FECs
www.parkworld-online.com
The Future of FECs
ROLLER Software talks current trends, what makes FECs unique, and where the industry is headed
F
amily entertainment centers (FECs) are attraction venues usually located in a residential area that mostly serve the local community (as opposed to out-of-town tourists) and are suited for family-friendly fun. FECs,
depending on the specific venue, are typically indoors and cater to children of all ages. Let’s explore the industry's current and anticipated future trends and how they relate to guest and venue operators’ changing requirements and preferences. FECs hold a special place in the hearts of families as they are a place where
parents can relax, maybe even get a meal, and children can be entertained for hours on end. An FEC is an environment where families and friends can create traditions and memories without spending too much, traveling too long, or even planning too far in advance. A trip to an FEC is the perfect family-fun day out. However, over the years, FECs have evolved with changing times and
guest preferences. Guests have many more entertainment options nowadays, and the ever-increasing role of technology in their lives has raised the bar regarding the types of experiences and interactions they have come to expect from companies. So when guests interact with an FEC, they expect the whole experience - from discovering the venue online and navigating their website to the actual in-venue experience to be captivating and modern. As such, FEC venues must ensure that every part of their customers'
journey is equally incredible. If your in-venue experience is fantastic, but your website is clunky, hard to browse, and the checkout/ purchasing experience is unimpressive, chances are the guest might not feel motivated to attend your venue in person. That’s why ensuring your online experience matches your in-venue experience is so important. As the role of a venue operator is multi-faceted and very busy, using an
all-in-one venue management system can help lighten the load. A system like ROLLER handles all areas of venue management so that the operator can focus on creating fantastic guest experiences. It is purpose-built for the
attractions industry and helps operators sell their experiences, serve their guests, manage their operations, and market their venues all from one platform. With features like an integrated payments processor, guest ability to buy online or in-store, powerful POS, group, and party booking functionality, electronic waivers, guest feedback tool, multi-venue management tools, and more, ROLLER systems are specifically built to remove friction at every step, save operators time, boost revenue, and deliver superior guest experiences. Recent FEC trends have made the need for efficient venue-management
systems even more apparent, as they are, by and large, all technology-driven trends. One of the most prominent recent trends is the emergence of virtual reality (VR). VR has become so popular in recent times for a few reasons. Firstly, it is an entirely immersive experience like never before. The guest is transported into another world/setting without moving an inch! It is exhilarating and stimulating for guests, who, once finished with a VR game, can move on to another one and be transported into another setting effortlessly. Secondly, VR is a sound investment in venue operators' FECs. Although
there is an initial start-up cost to acquire VR games and hardware, such technological items are continually becoming more affordable. Additionally, a VR game doesn’t use up that much physical space as they will be largely stationary, so operators can cater to more guests in the same area. Further, VR caters to a slightly older demographic than, say, a trampoline or soft play, so adding this attraction can increase the appeal of the FEC to the entire family. Another recent trend that is well-placed to continue to be popular into
the future is the rise of eatertainment. While the concept of combining a dining experience with entertainment has been around for as long as FECs have been around and is, in fact, an experience that most FECs have always offered, eatertainment is becoming more popular with guests that are above the typical age of an FEC guest.
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MAY 2023
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