Community Powered Economies: A New  Era for Attractions

Overview:

In this episode of Live with Sondra, host Sondra Shannon, CEO of Gatemaster Technology,  welcomes Jaye “Letta J” Watts, CEO and Founder of Coexist Gaming. Jaye is a  Grammy-winning artist, technologist, gamer, and speaker on AI, gaming, and community architecture. 

Insights from This Live

• Community is an economy:
  Value doesn’t just move through revenue—it circulates among people, relationships, and shared experiences.
• Gamification isn’t gimmicks:
  It’s rooted in human psychology—reward, progress, recognition, and purpose drive behavior.
• Physical and digital must connect:
  Guests want seamless experiences that combine real-world action with digital rewards.
• AI should enable human connection:
  Technology must enhance creativity, not replace it.
• Data builds trust when used right:
  Guests will share data if they feel rewarded, seen, and valued.

Notable Quotes

• “Gamification unlocks the human psychology of what makes a person want to do something — i.e. what incentivizes them. And then once they do it, we reward their engagement.”
  – Jaye Watts
• “When I think about AR, there are so many things. You’re layering digital storytelling in physical spaces…Imagine pointing your phone or AR glasses at a landmark or the ride or the exhibit, and you see the characters, the animations, and the hidden stories come to life. It turns passive observation into active exploration.”
  – Jaye Watts
• “I feel like once you’re an artist, you’re always an artist, because it’s who you are, and it’s how you navigate the world, it’s how you express yourself.” – Jaye Watts • People make the wrong decisions because they don’t have the right data, [not because they’re bad people].”
  – Sondra Shannon
• “I think there’s a social amplification, especially since we’re in this age where social platforms are everywhere, the most memorable experiences are always shareable.” – Jaye Watts

Coexist Gaming’s Approach

Coexist Gaming is more than a brand—it’s a membership-based gaming lifestyle company designed to create belonging through technology, culture, and motivation. Their ecosystem combines gaming lounges, live events, AR enhancement, branded storytelling,  and reward-based membership to keep guests engaged across platforms. Their secret?  Intentional design—they blend culture, inclusivity, and progression systems, so every guest feels part of something bigger.

Jaye’s Perspective on Technology

For Jaye, technology isn’t the strategy—human connection is. She believes AR should add meaning, not noise. AI should enhance creative identity, not erase it. And data must be earned through trust. Her framework builds tech experiences that feel deeply personal.  Whether through AR story trails in attractions or predictive engagement triggers, her philosophy is clear: make people feel emotionally connected.

Sondra’s Perspective

As a leader in the attractions technology space, Sondra emphasizes listening to the guest and building tools that respond to real-world operational needs. She connects Jaye’s ideas to the attractions industry, where operators are searching for meaningful ways to drive repeat visitation and guest loyalty. For Sondra, innovation in parks, FECs, zoos, and aquariums must remain purpose-driven and guest-first.

Improving Guest Experience

This episode explores strategies attractions can implement now: 

• Gamified loyalty journeys instead of punch-card rewards 
• Personalized offers based on real behavior 
• Digital identity layers that travel with guests between visits 
• AR storytelling to increase engagement without adding labor
• Celebration moments that reward progress, not just spending

Creating Memories and Guest-Centric Culture

Both speakers agree: the future of attractions lies in experiences that tap into emotion and meaning. Guests don’t just want fun—they want to feel seen, rewarded, and connected.  When attractions build community-powered ecosystems, they transform from one-time destinations into places people belong.

Gatemaster’s Guests’ Appreciation and Value

As sponsor of “Live with Sondra,” Gatemaster supporting attractions means more than providing ticketing software—it means empowering operators to build profitable guest ecosystems through smarter engagement, operational efficiency, and emotional connection. The Live with Sondra series continues that mission by spotlighting visionaries shaping the future of guest experience.

Connecting with the Speakers

We hope you enjoyed this insightful recap! For more deep dives into gamification,  technology, and the attraction industry, be sure to connect with our speakers: