blooloop is delighted to announce the launch of the third Innovation Awards. Once again, we are supported by our friends at AREA15.
We have been leading the way in reporting on the latest news, trends and developments within the visitor attractions industry since 2005. blooloop.com is now read by over 2 million attraction professionals from around the world each year.
AREA15 is the world’s first purpose-built experiential entertainment district located minutes from the Las Vegas Strip. The complex is designed to be an imagination box and a place of wonder, where creativity and content flourish through best-in-class experiential entertainment companies such as Meow Wolf, Lost Spirits Distillery, Wink World, and Illuminarium. It has plans to expand its district in Las Vegas by 20 acres and is opening a new location in Orlando in 2024.
What are the Innovation Awards?
The Innovation Awards celebrate the incredible dynamism, imagination and creativity that drives the attractions business.
Our judges are well-known thought leaders and industry experts, who will be looking for the most innovative products and projects driving the future of the visitor experience.
The winners will be announced at our virtual event, the Festival of Innovation, taking place from 6-8th December 2023.
What are we looking for?
From artainment to transformative technology, the design of the next generation of rides and attractions and the very latest exhibitions, to game-changing advances in sustainability, the blooloop Innovation Awards will shine a spotlight on what the industry is doing and where it is going.
Why enter the blooloop Innovation Awards?
What are the benefits of entering the blooloop Innovation Awards?
- Raise your profile and showcase your work in front of the world’s biggest audience of attractions industry professionals.
- All entries are seen by Blooloop’s editorial team and our expert judges.
- All entries will have their own dedicated page in our Innovation Awards Gallery on blooloop.com (10,000 views a month).
- Your entry will be included in our Innovation Showcase at the Festival of Innovation in December.
- Celebrate your work with your team and your clients. Leverage your award entry for marketing and to boost team morale.
- Use your award to attract new business and new talent.
How to enter the awards
Entry has closed for the 2023 Awards.
Winners will be announced at the Festival of Innovation, December 6-8th.
2023 Judges
- Steve Alcorn, COO, Alcorn McBride Inc.
- Kimberly Beneville, co-founder, Beneville Studios
- Michael Beneville, founder & CEO, Beneville Studios
- Sam Bompas, director, Bompas & Parr
- Jenefer Brown, executive vice president and head of Lionsgate global products & experiences
- Michael Casper, VP of business development, AREA15
- Charlotte Coates, editor, blooloop
- Mary Coriano, head of products & corporate portfolio, Merlin Entertainments
- Chris Deere, director, Supportlab Ltd
- Juliana Delaney, CEO, Continuum Attractions
- Werner Dullmaier, VP business development EMEA, Convious
- Justin East, senior creative director, research & development, Merlin Entertainments
- Fiona Eastwood, global C-Suite leader and board member, Merlin Entertainments
- Fernando Eiroa, CEO, Dubai Holding Entertainment
- Winston Fisher, CEO, AREA15
- Ty Granaroli, EVP of themed entertainment, Paramount
- Chris Grap, vice president of experiential entertainment, Mall of America
- Sayan Gulino, chief executive officer, Waterbom Bali
- Eleanor Harris, director, I-Experience
- Edward Hiskins, founder, Assetnest by Pole Star EAM
- Tony Holzner, chief creative officer, Art Processors
- Vince Kadlubek, founder & director, Meow Wolf
- Asa Kalama, VP, executive – creative & interactive experiences, Walt Disney Imagineering
- Eddie Kemsley, CEO, Dreamland Margate
- Michael Kreft von Byern, general Manager, Rulantica
- Raed Kuhail, executive director of digital & technology, Miral
- Rachel Kuhn, associate director, BOP Consulting
- Ike Kwon, EVP & COO, Field Museum
- Chris Lange, creative director & owner, CSB – Creative Studio Berlin GmbH
- Nick Laister, director, Fairytale Farm
- Helen Lockhart, conservation & sustainability manager, Two Oceans Aquarium
- Håkon Lund, owner, Lund Gruppen
- Amanda Mayne, head of partnerships: international touring exhibitions, The British Museum
- Erica McCay, creative director, themed entertainment, Valtech
- Paul Moreton, chief development officer, Merlin Entertainments
- Tim Morrow, president & CEO, San Antonio Zoo
- Anna Musun Miller, director of planning, Canopy Strategic Partners
- Judith Owens, chief executive, TBL International Ltd
- Jeff Parker, creative lead, research & development, Merlin Entertainment
- David Rosenberg, vice president, Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Evi Sari, VP of location-based entertainment, WildBrain CPLG
- Lisbeth Skrumsager, head of global design, Merlin Partnership, LEGO
- Linda Spurdle, head of digital, Birmingham Museums Trust
- Mark Stutzman, chief technology officer, AREA15
- Sarah Sutton, CEO, Environment & Culture Partners
- Steve Tatham, executive creative director, Universal Creative
- Christine Wacker, director, business development experiences (LBE), Netflix
- Benjamin Walravens, show producer and attraction designer, Alterface
- Megan Wastell, global creative director, Merlin Entertainments
- Oliver Wood, Director – Adventure & Sport, Red Sea Global
What do previous winners say?
“Electrosonic was delighted to be part of Blooloop’s Festival of Innovation 2022. It was a fantastic opportunity to learn, celebrate and recognize companies and projects that champion innovation within the attractions industry. For the change-makers or those seeking inspiration, this event is a must!”
Alex Westerh, Director of Marketing, Electrosonic, Best in Show 2022 and 1st Place Immersive Experience 2022
“We’re so proud to have participated in this year’s Innovation Awards, we’re so impressed with the calibre of the entrants, speakers, and judges.
It’s been a very memorable and thought-provoking symposium! Blooloop V-Expo 2021 has been highly inspiring, and very elucidating to see the future of industry events unfold before us, with such guts and skill to boot. Very, very nice work”.
William Duignan, CO-ORDINATOR | LOCATION BASED EXPERIENCE, Weta Workshop, 1st Place Storytelling 2021
Sponsor the blooloop Innovation Awards
Champion the spirit of innovation with an individual category sponsorship.
Sponsors will receive high-profile logo placements, links, a judging position, a blog, AND will lead a panel discussion at the Festival of Innovation.
“[Sponsoring the blooloop Innovation Awards] is a great way for AREA15 to engage with the best and brightest in experiential entertainment and gives us a first look at new experiences to see who we can work with.”
Michael Casper, Vice President Business Development, AREA15
Find out more here and contact Alice at events@blooloop.com for more information.
Festival of Innovation
The blooloop Festival of Innovation celebrates the most innovative projects, technologies, and companies within the visitor attractions industry.
The online event will showcase all of this year’s Innovation Award entries. Attendees will also be able to vote for their favourite entry in the Public Vote Award.
Registration is now open and you can see more information here.