Building Experiences That Bring People Together
In a world where almost everything can happen through a screen, Greg Marcus believes something essential still requires a physical place: human connection. As CEO of The Marcus Corporation, Greg has spent his career creating spaces where people gather — movie theaters, hotels, restaurants, and cultural destinations. His perspective is simple: people don't just want content; they want experiences they can feel, remember, and share with others.
Why Humans Crave Community and Connection
Greg references the book Bowling Alone, which highlighted how decreased social gathering — at churches, clubs, even bowling leagues — eroded social trust over time. That loss matters. Trust is built through repeated, real-world interactions: conversations before a movie, a shared laugh in a theater, an unexpected connection with a stranger. These moments may seem small, but they become the foundation of well-connected communities.
The Role of Entertainment in Rebuilding Social Trust
A movie theater is more than a place to watch a film. It's one of the few remaining environments where hundreds of people experience the same story at the same time. Greg sees that shared emotional response as powerful social glue. The memories people carry from theaters — family traditions, first dates, nights out with friends — are rarely about the screen alone. They're about who they were with.
Greg notes that many older adults have been hesitant to return to cinemas post-pandemic, while Gen Z and Millennials are eager to re-engage with in-person entertainment. That generational shift underscores the opportunity for spaces that inspire genuine community connection.
Technology Can Connect Us, but It Can't Replace Presence
Digital tools are incredibly useful, but they flatten many of the cues that make human interaction meaningful: body language, energy, spontaneity, and the subtle moments that build trust. Greg argues that innovation, mentorship, and collaboration are strongest when people share a physical environment. Convenience has value, but presence creates depth.
The Responsibility of Place
Greg doesn't see theaters and hotels as isolated commercial assets — he sees them as community infrastructure. Through initiatives across Milwaukee, including investments in cultural destinations like the Pfister Hotel and Saint Kate - The Arts Hotel, the Marcus Corporation has helped create places where art, conversation, celebration, and civic life intersect. Vibrant neighborhoods attract talent, visitors, investment, and most importantly, participation.
Key Takeaways
- Shared physical experiences build social trust in ways screens cannot replicate
- Entertainment venues are community infrastructure, not just commercial assets
- Presence creates depth — convenience alone is not enough
- People remember how a place made them feel, who they connected with, and the story they carried home
Written by Brady Jager for NEWaukee, July 2026.