Friday, March 29, 2024

Investing in the Future: Matthew Earnest

Given global trends, how should attractions best reinvest in themselves to ensure maximum growth?

Chris Yoshii | Lesley Morisetti | David Camp | Matthew Earnest | Wonwhee Kim | Dan Martin

Matthew Earnest, Entertainment + Culture Advisors (ECA)Think beyond the ride

As with any business, the focus should be on growing revenue potential. In this context, reinvestment should be considered not just a tool for attendance growth, but also a driver for stronger pricing or other revenue enhancements across the guest experience (food & beverage, retail, etc.). Keeping all revenue opportunities in mind, reinvestment can be defined as new attractions, entertainment and event programming, and premium guest experiences from dining to VIP access.

With this broader perspective, operators do not need to focus exclusively on capital intensive ride development but can also explore other guest experience investments that require less capital but still enhance the property and grow revenue potential. The reinvestment that created The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is instructive in that it included an innovative ride experience as well as Ollivanders Wand Shop and Butter Beer. The result was double-digit growth in attendance and per capita revenue.

Next: Wonwhee Kim

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Martin Palicki
Martin Palicki
Martin Palicki owns and publishes InPark Magazine. Started in 2004, InPark Magazine provides owners and operators the perspective from "in"side the "park." Martin has also written for publications like Sound & Communications, Lighting & Sound America, Attractions Management and others. Martin has been featured in Time Magazine, CNN.com and Folio. Martin lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.

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