LBX Collective

Sponsored by Intercard !  Discover the secrets behind the entertainment industry's latest trends and innovations as Brandon Willey takes you on a journey to London and New Orleans. From the EAG Show and the Social Immersive Entertainment Expo to the IAAPA FEC Summit, get a firsthand account of the myriad product launches and panel discussions shaping the future of entertainment. Main Event&ap...

Sponsored by Intercard !  What if shopping malls could become the ultimate social entertainment hubs of the future? Join us as we explore this intriguing possibility, discussing the transformation of malls from mere retail spaces into vibrant entertainment destinations. With exciting examples like Hasbro City and Area15, we share how family entertainment centers are evolving to create environments...

Part One - The IAAPA Orlando 2024 event served as a pivotal gathering for the global amusement and attractions industry, showcasing approximately 1,100 exhibitors across various segments, including waterparks and family entertainment centers (FECs). Key trends highlighted include significant mergers and acquisitions, notably Falcon’s Beyond's acquisition of Oceaneering Entertainment Systems,...

Sponsored by Intercard ! Curious about what the future holds for the entertainment industry? Join us on the LBX Show as we kick off the year with our 2024 prediction review and Brandon gives his 2025 predictions. Join the rest of the LBX Show friends and explore how theme parks and family resorts are transforming by integrating more dynamic entertainment experiences. Kevin spotlights exciting deve...

The IAAPA Expo Europe 2024 (IEE’24), held in Amsterdam, showcased emerging trends in the amusement and attractions industry, drawing significant attendance from Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the US. The event highlighted innovations in media-based and immersive technologies, with exhibitors like Lagotronics and DOF Robotics unveiling groundbreaking attractions and AI-powered solutions. The ri...

The VR/AR market is experiencing significant turbulence, with Meta Reality Labs facing substantial challenges in consumer adoption and market positioning. Despite reporting Quest 3 sales as "outpacing expectations", Meta is experiencing quarterly revenues of $353 million against a $4 billion loss and has made strategic cuts including closing Read at Dawn Studios , shelving the GTA VR gam...

The Japanese amusement operation industry, known locally as Game Centers, is undergoing significant transformation. Despite a sharp decline from 87,000 centers in 1993 to 10,000 in 2021, the market has shown signs of growth since then. Major players like BANDAI NAMCO , SEGA , GENDA , and TAITO are adapting to attract younger audiences, particularly Generation Z, with new concepts and competitive s...

Sponsored by Intercard ! Can "competitive socializing" reshape how we view traditional sports experiences? Join Kevin Williams and Brandon Willey as we make a bold claim that this trend is redefining entertainment, making it more inclusive and engaging for everyone—not just athletes. We dissect how activities like bowling, darts, and Topgolf have been gamified, transforming into experien...

The 2024 Gamescom and GTI-China events highlighted significant shifts in the gaming and amusement technology landscape, with key observations for investors: Virtual Reality (VR) technologies are experiencing market restructuring, marked by reduced exhibitor presence and cautious industry investment. Sony 's PlayStation VR 2 platform faces challenges, including price increases and speculation...

Sponsored by Intercard ! Kick off the holiday season with a sprinkle of festive magic and insightful industry discussions! Christine Buhr and Brandon Willey welcome Sherry Howell, Centeredge's Brand Engagement Director and the IAAPA FEC Committee Chair, to dive into the details of the eagerly awaited FEC Summit 2025 in New Orleans. From networking opportunities to panels led by industry exper...

Sponsored by Intercard !  Join Kevin Williams on an enlightening exploration into the world of location-based entertainment. What happens when architects design amusement facilities without industry-specific insight? The result can be inefficient layouts that disrupt the user experience. We challenge the norm of standardization in layout designs including the use of AI-generated artwork and virtua...

Sponsored by Intercard !  Unlock the secrets of the entertainment world as we wrap up the year with a journey through groundbreaking events, industry innovations, and visionary projects. Ever wondered how social entertainment is transforming the amusement industry? Get a glimpse of what awaits at the EAG Expo in London and IAAPA FEC Summit 2025 in New Orleans. Plus, we'll introduce you to Jac...

Sponsored by Intercard! Is it time for the amusement industry to wave goodbye to traditional tokens and embrace the digital era? Join us as we explore this pivotal shift towards e-tokens and e-tickets, offering a deep dive into the potential for a universal payment system across Family Entertainment Centers (FECs). With major players like Dave and Buster’s possibly leading the charge, we promise i...

Sponsored by Intercard ! Discover the transformative trends reshaping the location-based entertainment world in episode 7 of the LBX Show. We kick off with a look into the shift of Bolero into Lucky Strike Entertainment, expanding their horizons beyond the bowling alleys we've come to associate them with.  Are venue concepts evolving to become more inclusive and engaging? Absolutely. We spotl...

Sponsored by Intercard ! Curious about the latest takeaways from the IAAPA Expo in Orlando? Join Brandon Willey and industry experts Kevin Williams and Adam Pratt as we uncover the shifts and trends reshaping the world of location-based entertainment. With Christine off on a cruise, Kevin and Adam share their firsthand experiences and insights from the expo, highlighting standout exhibits and the...

Sponsored by Intercard! Can traditional media maintain its independence in an age dominated by influencers and social media? Join us as Kevin Williams, an expert in the location-based entertainment industry, shares his insights on the shifting media landscape and its impact on entertainment trends. We explore the reliance on social media for election updates, the blurred lines between opinion and...

Sponsored by Intercard! Discover how the entertainment industry is transforming by blending classic fun with modern social thrills. Ever wondered how retro gaming and soda bars like Slip and Flip are capturing new audiences, or how places like Urban Air's Ohio hotspot are redefining family adventures? Find out how venues across the globe—from UK’s Flip Out with its trampoline dodgeball, to Di...

Sponsored by Intercard! Could the rapid expansion of location-based entertainment chains like Dave & Buster's and Bolero spell disaster, similar to the downfall of Blockbuster and Toys R Us? We dive into the potential oversaturation of this booming industry, exploring whether such growth is truly sustainable or a ticking time bomb for franchisees. With consumer tastes constantly changing,...

Sponsored by Intercard! Unlock the secrets to making the most out of the IAAPA Expo, where over 1,100 exhibitors and 40,000 attendees redefine the entertainment industry landscape. We promise a treasure trove of insights—from strategic show floor navigation to setting impactful networking goals. Discover how the launch of our new community platform, LBX Galaxy, can connect you with industry peers,...

Sponsored by Intercard !  Ever wonder how to turn an underperforming entertainment center into a thriving hotspot? Join us as we chat with Dave Wallace, a seasoned expert in the food, beverage, and gaming industries, who shares his incredible journey from managing Jillian properties to launching over 100 successful venues with Turfway Entertainment Management Group. Learn from Dave’s unique experi...

Sponsored by Intercard! What if the amusement industry could reclaim its legacy from the hands of external companies? Join us as we celebrate our 50th episode milestone with industry expert Kevin Williams, who challenges us with this provocative question. We explore the fascinating world of location-based entertainment, examining how companies like Arcade 1-Up and Numskull are leading the charge i...

Sponsored by Intercard! Get ready for an episode filled with innovation and excitement as we take you through the thrilling landscape of the entertainment sector, just in time for the much-anticipated IAAPA Expo. Discover how we're transforming the future of fun with the unveiling of the LBX Galaxy, our latest collaboration with Radius. Plus, get the inside scoop on our booth location and the...

Sponsored by Intercard! Industry expert Kevin Williams joins us to unravel the exciting transition towards cashless environments in location-based entertainment. Discover how this shift is revolutionizing security, efficiency, and inclusivity, while maintaining the nostalgic charm of physical cash. We dive into strategies like reverse ATMs that ensure everyone can join in the fun, even in a digita...

Sponsored by Intercard! Unlock the secrets to hosting unforgettable birthday parties and boosting your business with insights from industry veterans Jeremy Hoyum and Kyle Stremme. This episode is packed with strategies from the LBX Academy's birthday workshop at Andretti Karting and Games, dedicated to crafting revenue-generating celebrations. Plus, we dive into a world of entertainment trend...

Sponsored by Intercard! What if you could revolutionize guest experiences with a single, powerful promise? Join us as Kevin Williams shares insights on the critical role of a charter or brand promise in location-based entertainment. We uncover how facilities can transform elements like engagement, experience, and entertainment into robust marketing tools, inspired by Walt Disney's timeless co...