Academy Insider
31 Years Amusement Experience 1995 - 2026
Start Your Indoor Fun Center Business with Experienced Support
Put our experience and expertise to work for you.
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ACADEMY INSIDER PROGRAM
Phase One: Feasibility & Planning
At the core of the Insider program is your project feasibility, market analysis, and business planning. When you get serious about starting an entertainment center, this is where it all starts. Does your idea mesh with your market opportunity? and if not, the steps to take to make sure it does. The Academy Business Plan and planning support follows this (7) module program, designed to develop and focus your project feasibility every step of the way.
Phase Two: Design & Build-Out
Now set on a foundation of research, analysis and planning, the second phase is set into motion. Your physical location, attraction mix, facility layout, interior design, daily operations, guest experience, management and marketing.
Working along side your Academy coach through each of the (7) program modules, your project plan evolves into a fundable plan, ready for presentation to potential partners.
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
Through this modular program of market analysis and planning, your full project development happens. Demographics and competitive analysis help to determine your ideal location, and the appropriate space planning and build-out for your target demographics. Demographics and build-out will dictate your best attraction mix and interior layout, while revenues and operating expenses will determine your full service offering, hours of operations and staffing. We’re with you to answer questions, analyze opportunity and challenges, keep you on track and motivated, and help you prepare your project proposal and request for funding.
Seven Program Modules:
Who is Academy Insider for?
Academy Insider is designed for entrepreneurs who are serious about opening, expanding or improving a family entertainment business.
Whether you’re planning an indoor playground, laser tag center, trampoline park, party center or multi-attraction facility, Insider provides direct access to decades of industry experience, strategic guidance and personalized coaching to help you make better decisions and avoid expensive mistakes.
How does Insider differ from other memberships?
The earlier membership levels focus on learning through courses, business plans, guidebooks and proven startup resources.
Academy Insider adds something entirely different — direct access to an experienced industry consultant.
Instead of learning alone, you’ll have scheduled strategy sessions to review your project, answer questions, evaluate suppliers, refine financial projections, discuss layouts, marketing, operations and work through the real challenges that arise during development. It’s the closest experience to having an industry partner sitting beside you throughout your project.
What's included in the live consulting?
Your consultation time is completely personalized around your project and can be used whenever you need it during your membership.
Typical topics include:
- Business concept and feasibility
- Facility layout and attraction mix
- Equipment and supplier evaluation
- Financial planning and startup budgets
- Lease and location discussions
- Marketing and grand opening strategy
- Operational planning and staffing
- Birthday party and revenue development
- Problem solving and project reviews
- General Q&A as your project evolves
Rather than receiving generic advice, every consultation is focused on helping you move your own project forward with confidence.
How long do I have access to the materials?
Your Insider membership is good for 12 months. You can jump right in and get to work asap, however you can stop and pickup where you left off if life gets in the way.
More questions about the program or Fun Center Academy? Check out our full FAQ page here.
Why Insider Pays for Itself
The right guidance, at the right time can save you thousands.
- One equipment mistake could cost $10,000+
- One poor lease decision could cripple your business.
- One bad demographic study can waste months
Insider members avoid costly mistakes, save time and launch with confidence.
Insider is an investment that protects your investment.
Our members generally see a 10x – 25x return on the cost of membership.
Here's How Insider Gets Your Open for Business
Expert Knowledge
Access all courses, field guides, templates, forms, manuals, business plans, guidebooks and tools in the resource library.
Live Consultation
12+ hours of live consultation to review your project, answer your questions, keep you motivated and on track.
Project Review
Get detailed feedback and critiques on your concepts, plans, layout and financials.
Proven Strategies
Real world strategies from 30+ years of amusement development, design and operations.
Save Time & Money
All Access means you can quickly advance your project. Avoid costly mistakes and speed up your timeline with experienced support.
Ongoing Support
You’re never alone. We’re here as your project partner throughout your journey. Schedule a coach conference with 24 hrs notice.
Derek Gee
Meet Your Coach & Mentor
With more than 30 years in the family entertainment industry, I’ve helped entrepreneurs plan, design, build, and operate successful indoor playgrounds, laser tag arenas, and other amusement attractions across three continents.
I created Fun Center Academy after seeing the same challenge repeated time and again: passionate entrepreneurs with great ideas, but little access to reliable industry data, proven planning tools, or experienced guidance. Too many projects struggle simply because owners don’t know where to begin. My goal is to give you the knowledge, tools, and confidence to avoid costly mistakes, move faster, and build a stronger, more profitable business.
If you have questions about the program, call my office directly at 1 (604) 791-0028, or book a free, no-obligation consultation and market analysis. I’d be happy to help you get your project moving in the right direction.
From Concept to Grand Opening...
Instead of overwhelming you with everything at once, the Academy Insider organizes your progress into modular step-by-step learning paths. Each path helps you focus on the decisions that matter most at your current stage, including concept development, local market analysis, feasibility, business planning, attraction selection, budgeting, operations, staffing, marketing, and long-term business performance.
Each module moves your project forward along a logical path from concept to completion. As you progress, you gain a clearer understanding of your goals, strengthen your decision-making, and become better prepared to present your concept to potential partners, lenders, and investors. Academy Insider combines structured learning with one-to-one guidance, giving you practical, project-specific support while building the knowledge, clarity, and resolve needed to move forward with confidence.
The goal is simple: help you avoid costly mistakes, make better decisions, and move from idea to action – to open for business.
READY TO BUILD YOUR DREAM?
Join the Academy Insider – All Acesss community and get the expert support you need to create a profitable, lasting entertainment. business.
Start Your Indoor Party Center Business with Experienced Support
The Fine Print:
The Academy Insider program does not cover every attraction or project scope in detail. Some projects, such as larger mutli-attraction indoor (or outdoor) parks, full scale bowling centers, or go-kart facilities, haunted attractions, or those relying more on F&B vs. entertainment may not be best suited. The program’s sweet spot are indoor facilities under 20,000 sqft for a family demographic of ~12 and under, incorporating any of the following; indoor play, toddler play, play cafe, blacklight attractions, laser tag, mini-bowling, arcade and redemption games, mini-golf, VR, other interactive games. Food & beverage as a service along with retail and merchandising, parties, groups, corporate events and team building programs and sponsorships. If you are unsure, please reach out to us for a no-obligation chat about your project goals.
Thank you.