FEC Masterminds Podcast

IAAPA Expo 2026 is almost here, and this year brings a big change: the show floor is expanding across two exhibit buildings!

Clint Novak of Novak Amusement Solutions and Brandon Willey of LBX Collective sit down to talk about how to make the most of your time at the industry's biggest trade show.

From planning your schedule and navigating the exhibit halls to talking with vendors, discovering new attractions, and making valuable connections, we share the strategies and lessons we've picked up through years of attending IAAPA Expo.

Whether you're a first-time attendee or an industry veteran, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you arrive in Orlando with a plan and leave with ideas you can actually put to work in your business.

With a scheduled guest having to put out fires at their facility, Clint and Erik take over the mic for an open, tactical conversation covering the real-world operational challenges facing FEC owners and operators today. Clint kicks things off by sharing the behind-the-scenes reality of applying for an SBA loan to fund a second location, sparking a deep dive into capital financing. Erik breaks down why building genuine, long-term relationships with local bank lenders matters far more than just walking in with numbers, and how operators can properly prepare their finances before stepping onto trade show floors.

From there, the two discuss the delicate timing of growth—exploring how small, incremental facility refreshes can pave the way for major attraction investments like coasters and kart tracks. They also examine the hidden pitfalls of adding new rides, from utility upgrades and maintenance training to dealing with local building inspectors and ride dynamics. Finally, Clint details the origin of his “Text to Ride” system, while Erik explains how adopting that single operational tweak helped trim six figures in annual staffing costs and elevate guest satisfaction. It’s an unfiltered, operator-to-operator masterclass on avoiding expensive mistakes, managing payroll, and scaling with confidence.

In this episode of the FEC Masterminds Podcast, Clint sits down with Kyle Allison, owner of Altitude 1291 in Oklahoma City and a longtime IAAPA FEC committee leader, to talk through the realities of running and evolving a modern family entertainment center. Kyle shares insights from over 30 years in the industry, breaking down recent moves like swapping out VR for a high-energy, unmanned Pixel Floor, and how to introduce hot beverage trends like dirty sodas and mocktails while keeping ingredient costs strictly under control.

They also dive into practical strategies for navigating unexpected market shifts—such as pivoting marketing outreach toward rural communities when local military base deployments cut into regular foot traffic—and how to maximize revenue per guest using targeted text drip campaigns, automated birthday party upsells, and a smarter look at arcade revenue per square foot. Whether you're fine-tuning an existing venue or planning your next location, this conversation is packed with actionable takeaways for operators.

In Episode 16 of the FEC Masterminds Podcast, Clint and Erik head out to the Midwest to chat with Joe and Ben from Ziggy’s Funland.

Starting from absolute scratch on a derelict, overgrown plot with hidden mini-golf holes and missing poles, Joe and Ben spent 19 years building Ziggy’s into a masterclass of space efficiency. In this episode, they break down how they pack a punch into just 3.4 acres—including an arcade split across two buildings based on ceiling height, an outdoor tactical laser tag arena, and a custom-brewed golden ale created in partnership with a local brewery.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Ground-Up Build: How they cleared out an abandoned property with chainsaws to salvage 16 out of 18 buried mini-golf holes and built a thriving FEC from nothing.

• Seasonal Pivots & Haunted Trails: How they transform their 150,000-square-foot outdoor tactical laser tag field into a massive Halloween haunt that doubles attendance.

• Space-Saving Arcade Logistics: Managing low 36-inch doorways and 12-foot ceilings by strategically sorting tall and short games across dual buildings.

• Unique F&B and Community Touches: Partnering with a local brewery for an exclusive 5.3% golden ale and boosting birthday party engagement with a community Polaroid board.

• The ROI of Scares: Budgeting for low-cost pneumatics, utilizing intense jump scares, and hiring local talent to double haunt attendance year-over-year.

Whether you’re looking to maximize a small footprint, execute a seasonal haunt, or learn how to squeeze every ounce of profit out of your acreage, this episode is packed with brilliant operator insights!

Listen & Subscribe:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqjhH0o01j-QOfYaL_4xrxA

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2klCyxlYbcGKFxdOQx15DV

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fec-masterminds-podcast/id1895404878

Are you an FEC owner looking to level up? Drop us a line or apply to join our off-the-air Mastermind calls: https://www.novakamusementsolutions.com/

In Episode 15 of the FEC Masterminds Podcast, Clint and Erik sit down with Jeff England, the fourth-generation owner-operator of the legendary Neb’s Fun World in Oshawa, Ontario (just outside of Toronto).

Unlike many operators who enter the industry from the outside, Jeff grew up as a "bowling rat" in a family business that spans four generations (with his kids already representing the fifth!). In this episode, Jeff takes us deep behind the scenes of how Neb’s Fun World has continuously evolved—including a massive COVID-era "Franken-building" construction project where they built a giant 53-foot-tall structure right over top of their old expansions to keep doors open.

In this episode, we cover:

• Next-Level Theming: Why Jeff and his family decided 15 years ago to move away from "empty box" setups and turn Neb's into an immersive, indoor theme park experience.

• In-House Engineering & Software: How Jeff writes his own PLC logic, builds custom automatic scoring systems from scratch for their 52 bowling lanes, and creates unique ID-tag security doors for staff training.

• The Canadian Bowling Conundrum: How they built custom convertible machines that seamlessly handle both traditional Canadian five-pin and American ten-pin bowling on the same lanes.

• Reinventing Redemption: Why they ditched the traditional crowded retail store counter for a hybrid kiosk system that saves valuable square footage for money-making games while slashing labor bottlenecks.

• The Mansion & Future Expansion: An inside look at their massive 10,000 sq ft multi-level indoor expansion featuring a brand-new custom laser tag arena and a 46-person Triotech stand-up motion theater.

Whether you’re looking to scale your footprint, rethink your arcade layout, or marvel at what operators can build when they roll up their sleeves, this episode is a masterclass in independent innovation!

Listen & Subscribe:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqjhH0o01j-QOfYaL_4xrxA

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2klCyxlYbcGKFxdOQx15DV

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fec-masterminds-podcast/id1895404878

Are you an FEC owner looking to level up? Drop us a line or apply to join our off-the-air Mastermind calls: https://www.novakamusementsolutions.com/

Welcome back to another episode of the FEC Masterminds Podcast! This week, Clint Novak and Erik Stottlemyer are joined by a special guest, Seth, the innovative third-generation operator of the historic Calvert Drive-In Theater.

Seth took over a beloved Kentucky icon—a classic 1953 drive-in theater—and has been strategically transforming it from a simple, seasonal cinema into a dynamic, year-round Family Entertainment Center. In this episode, Seth breaks down the challenges, the wins, and the future of combining retro cinema nostalgia with modern FEC amenities.

Tune in to learn:

• The Challenge of the Digital Shift: How Seth and his family navigated the costly transition from 35mm film to digital projection (and saved their screen in the process).

• Diversifying Revenue Streams: The critical decision to add a large indoor arcade in 2023, shifting the business model from seasonal to year-round and from night-only to all-day fun.

• Elevating the Food & Beverage Game: Why Seth brought in professional restaurant equipment (the legendary flat-top grill) and the massive payoff of offering high-quality food, like their popular $5 cheeseburgers, as a standalone destination.

• The InterCard Advantage: A deep dive into why Calvert Drive-In chose InterCard for their arcade operations, how it has improved cash management, and how the simplified system was designed with future cashless integration for food and gate entry in mind.

• Creating 365 Days of Revenue: Insights on balancing a 10,000 sq ft retro arcade with seasonal movie operations to maximize the footprint and profitability of their venue.

Whether you operate a traditional bowling alley or arcade looking for new ideas, or are looking to reinvent a unique outdoor venue, Seth’s strategic pivot provides actionable lessons on diversifying for long-term success.

Listen now! #FECMasterminds #CalvertDriveIn #DriveInTheater #FEC #ArcadeOperations #FoodAndBeverage #InterCard #Podcast

In Episode 13 of the FEC Masterminds Podcast, Clint and Erik welcome their very first female guest to the show—Sarah, the General Manager of The Factory Gulf Shores!

Located right in the heart of the booming Alabama beach market, Sarah shares her incredible journey from starting out as a regular floor bouncer to climbing the ranks and managing a massive, family-owned entertainment destination.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Path to GM: How Sarah worked her way up through the ranks, took a few "side quests" (including a stint as a student pilot flying gyrocopters!), and ultimately found her true calling back at the factory.

• Massive Facility Layout: A look inside their multi-faceted operation featuring main-court trampolines, massive climbing walls, a flight simulator, batting cages, and a booming arcade.

• The Pub Six Synergy: How partnering with an independent, on-site restaurant and bar (Pub Six) gives parents a place to relax and watch live feeds of the park while enjoying great food and drinks.

• Social Media Momentum: How Sarah teamed up with local creators to overhaul their social strategy, driving massive views on TikTok and organic foot traffic through creative tactics like hiding jump passes in the local mall.

• Weathering the Tourist Spikes: How an indoor air-conditioned facility handles the massive summer tourist rushes and rainy day floods in a bustling beach town.

Whether you're managing seasonal staff, trying to crack the code on social media marketing, or looking for ways to enhance guest experience, this episode is packed with great operator insights!

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqjhH0o01j-QOfYaL_4xrxA

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2klCyxlYbcGKFxdOQx15DV

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fec-masterminds-podcast/id1895404878

Are you an FEC owner looking to level up? Drop us a line or apply to join our off-the-air Mastermind calls: https://www.novakamusementsolutions.com/

In Episode 12 of the FEC Masterminds Podcast, Clint and Erik sit down with Brian from Wisconsin's massive Metropolis Resorts.

Transitioning from a family grocery and food service background that spans decades into the wild world of family entertainment, Brian takes us behind the scenes of building a 22-acre resort destination right off I-94 between Chicago and Minneapolis.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Evolution of Metropolis: How a 55,000-square-foot fun center (Action City) grew into a massive 111-room hotel, indoor water park, and trampoline park ecosystem.

• The Independent Hotel Advantage: Why staying unflagged gives Brian's internal marketing team the freedom to drive custom campaigns without corporate franchise restrictions.

• Massive Expansions: An inside look at their current 55,000-square-foot expansion featuring a drop tower, spin coaster, new go-kart track, and 15 lanes of bowling.

• Unique Retail Strategy: Why treating their redemption counter like a high-end resort gift shop—where everything is available for cash or tickets—maximizes secondary spend.

• The Marketing Edge: Leveraging a deep background in digital marketing to insulate the resort from economic booms and busts.

Listen & Subscribe:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqjhH0o01j-QOfYaL_4xrxA

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2klCyxlYbcGKFxdOQx15DV

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fec-masterminds-podcast/id1895404878

Are you an FEC owner looking to level up? Drop us a line or apply to join our off-the-air Mastermind calls: https://www.novakamusementsolutions.com/

In this episode of the FEC Masterminds Podcast, Clint and Erik ditch the formal guest format to go deep on the "spaghetti plate" of running an FEC business. From working booth duty at Fredericksburg Comic-Con to the absolute chaos of freight logistics, no topic is off-limits.

In this episode, we cover:

• Community Engagement: Why physically showing up at local expos and Comic-Cons is worth the labor cost for brand recognition.

• The "Rewind" Project: A behind-the-scenes look at the construction of Planet Novak’s new retro arcade—including the battle for the perfect "Tron-esque" aesthetic.

• Logistics Nightmares: How a 52,000lb freight delivery disaster taught us that sometimes it's cheaper to just rent the forklift yourself.

• The Point-of-Sale Struggle: Why the industry is a "never-ending saga" of finding the right software to handle everything from membership databases to birthday bookings.

• Permitting & Resilience: Clint and Erik trade war stories about "illegal gambling" accusations and building permitted coasters without a county permit.

Whether you’re dealing with ghost kitchens, broken lift gates, or just trying to stay sane while growing your empire, this episode is a reminder of why we do what we do: We sell fun.

Listen & Subscribe:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqjhH0o01j-QOfYaL_4xrxA

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2klCyxlYbcGKFxdOQx15DV

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fec-masterminds-podcast/id1895404878

Are you an FEC owner looking to level up? Drop us a line or apply to join our off-the-air Mastermind calls: https://www.novakamusementsolutions.com/

How do you take a bankrupt go-kart track and turn it into an 18% year-over-year growth machine?

In this episode of the FEC Masterminds Podcast, Clint and Erik sit down with Dave from Grand Island Fun Center. Dave shares his journey of transitioning from a college student helping his dad at an auction to becoming a decade-long solo owner-operator.

We go deep into the "outside perspective" of running an FEC—including the tough choices required to keep a park relevant. Dave pulls back the curtain on why he made the difficult decision to remove underperforming assets like batting cages and Water Wars, and how focusing on high-impact attractions like outdoor tactical laser tag helped shift his park’s reputation.

Key Takeaways From This Episode:

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  The Power of a Rebrand: How Dave overcame a "dump" stigma left by previous owners through new logos, signage, and targeted marketing.

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  Asset Management: Why Dave decided to cut his losses on batting cages (saving on maintenance and liability) to focus on higher-ROI go-kart experiences.

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  Ghost Kitchen Strategies: How Dave uses "Taste of the Fair" as a ghost kitchen on DoorDash to drive extra revenue without increasing on-site operational friction.

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  The Hiring Edge: How Dave achieved an impressive 3.5-year average retention rate for seasonal staff—a rarity in the amusement industry.

Connect with the Hosts:

• Clint Novak: https://www.novakamusementsolutions.com/

• Erik Stottlemyer: https://www.adventureparkusa.com/

Listen & Subscribe:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqjhH0o01j-QOfYaL_4xrxA

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2klCyxlYbcGKFxdOQx15DV

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fec-masterminds-podcast/id1895404878

Are you an FEC owner looking to level up?

Drop us a line or apply to join our off-the-air Mastermind calls: https://www.novakamusementsolutions.com/