Space…the final frontier. As a kid I would sit mesmerized by all things space related. Star Trek, Aliens, Astronomy, Astronauts and NASA.

So when I got an invitation to preview the “Shuttle Launch Experience” attraction at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, I couldn’t wait. This is one part of a 10 year, 160 million dollar renovation at the complex.

Just attended the Florida Attractions Association Conference at Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Florida and heard some great speakers like Judy Randall and Josh Hallett.

The main message this year was that attraction audiences are changing their needs in some very fundamental ways and the Industry needs to keep up. Research is showing that travellers want more choices and less structure than in the past. The ways people communicate a good or bad experience have accelerated and mushroomed on the Internet. “Word of Mouth” on steroids! Folks don’t just tell their friends, they tell the whole world. Obviously, this can work for or against an attraction and the bottom line is we are seeing more transparency at these facilities. Better sweep that sidewalk.