#205 “No Compromise Fun”: How Alex Koster, Vice President of Global Revenue at F1® Arcade, Is Redefining Play

In this episode, Bart sits down with Alex Koster live from IMEX America to explore his personal journey from driving tractors at 14 to becoming a global leader in competitive socialization experiences. Alex shares the “no compromise” philosophy behind F1 Arcade, how fun can be both inclusive and transformative, and why play might just be the next big thing in workplace learning and connection.Major Takeaways / LearningsEarly Work Ethic: Alex’s drive was shaped by his father’s belief in working young and creating your own opportunities.Selling Fun: His first exposure to “fun as a product” came through organizing group experiences like bachelor and bachelorette parties — which taught him the value of joy-driven commerce.No Compromise Culture: Across ventures like Bounce, Flight Club, and now F1 Arcade, the standard has always been premium quality in every detail — food, tech, service, and experience.Inclusive Fun for All: F1 Arcade isn’t just for F1 superfans — it’s designed for anyone, regardless of skill or interest in racing, to have a great time together.Bridging Work & Play: Through the Accelerate at Work initiative, F1 Arcade uses gameplay to teach soft skills like patience, timing, collaboration, and communication in a natural, memorable way.Competitive Socialization as a Movement: By pairing activities with hospitality, experiences like F1 Arcade help break down barriers, build community, and spark joy.Memorable Quotes“Most people don’t… have fun enough.”“No compromise — that’s the philosophy from day one.”“We’ve built a church for F1 fans… but we also built a playground for everyone else.”“Learning happens when people come together — and fun makes it stick.”Why It Matters / How to Use ItFor leaders: Experiences that prioritize joy can create lasting emotional connections and stronger teams.For L&D professionals: Playful environments can be powerful learning tools — without feeling like “training.”For brands: Emotional engagement and premium experiences are not mutually exclusive; they amplify each other.For individuals: Reclaiming fun isn’t frivolous, it’s fuel for connection, creativity, and growth.Resources and Links:Bart Berkey: MostPeopleDont.com | LinkedInThis podcast episode is brought to you by Wishes.Inc Wishes, Inc. is a transparent giving platform that lets donors see exactly where their money goes.It rewards users with cashback and perks through virtual payment tools.Fast, traceable, and efficient—Wishes makes doing good feel even better.https://www.bartaberkey.com/wishes-inc-landing-page