The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA), a non-profit representing compelling places and experiences worldwide, has revealed more information ahead of its SATE event in Las Vegas, which takes place from 12 – 15 October 2022.
SATE stands for Storytelling + Architecture + Technology = Experience, the pillars of Themed Entertainment. The event is TEA’s design conference and will explore these elements and how they are used to create meaningful places, experiences and events. TEA’s SATE North America 2022 – Las Vegas Conference will be hosted in partnership with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Expert speakers announced
This year’s keynote will be given by Paul Steelman and Suzanne Steelman Taylor of Steelman Partners, talking about casinos, careers, and priorities when designing for gaming, as well as looking at the evolution of this industry across the globe.
Other highlights include a talk on the Myths That Made Las Vegas from gaming historian David G. Schwartz, a conversation on the impact of GenAlpha on the future of experiences with Danny Burzlaff of Attractions by Unit 9, and an exploration of character meet and greets by MK Haley, a Lecturer at the University of Texas at Austin.
Electrosonic’s Chris Moore will be in conversation with Brian Merakian of Populous and Alex Willis of Disguise, looking at the digital frontier and the opportunities presented by the metaverse, blockchain and web3, moderated by Chris Conte of Electrosonic.
In addition, FORREC’s James T. Anderson will moderate a panel on retail innovations, featuring Jake Lee-High of Future Colossal, Matt Proulx of Hasbro and Nina Terjesen of Marshall Retail Group. Also on the agenda is a session on bringing the joy back into creating experiences, led by PGAV Destinations’ AD Gladu and Dave Cooperstein.
Trending topics explored
Paul Kent, vice president of the TEA EME board, will ask some tough questions about the use of new technologies for experience economy in a session called Are We Just in Repeat Mode?
Adam Bezark and his TEA Masters colleagues will introduce the new TEA Masters for 2022.
Looking at disruptors, Ed Shaw and Matt Earnest of Entertainment + Culture Advisors will lead a session on Innovation through Disruption, while Thinkwell’s Cynthia Sharpe and Jesse Cannady will explore IDEA in the project lifespan, alongside Wendy Heimann-Nunes of Nolan Heimann LLP, Sina Barham and Corey Timpson of Prime Access Consulting, Erica McKay of Valtech Themed Entertainment Studio and Nicola Rossini of Riding Chaos.
The agenda also features a session entitled Casting the Crowd: Innovations in Making the Guest Part of the Story, with insights from Mark Stepanian of CAVU Designwerks, Adam C. Sharpe of Blue Hush Productions and Scott Swenson of Scott Swenson Creative Development LLC, as well as a session on AI and storytelling led by Worldbuildr’s Michael Libby.
Attendees will be able to find out more about an interesting new project in the area, the MSG Sphere, which is scheduled to open in Las Vegas in the second half of 2023. 7thSense is one of the technology partners for MSG Sphere, working with MSG Entertainment to ensure the speed, image quality, and integrity needed to render content.
