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PODCAST

Skip the Queue

Skip the Queue is for visitor attraction owners, directors and suppliers who want to improve their organisations and deliver a better experience for their guests. Each episode we speak with inspiring industry experts who share their knowledge of what really makes an attraction successful. This podcast is brought to you by Merac. We"re here to help attractions unlock growth with innovative solutions, expert insights, and customer-first strategies.

business management

All Episodes

00:33:31

What happens when museums stop giving answers and...

Skip the Queue ·

2026/03/25

In this episode of Skip the Queue, Andy Povey is joined by Donna Speed, CEO of We The Curious, to explore how curiosity can transform visitor experiences. Following major challenges, including COVID-19 and a devastating fire in 2022, the organisation rebuilt with a strong community-first approach, taking science directly to people through outreach while the venue was closed.The conversation focuses on a shift from traditional, answer-led exhibitions to question-led experiences, highlighted by the

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00:48:05

Dark Universe at Epic Universe: Design Secrets from...

Skip the Queue ·

2026/03/18

In this episode of Skip the Queue, Andy Povey speaks with Greg Hall from Universal Creative and Max MacEwan from Framestore about the creation of Dark Universe at Universal Epic Universe. Inspired by the legacy of Universal Monsters, they explore how storytelling, technology, and psychology come together to create a thrilling yet re-rideable attraction. The conversation highlights the importance of anticipation, immersive queue design, creative collaboration, and balancing innovation with guest

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00:34:51

Why neuroinclusion needs to be top of mind for themed...

Skip the Queue ·

2026/03/11

In this episode of Skip the Queue, host Andy Povey is joined by Robbie Jones from Katapult to discuss how guest insights and psychology shape the design of modern visitor attractions. Robbie shares how Katapult works with IPs, theme parks and destinations to create experiences that focus on guest behaviour, emotions and expectations.The conversation centres on a groundbreaking four-year research project with University of Birmingham and Drayton Manor Resort exploring how attractions can better

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00:45:01

The Leaders Redefining the Visitor Attractions...

Skip the Queue ·

2026/03/04

In this special International Women’s Day episode of Skip the Queue, guest host Claire Furnival brings together four leaders from across the global visitor attractions industry to discuss progress, challenges and what comes next.Joining Claire are Emily Popovich of KMI International, Rachael Hamilton of Rise AV, Liz Sanchez Rasking of Looking Glass Strategies and Entertainment SHE-nanigans, and Ruth Read of blooloop. They share personal career journeys and discuss the ongoing barriers women face,

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00:50:36

Master Planning the Future: How to Build Visitor...

Skip the Queue ·

2026/02/25

In this episode of Skip the Queue, Andy Povey is joined by Ray Hole of Ray Hole Architects for a wide-ranging and thought-provoking conversation about strategy, storytelling and the true economics of experience design.Key Topics Discussed The “Camelot” collaboration model in attraction development Experience economy vs. pure economics Primacy and recency effects in guest psychology Designing the departure experience Turning operational cost into experiential value Storytelling through

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00:30:09

Live at Cultural Enterprises Conference with Richard...

Skip the Queue ·

2026/02/18

In this live episode of Skip the Queue, recorded at the Association of Cultural Enterprises Conference, Andy Povey is joined by Richard Paterson, Chief Operating Officer at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, to explore the delicate balance between commercial performance and heritage protection.Richard shares practical, real-world strategies for running sustainable cultural attractions in a challenging post-Covid landscape from improving ticket yield to rethinking discount strategies.Key Topics

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00:39:30

From Brand to Belonging: Designing Experiences People...

Skip the Queue ·

2026/02/11

In this episode of Skip the Queue, Andy Povey is joined by Mark Lofthouse, Creative Director and Business & Client Strategy Manager at RWS Global, a global entertainment company delivering experiences across attractions, live events and destination design.Mark shares his journey into the attractions industry, from starting out in haunted attractions as a teenager to leading creative strategy on IP-led experiences around the world. Andy and Mark talks about how brands and attractions can create

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00:41:05

How to Design Play Spaces That Drive Revenue and...

Skip the Queue ·

2026/02/04

In this episode of Skip the Queue, Andy Povey is joined by Simon Egan, Project Development Fellow at CAPCO, the creative studio behind some of the UK’s most immersive and story-led play environments.Simon shares his unexpected journey into the attractions industry, from co-creating the much-loved BeWILDerwood to founding CAPCO and championing play as a powerful driver of social connection, wellbeing, and commercial success. Andy and Simon explore why play matters more than ever in a screen-dominated

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00:40:45

How to Improve Your Attraction’s Website in 2026:...

Skip the Queue ·

2026/01/28

In this episode of Skip the Queue, Andy Povey explores how visitor attractions can improve website performance in 2026 using insight from the 4th Visitor Attractions Website Survey.Andy is joined by two contributors to the report:Simon Jones, Managing Director at NavigateSteve Mills, Director at Decision HouseThey break down what visitors expect from attraction websites, how digital behaviour is changing, and where operators should focus to improve conversion, visibility and trust.Key Topics

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00:46:26

Burnout and Blue Monday: Why Wellness Matters in the...

Skip the Queue ·

2026/01/19

This special Monday release of Skip the Queue marks Blue Monday, often labelled the most depressing day of the year. But is Blue Monday real, or just clever marketing?Andy Povey is joined by Emma Newell, Chair of the TEA Wellness Council, to unpack the truth behind Blue Monday and explore a much bigger issue facing the attractions industry: burnout.Key Topics Covered: The truth about Blue MondayWhat burnout really looks likeThe Window of ToleranceWhy the attractions industry is uniquely

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00:33:16

Windsor Great Park Illuminated: Designing Experiences...

Skip the Queue ·

2025/12/10

Step into the woods with us for a behind-the-scenes look at one of the UK’s most iconic winter light trails: Windsor Great Park Illuminated.In this episode of Skip the Queue, Paul Marden is joined on-site by Rob Paul, Design Director at LCI Productions, and Kathryn Stafford, Senior Events Manager at IMG Events, to discuss how this 2.2km light trail continues to evolve, surprise and delight hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.Rob and Kathryn reveal how they transform a natural woodland into a

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00:44:33

Attraction Trends 2026 and insights from the TEA...

Skip the Queue ·

2025/12/03

In this episode of Skip the Queue, Andy Povey is joined by Melissa Oviedo (TEA), Martin Palicki (InPark Magazine), and Ed Chih (ECA) to discuss the TEA Global Experience Index and trends shaping the attractions industry in 2026.Key Topics Covered:Overview of the TEA Global Experience Index and global attendance trendsShifts in guest expectations and evolving experiencesRise of immersive IP-driven experiencesImportance of reinvestment for long-term successStrategies to compete for guest attention and

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00:41:56

When VFX meets visitor attractions - Rob Liddell and...

Skip the Queue ·

2025/11/26

Andy Povey is joined by two guests at the forefront of this space: Rob Liddell, Executive Producer at BBC Studios Science Unit, and Simon Clarke, Creative Director and Founder of Moonraker VFX. Fresh from announcing their new creative partnership, they’re here to share what happens when world-class storytelling meets cutting-edge visual effects in the world of immersive experiences. Show References: Rob Liddell, Executive Producer at BBC Studios Science

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00:40:18

How to Engage All the Senses: Building More Immersive...

Skip the Queue ·

2025/11/19

Today’s attractions need to do more than look amazing — they need to feel, sound, and even smell unforgettable. In this episode, we explore how to go beyond the visual and bring audio, scent and motion to the forefront of the guest experience. Paul Marden is joined by Liam Findlay, Theme Park and Museum Scenting Consultant from AromaPrime Themed Scents; David Wakefield Director and Co-founder of On the Sly; and Matt Clarkson, Creative Director of Simworx. Show References:Liam R. Findlay – Theme

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00:45:13

Reflect. Adapt. Thrive - Science and Discovery...

Skip the Queue ·

2025/11/12

In today’s episode, recorded live at the National Science and Media Museum during the Association for Science and Discovery Centres Annual Conference 2025, we’re exploring what’s on the horizon for Science and Discovery Centres right now, over the next 5 years, and looking even further ahead to the next 25 years.It’s a throwback to the break between Seasons 6 and 7, when Paul Marden was invited to the ASDC National Conference in Bradford, at the height of the Bradford City of Culture celebrations

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00:51:42

The Role Of Data For Visitor Attraction Management...

Skip the Queue ·

2025/11/05

This week on Skip The Queue we explore the science behind ensuring good visitor experiences, by looking at the role data has to play in thisJoining me are two experts in this field, Professor Jim Deegan, economist, tourism policy expert, and founder of the National Centre for Tourism Policy Studies at the University of Limerick, and Ernesto Sánchez- Batista, an expert in destination planning and digital transformation.Together, they have been instrumental in developing a new Tourism Data Dashboard

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00:38:27

Behind the Screams: How Avon Valley Masters Halloween...

Skip the Queue ·

2025/10/29

We’ve got a frightfully good episode for you today on Skip The Queue. We’re taking a trip to the dark side… where screams echo, shadows stir and the scare actors never seem to take a night off.We’re joined by the team behind Avon Valley’s FEAR Scream Park, a family-run adventure park with more than 35 years of experience, and now home to one of the UK’s most terrifying Halloween events.Winners of Best Event Entertainment at the 2024 Thrill Nation Halloween Awards, Avon Valley has mastered the art of

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00:49:55

How to Build a High-Converting Online Gift Shop for...

Skip the Queue ·

2025/10/22

Paul Marden and Andy Povey head to the VAC 2025 Conference at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in Westminster, London, to explore the evolving world of attraction retail and e-commerce.With special participation from Skip the Queue’s founding host, Kelly Molson, the conversation delves into practical steps for creating seamless, authentic and profitable online experiences.Joining him are industry experts Stephen Spencer, Director of Stephen Spencer and Associates, and Simon Jones, Managing Director of

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00:50:26

LIVE from AVEA Conference 2025 - Get your attraction...

Skip the Queue ·

2025/10/15

Paul Marden heads to the AVEA conference in front of a LIVE audience to find out why gift shops are such an important part of the attraction mix. Joining him is Jennifer Kennedy, Retail Consultant, JK Consulting and Michael Dolan, MD of Shamrock Gift Company. They discuss why your gift shop is an integral part of your brand and why it needs to be just as good as the experience you have on offer. This coinsides with the launch of our brand new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide To Going Beyond The

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00:47:32

Behind the scenes at The Traitors Live Experience -...

Skip the Queue ·

2025/10/08

This week on Skip the Queue, we’re stepping into the turret and turning up the tension, as we explore one of the UK’s most talked-about immersive experiences.Our guest is Neil Connolly, Creative Director at The Everywhere Group, who have brought The Traitors Live Experience to life. With over 10 million viewers watching every betrayal, backstab and banishment on the BBC show, expectations for the live version were nothing short of murderous.So, how do you even begin to transform a TV juggernaut into

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153 results

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