Skip the Queue

Andy Povey is joined by Stephen Reid, Director of Attraction Brand Consultants, to discuss whether suppliers are the backbone of the attractions industry. They explore operator-supplier relationships, innovation, AI, visitor expectations, human connection, and the future challenges facing museums, theme parks, zoos, and family attractions.

 

Topics Discussed

Are suppliers the backbone of the attractions industry?

Operator vs supplier perspectives

Building trust and long-term relationships

Innovation through collaboration

Trade associations and industry culture

Why networking matters

Learning across different attraction sectors

Transferable ideas between museums, zoos, and theme parks

The role of suppliers in problem solving

Rising operating costs for attractions

Competition for guests' time and money

Managing visitor expectations

Queueing and guest flow challenges

AI and platform integration

The future of ticketing and operations

Technology vs storytelling

Why immersive is often overused

Human interaction in visitor experiences

Theatre and live performance in attractions

Lessons from farm attractions and seasonal events

The importance of owner-operated attractions

Guest reviews and personal service

Innovation at the granular level

The Sphere in Las Vegas

Freedom to fail and experiment

Practical advice for attraction operators

 

Show references: 

 

Stephen Reid - Director of Attraction Brand Consultants

https://www.kayelliott.co.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-reid-37723010/

 

Skip the Queue is brought to you by Merac. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce. Your guest host is Andy Povey.

If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all the usual channels by searching Skip the Queue or visit our website SkiptheQueue.fm.

If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a five star review, it really helps others find us. And remember to follow us on LinkedIn.

Credits:

Written by Emily Burrows (Plaster)

Edited by Steve Folland

Produced by Emily Burrows and Sami Entwistle (Plaster)

Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey

We have launched our brand-new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide to Going Beyond the Gift Shop’ — your go-to resource for building a successful e-commerce strategy that connects with your audience and drives sustainable growth.

Download your FREE copy here

How can museums increase revenue without charging mandatory admission? Andy Povey is joined by Andrew Given, CEO of Queer Britain, who shares how Queer Britain's Pay What You Can model generated more than three times the previous donation income while making the museum more accessible to visitors. The discussion covers fundraising strategies, donor psychology, visitor data, inclusive storytelling, partnerships, and why cultural organisations should embrace experimentation and innovation.

 

Topics Discussed

The founding story of Queer Britain

Building the UK's national LGBTQ+ museum

Operating without government funding

Diversifying museum income streams

Pay What You Can admission strategy

Tripling visitor donations through voluntary giving

Donor psychology and visitor behavior

Making museums more accessible

Collecting visitor data through online bookings

Using visitor insights to improve experiences

Community engagement and volunteer programs

LGBTQ+ history and cultural preservation

Museum storytelling and exhibitions

Partnerships with major cultural institutions

Innovation in museums and visitor attractions

Lessons for nonprofit fundraising

Sustainable museum business models

Improving the visitor journey

Simplifying online ticket booking

The future of museum innovation

 

Show references: 

 

Andrew Given - Chief Executive at Queer Britain Museum

https://queerbritain.org.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/queer-britain/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/awtgiven/

 

Skip the Queue is brought to you by Merac. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce. Your guest host is Andy Povey.

If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all the usual channels by searching Skip the Queue or visit our website SkiptheQueue.fm.

If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a five star review, it really helps others find us. And remember to follow us on LinkedIn.

Credits:

Written by Emily Burrows (Plaster)

Edited by Steve Folland

Produced by Emily Burrows and Sami Entwistle (Plaster)

Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey

We have launched our brand-new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide to Going Beyond the Gift Shop’ — your go-to resource for building a successful e-commerce strategy that connects with your audience and drives sustainable growth.

Download your FREE copy here

Andy Povey is joined by Lawrence Roots to discuss the UK Theme Park Awards, industry trends, and his Guinness World Record challenge to visit every nominated UK theme park. Plus, Josh Haywood from Crealy shares his excitement for this year's awards and the park's latest developments.

Topics Discussed

The growth and purpose of Theme Park Network

How the UK Theme Park Awards recognise excellence

New award categories introduced for 2026

Lawrence Roots' Guinness World Record challenge

Visiting all 37 nominated UK theme parks in 15 days

Trends shaping the UK theme park industry

Brand activations and IP partnerships

The importance of presentation standards and landscaping

Why staff are the key to exceptional guest experiences

Theme Park Personality, Rising Star and Outstanding Achievement awards

The value of public voting

Continuous investment in attractions and guest experiences

Josh Haywood on Crealy's new attractions for 2026

Josh Haywood's Theme Park Personality nomination

Behind the scenes at the start of Lawrence's record-breaking journey

 

Show references: 

 

Lawrence Roots, Founder of UK Theme Park Awards

https://www.ukthemeparkawards.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/ukthemeparkawards/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrence-roots/

 

Theme Park Awards: How They Work and Why You Should Care - Lawrence Roots

https://skipthequeue.fm/episodes/lawrence-roots

 

Josh Haywood - Board Director of Crealy Theme Park Resort

https://www.crealy.co.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-haywood-68463630/

 

Voting in the 2026 UK Theme Park Awards is now open from the 20th July until the 28th August 2026. Register now to vote.

https://www.ukthemeparkawards.com/register

 

Skip the Queue is brought to you by Merac. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce. Your guest host is Andy Povey.

If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all the usual channels by searching Skip the Queue or visit our website SkiptheQueue.fm.

If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a five star review, it really helps others find us. And remember to follow us on LinkedIn.

Credits:

Written by Emily Burrows (Plaster)

Edited by Steve Folland

Produced by Emily Burrows and Sami Entwistle (Plaster)

Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey

We have launched our brand-new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide to Going Beyond the Gift Shop’ — your go-to resource for building a successful e-commerce strategy that connects with your audience and drives sustainable growth.

Download your FREE copy here

In this episode of Skip the Queue, Andy Povey is joined by Clive Morris, founder of CCM Consulting, to explore the financial realities facing visitor attractions. They discuss the recent UK VAT changes, why collecting the right operational and financial data matters, and how attractions can strengthen the case for future VAT reform. Clive also shares practical advice on connecting finance with day-to-day operations to support better business decisions.

Topics Discussed

The recent VAT changes affecting UK visitor attractions

Why finance and operations should work more closely together

The importance of collecting accurate visitor and revenue data

Building the case for future VAT reform

Using financial insights to improve operational decisions

Common financial challenges facing attractions

Practical advice for attraction leaders and finance teams

How better reporting supports long-term business growth

 

Show references: 

 

Clive Morris - founder of CCM Consulting

https://cmm-consulting.co.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clive-morris/

 

Skip the Queue is brought to you by Merac. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce.

If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all the usual channels by searching Skip the Queue or visit our website SkiptheQueue.fm.

If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a five star review, it really helps others find us. And remember to follow us on LinkedIn.

 

Credits:

Written by Sami Entwisle 

Edited by Steve Folland

Produced by Emily Burrows and Sami Entwisle (Plaster)

Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey

We have launched our brand-new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide to Going Beyond the Gift Shop’ — your go-to resource for building a successful e-commerce strategy that connects with your audience and drives sustainable growth.

Download your FREE copy here

Dynamic pricing can be one of the most powerful tools available to visitor attractions but only when it's used well. Andy Povey is joined by pricing expert Adriaan Van Der Hek to discuss the practical realities of dynamic pricing, how it benefits both attractions and visitors, and why getting your pricing strategy right can drive higher revenue, better attendance and happier guests.

Topics Discussed

What dynamic pricing really means for visitor attractions

The evolution of dynamic pricing over the past two decades

Balancing revenue optimisation with guest satisfaction

Using demand forecasting to influence ticket pricing

Common misconceptions about dynamic pricing

How attractions can introduce dynamic pricing successfully

The role of technology and online booking platforms

Managing peak and off-peak demand

Pricing strategies for different attraction types

Using data to make smarter commercial decisions

Encouraging advance bookings through pricing

Practical advice for attractions considering dynamic pricing

 

Show references: 

 

Adriaan van der Hek - COO of HomeBuddy -  AI, SaaS, Data, Tech, Advertising, Dynamic Pricing, Operations, E-Commerce, Lead Generation

https://contractor.homebuddy.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/homebuddycom/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajvdhek/

 

Skip the Queue is brought to you by Merac. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce.

If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all the usual channels by searching Skip the Queue or visit our website SkiptheQueue.fm.

If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a five star review, it really helps others find us. And remember to follow us on LinkedIn.

 

Credits:

Written by Sami Entwisle 

Edited by Steve Folland

Produced by Emily Burrows and Sami Entwisle (Plaster)

Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey

We have launched our brand-new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide to Going Beyond the Gift Shop’ — your go-to resource for building a successful e-commerce strategy that connects with your audience and drives sustainable growth.

Download your FREE copy here