In this debut episode of Signal, hosts John Pendergrast and Tim Samson set the stage for what this podcast is all about: candid, forward-looking conversations for leaders in the attractions industry.

John and Tim share their unconventional journeys—from roller coasters at Cedar Point to early software builds for reservation systems—and why operators today need more spaces to talk openly about the challenges shaping guest experiences.

This conversation covers four key industry trends and digs into why technology must serve guests first, why standardization matters, and where operators are most at risk of falling behind.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why the experience economy isn’t just maturing—it’s evolving
• Where tech adds value vs. where it breaks immersion
• How high demand is colliding with operational headwinds (and what VIP pricing means for access)
• How economic uncertainty is reshaping consumer behavior and shortening stay patterns
• The industry’s biggest blind spot: misalignment between guest-first business models and order-first technology

Timestamps

(00:00) Intro: Why start this podcast?

(01:35) Tim’s journey from roller coaster ops to tech

(05:32) John’s path from wannabe pop star to software entrepreneur

(10:05) The experience economy: maturing or evolving?

(15:35) Why technology is foundational—but not the magic

(21:22) Balancing guest nostalgia with digital tools

(23:05) High demand meets operational headwinds

(32:21) Economic uncertainty and the “one-and-done” guest

(36:43) The industry’s biggest blind spot in technology

(52:17) What Signal is really about

(58:16) Closing thoughts: lifting all boats in the attractions industry

👉 Follow John and Tim on LinkedIn for more insights.