We love getting together with passionate operators to celebrate the action sports industry. In September, we were delighted to spend a few days with the UK’s action sports community at the inaugural Action Sports Forum Hosted by long-time ROLLER customer Graystone Action Sports Park in Manchester.
Covering everything from skateboarding and BMX to surfing and climbing, this invite-only event brought together a diverse group of industry pros, athletes, and thought leaders. It was an amazing opportunity to share insights and dive into the future of action sports, all with a focus on learning and collaboration.
In this post, we’ll recap the event highlights, key takeaways, and explore how ROLLER can help action sports venues like yours streamline operations and delight guests.
Event recap: A milestone for the action sports industry
It’s an exciting time for the action sports industry! After the spotlight on skateboarding, BMX, surfing, and climbing at the Paris 2024 Olympics, the industry is buzzing with new interest. The Action Sports Forum 2024 offered the perfect space for professionals to come together, share ideas, and collaborate. The smaller, more intimate setting encouraged open and meaningful conversations about how to navigate the growing professionalization of action sports.
The event at Graystone Action Sports Park, saw attendees ranging from Team GB Olympic coaches and athletes to venue operators, local councils, and industry suppliers across various sectors. The two-day forum featured a packed schedule of panel discussions, keynote sessions, and breakout activities, covering critical topics including business growth, industry trends, and the future of action sports.
The event wasn’t all talk, though—attendees also had the unique opportunity to test their skills on the ramps, rock walls, and other world-class facilities at Graystone, making for an interactive and hands-on experience.
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Session spotlight: “How does the future of the consumer leisure market look?"
Tom Freeman, Account Executive at ROLLER, delivered an insightful presentation on the future of the consumer leisure market. His talk focused on how venues can stay competitive and meet the changing expectations of guests.
- Online bookings are now your most important revenue channel. With more guests preferring to plan their visits in advance, having a seamless and optimized online booking system is crucial for maximizing revenue.
- Self-service experiences are becoming the default expectation. Guests are increasingly looking for convenience. From online check-ins to mobile food ordering, offering self-service options helps venues delight guests.
- The onsite experience needs to be frictionless. A smooth check-in process is key to a positive experience. As Tom highlighted, "a good check-in is a forgettable one"—the faster and easier it is for guests, the better.
Key takeaways: Driving the future of action sports
At the Action Sports Forum 2024, industry leaders and professionals came together to discuss the future of action sports and how venues can adapt to meet new challenges. The event emphasized the need for growth, collaboration, and innovation, with a focus on how action sports venues can thrive in an increasingly professionalized industry.
Professionalization of the industry
With action sports gaining global attention including the recent announcements of two new action sports leagues, there’s an increasing need for venues to cater to both athletes and casual visitors. The forum underscored the importance of investing in cutting-edge technology, safety measures, and infrastructure upgrades to stay competitive in this rapidly growing sector.
Collaboration across sectors
A standout theme at Action Sports Forum 2024 was the importance of cross-industry collaboration. The event showcased how partnerships between sectors such as insurance, technology, and creative agencies will be vital for the future of action sports. Shared expertise and resources will help drive innovation and support the industry’s evolution.
Engagement and growth opportunities
Action Sports Forum 2024 operators discussed the need to create more engaging experiences beyond just offering physical spaces for sports. Venues must now integrate memberships, host events, and leverage digital platforms to drive growth, enhance guest loyalty, and encourage repeat visits.
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How ROLLER can help action sports venues thrive
At ROLLER, we understand the unique needs of action sports venues. Whether you’re running a skate park, BMX center, climbing facility, or multipurpose action sports venue, our all-in-one platform is designed to streamline operations, increase revenue, and delight guests.
Optimize your operations by making data-driven decisions
With ROLLER Analytics, venue operators can easily access valuable data on guest traffic, revenue, and membership trends, helping you make informed decisions that drive growth. Our cloud-based reporting system provides pre-built dashboards and visual reports that give you instant access to the insights you need, so you can spend your time on what matters most.
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Boost bookings and increase revenue
Our Online Checkout helps venues maximize capacity and ensure a seamless guest experience. Operators using ROLLER increase their average online revenue by up to 30% and reduce cart abandonment by offering flexible add-ons, mobile optimization, and seamless payments. ROLLER’s Online Checkout is designed to give guests the smooth booking experience they expect.
Read more: How THE LUME Grew Online Revenue by 7% with Add-On Experiences
Elevate the guest experience
Today’s customers expect convenience, and the numbers speak for themselves: 67% of customers prefer self-service over speaking with a customer service representative and 88% of online shoppers actively seek self-service checkout options.
At ROLLER, we’ve made it easy to give your customers what they want with our suite of self-service solutions designed to streamline how your venue operates. This makes it easy for your guests to manage their visits with online ticket bookings, mobile food and beverage ordering, digital waiver signing, and self-service ticketing kiosks.
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The roller skating industry: ROLLER's proven impact
While the forum largely focused on skate, BMX, surf, and climbing venues, ROLLER has a strong track record of success in the roller skating industry. Skating rink operators who use our platform have seen significant improvements in their operations, guest satisfaction, and revenue.
Case Study: Pigeon’s Roller Rink
With a diverse range of offerings including public skate sessions, themed events, educational classes, and private rentals, Pigeon's Roller Rink in Long Beach, CA needed a flexible booking system that could handle its various products without overwhelming guests.
After evaluating multiple software providers, Pigeon's chose ROLLER for its ability to seamlessly manage session bookings, waivers, and check-ins. Our intuitive platform has streamlined operations, making it easy to dynamically manage schedules and enhance the guest experience.
Read more: Pigeon’s Roller Rink Enhances the Booking Experience with ROLLER
Case Study: Skateworld
Skateworld, operating roller rinks in San Diego and Tacoma, transformed its business by switching to ROLLER’s all-in-one venue management platform. With ROLLER’s Progressive Checkout, party booking times were reduced by 30%, streamlining the guest experience and increasing revenue.
Party packages are easily customizable, making bookings more efficient and reducing admin work for staff. ROLLER's Online Checkout system also opened a 24/7 sales channel, boosting facility rental revenue and allowing Skateworld to successfully introduce a membership program. This growth has paved the way for a third Skateworld venue with even more offerings to attract family visitors.
Read more: How Skateworld Reduced Time To Book A Party By 30% with ROLLER
Ready to take your venue to new heights?
With its resounding success, the Action Sports Forum is set to return next year in a larger format, further cementing its role as the go-to event for action sports professionals across the UK and Europe.
The future of action sports is bright, and with the right tools, your venue can be part of this exciting journey. Whether you operate a roller rink, climbing gym, or skate park, ROLLER’s platform helps venues of all sizes streamline operations, boost revenue, and enhance guest experiences.
- Save time: Make processes easier and boost staff productivity.
- Increase revenue: Improve booking efficiency and drive sales with data-driven strategies.
- Delight guests: Ensure seamless, enjoyable interactions from start to finish.
Excited about what’s next? Book a demo to see how we can help your rink thrive.
