blooloop 50 Museum Influencer List 2026 – webinar reveal

Now in its seventh year, the list is presented in partnership with our good friends at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia and MDSX, an experiential design agency specialising in unique-themed experiences for the entertainment and leisure industry.

Museums, art galleries, cultural institutions and heritage sites play a pivotal role as places for dialogue and education. They are also a regenerative force, allowing for community collaboration and dialogue.

In this webinar, blooloop director Alice Sarsfield-Hall will be joined by Abby Bysshe, chief experience and strategy officer at The Franklin Institute, and Dan Picard, owner and creative director of MDSX, to reveal the List and discuss trends.

"The blooloop 50 is a celebration of the leaders, thinkers, and changemakers who are reimagining what a cultural experience can be," says Bysshe.

"Sponsoring this list supports people pushing our industry to be bolder, more inclusive, and more impactful. That's a mission I'm proud to stand behind."

Picard says: "At a time when information is constantly being questioned, museums remain one of our most trusted sources of truth, curiosity, and shared understanding.

"I’m honoured to support that mission and contribute to the conversation as part of the blooloop 50 Museum Influencer panel."

Abby Bysshe

As chief experience and strategy officer at The Franklin Institute, Bysshe leads the organisation’s strategic vision for visitor experience, exhibition innovation, and long-term growth.

She manages a world-class touring exhibition programme and drives initiatives that enhance the museum’s on-site and digital experiences, strengthen its business model, and position the organisation for relevance beyond its bicentennial.

With more than two decades of experience in museum innovation, business strategy, and exhibition development, Bysshe has forged a career at the intersection of cultural institutions and the wider location-based entertainment sector.

Before joining The Franklin Institute, she led travelling and digital exhibition programmes and directed national and international museum collaborations at National Geographic, and served in the exhibits department at the National Gallery of Art.

In Philadelphia, she is a board member of the Parkway Council Foundation and an active contributor to civic and cultural projects across the region. Bysshe is a blooloop’s Top 50 Museum Influencer and was recognised in the Philadelphia Business Journal's Women of Influence.

Dan Picard

Picard is an acclaimed creative executive, experiential storyteller, and owner/executive creative director of MDSX.

A blooloop 50 Influencer and Themed Entertainment Association Thea Award winner, Picard has spent more than two decades crafting immersive experiences across themed entertainment, museums, sports, and destination development.

His portfolio includes partnerships with The Walt Disney Company, Universal Destinations & Experiences, The Franklin Institute, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, and Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

He has contributed to projects including Epic Universe, EPCOT’s Test Track 2.0, Magic Kingdom’s Enchantment, Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, and Planet Play.

Picard has also helped lead master planning for a $300 million sports and wellness complex focused on community and immersive engagement.

Renowned for combining storytelling, technology, media, and physical space, Picard pushes the boundaries of what experiences can be, creating emotionally resonant environments that inspire wonder, connection, and enduring impact.