Tech Meets Nostalgia: Building Future Parks

Overview:

On this episode of Live with Sondra, Sondra Shannon, CEO of Gatemaster Technology, welcomed Markus Mack-Even, CEO and Founder of Mack Management Entertainment, a global leader in theme park design and operations. Markus shared insights on blending technology with nostalgia to create unforgettable guest experiences.

Insights from This Live

• Family legacy shapes vision:
  Markus grew up in a family with 250 years in the attractions industry, giving him unmatched perspective on innovation and tradition.
• Technology supports—not replaces—human touch:
  AI and automation enhance safety and operations but cannot replace skilled technicians’ intuition.
• Nostalgia drives repeat visits:
  Preserving classic attractions alongside modern tech ensures emotional connections across generations.
• Data informs expansion:
  Adding new attractions to existing parks is easier because guest data guides decisions, unlike new builds that rely on assumptions.
• Strong teams overcome challenges:
  Success in large-scale projects depends on trust and handpicked teams willing to “go through the dust and dirt” together.

Notable Quotes

• “We work 12 hours for our guests for leisure and entertainment, and the rest of the day is meant to entertain ourselves.”
  – Markus Mack-Even [4:36]
• “[AI] will not replace…for the next decade, the experience of a technician who understands the ride, because AI will not be able to listen if a gearbox is not working properly, but an experienced technician understands that just standing next to the ride.”
  – Markus Mack-Even [14:13]
• “ It’s almost like our guests enter the park and they leave their brains in the car, so we need to create that safe environment which justifies that they are completely safe. And [risky] things will happen, but we can limit to what will happen”
  – Markus Mack-Even [37:24]
• “I think that’s so important that the grandparents want to come back and say, ‘Hey, we want to show you what we experienced with your parents.’”
  – Markus MackEven [18:04]
• “Technology keeps pushing boundaries of what’s possible in the attractions industry, but it is still a human experience.”
  – Sondra Shannon [38:48]

Mack Management Entertainment Approach

Markus emphasizes innovation and safety as core pillars. His company blends cuttingedge technology with operational excellence, ensuring parks deliver joy while maintaining rigorous safety standards across global projects.

Markus’s Preferences and Technology

Markus values AI as a support tool, not a replacement for human expertise. He believes technology should enhance transparency and efficiency while preserving the irreplaceable human factor in maintenance and guest interaction.

Improving Guest Experience

For Markus, emotions matter most. Parks must balance immersive tech with nostalgic elements like carousels to create experiences that resonate with grandparents, parents, and children alike, ensuring multi-generational appeal.

Creating Memories and Guest-Centric Culture

Markus calls nostalgia a strategic advantage. Classic attractions evoke family traditions, while modern innovations attract new audiences. This mix builds loyalty and drives secondary spend, fueling long-term park growth.

Gatemaster’s Guests’ Appreciation and Value

Gatemaster Technology continues to lead with secure, guest-focused solutions, from ticketing to AI-driven reporting. Gatemaster’s technology helps attractions run smarter and create experiences guests trust, providing capabilities similar to those implemented by innovators like Markus.

Closing

Balance innovation and nostalgia to deliver safe, joyful experiences. As Markus reminds us, technology is powerful, but the heart of the attractions industry is human connection.

Connecting with the Speakers