Education Schedule
Monday, March 16, 2026
12:15 PM - 1:00 PM
General Session - Your Net Worth is Equal to Your Network, Diane Darling
Whether you are an executive or starting out in your career, having a solid network that you can leverage is vital. Effective networking is more than handing out business cards and hoping the phone rings with opportunities. Anthony Robbins says "Proxity is Power" and he's right! Whether you're looking to connect within your organization, your industry, or are looking to grow your business and career, knowing who to contact and having them return your call is essential. Having a solid network means you get to learn from the best of the best and cross-pollinate ideas with people who can help you grow your career and business. More than a game changer, it's a life changer.
1:15 PM - 2:15 PM
General Session - AI 101
Utilizing AI technology, specifically ChatGPT, learn how to bring your Digital Marketing plans to life in a fraction of the time. Work On your business and not IN your business with AI.
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Breakout Session - AI 201 - A Hands-On Workshop for the Modern Amusement Business
A step beyond buzzwords and hype, this interactive workshop will give you hands-on experience and guidance on writing effective prompts, exploring AI interfaces and seeing how tools like large language models and AI agents can apply to real-world scenarios. You’ll work in small groups to bring a fictional family entertainment center to life in real time, each team tackling a different operational or marketing challenge using AI tools. By the end, you’ll know how to use AI to solve real business problems and how to keep building on what you’ve learned.
Breakout Session - AI for the Route Operator: Practical Tools to Boost Efficiency and Profit
Artificial intelligence isn't just for big corporations. It's transforming how small businesses operate, too. In this session we'll break down what AI really is and how it can help route operators streamline operations, improve customer service, and increase profits. You'll see practical, affordable examples of AI tools that can help with route planning, machine maintenance, marketing and customer engagement--without needing a degree to use them. Discover how to make smarter decisions faster, save time on repetitive tasks, and stay competitive in a rapidly changing industry.
Breakout Session - Social Gaming - Kevin Williams
Breakout Session - BCA
3:45 PM - 4:45 PM
General Session - Younger Generation - Keeping Engaged/Employed
5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Level Up Lounge Networking Reception - Resorts World Hotel – Ticketed Event
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Coffee and Badge Pickup
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
General Session - Keynote Presenter - Todd Palmer - Suck to Success
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Breakout - Turning Your Lowest Revenue Days Into the Highest
Who says the weekend has to be the only time to rake in the big bucks? Discover how some Family Entertainment Centers (FECs) have transformed their slowest days into their most profitable ones. They’ve managed to cut down their operations from seven days a week to just four, all while achieving revenue and profit levels that soared 60% above their previous records. With the FEC industry expanding at an annual rate of 15% and new competitors constantly emerging, astute business owners are finding innovative solutions to tackle extraordinary challenges.
Breakout Session - Build Lasting Relationships with Your Locations for Coin-Op Success - Tony Leone, The Constance Group
In the coin-op business, your relationships with location partners are just as valuable as the equipment you place. This session explores the practical ways to strengthen trust, communication and collaboration with your customer locations--from initial placement discussions to long-term partnerships. Learn how to turn route service calls into opportunities for connection, manage conflicts with professionalism, and create win-win agreements that keep your machines earning and your locations satisfied. Whether you operate jukeboxes, ATMs, amusements and/or vending, you'll walk away with proven strategies to retain top locations, attract new ones, and grow your reputation as a trusted business partner.
Breakout Session - Social Gaming - Panel Discussion about attractions
Breakout Session - BCA
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
Networking Luncheon
12:15 PM - 1:15 PM
Keynote Presenters - Jordan & Shae Cornette
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Breakout Session - Payment Processing 101
Everything you need to know so you don’t lose your hard-earned revenue to pesky merchant fees, chargebacks, and friendly-fraud. Get the scoop on the inconvenience of convenience fees, processing effective rates, and the pitfalls of standard pricing versus dual pricing.
Breakout Session - 2026 ATM Update: What You Need to Know
The ATM industry is evolving rapidly--are you ready for what's ahead? This session delivers a focused update on the key developments every independent ATM operator needs to know for 2026. Learn about the latest compliance requirements, network changes, and security mandates impacting your business. We'll also explore new technologies, cash management trends, and revenue opportunities shaping the independent operator landscape. Walk away with practical insights and strategies to keep your ATM portfolio compliant, profitable, and positioned for success in the year ahead.
Breakout Session - VR/XR Immersive Experience
Breakout Session - BCA
2:45 PM - 4:15 PM
5 Industry Roundtables
Topic: Redemption & Claw Room Trends Shaping Today's Amusement Floor
Explore the latest trends driving success in redemption and claw room concepts. Participants will discuss emerging merchandising techniques, prize mix strategies, and layout and traffic flow considerations along with the rapid growth and refinement of dedicated claw rooms. This roundtable will provide practical insights and actionable ideas to help maximize revenue, refresh your floor and stay ahead of consumer trends.
Topic: Create Winning Leagues for Social Play
Join this fast-paced roundtable discussion focused on running successful leagues for darts, pickleball, pool, cornhole and other popular social games. Industry peers will share practical tips on league setup, scheduling, player engagement and using leagues to drive repeat visits and community loyalty.
Topic: Turn Setbacks Into Success: Practical Lessons from Failure
Every venue hits roadblocks—what matters is what comes next. Sit down with operators and industry insiders for an open conversation on lessons learned the hard way. This roundtable will focus on real-world failures that became turning points, sharing how to spot warning signs, adapt fast, and build resilience into your business. Expect honest stories, smart tactics, and new perspectives to help you “fail forward” and stack the odds in your favor.
Topic: Smart Marketing for FECs: Tactics That Drive Real Results
How do today’s top-performing locations get noticed—and stay booked? In this focused discussion, operators and marketing experts break down what’s working now in the world of family entertainment centers. Dive deep into audience segmentation, effective promotions for group bookings and events, building sticky membership programs, and bundling offers that boost spend per visit. You’ll walk away with actionable strategies for social media, digital presence, and converting browsers into loyal customers.
Topic: Cybersecurity Essentials for Amusement Operations
Cyber threats are a daily reality that can disrupt operations and drain resources. This roundtable tackles how to protect your games, payment systems, customer data, and reputation from evolving digital risks. Get up to speed on practical prevention, detection, and recovery strategies alongside peers facing the same concerns. Learn steps you can take right now—no IT background required—to reduce vulnerability and strengthen your business from the inside out.
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
All Industry Gala Reception – Resorts World Hotel