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It's Day 3 of IAAPA Expo Europe, and this episode of Skip the Queue brings you insights from industry leaders. Hear from Andreas Andersen (Liseberg), Peter van der Schans (IAAPA EMEA), Laura Read (Marwell Zoo), Aaron Wilson (ProSlide), and Robbi Jones (Katapult) on resilience, creativity, and the future of attractions.Skip the Queue is brought to you by Rubber Cheese, a digital agency that builds remarkable systems and websites for attractions that helps them increase their visitor numbers. Your host is Paul Marden, with co host Andy Povey and roving reporter Claire Furnival.If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, and all the usual channels by searching Skip the Queue or visit our website SkiptheQueue.fm.If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a five star review, it really helps others find us. And remember to follow us on LinkedIn. Show references: https://www.liseberg.se/en/https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreas-veilstrup-andersen/Andreas Veilstrup Andersen is the CEO and President of the Liseberg Group, Sweden – operating one of Scandinavia's most visited amusement parks. Andreas has a legal and financial background and has been working in the amusement park industry since 2000. First in several capacities at Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark, later as Vice President of European operations at IAAPA EMEA in Brussels, Belgium. Andreas was the 2018 Chairman of IAAPA. He currently holds board positions at Farup Sommerland and Alsik Hotel in Denmark, as well as Momentum Leisure and Leo's Lekland, Europe's largest chain of FEC's. Andreas is heading up IAAPA's sustainability initiatives, and occasionally blogs on https://reflections.liseberg.se/.Plus, live from the Day 3 of the IAAPA Expo Europe show floor, we catch up with:Aaron Wilson - Vice President, Business Development Europe & Latin America, Proslide Technologyhttps://www.proslide.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronlouiswilson/Robbie Jones - Insights Director, Katapaulthttps://www.katapult.co.uk/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrrobbiejones/Peter van der Schans - Executive Director & Vice President, IAAPA EMEAhttps://iaapa.org/expos-and-events/expo-europehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-van-der-schans-87715717/Laura Read - Chief Executive, Marwell Zoohttps://www.marwell.org.uk/https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-read-she-her-98110726/ Transcriptions: Paul Marden: Welcome to Skip the Queue, the podcast about the world's best attractions and the amazing people that work in them. I'm your host, Paul Marden, and together with my co-host, Andy Povey, and roving reporter Claire Furnival, we're here at day 3 of IAAPA Expo Europe. On today's show, Andy talks to Andreas Andersen, CEO and President of iseberg Group, about resilience. I meet Peter van der Schans from IAAPA EMEA, and we catch up with Laura Read from Marwell Zoo. First, let's go over to Andy.Andy Povey: So I'm joined now by Andreas Andersen, who's the chief exec of Liseberg, Scandinavia's most visited amusement park. Andreas, welcome to Barcelona. It's very good to see you here. Can you tell the listeners at home a little bit about Liseberg and what you do there?Andreas Andersen: Sure. So I'm heading up one of the classic regional city-based parks in Northern Europe. So you have Liseberg, you have Tivoli in Copenhagen, you have Kornalund in Stockholm, and Linnanmaki in Helsinki. And we're part of this tradition of parks that have a very strong community base and a long history. Liseberg is 102 years old and three years old. And also parks that represent cultural heritage as well as reflect the cities we're located in. Lovely, lovely regional park in downtown Gothenburg. And if you haven't been, you should come visit.Andy Povey: Absolutely. I must admit, I haven't made it there myself yet. It's on the bucket list. So our theme for today's recording is about recovery and resilience. And recently, in your blog address, you wrote that you feel like for the past four years, you've been in constant crisis mode. Can you tell us a little bit more about that?Andreas Andersen: Well, I think a lot of executives or just people working in this industry can recognise that the last four or five years have been very turbulent, very, very, very volatile.Andreas Andersen: It all started with the pandemic in March 2020, we were at Lisa closed down for 17 months, so we didn't have any any business at all for for 17 months. Then we reopened in the middle of '21, very very hard— you know, with a lot of restrictions and an organisation that had not been you know operating anything for a long time and we also had to let go a lot of people. Then in '22, I think everybody experienced this giant rush, you know, that everybody wanted to get back into the park. So we couldn't really keep up with demand. And that was stressful in a different way. In '23, the market in the Nordics really suffered for some reason. It was a wit, summer and inflation, and interest rates.Andreas Andersen: And everything that went with, you could say, sort of the beginning of an economic downturn. And then, in 2024, our biggest investment, our biggest project expansion in the last 100 years, a large new indoor water park burned down. So it feels like these four or five years has really been this chain of crisis that we've had to get over and manage, basically.Andy Povey: Yeah, I mean, what we're hearing from people on the show floor is that the economic and political unrest that we have all over the Western world is creating some turbulence in the market. So talk to us a little bit more about the fire at Oceania. What happened?Andreas Andersen: We had been building the water park for almost three years, and we were six, seven weeks away from handover. It was some of the last works on the right installation that went wrong. It was a plastic welding that overheated, and these things happen, as you know.Andreas Andersen: Unfortunately, we lost a colleague in the fire and that was basically, you could say, that overshadowed, I would say, everything, especially in the first weeks. Andreas Andersen: That was devastating to all of us and obviously, especially his family. But soon after, we also had to make some decisions. You know, did we want to rebuild? How did we want to rebuild? At what pace? How would we finance? etc. etc. So you also very quickly move into the next phase of a crisis management and that is recovery. And we've been in that phase ever since. Andy Povey: Interesting. It's a devastating situation. I mean, your concern obviously has to be for the team and the people involved— not just those affected directly, but everybody on the floor who feels an emotional impact from this situation. So what tips would you give, as a leader, going through a situation like that, to anyone else listening who may be facing their own challenges?Andreas Andersen: Well, I think I learned a lot during those weeks and months. And I think I learned that in a crisis, especially of this magnitude, everything becomes very naked. Everything becomes very raw. And you cannot really play a role as a leader. You have to be yourself. You have to be authentic. And it's okay to also show emotions and be caught up in this process of figuring out what to do with the project and the team and yourself when you meet challenges of this severity. Andreas Andersen: So I would say be yourself, but also recognise that I always say that leadership in a crisis is a little bit like your biggest asset is the confidence that people have in you. And that confidence is something you build up over years. It's a little bit like a bank account that you can then draw on when the crisis hits. But you really have to make sure that you have something on that bank account. You can't borrow confidence. It's not up for loan. So you really, you know, crisis management, from a leadership perspective, actually starts a lot earlier than the crisis. It's about, you know, building a team that works well together, that trusts you and has confidence in you. And then, when the crisis hits, you know, you can draw on that trust, draw on that confidence. So I think that's two of the learnings that I had during this process.Andy Povey: I love the idea of the bank that you can draw on. We're making deposits in our bank every day, not just as a commercial leadership level, but a personal level as well. You need to have that resilience built in yourself. A lovely analogy. And I really love the idea of authenticity. So, if we move on now to talking a little bit more about what we do in an attraction, I think authenticity plays a really big part in that. So, how important is it for you to keep innovating at Liseberg?Andreas Andersen: It's super important because we are in a regional market. I mean, if you look at how our guests are composed, you know, we have 90% Swedish people and then 10%, maybe 12% in a good year from other, especially Nordic countries. But the majority are Swedish and about 60% of our total volume is actually from the local market. And if you want to attract the local market and you want to drive revisitation, Gothenburg is a large city, but it's not a huge city. You have to keep the product fresh. You have to reinvest, reinvent, and constantly adapt. And I think that's actually... part of the, you could say, the formula for these Nordic city-based parks that we've actually had to all reinvent, you know, throughout our history. I mean, Tivoli, that was founded in 1843, it was built by this crazy entrepreneur called Geo Carstensen.Andreas Andersen: And when Tivoli opened on the 15th of August, it was late, it was over budget, and it was not quite finished. And he got a question from a journalist, you know, asking him, you know, when will Tivoli be finished? And his response was, 'Never.' Tivoli will never be finished. And I think, you know, it's almost 200 years ago that he said this, but I think it encompasses sort of the real DNA of our industry that we have to constantly evolve with our guests and reinvent ourselves. And I think, again, that the city, the Nordic city-based parks have really been quite good at that.Andy Povey: Obviously, I mean, Liseberg with 100 years, Tivoli with almost 200 years. There's something good there. You're doing something right. So more recently, you've taken a position with, I'm going to pronounce this awfully, Leo's Lekland. Compare and contrast Liseberg to Europe's largest chain of family entertainment centres?Andreas Andersen: I mean, there are a lot of similarities and also a lot of differences. I think what is interesting for me, you know, working with Leos is that it's, in many ways, the model is the same. I mean, you pay an entrance fee, you spend a few hours with your family, you may eat a lunch or buy an ice cream or a plush animal. So in many ways, it's the same. But I think, when we're talking about these attractions that are really designed for shorter visits, there is a convenience perspective to them that it's slightly different than, you know, visiting an amusement park or a theme park for a full day. I remember once I had a conversation with one of our competitors in this market, not FECs as such, but, you know, these shorter visits, you know, two, three-hour visit attractions, very often midway attractionsAndreas Andersen: And he said, 'What we sell is actually not.' necessarily an experience, it is two hours spent and I think that's a little bit of a different perspective on an attraction that you actually also go to, Leo's Lekland, to have your kids, you know, be really really tired when they get home, you know, in today's world, where everything is a lot of a lot of stuff is digital and and the kids sit there with their with the tablets and their phones and or their game consoles or they're online with their friends. I think play has a huge and important role to play in the development of motoric and social skills for kids. I think physical play will be something we're going to discuss a lot in the decades to come, because I think we lost a couple of generations the last 20 years. And I think that's a super dangerous thing. So getting back to your question, a lot of similarities, but there are also some differences and I've learned a lot by working with them.Andy Povey: Fantastic. The talk about play really resonates. We lost a year, maybe 18 months through COVID. I have 11-year-old twin girls. I love the idea that me taking them to our local FEC on a Saturday morning so I could recover from a hangover while they went and played was a really positive, good parent thing to do. So thank you for that. We're at the show. What are you looking forward to seeing when you get out on the show floor, when we eventually let you go out on the show floor?Andreas Andersen: Oh! I very rarely have a plan. I like to just stroll around. Actually, I see it a little bit like visiting an amusement park. You shop for experiences and you see what happens. I think one of the great things about these expos is the fact that, and that's probably what I look most forward to, is that you meet your industry colleagues.Andreas Andersen: A company like ours, Liseberg, we do not exist; we do not operate within a chain structure. We do not have a corporate mother that knows a lot about what we do. We do not have other parks that we can benchmark with. So these shows is also a little bit a way for us to get out of the bubble and meet other people that work with the same thing as we do. So it's actually not as much the expo floor or the events or the educational program as it is meeting the people. I enjoy.Andy Povey: Andreas, it's been great talking to you. Thank you very much for your time and have a fantastic show.Andreas Andersen: And I wish you the very same. Thank you.Paul Marden: Now let's head over to the show floor. So we are here on the ProSlide stand, and I'm here with Aaron. Aaron, introduce yourself. Tell us a little bit about ProSlide.Aaron Wilson: Hi, nice to meet you. Thanks for coming in. I'm Aaron Wilson, Senior Vice President, Business Development, EMEA, with ProSlide. I've been with ProSlide for nine years. We're focused really on the design and innovation of rides. That's where we really form the nucleus of who ProSlide is.Paul Marden: Okay, so what are you launching here at this year's IAAPA?Aaron Wilson: Yeah, so let's walk over here to our model table. Where we have a large model of our newest feature, which is the Hive. We actually opened up two rides this year, one at Chimelong in China, the most attended water park in the world. Paul Marden: Wow. Aaron Wilson: And that's with a five-person family raft, everyone seated facing each other.Paul Marden: That's amazing. So you're going through this on a five-person ring kind of thing?Aaron Wilson: Exactly, a five-person tube. So it's a tight radius helix curve. So as you enter, you're entering into a completely open, basically cathedral space. But as you're dropping and turning very quickly, you're staying really stuck along the outside of the wall, feeling those centrifugal forces. And you have a 360-degree global view. So you're able to look forward, backwards, upwards, down. See everywhere where you came from and where you're headed.Paul Marden: It's amazing, isn't it? Because you've got transparent sides on it. So you can see outside as well.Aaron Wilson: Absolutely. And there's a ton of theming potential here. In the middle is a support structure. And so we're working on theming there in the middle, if we can. Special effects around the outside. In this case, it's transparent. Exactly.Paul Marden: You've got some amazing models on the table here. This is one of those rides that you can't really bring to IAAPA and experience in real life because we'd all have to be in our swimmers.Aaron Wilson: Unfortunately, yes.Paul Marden: But some amazing, amazing models. What's innovative about this? What's this bringing to the market, which is unusual?Aaron Wilson: So you have that 360-degree helix turn. We've completely opened it up. So normally in a turn, you can only see a few meters in front of you. In this case, it's a feature that's completely open as you're making that turn. And so you can see everywhere, right? Up and down, forwards, backwards. And that's really part of the differentiation. But obviously the biggest sensation is actually that experience you feel as you have those centrifugal forces around the outside. With a five-person boat, you're looking at about 800 pounds, and you're whipping around the outside, gaining tons of speed throughout. So it's really exciting. The additional interesting thing about this element is we're also doing a two-person tube and a small compact footprint.Aaron Wilson: So it's very adaptable for indoor parks or even outdoor parks that don't have a ton of space. That compact footprint gives a lot of flexibility in the design.Paul Marden: So you've got this in China at the moment, you say?Aaron Wilson: Yep, and one in the US. And there are a lot more to come in the next one to two years already programmed and open. So we're really excited about this for the water parks.Paul Marden: That's amazing. So we've been asking everybody to get their crystal ball out and tell us trends for 2026. Where do you think the market is going? What do you think that we can expect to see this time next year at IAAPA? Aaron Wilson: Water coasters. Water coasters are the big thing. Paul Marden: What on earth is a water coaster? Aaron Wilson: Yeah, well, let's head over here to another model table. We have a couple of examples here. So I would say, like in the last couple of years, specifically speaking about Europe, we've seen an amazing response to our water coaster technology using water propulsion. We call it the rocket blast.Paul Marden: Right.Aaron Wilson: And so what you have is a series of injectors placed along the uphill sections that actually push the boat uphill. That's amazing. And so with that technology, we're able to do a number of things. And this actually, this ride opened about a year and a half ago at Land of Legends in Turkey. This is, you know, one of the biggest things that will stand out to you here is, as you're looking around all the models, what's very common with a water park is you have—gravity-fed rides, meaning you climb a tower and use gravity to go down. Paul Marden: This is very flat and long. Aaron Wilson: Exactly. This is built essentially on grade. There's no tower here. So, I mean, the first thing is accessibility. So now, as you know, there's no steps. You know, water parks are historically very difficult to meet accessibility. Paul Marden: Yeah. Do you know, I've never thought of that before. But of course, you need to climb the stairs to be able to get to the top of the tower.Aaron Wilson: So this case, this is called Turtle Coaster. And this is at Land of Legends. Our guests can walk or, you know, walk or wheel.Paul Marden: Yep.Aaron Wilson: As they want up this ramp. This is about four meters off grade. We have a little bit of a drop here. So this is a closed-circuit coaster, right? Meaning the guests are finishing and ending in the same location. Also something different from a water ride. Normally you're going up a tower and finishing in a pool. Here you're finishing and starting at the same location, much like a mechanical dry-growing coaster.Paul Marden: And this, just for listeners' benefit, this has got eight or nine turns in there. It's really, you know. It's going to be a normal coaster-type ride, isn't it?Aaron Wilson: This is a 420-meter-long coaster. You're looking at about a minute-and-a-half water ride, which is crazy. Most water rides are about 30 seconds, you know? So it's a really long experience. You have eight uphill last sections, along with what else is unique with our technology is we're able to incorporate these flat last sections. So much like a mechanical coaster has that launch element to it. We're able to do that with water propulsion. So right off the stop, you have this completely flat launch blast. Up, you're getting the elevation. You go around for 420 meters, a series of flying saucer features, uphill sections. Coming back into a water channel.Aaron Wilson: And landing in the landing pool, it picks you up on a moving station conveyor. So this conveyor is actually moving at a very slow pace. Guests are cutting off and getting back on.Paul Marden: This is not a lazy river, is it? That you're just sat around for a little while. This is going to hair around.Aaron Wilson: Absolutely not. And then here at Siam Park is another coaster here. We opened up in '23. Doolin. So you had two lanes.Paul Marden: Oh, wow.Aaron Wilson: And you're racing side by side throughout the experience.Paul Marden: That is amazing. Well, Aaron, look— it's been wonderful to meet you. Find out more about what you're doing here. Looks super, super exciting. I want to get my swimmers on and go and try some, but maybe not whilst we're here in Barcelona, but maybe one time soon.Andy Povey: So we're on the show floor again and I'm with Robbie Jones from Katapult. Robbie, please tell the listeners at home a little bit about Katapult, what you do with them.Robbie Jones: So we design themed attractions, experiences and destinations. So that can be anything from theme parks all the way through to museums. And our— I guess our core competency is design stage, so pre-concept designs. We get involved quite a lot in theme parks that are very early stages. And my role in that is quite unique within the team of creatives and designers, in that I look towards the insights. So sometimes I work with feasibility partners to kind of pull together the economic requirements for a theme park or an attraction to exist. But more often than not, it's about the guest journey, the guest behaviour, how can we make the guest experience as best as possible by understanding information research that we might have already but also doing some primary research as well to make sure we're creating like that amazing moment for every person that walks through the door.Andy Povey: Fantastic. That sounds really, really impressive. Looking back over 2025, what are your key takeaways from this year so far?Robbie Jones: Goodness, me. I think I'll speak with a lot of what the industry would say, which is it's been a little bit sticky in places in 2025. There's certainly been more maybes than yeses or nos in terms of projects. But I think we're starting to see things beginning to move. Someone's put some oil in the engine somewhere, which is great. And there's some really exciting projects coming up. Obviously, as a UK-based company, seeing the likes of Universal, Poodie Foo, setting up shop. It's going to be really interesting to see how that impacts not just the UK, but the European market as well.Andy Povey: I couldn't agree more. I really, really look forward to seeing that anticipated improvement in quality of experience that we'll get across the UK. So looking forward to '26 now, what are you anticipating as being the exciting things we're talking about in 12 months' time?Robbie Jones: Gosh, I mean, I think there will be an element of a quiet time, I think, especially with the new build theme parks, whether that's in the UK or, of course, in the Middle East. I think there'll be an element of quiet that we need to get used to in terms of waiting to see what the next big thing is or the next IP that's going to be in those rides. But I certainly see a lot more positive vibes coming out of the industry. I think we'll see more exciting local experiences, maybe not just big global ones. And yeah, just on the horizon, maybe plenty more opportunity and positivity.Paul Marden: It has been my first IAAPA Expo, and I've had a whale of a time. And I am joined here by Peter van der Schans, the VP and Exec Director of IAAPA EMEA. Peter. Tell me a little bit about what the show has been like for you because I've had an amazing time.Peter van der Schans: Well, so did I. The funny thing is we've always worked so hard on these expos. It takes a hell of a lot of time and it all comes back in this one week. And once you exit that plane or train or however you arrive, you start in a bus and then it's over before you know it.Peter van der Schans: And the week is done and you fall in this big black hole. That's where we're going now. So it's been a wonderful week and it's great to see all our members and every industry leader that is visiting us. We're a small team at IAAPA. We're not a huge organisation, but we have our members supporting us. It's a team effort from both IAAPA and our members, basically. And it's only pride.Paul Marden: One of the most important parts of the show, I think, is the educational side of what you do. There's been a big educational program. Are there any big themes that you've spotted coming out of that education strand?Peter van der Schans: So the education program actually is built with our members and by our members. So, of course, we guide it and shape it. But it's actually done by our members. So it's our members saying, 'Hey, this is where I have issues with. This is the trends I see. This is where I think this is going, which makes it always accurate because we have that industry knowledge by our members.' So in that sense, what we saw this year, there's a lot of focus on AI, obviously, the hot topic nowadays. Paul Marden: It's not a single interview I do where somebody hasn't dropped AI into it. So it's a hot topic.Peter van der Schans: It's a hot topic. And I'm very curious also to see where it's going because right now, if you see execution, the focus is much on back office. For example, Parks Reunidos for example, shared on stage, that they can now predict their next, the next day in visitor numbers with accuracy of 93% which is perfect. Things like that. But I'm curious exactly to see how it's going to evolve in the future to the front end. So what is that visitor going to see in the future? Whenever I go to a theme park, for example, will I be recognised by my name? And if I ride a ride, will the animatronic know my name, for example? Things like that. I think there's limitless possibilities.Peter van der Schans: And we're just at the verge of the beginning. And it's also so, so, so excited about that education program that we share what we know and we work together to get to that point to make it better. Paul Marden: Yeah, absolutely. The collaboration in this sector is just amazing. And IAAPA is just the living proof of that. So many smiling faces. You know that there were competitors together on stands just chatting and enjoying. It's a really enriching experience seeing everybody work together.Peter van der Schans: It is, it is. And the funny thing is I've worked in this industry since I was 16. I started as a ride operator. I didn't know any better than when I had an issue when I became supervisor and manager that I could call the park at the other end of the country and ask, like, 'Hey, how are you dealing with this?' And they helped me. And then I worked at the cinema industry and suddenly I realised that that is not that common in all industries, to say it lightly. It was much more competitive and I didn't want to share anything and really opened my eyes in a way that I realised, like, 'hey, this is special'. And also made me realise that IAAPA plays a big part in that as well, as an organisation to bring all those people together, to provide that platform to work together.Paul Marden: Yes, the facilitators of the community, aren't you? I'm going to ask you a slightly controversial question here. Outside of show hours, what has been your favourite party or event? And you can name drop any one of them. It's absolutely fine. Nobody will be upset with you.Peter van der Schans: I must say the ballpark reception, obviously for the British people. Always good beers. The Tuesday events with the opening ceremony, where we really kick off the week. They made me dance again. I don't recommend watching that back, but that's always just a fun, fun morning where we really kick off the week with a big energy, with a nice connection to the host city as well. Peter van der Schans: It's always fun to work on that and to execute that, but also the evening event, the opening reception where we gather. Well, this year we had 1,400 industry professionals coming together and mixing, mingling in Tibidabo. Without rain, thankfully. Paul Marden: Well, yes, this is the thing. So I was watching the skies thinking this could go really badly wrong. The BBC weather forecasts were not looking good. Peter van der Schans: There's this tradition in Barcelona that you bring eggs to nuns and they make sure you'll have good weather. We did that. We brought three dozens.Paul Marden: Took a lot of eggs. There was a lot of eggs broken in the making of this party. But you did very well. We're at the end. And everybody gets to heave a big sigh of relief that the show's done. It's in the can. But there's also a touch of sadness and fondness looking forward to what comes next. So next year, what have you got coming up first? I understand there's something in the Middle East.Peter van der Schans: Yeah, absolutely. We actually last year at this expo in Amsterdam, we announced the launch of our newest expo, IAAPA Expo Middle East, which is actually the first time in IAAPA's history that we built a new expo from scratch.Peter van der Schans: Never done that before, our members and and people in the industry ask us year after year like, 'When is IAAPA coming to the Middle East?' Of course, there's a huge amount of investments going on in that region. It's crazy. And in that sense, we we simply listen to our members and decide that this is the time we need to go. And we're excited to get closer and closer to the actual launch of the event in March in 2026 in Abu Dhabi.Paul Marden: So March 2026, Abu Dhabi is our next event. But there is another event coming next year. IAAPA is coming to London, which I'm very pleased about. Tell me, is the planning all starting on Monday? Are you already a long way through planning? Plans you can share with me about what's coming up in London?Peter van der Schans: We will have an exciting program for sure, but we're not there yet with with the actual education programme. That takes a little bit more of time, but we do have the show Florencial already and that's looking to be another record-breaking show. What I think also remarkable is that we will have one third more education than we will have in our previous show. So we always had two conference rooms— we'll have three in London. So we'll have actually quite a big increase in our educational offerings as well.Paul Marden: That's amazing. I cannot wait. This has been my first IAAPA, but it won't be my last IAAPA. I think I can confidently say that. So grateful for you and the team inviting us along as Skip the Queue to be part of what you've been doing. We've had an amazing time and I cannot wait to see you again in London.Peter van der Schans: Thank you very much and happy to have you here.Paul Marden: We are here at the end of day three of IAAPA Expo Europe. We've had a wonderful time. Andy Povey: I'm broken. Paul Marden: Oh man, I'm going home a broken man. The voice is barely holding on. I am here with Laura Read from Marwell Zoo. Welcome to Skip the Queue, Laura.Laura Read: Hello. Thank you for having me.Paul Marden: Laura, what's it been like for you? What's the benefit of coming to IAAPA for you?Laura Read: So this is my first IAAPA. For me, this was all around looking at what's new for visitor attractions, what's innovative, what's coming up, and what could we potentially bring to the visitors of Marwell Zoo that might be exciting and might drive more visitors to come to us, really, ultimately. It's all about, for us, diversification, keeping the zoo product at the core of our offer, obviously, but seeing how we can augment that with other things.Paul Marden: So what can we expect? Is it going to be a 4D immersive ride experience? Water slides? Or are you looking for something that enriches the in-real-life experience for you? And it's a bit more low-tech.Laura Read: Oh, I'd love to put in like a water park. Do you know what? That's something like the coolest stalls. Like going around going, 'oh, I'd love to design a water park. That's so fun. No, no'. So for us, it's really about looking at sort of smaller, lower-level, new attractions that we can bring in, you know, we're primarily a family audience. So it's what do kids want to play on? You know, I've seen some really cool little ride-on Jeeps that we think would work really, really well because we also want to stay true to our ethos. You know, Marwell's built its reputation on our conservation work, our hands-on conservation work in the field, you know, reversing species decline and also around sustainability. So sustainability is really core to our offer.Laura Read: This is not about turning Marwell into a theme park or a water park or anything like that, because the animals are still very much the stars of the show, as is the conservation work. But it's about how we can best utilise our space to provide that density of guest experience. And I think seeing all the things here today. That's where the inspiration comes in.Paul Marden: I think it's really interesting, isn't it? Because when you take your kids to the zoo, you need some space. You need a palate cleanser between the animals, don't you? To give the kids time to burn off some energy, to do something a little bit different. And then they come back re-energised and you're hiding the vegetables. You're teaching them about the conservation efforts and all the really important stuff that you do, but hidden around lots of things that keep them happy and engaged in what's going on.Laura Read: Exactly. The problem with zoos is the animals— they don't care that they're the exhibits.Laura Read: And, you know, we are a primarily outdoor attraction. Extremes of heat, rainy days, animals disappear. We know that. We know that the perennial problem is: I didn't see any animals because we have really, really high animal welfare levels and standards. And if those animals want to go off show and take themselves off to bed or away from the public view, they all can and should and do. So we need something that can keep kids particularly engaged and entertained, hopefully getting across a bit of education and messaging as well at the same time. That's a massive tick in the box. But, you know, it fills in the gaps when those animals just aren't playing ball.Paul Marden: Yeah, absolutely. Andy, what's been the highlight of day three for you, mate?Andy Povey: So I think it's actually talking to Laura.Paul Marden: Such a charmer.Andy Povey: Let me finish. Let me justify. It's really picking up the fact that this isn't just a theme park show. Yeah. There are elements for everything you could possibly do any day out any attraction, even in any shopping centre or any place you go to where there's large crowds of people— so it's all of that kind of stuff. I think is it's refreshing to see it through someone else's eyes, through our conversations.Laura Read: I was going to say, 'I have to say,' Before I was chief exec at Marwell, I ran a really large, shopping centre like retail, leisure, events, and destination. And I'm amazed that this is not on more commercial real estate people's radar. I look to see if there's anyone from a previous company here, then there isn't on the attendees list. And I'm like, 'Wow,' this is all the stuff that we should have been thinking about five years ago, ten years ago, when we were realising that diversification from a retail point of view is so important because of online shopping. So that's really interesting what you say. It's not just the theme parks.Andy Povey: No, absolutely not. It's all about the day out. And ultimately, that's all. We're all here to do is we work in a fun industry, and fun doesn't have to just be an amusement park.Paul Marden: Yeah, I found it really interesting. Seeing the things that I've seen has stretched my definition of what a visitor attraction actually is, because it is more than just a theme park. As you wander around and you see the different exhibitors, I was expecting to see... The ride designers and some of the really cool tech that I've seen. But there was other stuff that I've seen that I just hadn't expected.Andy Povey: No, I mean, I was chatting yesterday to a guy who supplies park benches and litter bins. You see them everywhere. Paul Marden: I say the park bench thing. I remember when I was working at the Botanic Gardens in Wales as it was being built, the importance of the park bench and sitting on them. And they were beautiful park benches, but they were also super comfy. The importance of a park bench, like a good toilet, can't be underestimated.Laura Read: You can always tell someone who works in visitor attraction operations, when they go to any other visitor attraction, they take pictures of the bins. I think that is an absolute giveaway. When I go places with my family and the kids are there, taking pictures of animals or taking pictures of each other or whatever they're doing. And I'm there. Oh, I'm just gonna take a picture of that sign. You know, like.Andy Povey: I have another confession to make. I had a conversation with my wife who took the kids to an attraction a couple of weeks ago. And I was most distressed that she hadn't taken a picture of the till for me.Paul Marden: Oh, you would know what the part number and everything about that till, wouldn't you? Such a retail geek.Paul Marden: Laura, thank you so much for joining us on Skip the Queue. It has been delightful. I feel that there might be a full episode coming on, talking about the zoo, if you'll have me.Laura Read: Yes, absolutely. Bring it on. Paul Marden: Oh, wonderful. Thank you so much.Andy Povey: Andy, take me to the airport.Paul Marden: If you enjoyed this episode, please like and comment in your podcast app. It really helps more people to find us. Show notes and links to all our guests this week are available on our website, skipthequeue.fm. It's been a massive team effort to take Skip the Queue to IAAPA. A huge thank you to Emily Burrows and Sami Entwistle, Steve Folland and Wenalyn Dionaldo, Claire Furnival and Andy Povey, as well as Erica Washington-Perry and her team at IAAPA Global Communications.Paul Marden: Next week, we're wrapping up our IAAPA theme, talking to Choni Fernandez, Chief Sustainability Officer at PortAventura Entertainment, and Jakob Wahl, President and CEO of IAAPA. See you then. The 2025 Visitor Attraction Website Survey is now LIVE! Dive into groundbreaking benchmarks for the industryGain a better understanding of how to achieve the highest conversion ratesExplore the "why" behind visitor attraction site performanceLearn the impact of website optimisation and visitor engagement on conversion ratesUncover key steps to enhance user experience for greater conversionsTake the Rubber Cheese Visitor Attraction Website Survey Report
Fünf Jahre How to Freizeitpark – fünf spontane Impro-Folgen zum Jubiläum! In der letzten Runde widmet sich Stefan einem Thema, das aktueller kaum sein könnte: Wie verändern FECs (Family Entertainment Center) die Freizeitparklandschaft – und wie sehr beeinflusst das Wetter unser Besuchsverhalten? Außerdem gibt's persönliche Beispiele, internationale Einblicke (Emirate, Niederlande) und einen kleinen Reality-Check für klassische Freizeitparks. Spoiler: Nicht jeder will bei +40°C draußen Achterbahn fahren.
In this episode of the Boxoffice Podcast, brought to you by Agile Ticketing Solutions, Daniel Loria and Chad Kennerk discuss the latest industry news, including the announcements for Best Picture marathons and Black History Month screenings. In the feature segment, Daniel is joined at the Dine-In Cinema Summit by Michael Jacinto, the vice president of sales at Proctor Companies, to discuss the evolution of FEC spaces and the integration of cinemas into multi-purpose entertainment complexes.Give us your feedback on our podcast by accessing this survey: https://forms.gle/CcuvaXCEpgPLQ6d18 What to Listen For00:00 Intro00:55 Box Office Forecast04:03 Programming Updates06:40 Executive Update09:50 Sponsor Message: Agile Ticketing Solutions10:20 Introduction to Guest: Michael Jacinto of Proctor Companies10:43 Discussion of the Dine-in Cinema Summit11:32 The Rise of FECs and Cinema Integration13:50 Design Considerations for FEC and Cinema Spaces14:00 The Future of Cinema Concession Stands16:20 Evolution of F&B Spaces in Cinemas18:44 Key Topics at the Dine-in Cinema Summit19:56 Box Office Pro Magazine Cover21:34 The Importance of the Last Touchpoint23:08 Cinemas as Retailers23:28 The Ideal Concession Stand24:42 Utilizing Empty Box Office Spaces26:37 Creating Experience-Friendly Locations
Looking for daily inspiration? Get a quote from the top leaders in the industry in your inbox every morning. The future of fun begins at IAAPA FEC Summit, January 19–21, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Join FEC and LBE professionals for an immersive experience packed with strategic insights, networking, and behind-the-scenes EDUTours of unique local facilities. Learn how to make your FEC stand out a crowded market and explore the latest trends designed to elevate your business. Build valuable connections and leave inspired with actionable strategies for success. Secure your spot today! Jim Howell is the President of Perky's Pizza. With decades of experience in the global pizza industry, Jim has had a storied career spanning Domino's, Brugger's Bagels, and even running pizza operations in Europe and the Caribbean. He now leads Perky's Pizza, a pioneer in non-traditional food service spaces like family entertainment centers (FECs) and resorts. With a commitment to quality and innovation, Jim's expertise in ingredient sourcing, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction has made him a leader in his field. In this interview, Jim talks about how pizza rules the world, not following the trends, and the importance of meeting everybody. Pizza Rules the World "Pizza is the number one selling item in family entertainment centers, and nothing will replace it." Jim's passion for pizza is evident as he delves into why it dominates as the go-to food choice in FECs and beyond. He discusses the universal appeal of pizza, describing it as a versatile dish that's familiar and accessible to guests of all ages. From thin crust to deep dish, Jim emphasizes that offering a dependable and delicious pizza experience is crucial to FEC success. Perky's Pizza focuses on maintaining high-quality standards while keeping operations simple and scalable. According to Jim, pizza isn't just a menu item—it's the backbone of FEC food programs, generating significant revenue and enhancing guest satisfaction. Not Following the Trends "I hate trends because they're not sustainable in family entertainment centers." Jim cautions against chasing food trends, especially in the context of FECs. Drawing from decades of data, he argues that introducing trendy menu items like salads or gluten-free options often results in wasted resources, as these items rarely resonate with the core audience. Instead, Jim advises operators to focus on proven staples, particularly pizza, and to learn from larger chains like McDonald's, which invest heavily in research before launching new products. His philosophy is clear: stick with what works and avoid overcomplicating the menu with fleeting trends. The Importance of Meeting Everybody "Good old-fashioned networking is key—you never know where opportunities might come from." Jim shares anecdotes from his career to highlight the value of building and maintaining relationships. From his early days working in Europe to his current role at Perky's Pizza, Jim has leveraged connections to create new opportunities and grow his business. At industry events like IAAPA, Jim emphasizes the importance of engaging with everyone, whether they're prospective clients or industry peers. By staying visible and approachable, he ensures that Perky's Pizza remains top-of-mind for operators looking to enhance their food programs. To learn more about Perky's Pizza or to connect with Jim, visit PerkysPizza.com or call their office at 813-855-7700. Jim is also reachable directly on his cell at 813-382-6044. Whether you're planning a new FEC or looking to upgrade your food service, Jim and his team are ready to help you create a successful pizza program. This podcast wouldn't be possible without the incredible work of our faaaaaantastic team: Scheduling and correspondence by Kristen Karaliunas Audio and Video editing by Abby Giganan To connect with AttractionPros: AttractionPros.com AttractionPros@gmail.com AttractionPros on Facebook AttractionPros on LinkedIn AttractionPros on Instagram AttractionPros on Twitter (X)
It's the final show of 2024 and Jonathan from Pinball Magazine and Martin from Pinball News have a lot of exciting news to bring you from the right across the pinball world throughout November in the latest edition of their Pinball Industry News PINcast. There's a new game launch as Spooky Pinball announce their latest title, Evil Dead, which boasts assets from both the first two movies as well as custom speech from the lead actor, all crammed into a widebody, multi-mech, richly-artworked cabinet. If the prospect of getting one of the 888 Collector's Edition machines not enough to rattle your chains, you can also get a striking animated topper. After dipping their toe in the redemption pool ten years ago, Jersey Jack Pinball have made a big splash with their new Pinball XP redemption pinball system for larger family entertainment centres (FECs). It's an impressive-looking showcase for JJP's games and an excellent way to boost your redemption card's value while having fun playing pinball. To find out more, Jonathan and Martin call up Jersey Jack himself, Jack Guarnieri, who is in Australia for the Melbourne Pinball Expo from where he explains how Pinball XP works and what those at the company are hoping to achieve with it. November means Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and this year there were loads of exciting deals on entire games, pinball parts and company merchandise. American Pinball had the greatest discounts with up to $3,000 off their top-end titles. There were plenty of savings on other models too, swiftly followed by 30% off parts and merchandise. Jersey Jack Pinball were in on the Black Friday fun too, with $1,000 off some of their titles, while Hexa Pinball in France took €500 off both models of their Space Hunt game. Hexa Pinball also announced a significant investment in their company from a very different games company. Who are they and what might that mean for future sales and future titles? Not wanting to miss out, Stern Pinball offered free domestic shipping on their parts and merchandise, while announcing a whole bunch of new merch and add-ons for their most recent titles. The PINcast duo also looks back on the events before, during and after the Dutch Pinball Open Expo which took place at the start of the month, and also look ahead to Stern's upcoming Insider Connected Pinball Cup season of races which where the starting gun is about to be fired. There's much more news from all the pinball companies in November's PINcast, as well as the latest update on the Deeproot saga as the accusations swing from civil to criminal. You can grab November's PINcast right now from your favourite podcast supplier, find it on YouTube and YouTube Music, or get it direct from Spotify on the link above, and don't forget you can also subscribe to the PINcast for free to guarantee you get the freshest episode every month the very moment it is released into the wild. As you can see, there is so much happening in the pinball industry right now and coming up very soon, so make sure you join Jonathan and Martin each month to ensure you don't miss any of it.
#322 - Hey hey we're the diseased monkeys. Tarballs are sexy. Throb gets a physical. Breaking Taco Bell news. The boys go to NASA. Syllables are hard. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rareformradio/support
Tim Murphy is the CEO of Boomers Parks. With a rich career background that spans various sectors within the entertainment and hospitality industries, Tim has brought significant transformations to Boomers Parks since taking on the role in June 2020. Under his leadership, the company has seen a focus on improving food and beverage offerings, repurposing real estate, and enhancing team engagement. His initiatives have not only increased profitability but also improved the overall guest experience. In this interview, Tim talks about high-quality food, repurposing retail, and the power of people. High-Quality Food “The investment in enhancing food and beverage quality also enhances the attraction component of the business as well.” Tim emphasizes the pivotal role that high-quality food plays in the success of Boomers Parks. By investing in better food and beverage offerings, Boomers Parks has significantly increased the length of guest stays, which in turn boosts overall spending. Tim explains that the introduction of high-quality food items, while retaining fan favorites like pizza and hamburgers, has kept guests satisfied and engaged longer. The approach has shifted the typical visit duration from 90 minutes to three or four hours, resulting in higher per capita spending across various attractions within the parks. The strategic focus on food quality extends beyond merely offering better meals. It creates a comprehensive guest experience that encourages visitors to spend more time on-site. This, in turn, leads to increased spending on attractions and games. Tim's philosophy demonstrates that enhancing one aspect of the park, such as food quality, can have a ripple effect on overall business performance, making it a crucial element of the park's operations. Repurposing Retail “I believe there's a plethora of locations to go to. And the good thing for those in the FEC space is landlords are flexible.” Tim Murphy sees immense potential in repurposing vacant retail spaces for family entertainment centers (FECs). With many big-box retailers closing down, there is an abundance of available real estate that can be transformed into engaging indoor entertainment venues. Tim highlights that spaces ranging from 20,000 to 50,000 square feet are ideal for FECs, providing ample room for various attractions while being manageable and cost-effective. The flexibility of landlords with these vacant properties presents a unique opportunity for FEC operators. Tim notes that landlords are often willing to offer favorable terms, such as reduced rent and funding for tenant improvements, to fill their empty spaces. This not only revitalizes unused properties but also creates new destinations that draw foot traffic, potentially benefiting the surrounding businesses. By repurposing retail spaces, Boomers Parks can create controlled environments less affected by weather, ensuring consistent and enjoyable guest experiences. The Power of People “We want to be competitive with wages...but what else do we want to be able to offer and remind our team members that we're doing differently than other potential opportunities for them to go to?” Tim underscores the importance of people in the success of Boomers. He believes that fostering a supportive and engaging work environment is crucial for both employee satisfaction and guest experience. Under his leadership, Boomers has developed a set of core values that include safety, inclusion, and accountability. These values are not just posted on walls but are actively lived and reinforced through regular training and communication. To attract and retain top talent, Boomers offers competitive wages and additional perks such as free meals, snacks, and drinks for employees during their shifts. The company also implements a points-based reward system, where employees can earn points for exceptional performance and redeem them for gift cards, merchandise, or trips. This consistent recognition of good work helps build a motivated and dedicated team. By focusing on the well-being and development of their employees, Boomers Parks ensures that their team is committed to delivering outstanding service, thus enhancing the overall guest experience. For those interested in learning more about Boomers Parks or exploring franchising opportunities, Tim can be contacted directly at tim@boomersparks.com. Additionally, more information is available on the Boomers Parks website at boomersparks.com. This podcast wouldn't be possible without the incredible work of our faaaaaantastic team: Scheduling and correspondence by Kristen Karaliunas Audio and video editing by Abby Giganan To connect with AttractionPros: AttractionPros.com AttractionPros@gmail.com AttractionPros on Facebook AttractionPros on LinkedIn AttractionPros on Instagram AttractionPros on Twitter (X)
Tim Murphy, CEO of Boomers Parks, delves into the operations, challenges, and growth of Boomers Parks' family entertainment centers (FECs) and water parks. The discussion covers Murphy's extensive background in the entertainment industry, the evolution and modernization of Boomers Parks' offerings, and the significance of understanding demographic needs. Murphy also shares how Boomers Parks has adapted its business model for growth through franchising, consulting, and management agreements, while also enhancing their online presence and updating their facilities to attract and retain visitors. James Cook is the Director of Retail Research in the Americas for JLL. Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Listen: WhereWeBuy.show Email: jamesd.cook@jll.com Watch our video show, Everything We Know About Retail: http://everythingweknow.show/ Leave a message on the Where We Buy hotline. We may use it on an upcoming show. Call (602) 633-4061 Read more retail research here: http://www.us.jll.com/retail Theme music is Run in the Night by The Good Lawdz, under Creative Commons license.
Pour la première fois, la France a été intégrée avec le Japon aux armées anglo-saxonnes des Five eyes lors d'un exercice militaire conjoint. Du 24 février au 21 mars 2024, près de 200 soldats français ont été déployés dans le désert Mojave, en Californie aux États-Unis pour une campagne d'expérimentation interalliée majeure : Capstone 4. C'est plus précisément au National Training Center à Fort Irwin, qu'ils se sont principalement entraîné sur ce que l'on appelle la boucle renseignement-feux. Nous retrouvons le commandant du détachement français, qui est en France le chef de la Force d'expertise du combat Scorpion plus communément appelé FECS.
In this episode of the Food & Farming podcast, AHDB's Dr Nerys Wright is joined by independent sheep consultant and SCOPS representative Lesley Stubbings. They discuss the Nematodirus forecasting map for 2023 and details of the sheep element of the recently launch Defra funded animal health and welfare pathway. Nematodirus forecasting The nematodirus forecasting map for 2023 is live and hosted on the SCOPS website. The map uses the daily temperature to monitor when the over winter larvae may hatch and the subsequent risk of Nematodirus this year in young lambs. Other risk factors to consider are the age of the lambs and the amount they're grazing and ingesting. The Animal Health and Welfare pathway For the Defra funded animal health and welfare pathway, the registration process is now open. There is £436 available to sheep farmers with 51 or more sheep and have claimed BPS in the past. As part of the pathway, farmers can expect 2-3 hour visit from their vet, a report highlighting the key prioritise for that business and a summary of the results from their wormer treatment check (WTC). In order to ensure that farmers get the most out of this pathway, it is important to ensure FECs are taken as a representative sample, as fresh as possible and wormers only used when they are high enough to warrant a treatment. Discuss the efficacy results with your vet or SQP/RAMA. Useful links and resources: How to apply for an annual health and welfare review of your livestock https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoaTzmZ0YBI The SCOPS website SCOPS | Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep Getting the most from FEC samples SCOPS FECs FInal Doc The Nematodirus map Nematodirus Forecast | SCOPS Defra Pathway link Annual health and welfare review of livestock (defra.gov.uk) SCOPS WTC booklet SCOPS WormerTreatmentCheck_Guidebook Read AHDB's Worm control guide WormControlGuide3685_210104_WEB.pdf (windows.net) Read AHDB's Parasite control guide Parasite control guide | AHDB Order hard-copy publications here: AHDB Beef & Lamb Order Form | AHDB
Scott Brown is the Director of Marketing for Family Entertainment Group, which operates FECs of all scopes and sizes throughout the United States. In this interview, Scott talks about how the way in which guests are attracted to the center varies based on the location that they are visiting, as the messaging needs to be completely different in locations that serve local residents versus locations that capitalize on existing tourists and foot traffic. Scott also talks about striving toward excellence, which includes the way that employees are onboarded and recognized for their efforts, and that the employees are often the stars of the show, rather than the attractions that the guests are visiting for. Additionally, Scott says that technology plays a role in the guest experience strategy, particularly as you gain additional intelligence on your guests and how you use it to serve them better. Scott shares that one FEG's guest experience philosophies is to bring family and friends together through the universal language of fun.
Kevin Williams is the Co-Founder of Spider Entertainment, a consultancy that brings together decades of talent and experience within the family entertainment industry. Spider Entertainment offers research, feasibility, and operations to venues within the out-of-home entertainment space to help operators make data-backed decisions on what entertainment offerings should be implemented to serve the ideal guest demographic. In this interview, we talk about the evolution of the guest experience, particularly in family entertainment centers, and how gut instinct is not the most optimal way to run your business. Kevin talks about driving repeat visitation, minimizing cannibalization when adding new entertainment options, and how guests are becoming more and more sophisticated, which is changing the way operators need to look at their business.
Craig Buster is GM of Wild Island in Sparks, NV. Craig started as a go kart attendant and quickly realized that he had something unique to offer. Three decades later he is the GM who works at building a great culture and an amazing facility that both his employees and guests can be proud of. In this interview, Craig discusses ownership culture, learning from failure, and celebrating the wins. Ownership Culture “I love to develop people. I probably fail more than I succeed .” Craig talks a lot about culture and how it not only starts at the top, but that it is driven by what's in the heart. Talk to people as human beings and provide them them the tools and guidance they need to be successful. Being part of the decision-making process is what helps build the culture of ownership according to Craig. He allows his team to give input and debate the pros and cons of the facility's next move. They then get to see how their decisions play out as they are implemented. Craig admits sometimes the suggestions work out, sometimes they don't, but in every instance, the team learns. Learning from failure “When opening a restaurant, that first night you've got to nail and if you don't, you're done.” The ownership at Wild Island allows Craig and his team to make and own many of the decisions that drive the park forward. When asked about his favorite failures, he points to a few decisions that cost the company significant money, but also taught them some valuable lessons. As they looked to expand, they thought that adding a high-end restaurant would be a great addition to their offerings. Ultimately that failed for many reasons, but the lesson that came out of it was to more closely appeal to your demographic, do what you know and listen to your community for what they want. The restaurant space eventually turned into black-light mini golf and is still a popular attraction to this day. Celebrating the wins “You've got to celebrate those wins…you need to stand up and clap, jump up on a table, whatever you need to do.” Craig reveals that previously the team wasn't very good at celebrating wins. They would have a record week, check it off, then move on to the next week. They decided to be a little less humble about their accomplishments and start applying for some industry awards and celebrating the day-to-day wins with their teams. In 2019, Wild Island earned AAMA's Top FEC Award and have been finalists for IAAPA's Top FEC of the World Award. Craig acknowledges that it's a tough industry but it can be very rewarding. “We're creating experiences, and if that doesn't get you excited, it might be time to find another industry.” To learn more about Wild Island, visit: https://wildisland.com/ To contact Craig: CBuster@wildisland.com The annual IAAPA FEC Summit is back! After a 2-year hiatus, IAAPA is bringing FEC owners and operators together in Scottsdale for 2 full days of shared experience, new learning, networking and more. Scottsdale is the perfect location for this year's event. Attendees will experience first-hand several area attractions including the Arizona Boardwalk, OdySeaAquarium, Bam Kazam, Mavrix and Octane Raceway. This year's theme is “Designing the Future and Maximizing Growth.” Core topics will include retailtainment in FEC's, leadership, pop up exhibit experiences, brand loyalty and more. The Keynote speaker, Kaihan Krippendorff, (pronounced - K-eye-ann Krip-en-dorf) – will inspire and challenge attendees to think in new ways. His presentation “Be the Disruptor, Not the Disrupted” is timely and important and FECs – and just about all businesses continue to manage through the change and disruption brought upon by COVID-19. IAAPA's president and CEO, Hal McEvoy; Chairman of the Board Ken Whiting; and 1st Vice Chairman Jim Pattison Jr. will also be taking part, along with members of the IAAPA North America team to ensure everyone has the engaging, informative and memorable experience IAAPA events are known for. It's NOT too late to register and be a part of the IAAPA FEC Summit experience. We have a special code to save $200 on registration. IAAPA members can register at www.iaapa.org/fecsummit and enter code 22FECSMT14 by January 14. OH – and if you have ANY doubts or concerns and want to mention the health and safety protocols we are taking during this in-person event – here are a few key things: The health and safety of IAAPA's attendees is the number-one priority during IAAPA FEC Summit and a great deal of planning and consideration has gone in to ensuring a safe AND successful event. During the IAAPA FEC Summit, IAAPA will follow all guidelines regarding social distancing, mask-wearing, cleaning and disinfection, and other protocols set by the We-Ko-Pa resort, all host locations, the local government, and the latest CDC guidance and recommendations for meetings and large groups. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own masks – by now we probably all have a favorite style for comfort – and IAAPA will provide masks while ensuring sanitizing stations are readily available This podcast wouldn't be possible without the incredible work of our amazing team: Audio and video editing by Abigail Giganan Scheduling and correspondence by Kristen Karaliunas Social media marketing by Kate Kujawa Branding and design by Fabiana Fonseca Email marketing by Sam Bercik To connect with AttractionPros: attractionpros@gmail.com.
Today's podcast was a panel discussion about VR arcades, recorded at the 4th Annual VR Summit at Amusement Expo International held in Las Vegas on June 30, 2021. VR Arcades started with enthusiasts renting consumer equipment by the minute or hour. Hear from the leading minds in the industry how experienced developers and operators are creating destination attractions and innovative experiences people cannot replicate at home. With our panel of experts, we'll take a look at the future innovations of VR Arcade 2.0. The panel was moderated by Bryan Severance. The panelists were: Tommy Goodkin, consultant in the lb VR space and former head of content at VR World in New York City who is in charge of programming one of the best arcade 1.5 models. Chuck Taylor, VP of entertainment for Main Event in Dallas. He was out here in Vegas working for Caesars Entertainment, running experiential entertainment, development, testing technology work across the enterprise. Brooke Chapman, consultant in the virtual production and Location-Based Entertainment (LBE) spaces. She's from nomadic and has been at junk VR; spent a couple of lifetimes and Industrial Light and Magic years ago. Hunter Lane, Director of Business Development from Resolution Games, is one of the best VR games on the plane. He was one of the innovators of 1.0 VR Arcade, the first arcade in Oklahoma. Let's dive in! WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE: ● What is Springboard VR and how it was acquired by Vertigo Games ● Getting to know the panelist Tommy Goodkin, Chuck Taylor, Brooke Chapman, and Hunter Lane. What are their contributions to VR Arcade? ● What are LBE, VR, AR, and FEC VR mean? ● What's the difference between the VR 1.0 arcade and nomadic. ● Distinguishing Location-Based VR from Home-Based VR to make it more of a social experience ● Utilizing VR, out of home or in-home experiences big free room space, and small individual space; its pros and cons ● How to develop accessibility, get better experiences and get diverse people coming into FECs. ● Setting up, conflict and the resolution, and how it is being totally ignored as a way to increase the user experience. Listen to Part 2 here: https://anchor.fm/dashboard/episode/e16oki7/EP138: VR Arcade 2.0: Beyond the Novelty of Consumer VR – Presented by Springboard VR by Vertigo Games (Part 2) Our Sponsor: Springboard VR: https://springboardvr.com/ Bryan Severance: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-severance-91768718/ Tommy Goodkin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommy-goodkin-28245a79/ Chuck Taylor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckinator/ Main Event: https://www.mainevent.com/ Brooke Chapman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brookechapman/ Nomadic: https://blurtheline.com/ Hunter Lane: https://www.linkedin.com/in/f-hunter-lane-b7897613b/ Resolution Games: https://www.resolutiongames.com/ Learn More at www.bobcooney.com
Anna Danau is the Managing Director of her own business, Hospitality Intelligence. Anna started her business when she and her husband, Victor, moved to Vietnam in 2015. Hospitality Intelligence was originally created to oversee the first ice skating rink ever in Vietnam, which Anna planned, opened, and still oversees. Since then, the scope of the business has expanded to opening other family-focused entertainment offerings in the area as well as supporting other themed entertainment businesses in the area. This support comes in a variety of forms, with the most common being staff and procedural training and guest experience insight. Anna talked about the unique opportunity to be a part of the growing themed entertainment industry in Vietnam. She described the industry as being in its infancy there, but that interest in attractions was growing. Anna said most current offerings are family entertainment centers (FEC). In addition to the popularity of FECs, shopping malls are favorite destinations for locals. That's why Anna is opening attractions, such as ice skating rinks, in the already-popular mall locations. In Vietnam, family is very important so opportunities for family members to spend time together are always appreciated. The importance of family in Vietnam made a wonderful impression on Anna, and she decided to start and raise her family there. Opening the first ice rink in Vietnam came with some interesting challenges. Because this was the first opportunity many locals had to partake in the activity, almost everyone needed to be taught how to ice skate. This led Anna to pivot her staffing plans slightly, train all of her employees to skate, and have several of them on the ice at all times helping people learn how to skate and how to fall in a way that won't lead to injury. Another lesson that Anna learned from training her new staff was the importance of understanding and working with, not against, cultural differences. For example, in Vietnam elders are respected to the point that you often don't tell them that they can't do something. However, this cannot take priority over ensuring the safety of guests. Because of this potential conflict, Anna worked with her frontline employees to determine ways to respectfully explain safety requirements in a way that ensured all safety guidelines were followed while also making sure guests didn't feel disrespected. Training has become a large part of Anna's career, both at Hospitality Intelligence and with International Ride Training (IRT), which provides ride operator training, safety standards, and yearly audits. Anna has been a large part of extending IRT into Asia and Australia to truly make it international. One training initiative that Anna is leading is creating training for international students that want to work at theme parks in other parts of the world, such as in the United States. Many of these students haven't been to the US or even been to a theme park themselves so they have trouble being immediately effective at their roles. In order to help with this problem and provide value to both the hiring parks and the incoming students, Anna is creating training to teach students some of the basics before they even arrive at the parks. The topics range from learning the basics of living in the US to more tailored information about the park they will be working at. Additionally, the overarching focus is on safety for the students and the guests they will be serving when they arrive. Anna also enjoys training her own staff at the ice rink. She describes herself as an introvert but knows the importance of being confident and engaging with guests. Anna tries to help her employees find their inner confidence, but she says that process can be different for each individual. Additionally, Anna trains her supervisors on how to give good feedback to the employees they manage. She emphasized the importance of both positive feedback and corrective feedback. When constructive feedback is delivered with the goal of helping an employee be the best they can be and truly succeed in the role, even corrective feedback can lead to a confidence boost. Additionally, Anna pointed out that confidence takes both mental and physical practice. She teaches skills she learned in theater, such as breath control, having good posture, and even improv, as a means of improving confidence when interacting with guests. In addition, Anna wants her employees to feel empowered to be proactive while delivering exceptional guest experiences. Lastly, Anna shared a few tips. The first was to find a mentor if you don't have one. She says that she wouldn't be in the position she is in now without the help and guidance of her fantastic mentors. Also, Anna emphasized the value of enjoying the journey and not just the destination. She spoke this with regards to career progression. Many people go to school and think they have a plan for what they will do when they graduate, but Anna suggested that sometimes, opportunities might come along that surprise you and take you somewhere you didn't quite expect. Before joining the themed entertainment industry, Anna worked for the US government, gathering intelligence. So when the opportunity came to work within themed entertainment, a sphere she had always loved, she jumped on the opportunity and is loving the ride. If you'd like to get in touch with Anna, you can find her on Facebook, LinkedIn, and on Hospitality Intelligence's website. This podcast wouldn't be possible without the incredible work of our amazing team: Audio and video editing by Abigail Giganan Complete episode summary by Paige Reiter Scheduling and correspondence by Kristen Karaliunas Social media marketing by Kate Kujawa Branding and design by Fabiana Fonseca To connect with AttractionPros: attractionpros@gmail.com
Online hallgatásért, friss sztárhírekért, programajánlókért, valamint a legújabb tracklistákért és mixek visszahallgatásáért keresd weboldalunkat: http://www.radio1.hu Lemaradtál reggel Balázsékról? Hallgasd vissza a műsort! - http://balazsek.radio1.hu Kövess minket a közösségi médiában! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/radio1hungary Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radio1hungary TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@radio1hungary YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/radio1hungary Viber: https://vb.me/radio1communityweb Töltsd le a Rádió 1 mobilos applikációját és nézz minket élőben! - https://www.radio1.hu/mobilapp
5 - Fecsó egyszerre két lánnyal csalta meg Vasvári Vivient by Balázsék
Ryan Borton is the CEO of Funovation, best known for its custom laser mazes and other small footprint attractions for family entertainment centers (FECs). Since its founding in 2007, Funovation has installed over 400 attractions in 33 countries, and each installation is unique. In this interview, Ryan talks about innovating fun, “beamers,” and the importance of booster attractions. Ryan had a unique route into the attractions industry. He started in the subprime mortgage space. From there, he transitioned into various roles focusing on sales and opportunity identification. All of these roles helped Ryan be a successful business leader when he joined Funovation and soon became its CEO. When asked what lessons from the subprime mortgage industry he’s continued to utilize throughout his career, Ryan discussed the importance of integrity. In the mortgage industry, he would sometimes see clients approved for home loans that they potentially shouldn’t be approved for and made the personal commitment to instead choose to do what he thought was morally correct. This same philosophy is integral to his role as the CEO. When asked about the difference between sales leadership and other types of leadership, Ryan shared that, to him, they have many similarities. One of the key aspects of his leadership style was learned from being a fan of UCLA Basketball and their coach, John Wooden. Coach Wooden understood that each member of the team was unique and thus needed to be utilized in an appropriate way. Similarly, Ryan takes the time to learn about his employees, their motivations, and their individual skill sets in order to know how to uniquely manage each of them. He also stressed the importance of empowering employees and giving them a certain level of autonomy. He does this by asking all of his employees to make decisions with the mindset that Funovation is their own business. Ryan also mentioned that this autonomy allowed employees to learn from mistakes but also have an opportunity to try new things and discover better ways of doing things than what had been done in the past. Funovation’s guiding mission is to “remind the world to play.” They’ve been accomplishing this amazing objective by creating unique attractions that utilize both brain and brawn to encourage problem-solving and play. Funovation creates booster attractions for FECs, which are high-value, small footprint experiences that offer an alternative opportunity for play outside of a complex’s core offering. When “innovating fun” and coming up with new, exciting product offerings, Funovation is careful to make sure that the new ideas are consistent with its corporate values and goals. Another exciting aspect of these offerings is that no two of these attractions are the same. When a client asks Funovation for assistance designing a new attraction, such as one of their signature laser mazes, they provide the available footprint of the space. Then Funovation uses faux walls to recreate the space in their facility. Then, a “beamer” comes into this space and uses string to mock-up where all of the lasers will go. These unique footprints and custom laser layouts are what make each Funovation laser maze unique. Another aspect that makes each attraction different is the unique relationship between Funovation and the attraction’s client. Understanding each FECs’ individual needs and goals helps Funovation tailor their attractions to best suit their needs. Ryan discussed the power of getting to experience an attraction when making a sale. Josh fondly remembers enjoying his yearly visit to the Funovation booth at the IAAPA Expo. He even has score stickers from the attractions on each of his old International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) badges. Being able to see and experience something personally is an excellent way to help people understand how an attraction could best work for them in their facility. Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic prevented all of us AttractionPros from gathering in Orlando for the 2020 IAAPA Expo, but hopefully the opportunity to try out Funovation’s experiences can happen safely later this year. Though the pandemic forced Funovation, like many other themed entertainment companies, to make very hard decisions, the focus on customer service and taking care of the attraction operators was not lost. By continuing to provide guidance to their clients and taking measures such as suspending warranty payments, Funovation demonstrated their commitment to helping FECs and the attractions industry bounce back as quickly as possible. Ryan highlighted the value of FECs as an escape from the challenges of this pandemic and knows that these facilities have the ability to put a smile on people’s faces, under their masks, of course. Ryan is incredibly proud of how his team has rallied throughout this challenging time to do what is best for the business. One silver lining that came out of the pandemic is that Funovation had time to collaborate and develop their technologies for uses in other industries. Additionally, a greater emphasis on the team taking care of each other and helping each other out evolved out of necessity due to the furloughs driven by the pandemic. As the team grows back to its former size and the industry continues to rebound, this greater sense of comradery is something Ryan knows will stay. If you’d like to learn more about Funovation and its attraction offerings, please visit funovation.com. Additionally, you can contact Ryan directly at ryan.borton@funovation.com. To connect with AttractionPros: attractionpros@gmail.com #weareallattractionpros
This week on Green Tagged, we dedicate the entire show to pivots happening across the industry. Stories covered: “Disneyland in California to host COVID-19 vaccination site,” “LVHN setting up mass COVID-19 vaccination site at Dorney Park,” “IAAPA Expo Asia 2021 to take place in Shanghai,” “Show Up: A New Social Convention for FECs,” “ADG creates neighbourhood FECs from Moscow's Soviet cinemas,” “Pawprints and lion-ripped jeans: Struggling zoos and aquariums in Japan offer unique gifts for donations,” “Al Ain Zoo launches new mountain biking experience,” “Ocean Park in Hong Kong to overhaul business model.”
This week on Green Tagged, we dedicate the entire show to pivots happening across the industry. Stories covered: “Disneyland in California to host COVID-19 vaccination site,” “LVHN setting up mass COVID-19 vaccination site at Dorney Park,” “IAAPA Expo Asia 2021 to take place in Shanghai,” “Show Up: A New Social Convention for FECs,” “ADG creates neighborhood FECs from Moscow’s Soviet cinemas,” “Pawprints and lion-ripped jeans: Struggling zoos and aquariums in Japan offer unique gifts for donations,” “Al Ain Zoo launches new mountain biking experience,” “Ocean Park in Hong Kong to overhaul business model.”
This week on Green Tagged, we dedicate the entire show to pivots happening across the industry. Stories covered: “Disneyland in California to host COVID-19 vaccination site,” “LVHN setting up mass COVID-19 vaccination site at Dorney Park,” “IAAPA Expo Asia 2021 to take place in Shanghai,” “Show Up: A New Social Convention for FECs,” “ADG creates neighbourhood FECs from Moscow’s Soviet cinemas,” “Pawprints and lion-ripped jeans: Struggling zoos and aquariums in Japan offer unique gifts for donations,” “Al Ain Zoo launches new mountain biking experience,” “Ocean Park in Hong Kong to overhaul business model.”
Legújabb adásunkban a tévének néztünk alá, és a kezdeti, „ablak a világra”-koncepciótól egészen Friderikusz új műsorági és a háromujjú parolimpikonokig jutottunk. Hogyan züllött lefelé, és hogyan vitte magával a társadalmat a tévé? Miért ettük nagykanállal a valóságshowkat és a tehetségkutatókat? Miért szakított Fecsó és Luxus Vivien? A tévé hazug világa, múltja és a jövője, ha van egyáltalán, most górcső alá vétetik. Íme a hely, ahol a mosóporban zárul be a posztmodern. Vagy nem? Akkor vitatkozz te is!
Hello and welcome to very special, hopefully one-off, episode of Front End Chatter in which, as a result of current events, has been assembled from snippets of previous FECs and turned into a completely new podcast! No, truth is in keeping with government advice, FEC has self-isolated itself with Mufga calling in via Skype from the East Wing of Chatter Manors – yes, he's literally phoning it in. But even with the seriousness in the world, motorcycling carries on – well, not racing, but we can even talk about not racing. And apart from the obvious, we take a deep dive through the FEC sack and discuss your many and varied thoughts, questions, points of order and musings. Please keep them coming; the world might be changing but you can rely on FEC to keep chugging along. Email: anything@frontendchatter.com Thanks as ever to our long-time sponsors and friends at www.bikesocial.co.uk and Bennetts, the bike insurance specialists. Catch us on the socials @Mufga and @SimonHBikes
The Augar Post 18 Review is a review of post-18 education and funding in England. The independent panel was led by Dr. Philip Augar (the official report can be found here). This has been a highly anticipated review and is a massive 216 page document, chocked full of recommendations and findings. So we thought it could be helpful to break up the relevant sections and highlight the key recommendations from the Augar review findings for you. The Post 18 Review is split into eight sections, Chapter 2 was dedicated to Skills, Chapter 4 to Further Education and Chapter 5 to Apprenticeships. The recommendations from the Augar review are listed below: Chapter 2 was dedicated to Skills:Recommendation 2.1The government should introduce a single lifelong learning loan allowance for tuition loans at Levels 4, 5 and 6, available for adults aged 18 or over, without a publicly funded degree. This should be set, as it is now, as a financial amount equivalent to four years’ full-time undergraduate degree funding.Recommendation 2.2Learners should be able to access student finance for tuition fee and maintenance support for modules of credit-based Level 4, 5 and 6 qualifications.Recommendation 2.3ELQ rules should be scrapped for those taking out loans for Levels 4, 5 and 6.Recommendation 2.4Institutions should award at least one interim qualification to all students who are following a Level 6 course successfully.Recommendation 2.5Streamline the number and improve the status of Level 4/5 qualifications.Recommendation 2.6The OfS should become the national regulator of all non-apprenticeship provision at Levels 4 and above.Recommendation 2.7Government should provide additional support and capital funding to specific FE colleges in order to ensure a national network of high quality technical provision is available. Government should work with the OfS to determine how best to allocate this using, for example, quality indicators and analysis of geographic coverage.Recommendation 2.8From 2021-22 the fee cap for Level 4 and 5 qualifications currently prescribed by the OfS should be £7,500 – the same as that proposed for Level 6 qualifications and in line with current arrangements for prescribed HE qualifications. Longer term, only kitemarked Level 4 and 5 qualifications that meet the new employer-led national standards should be able to charge fees up to the Level 6 cap and be eligible for teaching grant. From that point, any other Level 4 and 5 courses should have a lower fee cap.The current age cap should be removed so that a first ‘full’ Level 3 is available free to all learners whether they are in work or not.Recommendation 2.10Full funding for the first ‘full’ Level 2 qualification, for those who are 24 and over and who are employed should be restored.Recommendation 2.11The careers strategy should be rolled out nationally so that every secondary school is able to be part of a careers hub, that training is available to all careers leaders and that more young people have access to meaningful careers activities and encounters with employers.Chapter 4 is the Further Education section of the report:The Augar review gave a vision for England’s FE colleges in the future:A national network of collaborative FECs that provide high quality technical and professional education with a clear focus on Levels 3, 4 and 5, delivered flexibly and aligned to the needs of local economies. FECs will maintain strong relationships with employers and assist in driving productivity. As engines of social mobility and inclusion, FECs will also provide community learning, reskilling and upskilling opportunities for adults leading to sustainable career opportunities.Recommendation 4.1The unit funding rate for economically valuable adult education courses should be increasedRecommendation 4.2The reduction in the core funding rate for 18 year-olds should be reversed.Recommendation 4.3ESFA funding rules should be simplified for FE colleges, allowing colleges to respond more flexibly and immediately to the particular needs of their local labour market.Recommendation 4.4Government should commit to providing an indicative AEB that enables individual FE colleges to plan on the basis of income over a three-year period. Government should also explore introducing additional flexibility to transfer a proportion of AEB allocations between years on the same basis.Recommendation 4.54.5.1 Government should provide FE colleges with a dedicated capital investment of at least £1 billion over the next Spending Review period. This should be in addition to funding for T levels and should be allocated primarily on a strategic national basis in-line with Industrial Strategy priorities.4.5.2 Government should use the additional capital funding primarily to augment existing FE colleges to create a strong national network of high quality provision of technical and professional education, including growing capacity for higher technical provision in specific FE colleges.4.5.3 Government should also consider redirecting the HE capital grant to further education.Recommendation 4.64.6.1 The structure of the FE college network, particularly in large cities, should be further modified to minimise duplication in reasonable travel to learn areas.4.6.2 In rural and semi-rural areas, small FE colleges should be strongly encouraged to form or join groups in order to ensure sustainable quality provision in the long term.Recommendation 4.7Government should develop procedures to ensure that – as part of a collaborative national network of FE colleges – there is an efficient distribution of Level 3, 4 and 5 provision within reasonable travel-to-learn areas, to enable strategic investment and avoid counterproductive competition between providers.Recommendation 4.8Investment in the FE workforce should be a priority, allowing improvements in recruitment and retention, drawing in more expertise from industry, and strengthening professional development.Recommendation 4.9The panel recommends that government improve data collection, collation, analysis and publication across the whole further education sector (including independent training providers).Recommendation 4.10The OfS and the ESFA should establish a joint working party, co-chaired by the OfS and ESFA chairs, to align the requirements they place on providers and improve the interactions and exchange of information between these bodies. The working party should report to the Secretary of State for Education by March 2020.Recommendation 4.11FE colleges should be more clearly distinguished from other types of training provider in the FE sector with a protected title similar to that conferred on universities.Chapter 5 is dedicated to Apprenticeships:The report highlights some interesting details, such as in 2017/18, 70% of Apprenticeships started by people aged 25 and over:Subjects studied 155,500 (41 per cent) of the apprenticeships started in 2017/18 were by people aged 25 or over. A further 113,700 (30 per cent) were started by those aged between 19 and 24, meaning that over 70 per cent of apprenticeships were started by people aged 19 or over. The remaining 106,600 (28 per cent) apprenticeships were started by those aged under 19.33 Younger apprentices were far more likely to be new recruits, with 90 per cent of those aged under 19 recruited specifically to an apprenticeship. The comparable figures for older people are 70 per cent of those aged 19-24 and only 20 per cent of those aged 25 and over.34 CVER research has also found that the earnings returns to apprenticeships for those aged 19-24 is around twice that of those aged 25+.35 We understand that older workers are more likely to be ‘rebadged’ as apprentices and we question whether this always represents good value in the programme.Here are the key recommendations:Recommendation 5.1The government should monitor closely the extent to which apprenticeship take up reflects the priorities of the Industrial Strategy, both in content – including the need for specific skills at Levels 3 through 5 – and in geographic spread. If funding is inadequate for demand, apprenticeships should be prioritised in line with Industrial Strategy requirements.Recommendation 5.2The government should use data on apprenticeships wage returns to provide accessible system wide information for learners with a potential interest in apprenticeships.Recommendation 5.3Funding for Level 6 and above apprenticeships should normally be available only for apprentices who have not previously undertaken a publicly-supported degree.Recommendation 5.4Ofsted become the lead responsible body for the inspection of the quality of apprenticeships at all levels.Recommendation 5.5No provider without an acceptable Ofsted rating should receive a contract to deliver training in their own right (although a provider who has not yet been inspected could subcontract from a high-quality provider pending their own inspection).Recommendation 5.6The IfATE and the DfE (through the ESFA) should undertake a programme of work to better understand the barriers that SMEs face in engaging with the apprenticeship system and put in place mechanisms to address these, including raising awareness of the programme and making the system easier to navigat
In this "audible blog post", Josh reveals three key insights that could be robbing you of additional revenue, and none of them have to do with price. During the conversation, Matt and Josh realize that these three things could be getting in the way of top employee performance, as well as their willingness to take the empowerment we so need to give them. This episode is brought to you by FetchRev. With hundreds of FECs and Attractions across the US and Canada on their platform, FetchRev can increase your foot traffic, book more parties and events, and capture more revenue. FetchRev’s software collects your customer contact information and then automatically sends out targeted digital promotions to get them back in the door or through your gates. Their platform can book you up to 50% more birthday parties and even increase your per visit spend through real-time triggered promotions! FetchRev has an exclusive offer for AttractionPros listeners. To learn more about this offer, visit fetchrev.com/attractionpros.
Seamus Fitzgerald is the Director of Talent Management at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Hawaii. Seamus brings us some incredibly insightful thoughts about running a cultural institution, how to embrace the culture of your geographic area to engage employees, and also the ins and outs of fire breathing! This episode is brought to you by FetchRev. With hundreds of FECs and Attractions across the US and Canada on their platform, FetchRev can increase your foot traffic, book more parties and events, and capture more revenue. FetchRev’s software collects your customer contact information and then automatically sends out targeted digital promotions to get them back in the door or through your gates. Their platform can book you up to 50% more birthday parties and even increase your per visit spend through real-time triggered promotions! FetchRev has an exclusive offer for AttractionPros listeners. To learn more about this offer, visit fetchrev.com/attractionpros.
Ironwood Venture is a management consulting company specializing in accelerating growth for small to midsize businesses. Patrick Holcomb and Jeremy Veatch are the founding team, and join us to share their insights and experiences about a multitude of topics from financial forecasting, cultural transparency and yes, how to solve the Rubik's Cube! This episode is brought to you by FetchRev. With hundreds of FECs and Attractions across the US and Canada on their platform, FetchRev can increase your foot traffic, book more parties and events, and capture more revenue. FetchRev’s software collects your customer contact information and then automatically sends out targeted digital promotions to get them back in the door or through your gates. Their platform can book you up to 50% more birthday parties and even increase your per visit spend through real-time triggered promotions! FetchRev has an exclusive offer for AttractionPros listeners. To learn more about this offer, visit fetchrev.com/attractionpros.
In this Mailbag episode, Matt and Josh answer a listener's question about how to best use LinkedIn. As they explored the answer, they realized it's as much about solid networking practices as it is about using a specific platform. This episode is brought to you by FetchRev. With hundreds of FECs and Attractions across the US and Canada on their platform, FetchRev can increase your foot traffic, book more parties and events, and capture more revenue. FetchRev’s software collects your customer contact information and then automatically sends out targeted digital promotions to get them back in the door or through your gates. Their platform can book you up to 50% more birthday parties and even increase your per visit spend through real-time triggered promotions! FetchRev has an exclusive offer for AttractionPros listeners. To learn more about this offer, visit fetchrev.com/attractionpros.
Morgan's Wonderland in San Antonio, TX is the world's first ultra-accessible theme park, with every attraction, store, activity and food location designed and built from the ground up to maximize the inclusion of every guest. As Morgan's longest tenured employee, Bob McCullough serves as the Communications Director and shares the inspiring stories of how Morgan's Wonderland was developed and constructed, as well as how they have been able to continue to grow since their opening in 2010. This episode is brought to you by FetchRev. With hundreds of FECs and Attractions across the US and Canada on their platform, FetchRev can increase your foot traffic, book more parties and events, and capture more revenue. FetchRev’s software collects your customer contact information and then automatically sends out targeted digital promotions to get them back in the door or through your gates. Their platform can book you up to 50% more birthday parties and even increase your per visit spend through real-time triggered promotions! FetchRev has an exclusive offer for AttractionPros listeners. To learn more about this offer, visit fetchrev.com/attractionpros.
Ron Gustafson is the Director of Marketing, PR, and Educational Programs at Quassy Amusement Park. In this episode, Ron talks about the historical significance of trolley parks, how mandatory minimum wage hikes can impact the industry, and why he's an advocate for letting kids be kids by not starting the school year until after Labor Day. This episode is brought to you by FetchRev. With hundreds of FECs and Attractions across the US and Canada on their platform, FetchRev can increase your foot traffic, book more parties and events, and capture more revenue. FetchRev’s software collects your customer contact information and then automatically sends out targeted digital promotions to get them back in the door or through your gates. Their platform can book you up to 50% more birthday parties and even increase your per visit spend through real-time triggered promotions! FetchRev has an exclusive offer for AttractionPros listeners. To learn more about this offer, visit fetchrev.com/attractionpros.
Rob Knemeyer is the Ride Operations Manager at the Freemont Street Experience in Las Vegas. In June of 2018, Matt and Josh experienced two of his attractions, Slotzilla and Fear The Walking Dad: Survival which they talked about in Episode 43. In this "full circle" episode Matt and Josh get to talk the guy who makes it all happen - and find out how he does it! Rob discussed leadership, the heritage and history of Las Vegas and how he gets his staff to actively and positively engage with guests. To learn more: https://vegasexperience.com/ This episode is brought to you by FetchRev. With hundreds of FECs and Attractions across the US and Canada on their platform, FetchRev can increase your foot traffic, book more parties and events, and capture more revenue. FetchRev’s software collects your customer contact information and then automatically sends out targeted digital promotions to get them back in the door or through your gates. Their platform can book you up to 50% more birthday parties and even increase your per visit spend through real-time triggered promotions! FetchRev has an exclusive offer for AttractionPros listeners. To learn more about this offer, visit fetchrev.com/attractionpros.
Josh's recent experience with Delta gives us incredible insight into what can go RIGHT when service recovery is looked at as an opportunity, not a challenge or a conflict. Josh shares 12 observations from an extra long travel experience. To read the post that accompanies this podcast, click here. This episode is brought to you by FetchRev. With hundreds of FECs and Attractions across the US and Canada on their platform, FetchRev can increase your foot traffic, book more parties and events, and capture more revenue. FetchRev’s software collects your customer contact information and then automatically sends out targeted digital promotions to get them back in the door or through your gates. Their platform can book you up to 50% more birthday parties and even increase your per visit spend through real-time triggered promotions! FetchRev has an exclusive offer for AttractionPros listeners. To learn more about this offer, visit fetchrev.com/attractionpros.
Dr. Duncan Dickson is an Associate Professor at UCF's Rosen College of Hospitality Management where he teaches up-and-coming theme park leaders the finer points of the business. In this candid conversation, Dr. Dickson discusses his experiences in the early days of the Walt Disney World Resort, the rivalry between Disney and Universal, how the Disney college program came to be and how he learned how to hire people that paint rocks! This episode is brought to you by FetchRev. With hundreds of FECs and Attractions across the US and Canada on their platform, FetchRev can increase your foot traffic, book more parties and events, and capture more revenue. FetchRev’s software collects your customer contact information and then automatically sends out targeted digital promotions to get them back in the door or through your gates. Their platform can book you up to 50% more birthday parties and even increase your per visit spend through real-time triggered promotions! FetchRev has an exclusive offer for AttractionPros listeners. To learn more about this offer, visit fetchrev.com/attractionpros.
Give Kids the World provides incredible services to families with terminally ill children. Steven Amos is their Development Manager and is responsible for fundraising and partnering with local attractions. In this episode, Steven talks about what makes GKTW so special, how easy it is to volunteer, and yes, how to make a child's dream of seeing a unicorn come true. Give Kids the World Village This episode is brought to you by FetchRev. With hundreds of FECs and Attractions across the US and Canada on their platform, FetchRev can increase your foot traffic, book more parties and events, and capture more revenue. FetchRev’s software collects your customer contact information and then automatically sends out targeted digital promotions to get them back in the door or through your gates. Their platform can book you up to 50% more birthday parties and even increase your per visit spend through real-time triggered promotions! FetchRev has an exclusive offer for AttractionPros listeners. To learn more about this offer, visit fetchrev.com/attractionpros.
Shaun McKeogh is the founder and president of Attractions Academy. His goal is to help attractions find and engage their unique SPIRIT in all they do! In this episode, Shaun also talks about his unlikely start in the attractions industry and the importance of proper training at all levels. This episode is brought to you by FetchRev. With hundreds of FECs and Attractions across the US and Canada on their platform, FetchRev can increase your foot traffic, book more parties and events, and capture more revenue. FetchRev’s software collects your customer contact information and then automatically sends out targeted digital promotions to get them back in the door or through your gates. Their platform can book you up to 50% more birthday parties and even increase your per visit spend through real-time triggered promotions! FetchRev has an exclusive offer for AttractionPros listeners. To learn more about this offer, visit fetchrev.com/attractionpros.
It happens every year. As the calendar turns, we reflect on what was in the last year and what we'd like to see in the new year. 2018 marked the first full year of the AttractionPros podcast, so Matt and Josh ring in 2019 with a bit of a look back, as well as a look forward. Look for more cool stuff from AttractionPros in 2019! Also mentioned in this episode: ALL CLEAR -Private Learning Community for Attractions Leaders This episode is brought to you by FetchRev. With hundreds of FECs and Attractions across the US and Canada on their platform, FetchRev can increase your foot traffic, book more parties and events, and capture more revenue. FetchRev’s software collects your customer contact information and then automatically sends out targeted digital promotions to get them back in the door or through your gates. Their platform can book you up to 50% more birthday parties and even increase your per visit spend through real-time triggered promotions! FetchRev has an exclusive offer for AttractionPros listeners. To learn more about this offer, visit fetchrev.com/attractionspros.
On this episode of Tchotchke Talk, Kevin Ekstrand with MIQ Logistics gives us the lowdown on things happening with tariffs this year. He defines tariffs and duties and explains the changes that have been implemented this year (and those that are yet to come). He also talks about business strategies for FECs to use in an effort to accomodate for these changes. Visit miq.com for more information on tariff updates. Song: Jarico - Island (Vlog No Copyright Music) Music promoted by Vlog No Copyright Music. Video Link: https://youtu.be/gZlDn4EmTvo
What are among the hottest trends in FECs today? Escape rooms and VR. Combining the two is the idea behind Breakscape Games. The company’s Co-Founder Qi Hu sits down with Bob Cooney to discuss Breakscape’s 2- to 6-player VR escape room experience, play pricing, saturation (or not) in the escape room business, the idea that VR and/or AR (augmented reality) are the next logical steps, the social, multi-player experience and more. To learn more, visit www.breakscapegames.com.
Welcome to Front End Chatter Episode 53a, powered yet again by our friends at www.bikesocial.co.uk – and yes, it’s the first of two FECs; 53b will be along shortly. Or at least soon. In the meantime, feast your ears on the will they, won’t they two-wheeled soap opera of Qatar MotoGP – including: how recording BT Sport in hi-def when you haven’t upgraded your package can result in missing the race the argument for and against remounting a crashed bike how Tech3 Yams (pronounced ‘Trois’, but don’t tell Simon) do well at Qatar until a certain Moto2 champion gets carried away disrespeculation about why Crutchlow crashed some nerdy stats about top speed what exactly Lorenzo is packing in his lunchbox plus chatter about World Superbike, World Supersports 600 and 300 at Aragon, and BSB at Donington – including a guest appearance by Martin Fitz-Guintoli... We also say farewell to Sir John Surtees, have a quick tour around Suzuki’s new and rather wonderful V-Strom 650, the less new and less wonderful V-Strom, and chatter about the launch of the least powerful, least torquey, most heavieriest and most expensive Yamaha R6 ever which neither Martin or Simon attended, but about which they have an opinion anyway. Typical. Thanks for listening, your emails will be answered in FEC53b, and please please please get in touch via: email – anything@frontendchatter.com Twitter – @SimonHbikes and @Mufga Facebook – Front End Chatter And, of course, please listen to FEC from our new home at www.bikesocial.co.uk Chatter again soon!
Tierärztliche Fakultät - Digitale Hochschulschriften der LMU - Teil 05/07
From March until November 2008 faecal samples of 281 horses and 5 donkeys in an area of 40 km around Salzburg were analysed with a modified McMaster method for Strongyle eggs. Each time a faecal egg count (FEC) exceeded 250 eggs per gram faeces (EPG) the horse was treated with either pyrantel, ivermectin or moxidectin and FEC reduction test was done on day 14 and 21. Additionally 259 horse owners participated in an online questionnaire survey about worm control. In 52 (40.3 %) horses no strongyle eggs were detected in any of nine samples. In 39 horses (30.2 %), eggs were detected in at least one sample, but the egg count did not exceed 250 EPG at any of the nine sampling occasions. The remainder of the horses (29.5 %) had to be treated at least once due to the FEC exceeding 250 EPG. The number of treatments was reduced to 46 % of the number of treatments in the year before. The maximal and mean FEC both dropped significantly after the start of the study. There was a slight statistically significant negative correlation between the age of the horses and the maximal and mean FEC of each horse. The first FEC had a positive statistically significant correlation with the maximal FECs in the following eight months. Furthermore horses with more treatments had a higher first FEC than horses with less or no treatments. The efficacy of ivermectin and moxidectin was 100 %. On one farm resistance to pyrantel was detected. 80,2 % of the participants of the questionnaire survey knew selective anthelmintic treatment and 85,7 % chose the correct definition of resistance. The avoidance of the development of anthelmintic resistance was very important for 82,6 % of the participants. These results suggest that selective anthelmintic treatment can reduce the pasture contamination with strongyle eggs as well as the number of anthelmintic treatments. While using pyrantel the efficacy of this drug should be monitored. Furthermore these data can be helpful to design selective anthelmintic treatment programs, which can be applied by equine practitioners. The participating horse owners prefer this method of worm control, as it is the only one that avoids the development of resistance.
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