A common thread unites the Olympics, multi-site water parks, and single family entertainment centers (FEC)—a technology platform that spans the breadth of the entertainment industry, from global spectacles to neighborhood attractions.
Meet Connect&GO, a Montréal-based company that offers a wildly popular cloud-based platform, data-driven insights, and a client-centric approach. The company has played a pivotal role in driving industry growth and success for its clients in the family and leisure markets.
"The fact that we were first in the industry with an all-in-one, cloud-based platform gave us an advantage versus the competition," explains François-Pierre Moffet, chief operating officer of Connect&GO. “We're able to integrate with multiple players—like access control hardware, RFID lockers, marketing automation, and point-of-sale for food and beverage (F&B)—providing a lot of capabilities to venue operators. In essence, we play nicely with others.”
Founded in 2012, Connect&GO initially thrived by specializing in RFID technology for major live events held annually, like the Super Bowl, Olympics, and Comic-Con. But the company pivoted in 2018, shifting its focus to the family and leisure industries where businesses would use their system daily. This facilitated long-term partnerships, enabling Connect&GO to help enhance guest experiences and drive revenue at amusement parks, zoos, aquariums, and family entertainment centers.
Since its 2018 pivot, Connect&GO has emerged as a leader in providing cutting-edge technology and unparalleled support to help businesses thrive. With a focus on cloud-based innovation, a client-centric approach, and data-driven insights with real-time data, Connect&GO empowers its clients to achieve new levels of success.
A Cloud-Based Platform for Growth and Client Success
Connect&GO's cloud-based platform serves as the foundation for its clients' success. Unlike traditional on-site systems, this innovative solution offers unparalleled scalability, flexibility, and security. Attractions can effortlessly adapt to fluctuating demands, ensuring seamless operations during peak seasons and special events. Plus, the cloud-based infrastructure eliminates the need for costly hardware and software maintenance (a big drawback of many legacy systems), providing a cost-effective solution for businesses.
This summer, Connect&GO’s platform has been successfully deployed at more than a dozen new venues around the world, ranging from water parks in Texas to zoos and aquariums in France, and even the Olympics.
“The initial feedback from our recent deployments is very positive,” says Myriam Blanchette, vice president of client success. “Our clients appreciate having on-site support during go-live, which we find is key to a successful training and onboarding, and they find the system is easy and efficient to use—for both their team and their end users.”
Data-Driven Insights for Business Growth
Imagine having unparalleled data-driven insights to optimize operations, enhance guest experiences, and drive revenue growth. Connect&GO’s platform empowers businesses and provides a holistic view of business performance by centralizing data from various sources, including ticketing, payments, and access control. This comprehensive data serves as the foundation for informed decision-making and strategic planning.
At the heart of Connect&GO’s platform? Its powerful business intelligence (BI) reporting tool, which enables clients to uncover valuable trends, identify growth opportunities, and optimize resource allocation.
“At first, we aimed to be the revenue management platform for operators, managing every dollar from the guest to the operator. But we quickly realized data is more valuable,” explains Moffet.
With customizable dashboards and near real-time data, businesses can quickly identify areas for improvement and make data-driven adjustments to their operations. By harnessing the power of data, Connect&GO clients can gain a competitive edge and unlock new possibilities for growth.
In fact, this advanced BI tool was instrumental in transforming operations at four Splash Kingdom Waterparks this summer. By providing real-time data, the parks could analyze attendance patterns, optimize staffing, streamline inventory management, and enhance guest experiences. The centralized data allowed for better decision-making, leading to increased operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. This deployment highlights how Connect&GO's data-driven approach empowers clients to achieve significant improvements in their day-to-day operations.
Another client success story? Arena 23, a cutting-edge technology-focused family entertainment center in Arizona. This FEC successfully leveraged Connect&GO's platform to enhance guest experiences and drive operational efficiency. By utilizing the platform's features, Arena 23 achieved increased revenue, improved guest satisfaction, and optimized resource allocation.
“The BI reporting tool was really a game-changer for us once we released it,” says Blanchette. “And we can integrate data from multiple sources.” She points out how its customizable approach and real-time insights empower attractions of all sizes.
A Client-Centric Approach
Committed to building enduring partnerships with its clients, Connect&GO’s devotion extends far beyond the initial platform implementation. The company’s dedicated customer success managers serve as trusted advisors, working closely with clients to understand their unique challenges and goals. This personalized approach fosters strong relationships and ensures that clients maximize the value of their investment.
By prioritizing client needs and preferences, Connect&GO has successfully tailored its platform to diverse businesses from water parks and museums to amusement parks and family entertainment centers. The platform's flexibility and adaptability have contributed to its widespread adoption as well.
"One of the challenges we face at the beginning of each partnership is understanding the customer's vision and putting it into action,” notes Moffet. “Taking the time to understand all the subtle elements and complex needs they have help us resolve their problems faster."
For instance, Connect&GO recently worked with Margaritaville Lanier Islands on a successful deployment. Leveraging Connect&GO’s cloud-based platform, Margaritaville seamlessly integrated their F&B software, revolutionizing their F&B operations.
“By centralizing their data, we provided Margaritaville with real-time insights and operational efficiencies that enhanced guest experiences and boosted revenue,” explains Blanchette, highlighting the transformation.
The positive feedback from Margaritaville underscores Connect&GO’s dedication to personalized service and innovation, making them a trusted partner in the attractions industry.
Plus, being based in Canada and speaking both English and French has allowed Connect&GO to expand into international markets such as France, exemplifying the company's commitment to cultural sensitivity and localization. By understanding the specific needs and preferences of different regions, Connect&GO has successfully tailored its approach to build trust and foster long-term partnerships with its clients.
Pioneering the Future
Perched at the forefront of innovation, Connect&GO constantly pushes the boundaries of technology to deliver cutting-edge solutions for the attractions industry. By leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, the company is developing advanced features to further enhance the platform's capabilities.
“We’re looking to use AI to supercharge everything we do, from predicting attendance to adapting pricing,” says Moffet. “Our goal is to transform the way attractions operate, helping them make faster decisions, achieve greater margins, and ultimately provide the best guest experience while being very successful as a business.”
Connect&GO's success story serves as a testament to the power of technology, innovation, and a client-centric approach. Through its cloud-based platform, data-driven insights, and client-centric approach, Connect&GO has become a trusted partner for businesses worldwide. By choosing Connect&GO, businesses can unlock new opportunities for growth, enhance guest experiences, and achieve lasting success.
Ready to simplify operations and drive revenue through truly integrated technology? Request a demo from Connect&GO today.
