided to parlay what was a small business into a full-blown entertainment company featuring a video mobile game truck.  But he needed his uncle to make that happen.

Today, Ohio Mobile Gaming (OMG) provides entertainment for birthday and graduation parties, church and school events, community festivals and other occasions.  The company’s most popular attraction is its large, customized trailer that travels to parties and events.  Inside are a photo booth and five screens equipped with the latest gaming systems.  The game truck can accommodate about 20 children at a time.

“It’s completely self-contained,” explains Khouri, OMG’s treasurer. “It’s heated, cooled and has its own electricity.  It doesn’t need anything from the homeowners.  We can pull up curbside or to a school or church parking lot.  You can host a nice, enjoyable party without (guests) going inside your home.”

In addition to the game truck, OMG offers approximately 80 inflatables, including bounce houses and obstacle courses.  Many inflatables are themed with characters from SpongeBob SquarePants, Batman, Sesame Street, Disney and other child-friendly enterprises.  The company also carries arcade games, midway carnival games, mechanical bulls, dunk tanks, a surfing simulator, concessions and photo booths.  Casino games are available for adult gatherings.  Because the company has relationships with other entertainment vendors, they can arrange for costumed characters, temporary tattooing, balloon twisting, magic shows and other attractions.

“And if we don’t have it, we can find it or create it,” Khouri says.  “We have talented people in-house, who can create just about anything.”

The game truck is most popular with 8- to 15-year-olds, but Khouri says people of all ages enjoy it.  Adults particularly like when OMG equips the truck with retro games they played in their youth.

The company’s reach has extended from birthday parties for three-year-old children to adult soirees and corporate events.  Parties can run from about $250 up to $10,000, depending on the options selected and the size of the event.  Most pricing is listed on the website.  Complimentary invitations are available upon request at the time of booking.

OMG services events in Cleveland and Akron, with Khouri concentrating on the Cleveland franchise and his nephew operating in Akron.  The business recently moved into and is currently renovating a 13,000-square-foot facility at 4855 East 345 Street in Willoughby. Khouri says they particularly enjoy bringing entertainment to the annual KidShow at Great Lakes Mall in Mentor.

Business partners Robert Jennings and Eric Ruedrich, who have worked with Khouri through Executive Entertainment (www.3ECleveland.com) since 2011, now operate OMG’s Game Truck Division and are responsible for most of the day-to-day management.  Nolan Whitely, an OMG employee for eight years, became a minority partner after graduating from college; he now heads OMG’s marketing and sales.

For more information, call 440-822-3960 or visit them online at www.OhioMobileGaming.com.