School Owners “Blown Away” During Disney World Visit and High Level Training

Martial Arts Professional April 24, 2026Last Updated: September 10, 2026

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From the archiveThis article first appeared in the print edition of Martial Arts Professional, the trade magazine the National Association of Professional Martial Artists has published since 1996. It is republished here as part of the magazine’s archive. The principles hold; some of the tools, prices and channels it describes belong to the era in which it was written. Browse the print archive.

What a wonderful experience. Behind the scenes through the employee areas, a tour of history and expectations of quality service, and a day of what’s happening at Disney for the highest possible “guest” service. For 60,000 employees it’s “On-Stage” and “In Costume” with the “Boy or Girl Next Door” grooming to make sure every family has a “Magical Experience” sprinkled with “Pixi Dust.” We also had a fabulous session with U.S. Open Promoter and Disney Cast Member Mike McCoy about
Disney lessons applied to the Martial Arts Industry.

NAPMA Inner Circle members went behind the scenes at Disney World to see first hand a world leader in customer service. Later this year (October) in California they’ll attend a Disney Institute seminar about the “Disney Approach to Service” Many had a “Paradigm” shift in thinking about the cleanliness
of their school, about “little touches” to improve the student experience, and systems implementation to improve student experience.

Our closed door meetings covered school operations ranging from ways to FLOOD member schools with new students to massive improvements in student achievement. Our Inner Circle Roster this year include multi-million-dollar chains of schools ranging from family-oriented Tae Kwon Do schools, transported after-school care to million=dollar MMA, Krav Maga, Soft-Style Kung-Fu and Tai Chi, and Cardio Kickboxing facilities.

Inner Circle and Peak Performers members report new all-time record cash months following their return from this incredible meeting. Stephen Oliver facilitated the highest level schools — the “Inner Circle” — through two focused days of “Master-Mind” meetings, sharing each other’s success stories
of the previous years and “rolling up their sleeves” and solving each other’s staff, marketing, and retention challenges.

The Peak Performers learned from NAPMA COO Toby Milroy during day one the systems for sales effectiveness, and the structure and outline of an effective sales system and upgrade structure. During day two, NAPMA CEO Stephen Oliver walked them A-to-Z through the incredible “Renewal Blitz” to short-term six-figure results. He explained in detail the system that creates 80-90% conversion
results from enrollment to upgrade, along with systems to insure a steady flow of new students.