Meet Rohan Kelly

By Stephanie Davis

Each month IBI’s “Inside Line” highlights a team member from one of our loyal advertisers. It’s always fun to learn a little something new about people who make things happen at their company and for the industry. This month we talked with Rohan Kelly, Chief Operating Officer at Laserforce.

IBI: How long have you been in the entertainment industry?

Rohan: I have been in the entertainment industry in various roles for several years.

IBI: How long have you been with Laserforce? What is your current position?

Rohan: I have been with Laserforce for nearly 20 years since I was 12 or 13. Employed by my father, the founder of Laserforce, my first job was putting through Laserforce games and cleaning tables at the world’s longest-running standalone laser tag site – Laserforce Brisbane.

I worked in that center throughout high school and was promoted to store manager before studying economics at university. Throughout university, I worked on the business’s international side and helped assemble and test many of the Gen7 Laserforce Battlesuits. I’m the Chief Operating Officer of Laserforce International, which is still a family business and the world leader in indoor laser tag technology.

IBI: What makes Laserforce unique?

Rohan: The immersion that our equipment and software provide end users is unparalleled; the combination of memberships, special abilities, achievements, custom avatars, built-in touch screens, redemption ticket gameplay, rewards, auras, splash damage, vibrating hit recognition, and reactive livingarena devices means that Laserforce players get a liveaction gaming experience like none other.

From an operator’s perspective, this translates to a significantly higher potential for repeat play and greater recurring revenue than any other laser tag equipment.

IBI: What new programs or initiatives is Laserforce working on?

Rohan: On the back of our existing integration with Embed, Intercard, and Semnox, which allows credit sharing between 3rd party debit card systems and Laserforce Gen8 Battlesuits, we have extended this integration to ticket redemption. This means that just as a customer would tap their debit card on any arcade game to spend credits and potentially win tickets, they can use that same card to tap on a Gen8 Battlesuit, play a game of Laserforce, and win tickets! Laserforce is the only laser tag company in the world to offer real-time redemption gameplay.

With Laserforce’s redemption model, players will be rewarded based on their performances during the laser tag match. Customers will view laser tag as another exciting option to spend their hard-earned credits to win tickets! This has never been an option until now, and the synergistic

INTERNATIONAL BOWLING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE IS GIVING AWAY $30,000 TO BOWLING OPERATORS… & Writing Checks to Our Advertisers!

As Part Of IBI’s 30-Year Anniversary, We’re Rewarding Our Readers And Advertisers With A Big Money Giveaway

$30,000 GIVEAWAY TO CENTER OPERATORS

Beginning October 1, 2022, IBI will be giving away $1,000 a month for 30 months which can be applied toward goods or services from one of IBI’s qualifying vendors.

Each month, operators enter the contest at www.BowlingIndustry.com for their chance to win in that month’s drawing. Once the winner decides on a purchase from an IBI qualified advertiser, IBI will send a check to cover that portion of their purchase.

A winner will be selected on the last day of each month. Once the winner is notified, IBI will give them a list of qualifying vendors to choose from.

Details and Rules are available at www.BowlingIndustry.com

As a thank you to our consistent marketing partners, we’re including you in our milestone anniversary celebration.

If one of our winners chooses your company as their selected vendor, we’ll cut you a check on their behalf.

IBI’s Preferred Vendors receive a ton of exposure yearround, have exclusive marketing perks, and are included in special promotions like the $30,000 giveaway.

For more information on all the benefits of becoming an I BI Preferred Vendor, contact Natalie@BowlingIndustry.com or call 239.821.2534 possibilities for operators are endless and provide a vastly more rewarding experience for customers.

IBI: What new trends do you see emerging or continuing in the industry through 2023?

Rohan: Cashless gameplay is on! Many transactions are still paid in cash, particularly in America and Europe. However, with so many cashless options available to operators, this proportion continues to trend down. Another is customizing a guest’s experience. Customers increasingly seek a tailored, custom experience in their outings or birthday parties. We’re also seeing increasing demand from our operators for integrations between their Laserforce system and other technologies, such as their debit card/POS platform, DMX solutions, marketing platforms, and online booking systems. And lastly, birthday parties and other groups continue to demand an exclusive experience, particularly in the laser tag arena. We are seeing this in the form of dual arenas or dedicated teams for each birthday group.

IBI: What do you like most about your job?

Rohan: The most rewarding aspect of my role is the various challenges I face and overcome daily. Operating a small business means that a few people wear many different hats, and while this can be challenging, it also improves a person professionally and personally. The experience of setting up trade show exhibitions with my colleagues one minute to drafting tailored business plans for clients the next is invaluable. Of course, I also get fulfillment helping operators provide fun experiences for their customers.

IBI: What habit/technique/strategy do you employ at work to keep you organized and on-task?

Rohan: Coffee for one. To keep on track throughout my day, I like to start working as early as possible in the morning while my mind is fresh and focused. This usually allows me some more spare time in the afternoon to unwind before the sun goes down.

IBI: How do you like to spend your time when you’re not working?

Rohan: I am lucky to live in Queensland, the sunshine state of Australia. We have an abundance of rainforests and a world-class coastline. In my free time, I love to take advantage of these by hiking, camping, and swimming. I also enjoy gardening and making DIY improvements to my house on the Gold Coast.

IBI: What would our readers be surprised to learn about you?

Rohan: Before returning to Laserforce International, I worked in Yangon, Myanmar, as a development economist. After only a short year abroad, my fiancé and I made the call to return to Australia as rumors of a novel coronavirus were spreading. If the virus had never spread, I could have been in a completely different line of work! •