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Trends to Watch in 2018

Three people using virtual reality goggle for the community client blog post

Trends to Watch in 2018

 

PGAV kicked off the new year by asking top attraction managers what trends they were watching in 2018. A multitude of great opportunities are evolving to enhance the guest experience and visitor engagement with emerging technologies; read on to discover how today’s industry leaders plan to harness that potential!

 

The Georgia Aquarium

“Utilizing our social channels to tell unique and exclusive stories from Georgia Aquarium’s perspective. Through initiatives like Facebook Live, Facebook Watch, and Instagram Stories, we can bring our guests – from all across the world – along on our daily activities caring for our diverse and amazing animals at Georgia Aquarium.”

Joe Handy, President & COO

Guests photograph fish, rays, and whale sharks in a large Georgia Aquarium tank

 

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari

“Ever-evolving technology keeps us concentrating on how to attract and entertain a new generation of guests, who have never known life without smartphones or social media. Combining old-fashioned charm with modern technology and convenience is an ongoing challenge.”

Matt Eckert, President & CEO

Holiday World Theme Park & Splashin' Safari winged coaster Thunderbird' loading station

 

Fort Ticonderoga

  • “Doing good is the new cool and “no margin, no mission” has become “no mission, no margin” for businesses. I’d carry that a step further beyond to say passion for a cause drives interest and support. Our 2018 social media campaigns will feature our young, passionate staff in their respective roles bringing behind-the-scenes work to the forefront with the intent to engage our multi-generational visitor base.”
  • “We know that quality and unique food and beverage is more important than ever to attract travelers to destinations, especially the younger cohort. In 2018, Fort Ticonderoga will continue to expand its offerings of items grown in the King’s Garden to support our café (meals grown with a story)! We also plan to partner with regional distilleries, breweries, and cideries to expand our beverage offerings and develop fun new dinner event and tasting opportunities rooted in our rich history, and celebrating our regional products in upstate New York and Vermont.”

Beth Hill, President & CEO

 

Cincinnati Museum Center

  • “The team at CMC is exploring a wide variety of trends, all centering on expanding and deepening visitor engagement. We are passionate and intrigued by exploring new ways to engage with the community – in how we become part of a community’s social fabric and help address community issues – as well as deepening our relationship with schools, both integrating with public schools here or at the schools themselves, and engaging in project-based learning experiences and 21st century skill development.”
  • “Virtual and augmented reality are both exciting prospects for creating immersive experiences throughout a museum space, and we’re exploring how those experiences can continue to engage visitors off-site. We see VR as an incredible opportunity to build empathy and explore social justice issues, with great examples in the Exploratorium’s 20-minute feature documentary Collisions, the Illinois Holocaust Museum’s hologram initiative, and the MIT Museum’s VR Conflict Experience. Beyond virtual reality, we’re exploring ways to target guests on-site with tailored deals via push notifications, and how we can leverage smartphones to offer 3D wayfinding and exhibit enhancement.”
  • “2018 will also mark a year that we explore new approaches to pricing, whether that takes the form of dynamic pricing or a single discount model (one adult price with a single discount price for numerous groups). Within exhibits, our team is looking into projection technology, wide gallery lighting and power control, Maker Spaces, and creative spaces that provide opportunities for dialog and community.”

Elizabeth Pierce, President & CEO, and team

 

 

Thank you to our contributors and for continually innovating and actuating what was once impossible in the education, entertainment, and engagement of attraction guests!

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