Attractions.io, a leading creator of mobile visitor apps, has worked with the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to develop a new and improved mobile app, resulting in a 95% satisfaction rate and an 80% retention rate for app users.
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex tells the extraordinary story of the US space programme. Its inspiring activities invite visitors to learn about the activities of NASA and collaborators such as Blue Origin, SpaceX, and Lockheed Martin.
Robust, easy-to-use solution
Attractions.io has equipped the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex with its powerful mobile platform, replacing the attraction’s custom app.
The previous solution was developed in-house to improve communication with guests and reduce printing costs. However, updating and maintaining the app was difficult and required coding expertise.
Christine Selby-Reagan, head of consumer marketing and content, says: “We quickly found the app very hard to update because you really needed deep coding skills to manage it. 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.”
“When I first started, I was tasked with managing the app,” says Cole Futch, digital marketing designer. “Simple updates or content changes were really cumbersome because they required technical intervention.”
Following a recommendation from another attraction, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex chose to work with Attractions.io to overcome these limitations.
Targeted notifications
Attractions.io and Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex worked together to develop a solution that features interactive maps and itineraries to help guests plan their visit, push notifications to provide real-time updates, multilingual support, and convenient food ordering.
Futch says: “One of the biggest advantages is the flexibility of the app. 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. 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.”
Attractions.io’s targeting capabilities mean the team can filter notifications based on language preferences, most recent visit or app login, and guest location.
“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,” says Futch.
“We can see data on when people are launching the app, how it aligns with attendance patterns, and what feedback guests are giving us.”
Ongoing partnership
The visitor experience at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has been significantly improved through this collaboration.
Exit surveys have found that 95% of visitors say they have had a great experience using the app. Push notifications have enhanced the visitor experience, particularly for launch updates and real-time operational changes. Furthermore, with an 80% retention rate, the app enables continuing communication and engagement even when visitors have left the site.
Selby-Reagan says: “It’s been great to see guests actively using the app for navigation and information. 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,” adds Futch. “Guests want to hear from us, even when they’re not here.”
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is continuing its digital development, with mobile food ordering, native ticket and pass purchasing, and additional UI enhancements among upcoming additions.
See also: AI that matters: how emerging tools can create real guest value
“Attractions.io has been great to work with,” says Futch. “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.”
Howard Schwartz, senior director of marketing and sales, says: “95% of our guests tell us they love the app in exit surveys. It makes it easy for them to find things that they want to do throughout the day and learn about our exhibits. It’s been an amazing partnership so far.”
Earlier this month, Attractions.io hosted a webinar exploring how gardens can use mobile to reduce costs, enhance visitor engagement, and optimise operations. The event featured speakers from Magnolia Plantation and Gardens in Charleston, and Filoli Historic House in California, who shared their first-hand insights.
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