SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS — JULY 3, 2024 - Foundations Entertainment University has released the agenda for its upcoming event in San Antonio, promising a comprehensive and enriching experience for attendees. Here’s why you should attend:
Agenda Highlights:
2 Full Days of Educational Workshops
- Engage in a series of educational workshops designed to provide valuable insights and practical knowledge.
Operator Interviews and Panel Discussions
- Gain firsthand information from experienced operators through interviews and participate in panel discussions that cover a wide range of industry topics.
20 Industry Expert Speakers
- Learn from a lineup of 20 distinguished industry experts who will share their knowledge, strategies, and success stories, offering valuable insights that can be applied to your own business.
Site Visit and Dinner at a New Family Entertainment Center
- Enjoy an exclusive site visit to a new Family Entertainment Center, followed by a dinner. This visit provides a unique opportunity to see innovative practices in action and discuss them with peers in a relaxed setting.
1 on 1 Networking with the Industry’s Top Suppliers
- Benefit from personalized networking sessions with leading suppliers in the industry. This is an excellent chance to forge meaningful connections and explore potential collaborations.
Meals Included
- All meals are included throughout the event, ensuring you can focus entirely on learning and networking without any distractions.
Detailed Agenda:
Day 1 - Tuesday, July 23rd, 2024
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM: Light Breakfast/Check-In
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM: Welcome and Introductions
- Speakers: Jerry Merola (AEM), Jackie Zilligen (FEU)
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM: Ice Breaker
- Speaker: Jackie Zilligen (FEU)
9:30 AM - 10:15 AM: Testing Market Feasibility & Developing Your Business Case
- Speaker: Jerry Merola (AEM)
10:15 AM - 10:35 AM: Selling Your Concept to Investors
- Speaker: Guy Kitchell (Thrill Builders)
10:35 AM - 10:50 AM: Break
10:50 AM - 11:35 AM: Designing an Extraordinary Environment to Create a Memorable Guest Experience
- Speaker: Doug Wilkerson (Dynamic Designs)
11:35 AM - 11:40 AM: Custom Furniture Solutions
- Speaker: Chuck Courter (Venue Industries)
11:40 AM - 12:00 PM: The "WOW" Factor Using AV and Lighting
- Speaker: Gene Esposito (DFX Sound Vision)
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Photo & Lunch
1:00 PM - 1:20 PM: The Science Behind Indoor Attractions
- Speaker: Russ VanNatta (Creative Works)
1:20 PM - 1:40 PM: How a Well Designed Laser Tag Arena Translates to Greater Profits
- Speaker: Simon Willetts (Lasertag by Zone)
1:40 PM - 2:20 PM: The Guest Experience Formula
- Speaker: Frank Price (FL Price)
2:20 PM - 3:00 PM: FEU Trade Show & Break
3:00 PM - 3:20 PM: Avoiding Landmines in Your Insurance Program
- Speaker: Rand Wright (Safepark USA)
3:20 PM - 3:40 PM: Hidden Costs Every Operator Should Watch For
- Speaker: Sherry Howell (CenterEdge Software)
3:40 PM - 4:00 PM: Interactive & Gamified Arenas and Play Attractions for Your FEC
- Speaker: Scott Forbes (IplayCO)
4:00 PM - 4:20 PM: How Booster Attractions Can Make a Big Difference in Large Venues
- Speaker: Ryan Borton (Funovation)
4:20 PM - 4:40 PM: Curating a Winning Entertainment Mix
- Speaker: Marisa Garris (Valo Motion)
4:40 PM - 5:00 PM: Site Visit Overview
- Speaker: Jackie Zilligen (FEU)
5:00 PM - 5:15 PM: Break
5:15 PM - 5:30 PM: Load Bus for Site Visit
5:30 PM - 6:00 PM: Travel to AR's Entertainment Hub
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Site Visit and Dinner at AR's Entertainment Hub
8:00 PM - 8:30 PM: Travel Back to Marriott Rivercenter
Day 2 - Wednesday, July 24th, 2024
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM: Light Breakfast/Check-In
8:30 AM - 8:45 AM: Recap of Tuesday's Site Visit
8:45 AM - 9:30 AM: Taking the Guesswork Out of Project Financing
- Speaker: Jerry Merola (AEM)
9:30 AM - 9:50 AM: Making Bowling Amazing!
- Speaker: Jack Siefert (Qubica AMF)
9:50 AM - 10:10 AM: Automation in FEC's
- Speaker: Curtis Stavich (Bowlmarc Robotics)
10:10 AM - 10:25 AM: Break
10:25 AM - 11:00 AM: Design 101
- Speaker: Doug Wilkerson (Dynamic Designs)
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Interview with Archie Wright, Owner of AR's Entertainment Hub
- Interviewer: Jerry Merola (AEM)
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch
1:00 PM - 1:45 PM: Recruiting & Hiring
- Speaker: Frank Price (FL Price)
1:45 PM - 2:05 PM: Redemption for the 4 Player Types
- Speaker: Mike Tipton (Redemption Plus)
2:05 PM - 2:25 PM: Why VR Experiences Are So Important to Today's Consumer
- Speaker: Sergio Garcia (Virtuix)
2:25 PM - 2:45 PM: Tips & Advice on How to Build a Successful FEC Website
- Speaker: Danielle Hardin (Party Center Software)
2:45 PM - 3:00 PM: Break
3:00 PM - 3:35 PM: Creating a Winning Group Sales Strategy
- Speaker: Sherry Howell (CenterEdge Software)
3:35 PM - 4:05 PM: Arcade Games - The Lifeblood of the Entertainment Center
- Moderator: Jerry Merola (AEM)
- Panelists: Phil Showler (Semnox), Steve Larmoreaux (Betson)
4:05 PM - 4:30 PM: Mastering Food Service Operations One Meal at a Time
- Speaker: Jerry Merola (AEM)
4:30 PM - 5:00 PM: Q&A
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Optional 1 on 1's with Foundations Speakers & Sponsors
This agenda promises to deliver a wealth of knowledge, networking opportunities, and practical insights for anyone involved in the entertainment industry. Don’t miss this chance to learn from industry experts and enhance your business.
Sign Up Today!
Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to enhance your knowledge and network with industry experts at Foundations Entertainment University in San Antonio. With a comprehensive agenda packed with educational workshops, operator interviews, and panel discussions, this event is designed to provide valuable insights and practical knowledge to help you succeed in the entertainment industry. Join us for two full days of learning, networking, and site visits, and take your business to the next level. Meals are included, ensuring you can focus entirely on the event. Sign up today using this link: https://www.foundationsuniversity.com/registration.
