How do you stand out in a brutally crowded market of nineteen competing adventure parks? If you ask Ed, a 36-year veteran of the amusement industry, the answer is simple: You throw out the corporate playbook, buy a drop-fog machine, lean heavily into aggressive guerrilla marketing, and treat underperforming venues as "reclamation projects." In Episode 9 of the FEC Masterminds Podcast, hosts Clint Novak (Novak Amusement Solutions) and Erik Stottlemyer (CEO of Adventure Park US

The IAAPA Expo map is live, and for those of us who have spent years navigating the North-South Concourse, this year requires a new game plan. The show has officially expanded across the street into the West Concourse. For the FEC operator, this isn't just a map change—it’s a shift in how you need to prioritize your walk-through. Here are my key observations as I’ve been mapping out my own route for the show. 1. The West Hall "Power Shift" The most significant change is the m

Running a Family Entertainment Center (FEC) usually brings certain images to mind: arcades, laser tag, or go-karts. But what happens when your primary attraction is 21,000 square feet of ice in the heart of Florida? We recently sat down with Keith Smith from The Ice Factory in Kissimmee, Florida, to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities of operating an ice rink as a high-engagement, modern FEC. More Than Just Skating in Circles While many ice rinks focus strictly on

When most operators think about adding a new attraction, they look at the standard mix: redemption games, laser tag, or maybe some mini bowling. But what happens when you decide to bring literal tons of sand indoors so kids can play with heavy-duty remote-control excavators? In Episode 4 of The FEC Masterminds Podcast, Erik and I had the chance to sit down with Eddy Richardson from Arena 5/9 Family Fun Zone. Arena 5/9 is known for pushing the envelope with hands-on, tactical,

In the world of Family Entertainment Centers (FECs), there’s a common playbook: hire a general contractor, buy your attractions from a catalog, and call a tech support line when the lights go out. Then, there’s The Castle Fun Center in Chester, NY. I recently had the chance to tour this sprawling facility with their General Manager, Mike , and I walked away with a massive amount of respect for their operation. The Castle is a masterclass in the "Hands-on Ethos." While many f