Reflections on 2024

More than any other year in my professional career, 2024 has been a rollercoaster (not that I can add it to my count, sadly).

I've experienced some incredible highs and some unfortunate lows, but throughout it all, I've learned more about myself and the space I occupy professionally.

Lesson 1: Relationships Are Everything

This has been as true during my time at Attractions.io as it has been before and after it. The relationships forged through events, meetings, and calls over the last two years have been the main driving factors behind not just my successes but also my wider professional support network.

There's a point when a professional nod and LinkedIn recognition turn into warm smiles and an eagerness to engage with each other. This is a feeling I thrive on, and it has never been more evident to me than in the past year.

The attractions industry is a small world, so it doesn't take long for the above to ring true. If you show that you care about pushing the industry forward and are passionate about connecting with people who share the same vision, you'll find yourself at home in no time. It makes it a real pleasure to be part of it.

Lesson 2: Reflect & Grow

This one seems obvious, but it's hard to ask the question of what you could have done better without blaming external sources and feeling bitter about the hand you've been dealt. Nothing improves without taking personal responsibility, though, and holding myself accountable is something I am striving to do more of in 2025.

Something I've neglected is the regular reinforcement of the sales training, books, and articles I've consumed. I've often taken my favourite bits from those sources, implemented them initially, then allowed them to slowly morph back into my original sales habits. There's nothing wrong with that, but new habits require repetition. And when your 9-to-5 looks more like a 5-to-9, it's very easy for those habits to fall by the wayside.

So, like brushing my teeth or walking the dogs, rereading and practicing those mantras is now part of my daily routine.

Lesson 3: The Attractions Industry Is Resilient

My word, as an industry, we've been through a lot. Pandemics, economic turmoil, and government policies (at least in the UK) have hit us hard, and it only seems to get worse every year.

Andreas Andersen of Liseberg recently published a fantastic article on what could be dubbed the "poly-crisis" era, and I think he's hit the nail on the head. The conclusion though, was that now more than ever, is the time to adapt, reinvest, and push harder. I can't think of a more important time to sustain the beacon of escape that attractions provide.

2025 is arguably the biggest year for attractions in our lifetimes. Epic Universe, Six Flags Qiddiya, and a whole slew of other investments will encourage people to prioritise attractions when disposable income is even harder to come by. These times are challenging for everyone, but this industry is full of amazing people doing everything they can to keep the future looking bright.

My aim this year is to work for a new company that pushes this industry forward and to remind myself that I’m not alone in this vision. There are opportunities out there; we just have to find them.

All the best,

Alex