In this episode of Skip the Queue, Andy Povey is joined by Melissa Oviedo (TEA), Martin Palicki (InPark Magazine), and Ed Chih (ECA) to discuss the TEA Global Experience Index and trends shaping the attractions industry in 2026.Key Topics Covered:Overview of the TEA Global Experience Index and global attendance trendsShifts in guest expectations and evolving experiencesRise of immersive IP-driven experiencesImportance of reinvestment for long-term successStrategies to compete for guest attention and engagementRole of storytelling and brand integration in attractionsGrowth of cruise lines and location-based entertainmentInsights for operators, developers, designers, and storytellers Show References: Download the TEA Global Experience Index™ Report: https://www.teaconnect.org/tea-global-experience-indextm Melissa Oviedo, Chief Executive Officer, Themed Entertainment Association (TEA)https://www.teaconnect.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-oviedo-ruminot-90a63228/ Martin Palicki, Publisher of InPark Magazinehttps://www.inparkmagazine.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/inparkmagazine/Edmond Chih, Director, Entertainment & Cultural Advisors (ECA)https://www.entertainmentandculture.com/ Skip the Queue is brought to you by Crowd Convert. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce. Your host is Andy Povey.If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, and all the usual channels by searching Skip the Queue or visit our website SkiptheQueue.fm.If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a five star review, it really helps others find us. And remember to follow us on LinkedIn.  We have launched our brand-new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide to Going Beyond the Gift Shop’ — your go-to resource for building a successful e-commerce strategy that connects with your audience and drives sustainable growth. Download your FREE copy here