AP Podcast: Episode 352 - Melissa Oviedo of BMorrow Productions @attractionpros8946

Uploaded June 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago

Melissa Oviedo is the Chief Business Officer of BMorrow Productions. Melissa brings a rich background in the attractions industry, having previously worked with Nassal, where she honed her expertise in project management and strategic development. Now, as the Chief Business Officer of BMorrow Productions, Melissa spearheads initiatives aimed at driving innovation and fostering growth within the company's diverse portfolio of projects. In this interview, Melissa talks about sustainable growth, building perspectives, and asking the right questions.

Sustainable Growth

"Sustainable growth isn't just about numbers; it's about creating a lasting impact that benefits not only the business but also the environment and the community it serves."

Melissa emphasizes the importance of sustainable growth in her role with BMorrow Productions and discusses strategies for maintaining steady progress while ensuring long-term viability. Melissa advocates for a holistic approach that considers environmental, social, and economic factors. She highlights the significance of fostering relationships with local communities and minimizing ecological impact. Furthermore, Melissa delves into the role of innovation in driving sustainable growth, stressing the need for continuous adaptation and improvement.

Building Perspectives

"Diversity in perspectives isn't just a buzzword; it's the key to unlocking innovation and driving meaningful change within our industry."

Melissa underscores the value of diverse viewpoints in enhancing creativity and problem-solving. Melissa emphasizes the importance of fostering an inclusive environment where all voices are heard and respected. She shares insights on leveraging differences in perspectives to drive innovation and enhance guest experiences. Melissa also discusses the challenges and opportunities associated with building perspectives within a rapidly evolving industry landscape.

Asking the Right Questions

"The ability to ask the right questions isn't just about seeking answers; it's about challenging assumptions, exploring new possibilities, and ultimately, driving strategic decision-making."

Melissa discusses the significance of asking the right questions to drive strategic decision-making. She emphasizes the importance of curiosity and critical thinking in identifying opportunities and mitigating risks. Melissa shares practical tips for refining questioning skills and encourages professionals to challenge assumptions and explore alternative perspectives. She emphasizes the role of asking the right questions in fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

Contact Information:
Melissa Oviedo
Email: melissa.oviedo@bmorrowproductions.com

BMorrow Productions
Website: bmorrowproductions.com

This podcast wouldn't be possible without the incredible work of our faaaaaantastic team:

Scheduling and correspondence by Kristen Karaliunas
Audio and video editing by Abby Giganan

To connect with AttractionPros:
AttractionPros.com
AttractionPros@gmail.com

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$AP Episode 397: Burton Heiss of Escapology Looking for daily inspiration? Get a quote from the top leaders in the industry in your inbox every morning. https://attractionprosqotd.carrd.co/ This episode of AttractionPros is brought to you by our friend Eric Fluet at Get it Done Marketing. With 30 years of experience in the attractions industry, Get it Done Marketing offers freelance marketing insight, strategy, and execution—at a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire. Partnering with over 30 parks and resorts from family water parks to large multi-location organizations, Get it Done Marketing fills leadership voids on property and corporate marketing teams, assists with resource allocation and supports emerging marketing professionals. Learn more at getitdonemarketing.com. http://getitdonemarketing.com Burton Heiss is the CEO of Escapology. With a rich background in the restaurant industry, including leadership roles at Baja Fresh, Wagamama, Nando’s, and Buddy’s Pizza, Burton brings a business-savvy approach to the world of escape rooms. His career has been centered around high-growth, brand-led companies, which made Escapology—a fast-growing escape room franchise with a strong emphasis on brand identity—a natural next step. In this interview, Burton talks about brand-led businesses, disconnect to reconnect, and the future of escape rooms. Brand-Led Businesses “I always want to work someplace where when I get on the airplane, I don’t put a piece of paper in my pocket to cover up the logo.” Burton explains that brand-led businesses have a distinct identity that resonates emotionally with consumers, unlike commodity-driven models. He points out that a brand like Disney evokes excitement and emotional connection, while a commodity might be viewed as interchangeable or forgettable. From a leadership standpoint, he emphasizes that it’s easier to rally a team around a brand that stands for something. Employees feel a sense of pride when the brand on their shirt is something others recognize and admire. That internal passion, he says, is contagious and helps permeate enthusiasm throughout the organization. Transitioning from restaurants to attractions, Burton notes that although the escape room industry is relatively new, the foundational leadership principles remain the same. “Leadership is leadership,” he says, emphasizing that strong team culture and strategic planning are transferable across industries when they’re rooted in purpose and clarity. Disconnect to Reconnect “What escape rooms offer you is the opportunity to disconnect from your device and reconnect with your friends and family.” Burton describes a key differentiator of escape rooms: the opportunity to truly unplug and engage in a meaningful, shared activity. At a time when screens dominate daily life, Escapology encourages people to step into immersive environments that demand teamwork, communication, and critical thinking. This idea of “disconnect to reconnect” isn’t just a catchy phrase—it’s central to the guest experience. He also addresses common misconceptions that may prevent people from trying an escape room, such as fears of being physically locked in. Escapology aims to overcome that barrier with inviting locations in mainstream retail environments and licensed IP like Scooby-Doo and Batman. These approachable themes lower the intimidation factor and encourage first-timers to take the leap. Once they do, he says, most guests are hooked by the joy and adrenaline of the experience. The Future of Escape Rooms “We want to continue to make things feel seamless, that they just happen… Technology is a great way to do that.” Looking ahead, Burton sees the future of escape rooms becoming increasingly immersive and emotionally resonant. He notes a shift from puzzle-centric gameplay to experiences that prioritize atmosphere and storytelling. Recent games like Haunted House and Pirate’s Curse focus heavily on set design and narrative, offering guests more than just a mental challenge—they’re stepping into a different world. Innovation will also come in the form of technology integration, but with intentionality. Escapology uses tech to support the story rather than distract from it, aiming for those moments of awe and surprise—like a magic trick that leaves guests wondering how it all worked. As the industry grows, Burton predicts greater consolidation and sophistication, with larger players like Escapology leading the charge by investing in high-quality game development and expanding their franchise model worldwide. To learn more about Escapology or to get in touch with Burton, visit escapology.com. Burton can be reached directly at burton.heiss@escapology.com. This podcast wouldnt be possible without the incredible work of our faaaaaantastic team: -Scheduling and correspondence by Kristen Karaliunas -Audio and Video editing by Abby Giganan To connect with AttractionPros: AttractionPros.com AttractionPros@gmail.com$

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