Are suppliers the backbone of the industry? with Stephen Reid

Andy Povey is joined by Stephen Reid, Director of Attraction Brand Consultants, to discuss whether suppliers are the backbone of the attractions industry. They explore operator-supplier relationships, innovation, AI, visitor expectations, human connection, and the future challenges facing museums, theme parks, zoos, and family attractions.   Topics Discussed Are suppliers the backbone of the attractions industry? Operator vs supplier perspectives Building trust and long-term relationships Innovation through collaboration Trade associations and industry culture Why networking matters Learning across different attraction sectors Transferable ideas between museums, zoos, and theme parks The role of suppliers in problem solving Rising operating costs for attractions Competition for guests' time and money Managing visitor expectations Queueing and guest flow challenges AI and platform integration The future of ticketing and operations Technology vs storytelling Why immersive is often overused Human interaction in visitor experiences Theatre and live performance in attractions Lessons from farm attractions and seasonal events The importance of owner-operated attractions Guest reviews and personal service Innovation at the granular level The Sphere in Las Vegas Freedom to fail and experiment Practical advice for attraction operators   Show references:    Stephen Reid - Director of Attraction Brand Consultants https://www.kayelliott.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-reid-37723010/   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 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