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Andy Povey is joined by Debs Griffin, Director of Sundown Adventureland, to explore a family-run theme park shaped by three generations of women. The conversation covers its growth into a leading destination for young families, alongside insights on expansion, operations, and maintaining a clear focus on imaginative play for children under 10.   Topics Discussed Origins and growth of Sundown Adventureland Three generations of female leadership Expansion into rides, play areas, and accommodation Challenges in staffing and operations Importance of hands-on leadership Focus on under 10s and free play experiences Balancing growth while maintaining family values   Show references: Debs Griffin, Director of Sundown Adventureland https://sundownadventureland.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/sundown-adventureland/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/debora-griffin-924161120/   Skip the Queue is brought to you by Merac. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce. Your host is Andy Povey. If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, 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. Credits: Written by Emily Burrows (Plaster) Edited by Steve Folland Produced by Emily Burrows and Sami Entwistle (Plaster) Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey   We have launched our brand-new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide to Going Beyond the Gift Shop’ — your go-to resource for building a successful e-commerce strategy that connects with your audience and drives sustainable growth.   Download your FREE copy here

In this episode, Andy Povey is joined by Matthew Philpott, Head of Marketing at Bristol Zoological Society to discuss the transformation of Bristol Zoological Society and the move from Bristol Zoo Gardens to the larger, conservation focused Bristol Zoo Project. They explore how the new site prioritises animal welfare through natural habitats, the challenges of relocating animals including gorillas, and the creation of immersive environments like the African Forest. The episode also touches on changing visitor expectations and the evolving role of zoos in global conservation.   Key Topics Discussed Transformation from city zoo to large scale conservation site Closure and legacy of Bristol Zoo Gardens Vision behind Bristol Zoo Project and modern zoo design Animal welfare and natural habitat creation Relocation of animals and logistical challenges Gorilla troop move and preparation process Design and features of African Forest habitat Multi species environments and enrichment Balancing visitor expectations with new experiences Branding and retaining the Bristol Zoo name Conservation breeding programmes and global collaboration Role of zoos in wildlife conservation Visitor engagement through immersive design and play Data driven decision making in attractions Industry trends and future zoo regulations Education and inspiring conservation action   Show references:   Matthew Philpott, Head of Marketing at Bristol Zoological Society https://bristolzoo.org.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/bristol-zoo-project/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-p-b82395b3/   Skip the Queue is brought to you by Merac. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce. Your host is Andy Povey. If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, 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. Credits: Written by Emily Burrows (Plaster) Edited by Steve Folland Produced by Emily Burrows and Sami Entwistle (Plaster) Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey   We have launched our brand-new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide to Going Beyond the Gift Shop’ — your go-to resource for building a successful e-commerce strategy that connects with your audience and drives sustainable growth.   Download your FREE copy here

In this episode of Skip the Queue, Andy Povey is joined by Donna Speed, CEO of We The Curious, to explore how curiosity can transform visitor experiences. Following major challenges, including COVID-19 and a devastating fire in 2022, the organisation rebuilt with a strong community-first approach, taking science directly to people through outreach while the venue was closed. The conversation focuses on a shift from traditional, answer-led exhibitions to question-led experiences, highlighted by the “Project What If” exhibition built from over 20,000 public questions. Donna shares how co-creation, inclusivity, and audience-led design are reshaping engagement, and how attractions can balance education and entertainment, remain relevant, and inspire curiosity in new ways. Key Topics Discussed Designing visitor experiences around curiosity rather than content The transformation and rebrand of We The Curious Community-led decision making and co-creation Recovery and resilience after the 2022 fire Outreach strategies during closure and post-pandemic recovery Project What If and question-led exhibition design Differences between interactive science centres and traditional museums Inclusion and representation in science and learning spaces The role of curiosity in lifelong learning Balancing entertainment and education in attractions Building trust and relevance with audiences Collaboration across the attractions and museum sector The evolving role of museums in society Leadership through crisis and change Inspiring future generations through engagement and accessibility   Show references:   Donna Speed - CEO of We The Curious https://wethecurious.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-speed-15252916/ https://www.wethecurious.org/news-blog/we-curious-reopening-project-what-if Skip the Queue is brought to you by Merac. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce. Your host is Andy Povey. If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, 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. Credits: Written by Emily Burrows (Plaster) Edited by Steve Folland Produced by Emily Burrows and Sami Entwistle (Plaster) Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey   We have launched our brand-new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide to Going Beyond the Gift Shop’ — your go-to resource for building a successful e-commerce strategy that connects with your audience and drives sustainable growth.   Download your FREE copy here

In this episode of Skip the Queue, Andy Povey speaks with Greg Hall from Universal Creative and Max MacEwan from Framestore about the creation of Dark Universe at Universal Epic Universe. Inspired by the legacy of Universal Monsters, they explore how storytelling, technology, and psychology come together to create a thrilling yet re-rideable attraction. The conversation highlights the importance of anticipation, immersive queue design, creative collaboration, and balancing innovation with guest experience. Key Topics Discussed Creating Dark Universe at Universal Epic Universe Reimagining Universal Monsters for a modern audience Designing immersive queues and building anticipation Balancing storytelling with new technology Collaboration between Universal Creative and Framestore Using cinema techniques in attraction design Guest psychology and re-rideable thrill experiences The role of experimentation and creative risk in theme park design     Maximilian Guy McNair MacEwan, Head of Strategic Partnerships - Immersive of Framestore https://www.framestore.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/maximilian-guy-mcnair-macewan-64809824/   Gregory Hall, Assistant Director, Creative Design of Universal Creative https://linktr.ee/universalcreative https://www.linkedin.com/in/gprodigy/   Skip the Queue is brought to you by Merac. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce. Your host is Andy Povey. 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. Credits: Written by Emily Burrows (Plaster) Edited by Steve Folland Produced by Emily Burrows and Sami Entwistle (Plaster) Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey   We have launched our brand-new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide to Going Beyond the Gift Shop’ — your go-to resource for building a successful e-commerce strategy that connects with your audience and drives sustainable growth.   Download your FREE copy here

In this episode of Skip the Queue, host Andy Povey is joined by Robbie Jones from Katapult to discuss how guest insights and psychology shape the design of modern visitor attractions. Robbie shares how Katapult works with IPs, theme parks and destinations to create experiences that focus on guest behaviour, emotions and expectations. The conversation centres on a groundbreaking four-year research project with University of Birmingham and Drayton Manor Resort exploring how attractions can better support neurodivergent guests. The project aims to develop a global blueprint for neuroinclusive design that improves accessibility while maintaining exciting and immersive experiences. Key Topics Discussed: Insights-led design in themed attractions Neurodiversity and inclusion in theme parks A four-year research project with the University of Birmingham and Drayton Manor Breaking misconceptions around sensory experiences and neurodivergence Personalisation and guest autonomy in attractions Reducing friction in queues and guest journeys The role of analogue, interactive experiences in museums and parks The commercial and social impact of inclusive attraction design   Show References:   Robbie Jones, Insights Director at Katapult https://www.katapult.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrrobbiejones/ https://blooloop.com/katapult-neuroinclusion-research/   Skip the Queue is brought to you by Merac. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce. Your host is Andy Povey. If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, 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.   Credits: Written by Emily Burrows (Plaster) Edited by Steve Folland Produced by Emily Burrows and Sami Entwistle (Plaster) Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey   We have launched our brand-new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide to Going Beyond the Gift Shop’ — your go-to resource for building a successful e-commerce strategy that connects with your audience and drives sustainable growth.   Download your FREE copy here

In this special International Women’s Day episode of Skip the Queue, guest host Claire Furnival brings together four leaders from across the global visitor attractions industry to discuss progress, challenges and what comes next. Joining Claire are Emily Popovich of KMI International, Rachael Hamilton of Rise AV, Liz Sanchez Rasking of Looking Glass Strategies and Entertainment SHE-nanigans, and Ruth Read of blooloop. They share personal career journeys and discuss the ongoing barriers women face, including pay gaps, unconscious bias, burnout, safety at trade shows and confidence in leadership. The episode highlights practical initiatives driving change, such as mentoring programmes, representation in awards and panels, pay transparency advocacy and grassroots networking groups. The conversation reinforces the importance of community, allyship, visibility and self advocacy in accelerating equality across the sector, while recognising there is still work to do before women focused initiatives are no longer needed. Key Topics Discussed Career pathways in attractions, AV, media and themed entertainment Confidence gaps and self advocacy Burnout and workplace pressures Gender pay transparency Safety and inclusion at trade shows Mentoring and leadership development Representation on boards and industry awards The role of allyship Building safe and supportive networks Priorities for the next five years   Show References:   Claire Furnival, Client Success Manager of JP Showsystems & previously Head of Engineering of Merac http://www.jpshowsystems.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-furnival-exec/   Emily Popovich, Director of Global Business Development of KMI International https://www.kmiintl.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilypopovich/   Rachael Hamilton, Managing Director of Rise AV https://www.rise-av.com/ https://www.iamrachael.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-hamilton-836a5825/   Liz Sanchez Rasking,  Founder | Director of Business Development, Looking Glass Strategies https://www.looking-glass.pro/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizsanchezrasking/   Ruth Read, Director of blooloop http://www.blooloop.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthread/   There's an incredible line-up of events taking place for this year's #IWD that you can be a part of: 📅 5th March | 2:00pm EST & 7:00pm GMT Live Chat: Empowered voices: Celebrating Women who Lead and Inspire hosted by IAAPA. https://iaapa.org/event/live-chat-empowered-voices-celebrating-women-who-lead-and-inspire 📅 6th March | 1:00pm EST  The Power of Connection Webinar brought to you by MUSE and the Female Leaders of Amusement Parks and Attractions.https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/b47d6a8c-57f5-4e75-b0bc-ffc33c415d11@9ce37703-53e8-441e-8fba-26704215ed39 📅 12th March | 3:30 - 8:00pm GMT  Rise AV International Women’s Day 2026 | Give to Gain hosted by Rise AV. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rise-international-womens-day-2026-give-to-gain-tickets-1982282957688   Skip the Queue is brought to you by Merac. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce. Your guest host is 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. Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey   We have launched our brand-new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide to Going Beyond the Gift Shop’ — your go-to resource for building a successful e-commerce strategy that connects with your audience and drives sustainable growth.   Download your FREE copy here

In this episode of Skip the Queue, Andy Povey is joined by Ray Hole of Ray Hole Architects for a wide-ranging and thought-provoking conversation about strategy, storytelling and the true economics of experience design. Key Topics Discussed The “Camelot” collaboration model in attraction development Experience economy vs. pure economics Primacy and recency effects in guest psychology Designing the departure experience Turning operational cost into experiential value Storytelling through architecture Instagrammable design and generational behaviour Empathy in ticketing and security Integrating accommodation into attraction strategy Converting capex into revenue-generating experiences   Show References:   Ray Hole, Managing Director of Ray Hole Architects https://www.rayhole-architects.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ray-hole-a6b7396/   Skip the Queue is brought to you by Merac. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce. Your host is Andy Povey.   Credits: Written by Emily Burrows (Plaster) Edited by Steve Folland Produced by Emily Burrows and Sami Entwistle (Plaster) Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey   We have launched our brand-new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide to Going Beyond the Gift Shop’ — your go-to resource for building a successful e-commerce strategy that connects with your audience and drives sustainable growth.   Download your FREE copy here

In this live episode of Skip the Queue, recorded at the Association of Cultural Enterprises Conference, Andy Povey is joined by Richard Paterson, Chief Operating Officer at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, to explore the delicate balance between commercial performance and heritage protection. Richard shares practical, real-world strategies for running sustainable cultural attractions in a challenging post-Covid landscape from improving ticket yield to rethinking discount strategies. Key Topics Discussed:Post-Covid financial pressures on cultural attractions Increasing income yield without increasing footfallSimplifying ticket structures at the Shakespeare Birthplace TrustReducing and rationalising discountsEncouraging online booking vs on-the-door salesUsing ticketing data to test and track performanceRe-engaging local audiences within drive-time marketsGrowing repeat visitationCommunicating conservation impact to visitorsTurning restoration work into part of the experienceLeveraging cultural moments like Hamnet to refresh storytellingShow References:   Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey   Richard Paterson, Chief Operating Officer at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpaterson1/  Cultural Enterprises ConferenceBirmingham on 9-11 February 2026https://culturalenterprises.org.uk/conference/  Skip the Queue is brought to you by Merac. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce. Your host is Andy Povey.   Credits: Written by Emily Burrows (Plaster) Edited by Steve Folland Produced by Emily Burrows and Sami Entwistle (Plaster) Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey   We have launched our brand-new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide to Going Beyond the Gift Shop’ — your go-to resource for building a successful e-commerce strategy that connects with your audience and drives sustainable growth.   Download your FREE copy here

In this episode of Skip the Queue, Andy Povey is joined by Mark Lofthouse, Creative Director and Business & Client Strategy Manager at RWS Global, a global entertainment company delivering experiences across attractions, live events and destination design. Mark shares his journey into the attractions industry, from starting out in haunted attractions as a teenager to leading creative strategy on IP-led experiences around the world. Andy and Mark talks about how brands and attractions can create meaningful emotional connections, why guest-first design is critical to commercial success, and how IP partnerships can help venues reach new audiences when done thoughtfully. The conversation also looks ahead to the future of immersive experiences, personalisation, and what regional and family attractions can learn from projects that are thriving today. Key Topics Discussed:Emotional connection as the core of great attractionsHow IP and brands can attract new audiencesWhy guest-first design matters more than visualsWhat makes IP partnerships succeed or failLessons for regional and family attractionsThe future of immersive and personalised experiences  Show References:   Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey   Mark Lofthouse, Senior Manager, Business & Client Strategy at RWS Global https://www.rwsglobal.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/markloftcd/  Skip the Queue is brought to you by Merac. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce. Your host is Andy Povey.   Credits: Written by Emily Burrows (Plaster) Edited by Steve Folland Produced by Emily Burrows and Sami Entwistle (Plaster) Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey   We have launched our brand-new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide to Going Beyond the Gift Shop’ — your go-to resource for building a successful e-commerce strategy that connects with your audience and drives sustainable growth.   Download your FREE copy here

In this episode of Skip the Queue, Andy Povey is joined by Simon Egan, Project Development Fellow at CAPCO, the creative studio behind some of the UK’s most immersive and story-led play environments. Simon shares his unexpected journey into the attractions industry, from co-creating the much-loved BeWILDerwood to founding CAPCO and championing play as a powerful driver of social connection, wellbeing, and commercial success. Andy and Simon explore why play matters more than ever in a screen-dominated world, how storytelling can transform visitor experiences, and what attractions can learn from farm parks, schools, and international projects.   Key Topics Discussed:Simon’s route into the attractions industryThe creation and success of BeWILDerwoodWhy story and narrative are critical to play designGetting children (and parents) playing again outdoorsThe impact of play on wellbeing, inclusion, and social skillsDesigning for dwell time, food spend, and revenue growthLessons from farm parks in the UK and North AmericaWhy play is becoming just as important for adultsCAPCO’s Royal Warrant and future projects  Show References:   Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey   Simon Egan - Project Development Fella at CAP.CO (Creating Adventurous Places Ltd) https://www.wearecapco.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/simonpegan/  Skip the Queue is brought to you by Merac. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce. Your host is Andy Povey.   Credits: Written by Emily Burrows (Plaster) Edited by Steve Folland Produced by Emily Burrows and Sammy Entwistle (Plaster), with Wenalyn Dionaldo (Skip the Queue HQ) Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey   We have launched our brand-new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide to Going Beyond the Gift Shop’ — your go-to resource for building a successful e-commerce strategy that connects with your audience and drives sustainable growth.   Download your FREE copy here

In this episode of Skip the Queue, Andy Povey explores how visitor attractions can improve website performance in 2026 using insight from the 4th Visitor Attractions Website Survey. Andy is joined by two contributors to the report: Simon Jones, Managing Director at NavigateSteve Mills, Director at Decision HouseThey break down what visitors expect from attraction websites, how digital behaviour is changing, and where operators should focus to improve conversion, visibility and trust. Key Topics Discussed:AI search and how visitors are using it without realisingMobile-first design and poor mobile performanceWebsite speed and its impact on conversionVisitor confidence, risk and late booking behaviourPricing transparency and hidden feesFlexible ticketing and weather-driven decisionsReviews, social proof and AI-driven discoveryUsing first-party data more effectivelyThe rise of repeat visitors over first-time visits  Show References:   Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey   Simon Jones - Managing Director of Navigate https://navigate.agency/https://www.linkedin.com/in/simontjones/  Steve Mills, Director at Decision House https://decisionhouse.co.uk/https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-mills-0528661b/  Mentioned: Olly Reed of Navigate Agency: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olly-reed/   Skip the Queue is brought to you by Merac. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce. Your host is Andy Povey. 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. Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey   We have launched our brand-new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide to Going Beyond the Gift Shop’ — your go-to resource for building a successful e-commerce strategy that connects with your audience and drives sustainable growth.   Download your FREE copy here

This special Monday release of Skip the Queue marks Blue Monday, often labelled the most depressing day of the year. But is Blue Monday real, or just clever marketing? Andy Povey is joined by Emma Newell, Chair of the TEA Wellness Council, to unpack the truth behind Blue Monday and explore a much bigger issue facing the attractions industry: burnout. Key Topics Covered:  The truth about Blue MondayWhat burnout really looks likeThe Window of ToleranceWhy the attractions industry is uniquely challengingWhy burnout often feels “normal” in themed entertainmentSeasonal living and energy managementLeadership, boundaries and responsibilityThe role of the TEA Wellness Council  Show References:   Emma Newell, TEA Chair, and Strategy, Culture & Leadership Coach at Magnetic Moon Coaching https://www.teaconnect.org/https://magneticmooncoaching.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-newell-magneticmooncoachingltd/  Skip the Queue is brought to you by Merac. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce. Your host is Andy Povey. 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. Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey   We have launched our brand-new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide to Going Beyond the Gift Shop’ — your go-to resource for building a successful e-commerce strategy that connects with your audience and drives sustainable growth.   Download your FREE copy here

Step into the woods with us for a behind-the-scenes look at one of the UK’s most iconic winter light trails: Windsor Great Park Illuminated. In this episode of Skip the Queue, Paul Marden is joined on-site by Rob Paul, Design Director at LCI Productions, and Kathryn Stafford, Senior Events Manager at IMG Events, to discuss how this 2.2km light trail continues to evolve, surprise and delight hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Rob and Kathryn reveal how they transform a natural woodland into a breathtaking immersive world — all while protecting wildlife and crafting stories that keep guests coming back year after year. You’ll discover: What’s new for the 2025 trailThe creative process behind reinventing the experience annuallyThe challenges of designing large-scale AV in a protected natural landscapeHow iconic Instagram moments are balanced with quieter storytellingBrand-new characters, narratives and festive surprisesTrends in repeat visitation and evolving guest expectations    Show References:   Windsor Great Park Illuminated  https://www.windsorilluminated.com/tickets/  Rob Paul - Design Director, LCI Productions https://www.linkedin.com/company/lci-productions-ltd/https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-paul-7a4ab417/  Kathryn Stafford - Senior Events Manager, IMG Events  / PWR https://www.linkedin.com/company/img/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-stafford-7504241b/  Skip the Queue is brought to you by Merac. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce. Your host is Paul Marden. 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. Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey   We have launched our brand-new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide to Going Beyond the Gift Shop’ — your go-to resource for building a successful e-commerce strategy that connects with your audience and drives sustainable growth.   Download your FREE copy here

In this episode of Skip the Queue, Andy Povey is joined by Melissa Oviedo (TEA), Martin Palicki (InPark Magazine), and Ed Chih (ECA) to discuss the TEA Global Experience Index and trends shaping the attractions industry in 2026. Key Topics Covered: Overview of the TEA Global Experience Index and global attendance trendsShifts in guest expectations and evolving experiencesRise of immersive IP-driven experiencesImportance of reinvestment for long-term successStrategies to compete for guest attention and engagementRole of storytelling and brand integration in attractionsGrowth of cruise lines and location-based entertainmentInsights for operators, developers, designers, and storytellers  Show References:   Download the TEA Global Experience Index™ Report: https://www.teaconnect.org/tea-global-experience-indextm   Melissa Oviedo, Chief Executive Officer, Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) https://www.teaconnect.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-oviedo-ruminot-90a63228/  Martin Palicki, Publisher of InPark Magazine https://www.inparkmagazine.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/inparkmagazine/Edmond Chih, Director, Entertainment & Cultural Advisors (ECA) https://www.entertainmentandculture.com/  Skip the Queue is brought to you by Crowd Convert. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce. Your host is Andy Povey. 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.   Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey   We have launched our brand-new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide to Going Beyond the Gift Shop’ — your go-to resource for building a successful e-commerce strategy that connects with your audience and drives sustainable growth.   Download your FREE copy here

Andy Povey is joined by two guests at the forefront of this space: Rob Liddell, Executive Producer at BBC Studios Science Unit, and Simon Clarke, Creative Director and Founder of Moonraker VFX. Fresh from announcing their new creative partnership, they’re here to share what happens when world-class storytelling meets cutting-edge visual effects in the world of immersive experiences.   Show References:   Rob Liddell, Executive Producer at BBC Studios Science Unit https://productions.bbcstudios.com/our-production-brands/the-science-unit/https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-liddell-171639137/  Simon Clarke, Creative Director and Founder of Moonraker VFX https://moonrakervfx.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-clarke-07ba9146/  Skip the Queue is brought to you by Crowd Convert. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce. Your host is Andy Povey. 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.     Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey   We have launched our brand-new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide to Going Beyond the Gift Shop’ — your go-to resource for building a successful e-commerce strategy that connects with your audience and drives sustainable growth.   Download your FREE copy here