AttractionPros Podcast

Emily Howard, Vice President at PGAV Destinations, is well versed in creating amazing animal habitats, but admits that she still learns something new every time she interacts with a zoo or aquarium professional. 

An architect by trade, Emily has a deep love of animals that fuels her work with PGAV.  In this discussion, we dive deep into the details of attraction design, find out how stories are crafted and how they impact the end user experience.

To find out more about Emily and PGAV: https://pgavdestinations.com/

If you have a question for the mailbag or know of a leader we should highlight on the show, please drop us a line.  If you have questions about anything addressed on the show, feel free to reach out anytime!

Josh - [email protected]

Matt - [email protected]

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This episode is brought to you by BackLooper.  Have you ever gotten a negative review online?  Better yet, have you ever gotten a negative review online that you actually found to be useful?  Wouldn't you have preferred that that guest contacted you directly?  Every organization has its flaws, and you shouldn't be learning about yours through social media.  BackLooper was created to solve this problem directly, by collecting better feedback data from more guests, especially compared to online review sites and many other feedback collection methods.  By using BackLooper's intuitive reporting, you can better understand what your guests are saying in masses, and make quick decisions from the results.  To learn how you can substantially increase the amount feedback you receive from your guests, and get started with a no-risk plan, visit www.amusementadvantage.com/backlooper, and contact Josh directly at [email protected]​.  It's time to spend less time wondering what your guests are thinking, and more time connecting with them on a personal level.

Dennis Speigel is the President of International Theme Park Services, a consulting company that serves the global attractions industry.  We asked Dennis if he could spend some time with us discussing the impact of COVID-19 on attraction operators now and in the foreseeable future. 

While Dennis admitted that we really don't know how long this pandemic will last or what the true outcome will be, he was able to provide perspective and advise on a wide range of subjects. A few we touched on were: should attractions be closed, what can we expect from our guests when it's time to re-open and to remember that as an industry, we are resilient. 

For more on International Theme Park Services: http://www.interthemepark.com/

To contact Dennis: [email protected]

Episode Note: In the intro, we mention that Dennis appeared in the show Tenspeed and Brown Shoe.  We later learned that we was actually not in that show but is still credited for it on IMDb.

 If you have a question for the mailbag or know of a leader we should highlight on the show, please drop us a line.  If you have questions about anything addressed on the show, feel free to reach out anytime!

Josh - [email protected]

Matt - [email protected]

Twitter

Facebook

LinkedIn

This episode is brought to you by BackLooper.  Have you ever gotten a negative review online?  Better yet, have you ever gotten a negative review online that you actually found to be useful?  Wouldn't you have preferred that that guest contacted you directly?  Every organization has its flaws, and you shouldn't be learning about yours through social media.  BackLooper was created to solve this problem directly, by collecting better feedback data from more guests, especially compared to online review sites and many other feedback collection methods.  By using BackLooper's intuitive reporting, you can better understand what your guests are saying in masses, and make quick decisions from the results.  To learn how you can substantially increase the amount feedback you receive from your guests, and get started with a no-risk plan, visit www.amusementadvantage.com/backlooper, and contact Josh directly at [email protected]​.  It's time to spend less time wondering what your guests are thinking, and more time connecting with them on a personal level.

With COVID-19 showing its teeth in the US, many employees have begun working from home.  Of course this is great to slow down the spread of the virus, but it has also thrust these employees into situations they may not be equipped to handle.

In this episode, Josh and Matt reveal some best practices for working at home, whether they follow them 100% of the time or not.  A few of the tips include to designate a work space, take regular breaks and engage with people socially (but at a distance). 

If you have a question for the mailbag or know of a leader we should highlight on the show, please drop us a line.  If you have questions about anything addressed on the show, feel free to reach out anytime!

Josh - [email protected]

Matt - [email protected]

Twitter

Facebook

LinkedIn

This episode is brought to you by BackLooper.  Have you ever gotten a negative review online?  Better yet, have you ever gotten a negative review online that you actually found to be useful?  Wouldn't you have preferred that that guest contacted you directly?  Every organization has its flaws, and you shouldn't be learning about yours through social media.  BackLooper was created to solve this problem directly, by collecting better feedback data from more guests, especially compared to online review sites and many other feedback collection methods.  By using BackLooper's intuitive reporting, you can better understand what your guests are saying in masses, and make quick decisions from the results.  To learn how you can substantially increase the amount feedback you receive from your guests, and get started with a no-risk plan, visit www.amusementadvantage.com/backlooper, and contact Josh directly at [email protected]​.  It's time to spend less time wondering what your guests are thinking, and more time connecting with them on a personal level.

Charlie Wickham, Dan Mueller, and David Eubanks are all engineering majors pursuing careers in the attractions industry.  The self-proclaimed "Roller Coaster Tycoon" generation, they have developed their passion over years of observations and experimentation.  They are now poised to take over as the next leaders in theme park and attraction design.

In this unique episode, we hear many different perspectives on topics like recruiting, networking and setting yourself up for success.  They also talk extensively about their student associations and why its so important to get involved. 

For more information on our guests and their clubs:

Dan Mueller

Here’s the link to all the TEA list of clubs:

http://www.teaconnect.org/NextGen/TEA--University-Clubs/index.cfm

If you have a question for the mailbag or know of a leader we should highlight on the show, please drop us a line.  If you have questions about anything addressed on the show, feel free to reach out anytime!

Josh - [email protected]

Matt - [email protected]

Twitter

Facebook

LinkedIn

This episode is brought to you by BackLooper.  Have you ever gotten a negative review online?  Better yet, have you ever gotten a negative review online that you actually found to be useful?  Wouldn't you have preferred that that guest contacted you directly?  Every organization has its flaws, and you shouldn't be learning about yours through social media.  BackLooper was created to solve this problem directly, by collecting better feedback data from more guests, especially compared to online review sites and many other feedback collection methods.  By using BackLooper's intuitive reporting, you can better understand what your guests are saying in masses, and make quick decisions from the results.  To learn how you can substantially increase the amount feedback you receive from your guests, and get started with a no-risk plan, visit www.amusementadvantage.com/backlooper, and contact Josh directly at [email protected]​.  It's time to spend less time wondering what your guests are thinking, and more time connecting with them on a personal level.

Pat Simmons is the Director and CEO at the North Carolina Zoo.  She has brought her many years of experience building up a smaller zoo to the world's largest zoo.  In this dynamic conversation, Pat shares openly about her approach to building a beloved attraction, balancing creative and scientific mindsets and why understanding yourself is critical to your success, no matter what field you work in. 

For more on the North Carolina Zoo: https://www.nczoo.org/

To contact Pat directly: [email protected]

If you have a question for the mailbag or know of a leader we should highlight on the show, please drop us a line.  If you have questions about anything addressed on the show, feel free to reach out anytime!

Josh - [email protected]

Matt - [email protected]

Twitter

Facebook

LinkedIn

This episode is brought to you by BackLooper.  Have you ever gotten a negative review online?  Better yet, have you ever gotten a negative review online that you actually found to be useful?  Wouldn't you have preferred that that guest contacted you directly?  Every organization has its flaws, and you shouldn't be learning about yours through social media.  BackLooper was created to solve this problem directly, by collecting better feedback data from more guests, especially compared to online review sites and many other feedback collection methods.  By using BackLooper's intuitive reporting, you can better understand what your guests are saying in masses, and make quick decisions from the results.  To learn how you can substantially increase the amount feedback you receive from your guests, and get started with a no-risk plan, visit www.amusementadvantage.com/backlooper, and contact Josh directly at [email protected]​.  It's time to spend less time wondering what your guests are thinking, and more time connecting with them on a personal level.

Tony Moore is the Executive Director and CEO of Gathering Place in Tulsa, OK.  The Gathering Place is truly a unique property not only because of their attraction mix, but also because of their business model.  In this episode, Tony talks about what it was like building the park and it's culture, why focusing on quality is so important, and how community and civic responsibility play a role in the daily operation of the park. 

To learn more about Gathering Place: https://www.gatheringplace.org/

If you have a question for the mailbag or know of a leader we should highlight on the show, please drop us a line.  If you have questions about anything addressed on the show, feel free to reach out anytime!

Josh - [email protected]

Matt - [email protected]

Twitter

Facebook

LinkedIn

This episode is brought to you by BackLooper.  Have you ever gotten a negative review online?  Better yet, have you ever gotten a negative review online that you actually found to be useful?  Wouldn't you have preferred that that guest contacted you directly?  Every organization has its flaws, and you shouldn't be learning about yours through social media.  BackLooper was created to solve this problem directly, by collecting better feedback data from more guests, especially compared to online review sites and many other feedback collection methods.  By using BackLooper's intuitive reporting, you can better understand what your guests are saying in masses, and make quick decisions from the results.  To learn how you can substantially increase the amount feedback you receive from your guests, and get started with a no-risk plan, visit www.amusementadvantage.com/backlooper, and contact Josh directly at [email protected]​.  It's time to spend less time wondering what your guests are thinking, and more time connecting with them on a personal level.

Franceen Gonzales is Executive Vice President, Business Development for WhiteWater West Industries. She has enjoyed an amazing career in the waterpark industry, and in this episode she shares how she got started and what has kept her going throughout the years.  We also touch on her inclusion in Blooloop's Top 50 Theme Park Influencer list, her dedication to safety and the unsung heroes who keep our employees and guests out of harms way.

For more on WhiteWater: https://www.whitewaterwest.com/en/

To contact Franceen: [email protected]

If you have a question for the mailbag or know of a leader we should highlight on the show, please drop us a line.  If you have questions about anything addressed on the show, feel free to reach out anytime!

Josh - [email protected]

Matt - [email protected]

Twitter

Facebook

LinkedIn

This episode is brought to you by BackLooper.  Have you ever gotten a negative review online?  Better yet, have you ever gotten a negative review online that you actually found to be useful?  Wouldn't you have preferred that that guest contacted you directly?  Every organization has its flaws, and you shouldn't be learning about yours through social media.  BackLooper was created to solve this problem directly, by collecting better feedback data from more guests, especially compared to online review sites and many other feedback collection methods.  By using BackLooper's intuitive reporting, you can better understand what your guests are saying in masses, and make quick decisions from the results.  To learn how you can substantially increase the amount feedback you receive from your guests, and get started with a no-risk plan, visit www.amusementadvantage.com/backlooper, and contact Josh directly at [email protected]​.  It's time to spend less time wondering what your guests are thinking, and more time connecting with them on a personal level.

Jim Seay is the President and Owner of Premier Rides, who is dedicated to "supplying the leisure industry with the highest caliber of amusement rides and attractions available."  During this deep dive of a conversation, Jim reveals how he got started in the industry, why it's more fulfilling to make roller coasters than weapons, and that if you want to succeed in this industry, you've got to be ready to put in the work.

For more on Premier Rides: http://premier-rides.com/

If you have a question for the mailbag or know of a leader we should highlight on the show, please drop us a line.  If you have questions about anything addressed on the show, feel free to reach out anytime!

Josh - [email protected]

Matt - [email protected]

Twitter

Facebook

LinkedIn

This episode is brought to you by BackLooper.  Have you ever gotten a negative review online?  Better yet, have you ever gotten a negative review online that you actually found to be useful?  Wouldn't you have preferred that that guest contacted you directly?  Every organization has its flaws, and you shouldn't be learning about yours through social media.  BackLooper was created to solve this problem directly, by collecting better feedback data from more guests, especially compared to online review sites and many other feedback collection methods.  By using BackLooper's intuitive reporting, you can better understand what your guests are saying in masses, and make quick decisions from the results.  To learn how you can substantially increase the amount feedback you receive from your guests, and get started with a no-risk plan, visit www.amusementadvantage.com/backlooper, and contact Josh directly at [email protected]​.  It's time to spend less time wondering what your guests are thinking, and more time connecting with them on a personal level.

Janice Jokkel can pivot. When she needed a different way to earn a living, she found the Family Entertainment Center business was just the ticket. Starting small, she grew her business by focussing on the details of training and culture. During our conversation, we get to hear her story and also touch on the importance of core values, why e-learning is not the panacea we think it is, and the two things people will generally not skimp on.

For more on Janice: https://get-ingear.com/

AttractionPros listeners get a discount to Janice's F.O.C.U.S. Conference.  Use the code FUN before 2/14! 

If you have a question for the mailbag or know of a leader we should highlight on the show, please drop us a line.  If you have questions about anything addressed on the show, feel free to reach out anytime!

Josh - [email protected]

Matt - [email protected]

Twitter

Facebook

LinkedIn

This episode is brought to you by BackLooper.  Have you ever gotten a negative review online?  Better yet, have you ever gotten a negative review online that you actually found to be useful?  Wouldn't you have preferred that that guest contacted you directly?  Every organization has its flaws, and you shouldn't be learning about yours through social media.  BackLooper was created to solve this problem directly, by collecting better feedback data from more guests, especially compared to online review sites and many other feedback collection methods.  By using BackLooper's intuitive reporting, you can better understand what your guests are saying in masses, and make quick decisions from the results.  To learn how you can substantially increase the amount feedback you receive from your guests, and get started with a no-risk plan, visit www.amusementadvantage.com/backlooper, and contact Josh directly at [email protected]​.  It's time to spend less time wondering what your guests are thinking, and more time connecting with them on a personal level.

Phil Edgell is the President of Vantage, a company that translates guest behavior into meaningful insights to enable real-time, strategic decision-making – optimizing operations and empowering guests to design their own experiences.

This episode covers all that and much more, including what it takes to lead a team that consistently deals with uncertainty, why running a start-up within a larger manufacturing company actually works, and where to put the ice cream cart at 3 pm for maximum impact!

For more on Vantage: https://www.vantage.co/

To connect with Phil: [email protected]

If you have a question for the mailbag or know of a leader we should highlight on the show, please drop us a line.  If you have questions about anything addressed on the show, feel free to reach out anytime!

Josh - [email protected]

Matt - [email protected]

Twitter

Facebook

LinkedIn

This episode is brought to you by BackLooper.  Have you ever gotten a negative review online?  Better yet, have you ever gotten a negative review online that you actually found to be useful?  Wouldn't you have preferred that that guest contacted you directly?  Every organization has its flaws, and you shouldn't be learning about yours through social media.  BackLooper was created to solve this problem directly, by collecting better feedback data from more guests, especially compared to online review sites and many other feedback collection methods.  By using BackLooper's intuitive reporting, you can better understand what your guests are saying in masses, and make quick decisions from the results.  To learn how you can substantially increase the amount feedback you receive from your guests, and get started with a no-risk plan, visit www.amusementadvantage.com/backlooper, and contact Josh directly at [email protected]​.  It's time to spend less time wondering what your guests are thinking, and more time connecting with them on a personal level.