Prayer Breakfast at IAAPA Expo Details & Registration I’m excited to share that the annual Prayer Breakfast at IAAPA Expo will be held on Thursday, November 20 from 8:30–10:00 AM at the Orange County Convention Center – North Concourse during IAAPA Expo. Save the date — reservations coming soon! This year’s keynote speaker is Gracie O’Loughlin, Director of Strategic Partners at Operation Christmas Child. With the theme “The…
A new report from themed attraction designers Katapult provides critical psychographic data for U.S. operators, showing that high-frequency guests have dramatically different motivations—and breaking their loyalty is easier than you think. Katapult, an international themed attraction and experience design company , has released the findings from its Theme Park Superfans Survey 2025. The report, conducted…
Legends: Epic Universe Creators to Share Secrets at IAAPA Expo 2025 ORLANDO, FLORIDA — For more than two decades, the Legends Panel at IAAPA Expo has been a rare chance for theme park fans and professionals alike to hear directly from the creative minds who’ve shaped the attractions industry. Now in its 23rd year, the…
Purdue University will host “A Look Behind the Curtain: A Discussion with the Masters of Themed Entertainment”, a one-of-a-kind online panel bringing together some of the industry’s most celebrated creative leaders. This exclusive event will take place on Thursday, October 9 at 11:00am PST (2:00pm EST), offering students a rare opportunity to hear directly from the visionaries…
The Carolwood Society was founded by Michael Broggie, son of Walt’s first Imagineer, Roger Broggie. The group celebrates Walt’s train and park legacy, and their next event is in Orlando this November. Along with Bob Gurr, Jason Surrell, and others, I’ll be sharing about my new theme park railroad book, Ticket to Ride. Check out…
Instructor or Lecturer, Design and Production, Themed Experience R111406 Main Campus, Orlando, Florida Faculty Full time Themed Experience – Academic Instruction The Opportunity: The College of Arts and Humanities (CAH) is inviting applicants for a 9-month, non-tenure earning design and production instructor or lecturer who will report to the director of the Themed Experience Graduate…
See Full Gallery Here Best in Show Teluli Resort by Amanda Caldera, Ringling College of Art & Design “Amanda’s work is on par with the work that our office puts out.” – Dave Cooperstein, PGAV “I can look at her presentation, and as a general contractor I would know exactly how to build it.” –…
International theme park designers Katapult have launched Pirate Cove, a brand new theme park land showcasing their team’s expertise, experience and imagination. Pirate Cove challenges guests to prove their salt and forge their own place in pirate history. The theme park masterplan features rides, themed environments, retail, F&B and hotel design. The project also includes…
Love theme parks? Love trains? So do I, and I am thrilled to share my latest book—Ticket to Ride: America’s Theme Park Trains. This is a large hardcover coffee table book full of history and photographs of park railroads. After Disneyland opened, all the regional parks that followed wanted a railroad. Some of the equipment…
The Industry Leaders IAAPA Expo Tour The Industry Leaders IAAPA Expo Tour provides students within higher education the unique opportunity to interact with industry and leaders professionals in the global attractions industry at IAAPA. As an educator you have the opportunity to nominate your best and brightest to join us on this exclusive opportunity. The…
The Themed Attraction Student Showcase returns again with a stellar panel of judges. Our goal at Themed Attraction and the TEAAS (Themed Experience & Attractions Academic Society) has always been to build a bridge from the academic world to industry. To that end, we’ve put together this panel to help you make real connections with…
International themed attraction design company, Katapult, has launched their latest Trends Report looking at how consumer behaviour megatrends will change the themed entertainment industry over the next five years. The six-month study, which included surveys and interviews with theme park superfans, industry experts, and the general public, has this year been foreword by Disney Director…
Ready to Apply? Instructor or Lecturer, Themed Experience Creative Project Management R109632 Main Campus, Orlando, Florida Faculty Full time Themed Experience – Academic Instruction The Opportunity The College of Arts and Humanities (CAH) is inviting applicants for a 9-month, non-tenure earning creative project management instructor or lecturer who will report to the director of…
Storyland Studios – a global experience design and strategy firm, held an international competition to inspire storytellers from around the globe to share their creative talents and design an immersive Location Based Entertainment (LBE). Amy and Richard Hale, from Inspiring Heritage Ltd, were chosen from eighty-two worldwide entries. Their winning concept, Portal Riders, combines a thrilling…
It’s always a big moment when we’re able to reveal a new project, so we’re really excited at Rivershore Press to announce Creating Memorable Worlds: A Journey Into Themed Experience Design. This is a foundational book for students, professionals, and fans of the craft from former Imagineering Senior Executive Theron Skees. Theron’s heart for teaching…
Orlando, FL – The 2024 Themed Experience and Attractions Academic Symposium will take place on November 22, 2024, at the Orange Country Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. The Symposium is held on the Friday of the IAAPA Expo, the industry leading event and conference. The 2024 Symposium features Keynote Speaker: Bob Rogers, Founder, CEO, and…
Legends Who Share Their Secrets ORLANDO, FLORIDA (September 4, 2024) — For 22 years, the Legends Panel at IAAPA Expo, moderated and curated by Bob Rogers, Founder and Chairman of BRC Imagination Arts, has been a cornerstone for sharing essential knowledge from creative leaders. Dedicated to preserving the invaluable wisdom of the theme park and…
An industry survey that sought the opinions of theme park guests, has warned of dwindling visitor attention spans that is now impacting the overall guest experience. In the Theme Park Fans Survey 2024, conducted by internationally-renowned design company Katapult and theme park influencer Parkineer, 72% of respondents said they regularly use their mobile phones in-park…
Hallmark partners with the Location-Based Entertainment project management consulting firm for inaugural Christmas experience ACCESS HI-RES IMAGE AND PRESS RELEASE HERE July 31, 2024 (RENO, Nev.) — Bay Laurel Advisors (BLA), a leading expert in location-based licensing and guest experience development, is providing producing expertise and support for the inaugural Hallmark Christmas Experience in Kansas…
Cincinnati, OH — July 22, 2024Dear Friends and Colleagues, As we close the final chapter of BDR Design Group, we celebrate over 40 years of creativity, innovation, and unparalleled success. It has been an extraordinary journey, bringing to life entertainment destinations that have delighted and inspired millions around the world. Our success has been fueled…
Best In Show Hidden Gems – by Maggie Tagher University of Cincinnati Best In Show 1st Runner Up Journey of the Gods – by Domenica Collaro Glenbrook South High School, Science & Engineering Learning Community Best In Show 2nd Runner Up Red Triangle Retreat by Shellsea Coe Ringling College of Art & Design Honorable Mention…
New York, NY (June 27, 2024) — In a groundbreaking move set to redefine family entertainment, RWS Global, the foremost authority in live entertainment, has announced an exclusive partnership with CAMP, The Family Experience Company. This strategic alliance aims to expand CAMP’s reach across the globe, leveraging RWS Global’s decades of expertise in creating and…
[Los Angeles, California] – [May 02, 2024] – Academy Award-winning director Joe Johnston, known for his iconic work on the original Star Wars trilogy, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jumanji, Jurassic Park 3, and Captain America: The First Avenger, announces the formation of IRON APE, a new creative powerhouse dedicated to developing groundbreaking themed entertainment…
RWS Global Appoints Veronica Hart, Global Licensing and Entertainment Leader, to Board New York, NY (April 30, 2024) -RWS Global, the world’s largest producer of live experiences, today announced the appointment of Veronica Hart to its Board of Directors. With over 25 years of experience as a cross-disciplinary corporate leader, Hart has demonstrated success driving…
Interactive Resort Experience By: Shellsea Coe Academic Level: Individual Entries (Graduates & Interns) Welcome to Red Triangle Retreat, my senior Thesis project for Entertainment Design at Ringling College. While developing this concept, I worked part-time as an intern & freelance designer. The resort’s treehouse-like interior and exterior design mirrors the lush tropical…
Introduction & Background Six years ago, I was a high school junior that was in the middle of rediscovering my passion for Minecraft, a game first available in 2009 that I had grown up playing. Naturally, being the massive theme park fan that I am, I began making small builds in the single player sandbox…
Undergraduate Team Project: Seniors: Alaina Herman, Bryan Rambo, Osuman Gimballa Juniors: Alison Casson, Hailey O’Mara, Katelyn Churakos Sophomores: Franklin Merlo, Jacob Row, Jake Glasser, Joshua Schertzer Freshmen: Mark Pozzuto, Olivia Guerin, Robbie Kipler LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ub-tpec/ Contact: ubtpec@gmail.com Project Overview The University at Buffalo Theme Park Engineering Club took part in an engineering competition created…
Juan Bonillo – Sophomore This semester-long project is part of the Entertainment Design curriculum at Ringling College. In this project, students designed different aspects of an activity at a themed resort, including storyboarding, prop design, documentation, 3D modeling, and physical modeling. Viking Voyage is an activity at a conceptual resort in Oslo, Norway. This resort…
Created by Mike Strong and Karlyn Leander for UCF’s Meow Wolf workshop, Fall 2023. This project was selected as one of two projects presented to the creative team at Meow Wolf at the end of the semester. Art created by Karlyn Leander unless otherwise noted. Welcome Welcome to Cryptic Lakes! Located in the northwest region…
Team of sophomores and graduates Jenna Smith (Sophomore) Nicole Wasserman (Sophomore) Rhiannon Walters (Graduate)
The Themed Attraction Student Showcase returns again with a stellar panel of judges. Our goal at Themed Attraction and the TEAAS (Themed Experience & Attractions Academic Society) has always been to build a bridge from the academic world to industry. To that end, we’ve put together this panel to help you make real connections with…
Cincinnati, Ohio – April 2, 2024 – JRA, part of RWS Global has announced the hiring of Lisa Jey Schanley as its new Director of Business Development. Schanley currently serves on the Themed Entertainment Association Board of Directors, Western Division, and is the co-chair of the Communications Committee. In her new role, Schanley will spearhead…
International themed attraction design company, Katapult, has partnered with children’s entertainment studio, Cloudco Entertainment, to create a new Care Bears™ family entertainment centre concept. The attraction is a ticketed play cafe experience where guests can explore a range of themed zones, before enjoying a super sweet Care Bears treat. Aimed at the ever-growing ‘tweens’ market who…
Recognizing decades of leadership and expertise, the independent strategy, design and production company has named Carmel Lewis President, unleashing a new era of experiential imagination, innovation, and leadership at BRC LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Bob Rogers, Chairman and CEO of BRC Imagination Arts (BRC), a global experiential planning and design firm, has announced that Carmel Lewis,…
ted, part of RWS Global, Announces New Partnership with Luxury Cruise Line Cunard As It Launches RWS Global Studios London NORTHAMPTON, UK – ted, part of RWS Global, recently announced a four-year partnership with Cunard, elevating and modernizing onboard entertainment for the luxury cruise line. Through this collaboration, ted will produce and manage a custom-created…
ORLANDO, FL (November 30, 2023) — IDEAS, The Orlando-based brand and experience design firm – is building on a 20-year history of creating branded immersive experiences around the world. From new, imaginative destinations to better healthcare, IDEAS is poised to grow its abilities to innovate the future of storytelling with two new announcements. In…
Sub Sea Systems and SottoStudios have joined forces to create the “perfect storm” of leading-edge attraction design Jim Mayfield, President & CEO of California-based Sub Sea Systems and Eddie Sotto, founder and President of SottoStudios, announce their collaboration to bring state-of-the-art “submersible” storytelling and innovation to the growing water theme park industry. Sub Sea Systems…
The 6th Annual Themed Experience and Attractions Academic Symposium is coming on Friday, November 17th, 2023 to the Orange County Convention Center. TEAAS 2023 is the only academic event that brings together academic scholarship on themed experiences and attractions in an exciting one-day symposium featuring presentations from a variety of academic fields. This year’s Symposium theme, “The…
For the past six years, industry veterans have gathered to hear industry leaders speak about the role that faith plays in their lives. Past events have included leaders like Sea World CEO Joel Manby, former Disney Imagineers Theron Skees and Dave Durham. Last year the event featured former Sea World chief creative officer Anthony Esparza.…
Matt Dawson as Vice President of Business Development Dawson & Other Key Hires Reflect Expansive Growth of JRA Cincinnati, Ohio – October 10, 2023 – JRA, part of RWS Global and headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, has announced the hiring of former FORREC executive Matt Dawson as its new Vice President of Business Development. Dawson’s…
LEGENDS 2023 PANEL AT IAAPA EXPO: UNIVERSAL BEIJING RESORT – THE UNTOLD STORY OF TRIUMPH OVER TRYING TIMES; COVID, LOCKDOWNS, QUARANTINES, AND MORE Theme and guests announced for the Legends 2023 Panel at IAAPA EXPO, Orlando ORLANDO, FLORIDA (October 10, 2023) — Each year for 26 years, the Legends Panel at IAAPA EXPO, moderated and…
San Diego, California – Sept 21, 2023 – Four winners were announced at the annual Surf Park Summit event held in San Diego this past weekend. The event, hosted by Surf Park Central, is the premier event for surf park developers, operators, and industry professionals and took place September 18th – 20th, 2023. Held annually…
This year at IAAPA Europe Expo in Vienna, international themed attraction design company Katapult, will be showcasing their themed resort design expertise. For over 10 years, the UK-based team has worked on both new-build and existing themed resort projects, helping to bring a magical guest experience to destinations around the world. As well as designing…
What’s behind your favorite regional park attractions? Rick Bastrup, forty-year veteran of the theme park industry, reveals all in his new book Adventures of a Theme Park Designer. Very few park-goers realize how their favorite rides and attractions actually got there—they just know they love ’em and miss them terribly when they’re gone. So how…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE– Kile Ozier, an admired leader in the themed entertainment industry, has finally put to paper the techniques and philosophies behind his decades of show and spectacle production in his new book Creative Catalyst: Empowering Experience Design Teams From Ideation to Production. Prodded by colleagues to spell out how he works his…
PASSENGER 25 – Part II: Forty-seven-year Disney Imagineer, Disney Legend, Thea Lifetime Achievement recipient, and Main Street Window honoree responsible for creating some of Disney’s most beloved parks and attractions, Tony Baxter. How do you time travel to all of the milestone moments in Tony Baxter‘s nearly five-decade career in one hour? You don’t. Join…
International themed attraction company Katapult and award-winning animation studio Aardman, are set to launch a new themed attraction concept featuring the studio’s much-loved characters. ‘The World of Aardman’ is a hands-on, fun visitor attraction concept that aims to empower creative talent in every guest. The turnkey concept features a studio experience, interactive elements, themed cafe,…
“World’s most famous theme park designer” will board the time machine to travel back through career highlights and discuss the closing of his Splash Mountain attractions in California and Florida at 12pm PST on Friday, June 16, 2023 Pasadena, CA – The world’s preeminent experiential design agency, Zeitgeist Design & Production, will launch its third season and…