Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex brings to life the epic story of the U.S. space program, offering multiple days of fun, inspiration and educational activities. The facility, has interactive opportunities for guests to learn about the activities of NASA and partners like Blue Origin, SpaceX, and Lockheed Martin.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex used to rely on its website and printed guides to communicate important information to guests. However, the approach had limitations:
The team initially attempted to develop an in-house mobile app, but it was built around a single developer’s expertise. When that individual left the organisation, the app became difficult to maintain and update. Any content changes required coding knowledge, making it challenging for the marketing team to update information or communicate efficiently with guests.
“We quickly found the app very hard to update because you really needed deep coding skills to manage it,” explained Christine Selby-Reagan, Head of Consumer Marketing and Content. “We tried our best for several years but soon realised we needed a robust app with a CMS that could be updated easily and quickly.”
Digital Marketing Designer, Cole Futch, experienced these frustrations firsthand: "When I first started, I was tasked with managing the app. Simple updates or content changes were really cumbersome because they required technical intervention."
Realising the limitations of their existing system, the team began evaluating alternative mobile solutions.
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A recommendation from another attraction introduced Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to our mobile app platform. Together, we collaborated on a solution that allowed guests to:
"One of the biggest advantages is the flexibility of the app," Cole notes. "Whether it's a launch delay or an operational change, we can send instant updates to guests. If a launch date moves, we can notify everyone who has the app installed."
“The CMS is very easy to work with,” explains Cole. “You can see all the information you've shared, track view and conversion rates, and target specific guest segments. We send a lot of push notifications for launch updates, especially when we're selling tickets or offering special viewing opportunities at the Visitor Complex.”
With Attractions.io’s targeting features, the team can filter notifications based on:
“During peak weeks, we use location-based notifications. It helps us target guests who visited recently. Once I’ve selected my filters, I can see the target audience size before sending it, and I can choose to send immediately, schedule the notification, or set it up as a recurring notification.”
The app’s robust analytics also provide valuable insights. "We can see data on when people are launching the app, how it aligns with attendance patterns, and what feedback guests are giving us," Cole adds.
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Attractions.io has significantly enhanced the guest experience at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
"It's been great to see guests actively using the app for navigation and information," said Christine. "Our app reaches around 70% of our guests, who use it to plan their day, find their way around and learn about exhibits."
“We have a really great retention rate: 80% of guests who have downloaded our app keep it installed on their phones, which really helps us to advertise and drive revisitation.” Explains Cole. “Guests want to hear from us, even when they're not here.”
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex continues to innovate its digital offerings with Attractions.io. Future enhancements include:
"Attractions.io has been great to work with," Cole shared. "When we had ideas for improving the look and feel of the app, they were very responsive and quick to implement changes. It's been a great partnership, and we're excited to see how we can continue enhancing the guest experience."
The Attractions.io platform enables real-world businesses to lead in the digital age. Our guest experience apps and powerful platform for operators provide world-renowned attractions like LEGOLAND, San Diego Zoo and Butlin’s with the tools and data they need to deliver better outcomes and experiences. From virtual queuing and interactive maps to enhanced communication with guests, we’ve got the know-how to future proof your attraction for the digital age.
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