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AttractionPros brings you into the room with the top leaders, executives, and influencers in the attractions industry, to gain the widest possible perspective of all areas of the industry. Most people are only exposed to the practices of their own organization without seeing how the rest of the industry operates. By following AttractionPros, you will gain the skills and knowledge needed to succeed and learn from the best of the best, whether you are the CEO or just beginning your career.
Episodes
Tuesday Mar 17, 2020
Tuesday Mar 17, 2020
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 - josh@amusementadvantage.com
Matt - matt@performanceoptimist.com
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 josh@amusementadvantage.com. It's time to spend less time wondering what your guests are thinking, and more time connecting with them on a personal level.
Tuesday Mar 10, 2020
Tuesday Mar 10, 2020
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:
Charlie Wickham
Personal Website: charliewickham.weebly.comEmail: wickham@iastate.eduPhone: (651) 324-9730Iowa State Club: tpegisu@gmail.com
David Eubanks
Email: delogical@gmail.comFacebook Group: Facebook TEA-at-UCLinkedIn Group: LinkedIn TEA-UCU Cincinnati Club: ucteapresident@gmail.com
Dan Mueller
Email: Mueller.440@osu.edu
Website: Https://tpegosu.com
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 - josh@amusementadvantage.com
Matt - matt@performanceoptimist.com
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 josh@amusementadvantage.com. It's time to spend less time wondering what your guests are thinking, and more time connecting with them on a personal level.
Tuesday Mar 03, 2020
Tuesday Mar 03, 2020
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: patricia.simmons@nczoo.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 - josh@amusementadvantage.com
Matt - matt@performanceoptimist.com
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 josh@amusementadvantage.com. It's time to spend less time wondering what your guests are thinking, and more time connecting with them on a personal level.
Tuesday Feb 25, 2020
Tuesday Feb 25, 2020
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 - josh@amusementadvantage.com
Matt - matt@performanceoptimist.com
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 josh@amusementadvantage.com. It's time to spend less time wondering what your guests are thinking, and more time connecting with them on a personal level.
Tuesday Feb 18, 2020
Tuesday Feb 18, 2020
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: Franceen.gonzales@whitewaterwest.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 - josh@amusementadvantage.com
Matt - matt@performanceoptimist.com
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 josh@amusementadvantage.com. It's time to spend less time wondering what your guests are thinking, and more time connecting with them on a personal level.
Tuesday Feb 11, 2020
Tuesday Feb 11, 2020
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 - josh@amusementadvantage.com
Matt - matt@performanceoptimist.com
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 josh@amusementadvantage.com. It's time to spend less time wondering what your guests are thinking, and more time connecting with them on a personal level.
Tuesday Feb 04, 2020
Tuesday Feb 04, 2020
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 - josh@amusementadvantage.com
Matt - matt@performanceoptimist.com
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 josh@amusementadvantage.com. It's time to spend less time wondering what your guests are thinking, and more time connecting with them on a personal level.
Tuesday Jan 28, 2020
Tuesday Jan 28, 2020
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: phil.edgell@vantage.co
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 - josh@amusementadvantage.com
Matt - matt@performanceoptimist.com
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 josh@amusementadvantage.com. It's time to spend less time wondering what your guests are thinking, and more time connecting with them on a personal level.
Tuesday Jan 21, 2020
Tuesday Jan 21, 2020
What just happened? Josh and Matt hit the record button with no idea what to talk about. Instead, they decided to try an experiment of asking for topics in real time and the AttractionPros community did not disappoint! In this spontaneous conversation, we talked about:
- Performance reviews
- Pay rates and raises
- Significant changes/challenges over the last decade
- Queuing strategies
- Employee engagement surveys
- How Josh and Matt met and what drives us crazy about each other
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 - josh@amusementadvantage.com
Matt - matt@performanceoptimist.com
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 josh@amusementadvantage.com. It's time to spend less time wondering what your guests are thinking, and more time connecting with them on a personal level.
Tuesday Jan 14, 2020
Tuesday Jan 14, 2020
When AttractionPros listeners talk, we listen! In a mailbag meets leftovers episode, Josh and Matt address a very serious issue facing mast attractions today: effective recruiting techniques, especially when the applicant pools are shrinking. This topic was a suggestion from Rob Knemeyer, a previous AttractionPros guest and longtime listener. We also posed this question on social media and many of the tips and techniques you will hear come from the AttractionPros community.
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 - josh@amusementadvantage.com
Matt - matt@performanceoptimist.com
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 josh@amusementadvantage.com. It's time to spend less time wondering what your guests are thinking, and more time connecting with them on a personal level.