Live with Sondra

Welcome to this episode of "LIVE with Sondra: Navigating the F&B Landscape, Embracing Innovation, and Enhancing Guest Experiences" where we dive into the future of food and beverage in the attractions industry. Join Sondra and special guest James McQuade , Food and Beverage Director for Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay, as they explore: Emerging Trends in F&B: Discover the latest innovat...

Welcome to this episode of Live with Sondra , where we explore the keys to creating unforgettable guest experiences in waterparks and theme parks. Join us for an insightful conversation featuring Jim Kunau, a seasoned expert in theme park operations and guest experience strategy. In this session, Jim will dive into: Building Trust & Guest Satisfaction: How to foster a seamless and enjoyable ex...

Welcome to this episode of "Are You Listening?" where we dive into the fascinating world of listening to guest feedback. Join us for an insightful episode of "Live with Sondra" featuring Jamie Flaherty , VP of Business Development & Marketing at NetServ Applications, as we dive deep into the role of guest feedback, technology, and data in transforming the attractions industry! In this episode,...

👻 Welcome to this episode of "Live with Sondra" , featuring Professor Lynne Vincent , Associate Professor at Syracuse University. With expertise in creativity, team dynamics, and emotional engagement, Lynne shares her unique perspective on how psychology influences the design of thrilling guest experiences. In this session, Lynne will explore: Creativity in Attraction Design : Drawing inspiration...

🌊 Welcome to this episode of "Live with Sondra" , featuring Shawn Kidd , Director of Operations at Island H2O Water Park. With over 30 years of experience in aquatic safety, team leadership, and waterpark operations—including tenures at Disney and StarGuard ELITE—Shawn shares his expertise on driving success in waterpark management. In this session, Shawn will explore: Aquatic Safety Essentials :...

Welcome to this inspiring episode of "Live with Sondra" , featuring Aurora Elicerio , Principal Owner of Eos Edge Consulting. With over 20 years of experience in talent acquisition, development, and DEIB strategy, Aurora is passionate about empowering underrepresented talent and fostering transformative workplace change. In this session, Aurora will explore: Talent Attraction & Retention : Pro...

The Human Factor in Ride Safety and Queue Design Welcome to this insightful episode of "Live with Sondra" , featuring Neil Wilson , Senior Consultant at Universal Verification and author of Absolute Efficiency . With global experience in theme park operations, Neil is dedicated to enhancing ride safety, minimizing wait times, and improving the overall guest experience. In this episode, Neil will e...

Podcast Description: Inside FEC Success: Insights on Food, Beverage, and Operational Strategy Welcome to an exciting episode of "Live with Sondra" featuring Tim Murphy , CEO of Murfeez Entertainment! With over 35 years of experience in entertainment and food and beverage, Tim is a leading voice in transforming Family Entertainment Centers (FECs) into thriving attractions. In this episode, Tim will...

Safety First: Innovative Approaches to First Response & Injury Tracking 🩺 Join us for a compelling episode of "Live with Sondra" featuring Jennifer Mifsud , the visionary creator of a first aid reporting app designed to transform injury tracking and safety protocols in high-traffic environments. Discover how her innovations are reshaping industries like attractions and sports. In this episode...

Welcome to this episode of "The Power of Giving: Transforming Community Engagement Through Charitable Marketing," where we explore the profound impact of strategic giving on business growth and community building. Join us for an enlightening conversation with Renee Zau, Co-founder and CEO of DonationMatch, as she reveals how charitable marketing can foster authentic connections and drive lasting R...

Beyond Borders: How International Staff Elevate U.S. Attractions 🌍 Step into the world of cultural exchange in this thought-provoking episode of "Live with Sondra" featuring Renee Clarke , an expert from Greenheart Exchange. Renee shares her passion for fostering international staffing and its transformative impact on U.S. attractions. In this episode, Renee dives into: Cultural Exchange & Se...

Behind the Screams of Scare Acting & Show Ushering 🎃 Step behind the scenes of the Halloween magic in this captivating episode of "Live with Sondra" featuring Dustin Parro , a dedicated show usher and scare actor at California's Great America. Dustin shares his journey, passion for theme park entertainment, and what makes Halloween events at CGA unforgettable. In this episode, Dustin dives in...

Welcome to this episode of "Robotic Vending Machines" where we dive into the fascinating world of machines. Join us for an exciting episode of 'Live with Sondra' as we explore innovative trends in the amusement industry with our special guest, Malik Subhan. In this session, Malik will discuss: - Robotic Vending Machines: The rise of robotic vending machines and their potential to transform the att...

Welcome to this episode of "Unlocking Fear" where we dive into the fascinating world of haunted attraction. Join us for a informative episode of 'Live with Sondra' featuring Leonard Pickel, a leading expert in haunted attraction design with over 40 years of experience and creator of 300+ haunted houses worldwide. In this session, Leonard will dive into: - Attraction Design and Innovation: How Leon...

Welcome to this episode of "Engineering Thrills," where we dive into the fascinating world of thrills. Join Sondra Shannon, CEO of Gatemaster Technology, and industry expert Brendan Walker as they share their insights and strategies for enhancing guest experiences. Whether you're a theme park operator, a museum curator, or running any attraction-based business, this episode is packed with valuable...

Welcome to this episode of "Refund Protect," where we dive into refund protection to ensure guest's trust and satisfaction. Join Sondra Shannon, CEO of Gatemaster Technology, and industry expert Morgan Abney as they share their insights and strategies for enhancing guest experiences. Whether you're a theme park operator, a museum curator, or running any attraction-based business, this episode is p...

🎙️ Podcast Title: Experience Excellence: Innovating Guest Interactions in Attractions Welcome to this episode of "Live with Sondra" where we explore how to turn everyday guest interactions into unforgettable experiences with Dave Mugnaini, Attractions Industry Veteran and Guest Services Strategist . With a career spanning Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, SeaWorld, and Hard Rock Park, Dave bri...

Get ready for a rollercoaster ride of insights with service industry legend Ruby Newell-Legner! Join Sondra as she welcomes Ruby, a speaker who's captivated audiences in 25 countries and helped businesses like amusement parks and sports teams soar to new heights. Ruby will unveil the secrets behind her revolutionary 7-Star Service approach in this exclusive session. Discover how to: Turn happy emp...

Join Sondra Shannon, CEO of Gatemaster Technology, and Barry Zelickson , Founder of Next Exit Entertainment / Fun Across America, for an engaging discussion on transforming the attractions industry. In this session, they will explore Experiential Entertainment Marketing Trends, Hospitality Excellence Technology Integration, and Holistic Guest Experience. Gain insights on creating seamless and memo...

In this insightful Live with Sondra, Mary Tannous, Business Performance Ninja, explores the evolving landscape of attractions, focusing on innovative technologies, interactive design, systems, process management, and effective leadership. Delving into topics ranging from VR immersion to eco-friendly theming, she highlights how attractions embrace cutting-edge advancements while balancing responsib...

This LIVE with Sondra is ideal for attraction business owners, operators, and managers experiencing rapid growth and facing operational challenges. If you're intrigued by the idea that problems can signify success and seek strategies to effectively manage an influx of guests, this session will provide valuable insights. Whether you're looking to optimize your current operations, expand to new loca...

Special Effects, Mobile Trends, and Anticipating Guest Needs! Join me for an electrifying LIVE with Sondra featuring two industry experts, Nathan and Caitlin from Froggy's Fog. In 'Innovating Attractions: Special Effects, Mobile Trends, and Anticipating Guest Needs,' we dive deep into the future of attractions. Nathan and Caitlin will unveil insider insights, share impactful examples, and discuss...