Family entertainment centers (FECs) and location-based entertainment (LBE) venues are vital to the evolving landscape of interactive leisure, offering immersive experiences that blend fun, technology, and social engagement. As these sectors continue to grow and adapt to new market demands, the upcoming IAAPA FEC Summit in Glendale, Arizona, scheduled for February 1-3, 2026, stands as a beacon of innovation and strategic insight for industry stakeholders. Organized by IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry, the summit is much more than a conventional conference—it’s a dynamic forum designed to equip operators with actionable strategies that ensure sustainable success.
IAAPA’s commitment to fostering industry excellence is evident in the summit’s carefully curated agenda, which combines expert-led education with interactive networking opportunities and exclusive EDUTours of regional attractions. “Through dynamic sessions and exclusive EDUTours, attendees will explore proven approaches to enhancing the guest experience, driving revenue, and sustaining profitable operations in a competitive market,” the summit overview highlights. This blend of learning and hands-on exploration makes the event especially significant for those seeking to navigate and influence the future of FEC and LBE ventures.
Renowned keynote speaker Libby Gill, a bestselling author and former communications leader for Universal, Sony, and Turner Broadcasting, will headline the event. Gill promises to share insights into “leading with purpose, engaging teams with clarity and hope, and building high-performance cultures that support business growth across the entertainment sector.” Her presence underscores the summit’s focus not just on operational tactics, but also on fostering leadership and vision within the fast-paced entertainment world.
Adding further depth, industry leaders such as Beth Standlee, Caroline “CC” Cannon, and Jeremy Hoyum will present on topics ranging from operational excellence to scaling business growth. The summit offers valuable insights on critical performance metrics that “highlight which indicators signal growth opportunities, uncover operational challenges, and help operators increase profitability while maintaining a high-quality guest experience.” This comprehensive approach ensures that attendees leave with both visionary guidance and grounded, practical knowledge.
What makes the IAAPA FEC Summit especially compelling within the immersive entertainment medium is its dedication to integrating experiential education and strategic business practices. Unlike traditional conferences that focus solely on theory, this summit balances visionary leadership with tactical implementation. The inclusion of EDUTours—guided visits to venues like KTR action sports complex and FatCats Entertainment—allows attendees to experience firsthand the innovative ways in which FECs are enhancing engagement through technology and design. Such direct exposure to cutting-edge attractions bridges the gap between concept and execution and inspires new methodologies that could redefine guest experiences.
Moreover, IAAPA’s initiative to blend professional development with philanthropic engagement, as seen in the IAAPA Foundation Mini-Golf Mingle and Long Drive, symbolizes a community-focused industry ethos rarely matched in other entertainment sectors. This event “combines friendly competition with purpose,” supporting emerging professionals via scholarships. This nurturing of future leaders resonates deeply with fulldome and immersive media communities, where fostering fresh talent and new ideas is crucial for medium evolution and sustainability.
Within the wider fulldome and immersive entertainment arena, the IAAPA FEC Summit reflects a parallel commitment to innovation, audience engagement, and community building. Its emphasis on performance data and operational excellence echoes trends seen across planetarium venues and touring dome shows, where understanding audience behavior and optimizing experience delivery are key. By spotlighting immersive FEC environments alongside educational forums, the summit situates itself firmly within the broader narrative of experiential entertainment, where technology and storytelling converge to create meaningful, memorable experiences.
In essence, the IAAPA FEC Summit 2026 offers an inspiring blueprint for how family entertainment and location-based venues can thrive amid changing consumer expectations. Through visionary leadership insights, personalized peer learning, and real-world innovation tours, the event demonstrates how the attractions industry continues to reinvent itself—not just as places of fun, but as beacons of creativity, community, and sustainable business wisdom. For immersive media professionals and enthusiasts worldwide, this summit heralds the exciting future of shared experiences shaped by insight, innovation, and heart.
Originally reported by IPM News via www.inparkmagazine.com on 2026-01-22 06:04:00.
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