Signal

RocketRez
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Management
  • Series

Signal is a podcast for leaders in the attractions industry who are shaping the future of guest experiences. Hosted by RocketRez CEO John Pendergrast and industry veteran Tim Samson, each episode brings candid, forward-looking conversations about the challenges and opportunities facing operators today. From the evolution of the experience economy to the role of technology, shifting consumer behaviors, and the operational realities of running attractions, Signal goes beyond surface-level commentary. John and Tim draw on their unconventional paths—from roller coasters and reservation systems to scaling enterprise software—to uncover what really matters for the next decade of attractions. Expect stories from operators, insights from thought leaders, and honest discussions that cut through the noise. Signal isn’t just about trends—it’s about helping attractions leaders navigate change with clarity, connection, and a guest-first mindset. 👉 New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe and join the conversation on the future of attractions.

  1. Episode 1

    Kari Manev — Operator Pitfalls & Word on the Street

    Why are so many waterparks still missing out on revenue they could easily capture? Kari Manev started as a lifeguard, became a waterpark director of operations, and has since worked in revenue management and founded Attraxion.ai. She joins John and Tim to explain: Why open-date tickets should cost moreHow one park moved from variable to dynamic pricing and is already beating its best year by 11%Why cart abandonment might be the fastest revenue win on your listWhat advance purchase does behind the scenes: better forecasts, smarter staffing, and no more running out of chicken tenders at 2 p.m. Show NotesYou'll hear about: Why open-date tickets should be a premium product, and how rewarding guests for choosing a date pays offHow one park moved from variable to dynamic pricing and is already 11% ahead of its best yearThe operational payoff of advance purchase: better forecasts, smarter staffing, and kitchen pars that hold up on a busy SaturdayWhy cart abandonment recovery may be the single fastest revenue win for most operatorsWhat RFID taught operators about evaluating technology: when 5–12% utilization creates long lines at the front gateWhere the attractions industry really stands on AI, and practical places to start, from analyzing guest reviews to building internal tools for staffWhy every operator needs an AI policy before a key employee walks out the door with the tools they builtWhy the best time to make a technology decision is during the busy season, not after it Timestamps(00:00) — Introduction: Meet Kari Manev (01:24) — From Six Flags lifeguard to waterpark director of operations (04:25) — Why Kari moved from operations into revenue technology (07:16) — What keeps her hooked, and "the Jane problem" (08:53) — How RocketRez and Attraxion.ai feed each other (12:25) — What operators are saying in summer 2026 (13:42) — Is it a technology problem or a people problem? (15:24) — Ticket scanning, NFC, and the human side of technology (18:26) — The RFID lesson: when low utilization creates long gate lines (20:42) — Why technology can't be evaluated in isolation (23:55) — Using AI to stress-test decisions against guest and team impact (25:01) — How Kari helps operators evaluate new technology (27:16) — Money on the table: the case for dynamic pricing (29:57) — From "we can't raise prices" to busier than ever (31:50) — The hidden benefits of advance purchase: forecasting, staffing, and kitchen pars (33:12) — Cart abandonment: the revenue most operators aren't recovering (36:28) — Price transparency and the "as low as" problem (38:30) — If you could only pick one: cart abandonment or dynamic pricing? (39:51) — The AI reality check: where the industry actually stands (45:46) — Choosing the right AI tool for the job (49:09) — Why every operator needs an AI policy (51:35) — Where to start with AI: just ask (53:14) — When AI tools have personalities (55:17) — The buying cycle: why summer is the right time to decide (1:00:00) — Fighting analysis paralysis (1:01:56) — The gap between what vendors build and what operators need (1:04:18) — Mobile ordering, wait times, and fairness (1:07:07) — What attractions can learn from ski areas, hotels, and Chipotle (1:08:39) — What will separate the operators who pull ahead (1:10:41) — The one thing to do right now (1:12:07) — How fast will the industry change? About Kari ManevKari Manev brings over two decades of experience in waterpark operations, hospitality, and technology. She began as a lifeguard at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, later leading training and grand openings for CoCo Key Water Resorts and training teams internationally at SST in the UAE. Today, she helps attractions improve revenue and guest experience at RocketRez and, as founder of Attraxion.ai, helps leaders put AI and emerging technology to work in their operations. She serves on WWA’s Technology Committee and the board of The Gift of Swimming in Windermere, Florida. Links & ResourcesConnect with Kari Manev on LinkedInLearn more about Attraxion.aiLearn more about RocketRezFollow John and Tim on LinkedIn About SignalSignal is the podcast for attraction leaders shaping the future of guest experiences. Hosted by John Pendergrast and Tim Samson, we bring you candid conversations with industry innovators who are building the experiences that bring people together. Subscribe to Signal wherever you get your podcasts, and visit signal-podcast.com for more episodes and resources. This episode of Signal is brought to you by RocketRez - powering the world's most successful attraction operations.

  • 1 Episode

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Signal is a podcast for leaders in the attractions industry who are shaping the future of guest experiences. Hosted by RocketRez CEO John Pendergrast and industry veteran Tim Samson, each episode brings candid, forward-looking conversations about the challenges and opportunities facing operators today. From the evolution of the experience economy to the role of technology, shifting consumer behaviors, and the operational realities of running attractions, Signal goes beyond surface-level commentary. John and Tim draw on their unconventional paths—from roller coasters and reservation systems to scaling enterprise software—to uncover what really matters for the next decade of attractions. Expect stories from operators, insights from thought leaders, and honest discussions that cut through the noise. Signal isn’t just about trends—it’s about helping attractions leaders navigate change with clarity, connection, and a guest-first mindset. 👉 New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe and join the conversation on the future of attractions.

Information

  • Creator
    RocketRez
  • Episodes
    9
  • Seasons
    2
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 RocketRez
  • Show Website
    Signal