ASK THE HARD QUESTIONS!

I don’t mean you exactly, although I do hope you’re happy, healthy, and prosperous. I mean how is your business doing, specifically… how do your guests think you’re doing? How often do you ask your guests if they’re enjoying their experience? What kind of consistent approach are you utilizing to get feedback from your customers?

In March, I attended Amusement Expo in Las Vegas and had an opportunity to meet with some of our regular advertisers and ask them how we’re doing. In 2023, IBI launched new products to the industry and rebranded some of our existing ones. I wanted feedback from our advertisers to see how we’re doing. Asking direct questions on performance can be a nail biter but provides an opportunity. Checking in regularly with your customers will help you determine where you can improve and where you’re right on the mark. So if you’re not asking, or not asking consistently, you may want to.

This month’s cover story is an exciting read on how adding volleyball to your center can be a winner for your business. Mike Fernandez dug deep with a few center operators to see what adding this popular attraction has done for their business, revenue, and guests. In previous IBI issues, Travis Harper from First Frame Bowling has written about how to best position your center for a sale. However, in this month’s article, Travis presents thought provoking and valuable information if you’re considering buying a center or expanding your operation by adding another. On the marketing front this month, Carey Tosello of ebowl.biz, and Peppe Smith, Chief Fun Officer of Camelot Lanes, talk marketing, targeting, and promotions. Carey’s expertise in social media marketing, specifically targeting, is an informative read and one you and your marketing staff could benefit from. Longtime proprietor Peppe Smith takes a look back at old promotions that are still successful today in the “Proprietor’s Desk” column.

Be sure to head over to www.bowlingindustry.com for IBI’s exclusive online-only content. Whether you play it or not, VR is hot, hot, hot! If you’re like many operators, the options may seem overwhelming and confusing to tackle. Luckily, Ryan Bromsgrove from vrCAVE explains the different types of VR for an FEC, all at an affordable cost! Other news on the arcade front comes from our friends at Betson. The pinball scene has been updated and offers new opportunities your arcade may be missing out on. Betson explains how pinball events work and the benefits to offering them.

Taking my own advice… I’m asking you, our readers and our advertisers “How are we doing?”. I love hearing from our loyal readers and marketing partners. So if you have a second and want to send me an email or call, please do! As always, if your center has interesting news to share with the industry, let us know!

– Stephanie Davis, Publisher & Editor stephanie@bowlingindustry.com

PS: Don’t forget to sign up for the $30,000 giveaway. Register each month for your chance to win at www.bowlingindustry.com

BY RYAN BROMSGROVE OF VRCAVE

Virtual reality has become increasingly popular over the past few years. What started as a consumer-based product, has now turned into a location-based attraction! There are many different types of VR that operators can add to their FEC, and the options may seem overwhelming. Ryan Bromsgrove from vrCAVE explains the different types of VR for an FEC, all at an affordable cost!

BY EMBED

Hiring a quality general manager for your FEC is crucial for operations to run smoothly. With staffing still an issue, finding a good general manager might seem like an impossible task. Embed explains nine steps operators can take to help find their next qualified general manager.

BY BETSON

The Stern Army is a term that ambassadors of Stern Pinball call themselves. The Stern Army partners with locations that have Stern Pinball machines to host tournaments all around the globe! Betson explains the benefits to hosting a Stern Army Event and what a center needs to do to host one.

BY PARTY CENTER SOFTWARE

Email marketing is an important tool for family entertainment centers. It allows operators to target specific audiences for specific messages and offers. There are many ways to track if emails sent are performing well or not. Party Center Software explains the top five metrics operators should analyze when going over their email marketing.