Category Archives: Miscellaneous

Love Is in the Air and on the Lanes

Posted on by Leave a comment

This Valentine’s Day, give your guests a new kind of celebration filled with connection, laughter, and a little something unexpected. Whether it’s a couple’s first date, a Galentine’s night out, or a sweet outing with the kids, your bowling center can be the perfect setting for memorable moments.

In previous posts, we’ve explored why bowling is an ideal date-night alternative and how BES X features can help you personalize that experience. This year, let’s build on that momentum with a fresh perspective: what if we made Valentine’s Day more than a night out? What if your center became the go-to destination for love, friendship, and fun at any age?

Here are a few ideas to help you make February 14th a celebration your community won’t forget.

Morning Magic for Families with Littles

Not every Valentine’s guest is looking for candlelight and roses. Many parents, especially those with young children, are craving simple, joyful moments they can enjoy as a family.

Consider hosting a mid-morning or early afternoon event with soft lighting, upbeat music, and shorter game formats that work well for younger kids. Think:

  • Heart-themed coloring sheets at the lanes
  • Complimentary juice boxes and a “Mommy & Me” (or “Daddy & Me”) mocktail toast
  • A photo wall where families can snap a keepsake picture together
  • Sweet prizes or Valentine’s cards handed out by staff

These daytime experiences demonstrate that you care about every member of your community and help generate revenue during quieter hours.

Couples Date Night That Goes Beyond Dinner

Traditional dinner reservations are fine, but for many couples, shared experiences make the best memories. This year, transform your lanes into a romantic, relaxed space where laughter and connection are the main course.

Create ambiance with:

  • Mood lighting in red, pink, or soft glows
  • Mini champagne or mocktail toasts served at the lane
  • Chocolate truffles or strawberries available as an add-on

To make the night extra special, offer lane reservation packages that include personal touches like a scrolling message on the scoring screen (e.g., “Happy Valentine’s Day, Emily!”) or a preloaded custom photo on the welcome screen. These can be offered with or without Neoverse; no special equipment is required.

But if you do have Neoverse, this is your moment to shine…

Digital Romance with Neoverse

Neoverse unlocks a whole new level of customization. You can turn Valentine’s night into a multi-sensory experience, using immersive digital elements that leave a lasting impression:

  • Romantic messages like “Happy Valentine’s Day, Emily!” displayed on the digital blimp or floating biplane banner, adding a whimsical, sky-high moment to your guests’ celebration.
  • Custom digital masks guests can select for their lane theme
  • Photo uploads to the Neoverse wall
  • A “Cupid’s Mix” playlist sets the perfect mood, creating a warm and playful vibe that brings everyone into the Valentine’s spirit.

These features are more than gimmicks; they help your guests feel seen, celebrated, and excited to come back.

Want to add even more value? Set up a simple photo booth using a tablet or phone and a photo booth app, then print photo strips on-site or email them to guests as keepsakes. You can also offer scratch-off vouchers that reveal future discounts and prizes. Both are easy to implement and feel like a thoughtful gift from the center.

Galentine’s Glow: Friendship Under the Lights

Not every guest is celebrating romance, and that’s a beautiful thing. For friend groups, singles, or anyone craving connection over candlelight, offer a “Galentine’s Glow” event that celebrates love in all its forms.

Picture this:

  • Bright, joyful lighting in reds and pinks
  • Playful on-screen graphics celebrating friendship
  • Signature drinks or mocktails with cute names
  • Selfie backdrops and social media challenges to drive engagement

Even better? Offer a prize for the best friendship photo or the most spirited lane. These group celebrations generate buzz, bookings, and brand love all at once.

Start Early: The Magic Is in the Marketing

Don’t wait until February to start teasing your Valentine’s offerings, get on guests’ radar early and often through:

  • MMS and monitor ads
  • Social media posts and Stories (add polls, countdowns, or early-bird perks)
  • Flyers and signage inside your center
  • Email newsletters with reservation links

Make sure to highlight your personalization options, themed upgrades, and range of experiences from daytime fun for families to romantic evenings and friendship-filled nights so every guest can see themselves in your promotion.

Final Thought: Celebrate Connection

This Valentine’s Day, your center can be more than just a venue; it can be a place where people feel seen, celebrated, and connected. Whether it’s a heartfelt message on the lanes, a shared laugh over snacks, or a photo snapped between frames, you have the power to create memories that last.

Let your center be the spark that makes someone’s February 14th unforgettable.

Want More Inspiration?

If you’re just getting started, revisit these helpful resources:

Blog Post: Creating an Unforgettable Valentine’s Day Experience

Blog Post: Is Love in the Air at your Center?

Ep. 97, “Love Strikes,” is a podcast episode that explores how atmosphere, personalization, and the little details can turn bowling into an unforgettable Valentine’s experience.

Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/36w5h64w

Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/2m93yfnr

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/rrjvv8hw

From Holiday Rush to Year-Round Success

Posted on by Leave a comment

As the holiday season approaches, bowling centers across the country are about to experience one of the busiest times of the year. With families gathering, companies hosting celebrations, and out-of-town visitors looking for fun things to do, this period brings a wave of new guests who may be walking through a center’s doors for the very first time. With that influx comes a huge opportunity: making their first visit memorable enough that it won’t be their last.

One of the most important ways to create a great first impression is through preparation. Guests notice the clean bathrooms, tidy lanes, working equipment, and staff who look put together and ready to help. Even something as simple as a faded staff shirt or a missing name badge can subtly signal a lack of care. Now is the perfect moment for centers to look over their team uniforms, ensure everyone has a badge, and remind staff that the upcoming season will bring more customers than usual. Helping employees understand the expectations for friendliness, engagement, and service sets the tone for the entire guest experience.

This is also the time to double-check that everything inside the facility is functioning smoothly. Clean monitors, well-maintained lanes, polished approaches, and plenty of house balls ready to go help prevent small issues from becoming major frustrations. When someone is visiting a center for the first time, even minor inconveniences can shape their decision to return. A long wait for food or a dirty area can quickly turn a first visit into the last.

Once the fundamentals are taken care of, it’s equally important to showcase everything the center has to offer. Many guests arriving for holiday events have no idea what services or amenities are available. Something as simple as pointing out party rooms, showing the menu, highlighting specials, or directing attention to a feature like Neoverse can spark excitement and future bookings. Even if a group isn’t eating, letting them browse the menu or see the food coming out of the kitchen may persuade them to return for a meal later.

This is also the ideal season to promote birthday parties, team-building events, leagues, and any unique activities the center offers. Clear, visible advertising throughout the center helps new guests understand everything available. Often, companies hosting holiday parties are working with a budget that includes prizes or giveaways. Suggesting gift cards as part of their prize pool is a great way to “gift the fun”, not only does it make their event more engaging, but it brings winners back for return visits. And when someone wins a gift card at a center they’re visiting for the first time, it’s not uncommon for them to pick up additional cards as holiday gifts.

Technology can elevate these events even further. Instead of pulling names out of a hat for giveaways, centers can use features within their scoring system to make prize moments more exciting. Lucky Train, Red Pin events, or skill-based challenges add energy and create memorable experiences that stand out from the typical company party.

Beyond the event itself, centers can encourage future visits by giving guests a small incentive to return, whether that’s free popcorn on their next visit, a short session of free bowling, or a discount for groups that book a follow-up event within six months. Handing something directly to the organizer makes it easy for them to bring their team back sooner rather than waiting until the next holiday season.

And of course, the atmosphere matters. Decorating for the holidays creates warmth and excitement from the moment guests walk in. For centers with digital displays like Neoverse, the holidays open the door for creative seasonal content. Even the traditional Christmas tree can become a conversation piece.  Looking for a little Neoverse inspiration for the winder holidays?  Download the Winter Holidays Neoverse Content Guide.

In every detail, from the cleanliness of the lanes to the creativity of the décor, the goal is the same, turn first time visitors into repeat customers. The holiday rush brings tremendous opportunity, but only for centers that are prepared to impress. With thought, planning, and a willingness to showcase the best of what they offer, bowling centers can transform seasonal traffic into year-round success.

As the season gets underway, now is the time to make sure every guest leaves with a reason to come back.

This blog topic was featured on the Seeds of Success Podcast Ep 91_Deck The Lanes

Visit one of the podcast platforms below to listen.

Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/43sbvmv2

Spotify: : https://tinyurl.com/433b83se

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/yr89dxdx

« Older Entries