LBX Collective

Brandon Willey

5.0 (1)
Business
Updated Daily

The LBX Collective aims to inform and educate, create opportunities to connect with industry peers, and to spur collaboration, discourse, and cross-pollination of ideas in the location-based entertainment and experience industry.Join our online community at LBXGalaxy.com! Proudly sponsored by Intercard!

4h ago

Entertainment Social Arena #19 - The UK Crucible for Social Entertainment - Part 1

The UK social entertainment sector's dynamic growth, exemplified by high-profile launches and increasing investment in immersive venues and competitive socializing concepts across London and Manchester. Key developments include London's immersive experience hubs like Venue Picadilly Lights and new venue Poolhouse, backed by significant funding, and the expansion of brands such as Fogg’s Social and the collapse of Layered Reality experiences. Despite sector volatility, with some venues closing, the focus on private party hire and corporate events remains strong, offering new revenue streams. Emerging trends include phygital environments, gamification, and tech-infused social venues, underscoring the sector’s innovation and investment potential. Subscribe and visit LBX Collective for more!
Jul 14

The Stinger Report #1275 - Riding the XR Wave – Part 2

At AWE 2026, leading investors observed a strategic pivot in XR, with a renewed focus on Location-Based Entertainment (LBE) and enterprise applications amid sector volatility. Qualcomm’s dominance with XR2 Gen2 processors, alongside new headsets from Lynx, Samsung, and Canon, signals a shift toward more affordable, powerful XR systems. The event highlighted significant advancements in LBE content, including collaborations with Universal Studios and the recognition of LBE in Auggie Awards. The decline of consumer VR investment, notably Meta’s retreat, has accelerated industry interest in out-of-home XR experiences, positioning LBE as a promising growth frontier. Subscribe and visit LBX Collective for more!
Jul 14

Sound Off #129 - Skill Game Ban, Times Square VR, & more!

Sponsored by Intercard! Sponsored by PartyPing! On this week's show we break down how retail centers are rebuilding around entertainment anchors and why that shift forces operators to rethink design, guest flow, and the real competitive set. Then we hit the week’s business and tech trends, from risky flagship leases to big IP takeovers and the growing backlash to subscription-first hardware. • entertainment anchors evolving from cinemas into mixed-use leisure concepts • differentiation inside retail districts through guest flow and food and beverage choices • impulse foot traffic versus timed booking and how rigidity kills conversion • Sandbox VR’s Times Square lease as a flagship test with heavy operational risk • Alterface and Phantom Wild strategic partnership as a consolidation signal • leadership changes across Disney, Six Flags, Busch Gardens, and major park groups • manufacturers leaning into direct operator influence and looming distributor disruption • Topgolf testing new attractions and pricing bundles to lift utilization • Five Iron funding UK expansion while wrestling with brand naming limits • Pennsylvania skill game ruling creating uncertainty for redemption and arcade operations • Universal Horror Unleashed using Resident Evil to prove the power of rotating IP • smart glasses privacy backlash and the return of a Google Glass-style tipping point • Sony and Xbox push toward digital-only and cloud models plus audience revolt Subscribe and visit LBX Collective for more!
Jul 12

The LBX Show #85 - Zamania Park, JR Huyck Guest Gab, & more!

Sponsored by Intercard! Sponsored by PartyPing! On this week's show we move from industry headlines to on-the-ground operator tactics, from cashless payments and self-service kiosks to what openings and closures reveal about where location-based entertainment is headed. We also share a practical marketing system that turns a simple giveaway into a long-term audience engine for email, SMS, and retargeting. • Intercard events lineup and where to meet the team • IAAPA FEC scholarship window, eligibility, and why it matters • IAAPA annual member survey note and spam folder workaround • Pennsylvania skill games ruling and potential risk spillover for redemption and ticket games • Topgolf and Youth on Course partnership as a capacity-filling play • JR Huyck joins the show for a Guest Gab to speak about Guest expectations around tap-to-pay, game cards, and frictionless arcade spend • Impulse Plus reader concept, price tiers, and upsell mechanics • Early view of AI-driven personalization tied to payment systems • Open and shut trends across cinema entertainment, retailtainment, sportstainment, and active entertainment • Arcade Corner updates on Konami tests, Pump It Up Phoenix 2, and Sonic pinball economics • Data builder giveaway strategy using gleam.io, email and SMS opt-ins, and Meta tracking Subscribe and visit LBX Collective for more!
Jul 9

The Stinger Report #1274 - Riding the XR Wave – Part 1

Focusing on the evolving XR landscape, highlighted by AWE’s focus on LBE XR innovation. The event showcased a shift towards dedicated showrooms, enterprise-driven applications, and new hardware like PICO’s Swan MR headset. Key trends include consolidation in VR content platforms, a surge in MR experiences such as DreamPark’s kits, and the rise of AR in entertainment, exemplified by meleap’s HADO and GLO’s virtual graffiti. Additionally, Snap’s high-priced Specs glasses signal strategic pivots amidst market challenges. The sector’s future hinges on scalable, hygienic hardware solutions, immersive experiences, and targeted community engagement, underscoring a maturing, investment-ready market. Subscribe and visit LBX Collective for more!
Jul 7

The Stinger Report #1273 - Asian Attractions and Resort Appearance

The Asian amusement sector is rapidly evolving, with IAAPA Asia 2026 showcasing increased investment in media attractions, immersive XR experiences, and frictionless cashless payment systems driven by Chinese government support and regional demand. Despite a 25% decline in attendance, the event highlighted a surge in active gamified play, innovative VR/AR attractions, and social entertainment models gaining traction. Chinese funding shifts from consumer to location-based XR projects signal a strategic pivot, fueling large-scale Virtual Adventure installations. The upcoming AWE USA event promises to further accelerate this XR momentum, underscoring a transformative period for global attraction innovation and investment opportunities. Subscribe and visit LBX Collective for more!
Jul 7

Sound Off #128 - The Franchise Trap, Universal Kids Resort struggles, & more!

Sponsored by Intercard! Sponsored by PartyPing! On this week's show we discuss how franchising looks like a shortcut to scale, but we keep seeing the same cycle of hype, misaligned incentives, and operators holding the bag when a model is not truly proven. We connect the dots across competitive socializing, theme parks, VR, and IP-driven venues to figure out what sustainable growth actually requires. • why rapid franchising breaks when the concept is untested • franchisor incentives versus franchisee realities and long-term risk • Bandai Namco’s franchising plan and what 255 corporate locations changes • Comcast separating Sky and NBCUniversal and what it could mean for Universal expansion • Universal Kids Resort in Frisco as a launch failure and locality warning • consolidation signals from divestitures, rebrands, and closures • why new AAMA leadership could reshape industry direction and the AEI show • F1 Arcade’s “restaurant first” risk and the need to fix the entertainment mix • Fever’s big partnerships and the cost of a shotgun strategy • Dave and Busters “Unlocked” events and the brand identity problem • Level 99 in Disney Springs and the DisneyQuest flashback problem of clarity • licensing outside food brands inside venues and the margin tradeoffs • VR and XR market reality, consolidation, and the need for fresh content • World Cup activations through Cosm and Immersive Game Box timing mistakes • Peaky Blinders Underworld and the limits of actor-led immersive expansion • Kiddleton’s app as a repeat-visit and merchandising lever Subscribe and visit LBX Collective for more!
Jul 5

The LBX Show #84 - Blue Man Group, Globalls expands, DeMonte returns, & more!

Sponsored by Intercard! Sponsored by PartyPing! On this week's show we run through the biggest quick hits in location-based entertainment, from cashless payment tech and mini golf growth to Orlando’s returning live entertainment. We also track the week’s openings and closures with Kevin Williams, then wrap with Chuck DeMonte’s blunt reminder that seasonality is solved months in advance, not at the last minute. • Intercard’s event schedule and a look at the Impulse Plus reader at Bowl Expo for flexible cashless payments • Glowballs’ 15-year UK city-center lease, strong branding, and website wins plus key misses around food and beverage and location discovery • Milwaukee Brewers plaza mini golf and why stadium entertainment districts can become real competition • Blue Man Group returning to Orlando near ICON Park and why iDrive keeps getting stronger • Openings and concept spotting: Toca Social expansion, Sandbox VR growth, automated game show experiences, competitive socializing brands, The CUBE heading to Chicago • Closures and deals to watch: waterpark acquisition and rebrand, sudden venue shutdowns, beercade relocation risks, what closures signal for late summer and fall • Promo Pro Tips: build a yearly marketing calendar, market for the coming season, focus on one initiative per quarter, use consultants and tools to execute Subscribe and visit LBX Collective for more!

The LBX Collective aims to inform and educate, create opportunities to connect with industry peers, and to spur collaboration, discourse, and cross-pollination of ideas in the location-based entertainment and experience industry.Join our online community at LBXGalaxy.com! Proudly sponsored by Intercard!

Creator

Brandon Willey
Years Active

2023 - 2026
Episodes

578
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 LBX Collective
Show Website

LBX Collective