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The blooloop
Innovation Awards 2026
blooloop is delighted to announce the launch of the sixth Innovation Awards — our annual celebration of ingenuity and creativity in the visitor attractions business. The Awards shine a spotlight on what the smartest minds in the industry are thinking, designing and building.
What are the Innovation Awards?
The blooloop Innovation Awards, presented with AREA15, celebrate the incredible creativity, imagination and dynamism that drives the attractions business.
Our judges are high-profile thought leaders and industry experts from some of the world's leading visitor attractions. Each year, they look for the most innovative products and projects that are shaping the future of the visitor experience.
The winners will be announced at our online Festival of Innovation event in January 2027.
In the new AI-powered search landscape, your visibility matters more than ever. Entering the awards doesn't just put you in front of judges today — it locks your brand into a trusted digital domain that AI engines will crawl, index, and cite for years to come.
Awards Partner
”Innovation thrives when great ideas are seen, shared, and challenged. blooloop is essential to that ecosystem—spotlighting the people, projects, and thinking that are redefining the future of experiential entertainment. We’re proud to support the Innovation Awards and the global community blooloop brings together.”
Why enter the Innovation Awards?
Prove you're an innovator
Join the incredible companies who have won previously and be recognised as a true innovator in the industry.
Permanent SEO asset
Showcase your innovation to the world's biggest audience of attractions industry professionals and leading AI search engines — with a permanent, dedicated full page in our Innovation Awards Gallery on blooloop.com (DA 75, Top 10 UK AI Visibility).
Celebrate with your team
Leverage your award entry for marketing with clients and to boost team morale.
Gain competitive advantage
Attract new business and talent with the industry's most respected innovation badge.
Be seen as a thought leader
Opt for a Deluxe Entry to speak in a panel alongside our judges at the Festival of Innovation.
What are the 2026 categories?
- Accessibility
- Blue Sky
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Brand RealisationFuzzy Lightbulb
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Creative TechnologyHolovis
- Exhibit — Animals
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Exhibit — CultureMuseum EXP
- Experiential Technology
- Family
- Game On
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Guest JourneyOn The Stage
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Immersive AttractionProIO
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Immersive ExperienceMance Communications
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Immersive Experience — CulturalBlue Telescope
- Marketing
- Retail & Dining
- Spectacular
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SplashOpenAire
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StorytellingFORREC
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Storytelling — CultureBeWunder
- Sustainability
- Thrills
Three steps to enter the 2026 Awards
Pick your tier & category
Choose Standard, Standard Plus, or Deluxe. Choose which of our 21 categories best suits your entry.
Submit your entry
Tell us why it's innovative: the challenge, the creative solution, and the impact you delivered.
Be judged & recognised
Winners announced live at blooloop's online Festival of Innovation 20-21 January 2027.
How do I enter the Innovation Awards?
Standard Entry
Get your work in front of the judges.
£440
- 1 award category
- Permanent AI-optimised page on blooloop.com
- Event newsletter & feature
- Festival of Innovation panel discussion
Amazing Value
Standard Plus
Maximise your entry.
£880
- 2 award categories
- Permanent AI-optimised page on blooloop.com
- Event newsletter & feature
- Festival of Innovation panel discussion
Deluxe Entry
Highest profile — speak alongside our judges.
£2,000
- 2 award categories
- Permanent AI-optimised page on blooloop.com
- Event newsletter & feature
- Festival of Innovation panel discussion
Category sponsorships
Champion the spirit of innovation with a category sponsorship.
The judges
Nick DiMatteoSenior Vice President of Game Operations and Strategy / CEOFamily Entertainment Group / Fortyfivegames
Morgane KeeslingSr. Manager, Creative DevelopmentDisneyland Paris
ShepCo-FounderFuzzy Lightbulb
Judith ZissmanExecutive Creative DirectorBlue Telescope
Xuanqi ZhangPresidentKaiqi Group
Olivia WyrickGeneral ManagerMeryal Waterpark
Sarah SuttonCEOECP
Mark StutzmanChief Operating & Technology OfficerAREA15
Lora SaulsAssistant Director Entertainment Creative DevelopmentUniversal Orlando Entertainment
Sophie RouseDirector of AudiencesV&A
Nancy PettersonDirector Design & Business DevelopmentOpenAire
Sara PaschDirector of Integrated MediaObama Presidential Center
Judith Owenschief executiveTBL International
Stephanie MoreheadSr. Program Manager | Global Business Strategy & IntegrationDisney Live Entertainment
Nick MastersHead of Business DevelopmentOn the Stage
Meritaten ManceFounder and DirectorMance Communications
Shaowei LiDeputy General ManagerElephant Sculpture Art Co.,ltd
Traci LewandChief Experience OfficerSan Antonio Zoo
Mary LevinskyVisual Merchandise DesignerUniversal Destinations and Experiences
Lena LeeExecutive Vice President, Attractions & Destination ExperienceResorts World Sentosa
Katrina Latexperience designer, producer, and client strategist
Margaret KerrisonFounder/OwnderMCK Creative
Joe HerringtonPrincipal Media DesignerWalt Disney Imagineering
Toby HarrisPresident and CEOState of Play
Uri GrinbaumArt DirectorFORREC
Suzanne GrimmerSr. Director of Museum ExperiencesHolocaust Center of Florida / Holocaust Museum for Hope & Humanity
Winston FisherCEOAREA15
Stuart EdgingtonGlobal BD DirectorHolovis
Philipp EdelmannSr. Director - Head of Production | ExperiencesNetflix
Latoya Charisse FlowersSenior Multimedia CreativeThe Field Museum
Mario CentolaEVP and COO of International OperationsCEC Entertainment
Michael CasperVP of Business DevelopmentAREA15
Justin BrownVP of DevelopmentAmerican Resort Management
Rosie BrailsfordCreative & Experience Director for North AmericaMerlin Entertainments
Kimberly BenevilleCo-FounderBENEVILLE STUDIOS INC.
Jian HuVice PresidentPop Mart International Group
Jenefer BrownPresident of Lionsgate Global Products & Experiences
Jasmin JodryExecutive Creative Director
Grayson PontiExecutive DirectorZoos and Aquariums for a Neurodiverse Ecosystem (ZANE)
Frederica Petersregional manager EMEA for Live Events and Location Based EntertainmentMattel
Erin Meyerchief program officerAmerican Humane Society
Eng. Al Yaqdhan bin Abdullah Al HarthiDirector GeneralOman Across Ages Museum
Deana TaylorVice President Operations Innovation & TransformationMiral
Damian NormanDirector, Immersive Entertainment & EventsExcel London
Chris Langechief creative officer and ownerCreative Studio Berlin
Bridgette BywaterPark PresidentCarowinds
Brice HelmanFounder and CEOProIO
Brent BushnellFounderTwo Bit Circus
Bob DennisSenior Director of Resort DevelopmentUniversal Beijing Resort
Bart KresaFounderBARTKRESA studio
Asa KalamaCreative ExecutiveWalt Disney Imagineering
Amy NaplesChief Marketing OfficerAREA15
AJ AnnunziataHead of CreativeAREA15
Steve AlcornCEOAlcorn McBride<p>Nick brings more than a quarter century of experience across food and beverage, and entertainment. </p><p>His career spans operational leadership, business development, amusement strategy, and team development, with a focus on improving guest experiences and financial performance.</p><p>Following several years in multiunit food and beverage management, Nick entered the amusement industry with Namco Cybertainment, holding roles in both inline stores and route operations. He later served as Northeast Director of Operations at Tricorp Amusements before joining Dave & Buster’s. As Director of Amusement Strategy, he supported companywide programs to improve operational efficiency and drive net profit. He subsequently served as Vice President of Operations and Business Development for Pinnacle Entertainment Group. </p><p>Nick currently serves as Senior Vice President of Game Operations and Strategy at Family Entertainment Group, leading equipment lifecycle strategy, technical operations, parts and service, purchasing, and cost management. His work centers on building the systems and teams needed to support growth. He also remains CEO of Fortyfivegames, providing design, and mentorship to amusement organizations in the United States and abroad.</p><p>Nick completed Drexel University’s Corporate Education program, studying Computer and Information Technology Administration and Management, and serves on the IAAPA M&S Committee. </p><p>Originally from Philadelphia, he moved with his family to the Dallas Fort Worth area in 2021. Most importantly, he is a proud father of three daughters and two sons, with one rescue pupper rounding out the family.</p>
<p>Born in Los Angeles, Morgane is a Franco-American creative whose passion for Themed Entertainment began with a childhood visit to Disneyland Paris. Inspired by Disney’s ability to bring stories to life, she pursued a degree in Animation with a specialisation in Theme Park Design, determined to turn her childhood dream into a career.</p><p>Her professional journey led her to explore a wide range of creative disciplines, from designing and directing stage shows and themed attractions to immersive experiences, museum exhibitions, and animatronics. During her time as Art Director of Disney Interactive Experiences, she developed her expertise in immersive storytelling. Passionate about nurturing talent and giving back to the industry, she became a professor at LBSU and LCAD, founded the Themed Entertainment Creative Academy during the pandemic, and served on industry boards for nearly a decade to support the creative community and its next generation of talent.</p><p>Today, Morgane serves as Senior Manager of Creative Development for Disney Live Entertainment at Disneyland Paris. Over the past three years, she has led the creative teams behind the resort’s new and ongoing spectacles, from the debut of Disney Tales of Magic to the opening of Disney Adventure World. As a creative leader, she is dedicated to empowering her teams, fostering collaboration, and supporting the talented creatives and designers who continue to push the boundaries of live entertainment and immersive storytelling.</p>
<p>Over the past twenty years, Shep has led the design and development of several major multimillion entertainment brand propositions, spending time in Europe, South America, the Caribbean, and the US. Shep’s wealth of experience spans theatre, festivals, theme parks, resorts, cruise, immersive entertainment, broadcasting, and a particular passion for developing character proposition and IP concepts.</p><p>Shep trained in theatre at Bretton Hall, then Film & Media History at Kings College London. Credits include Merlin Entertainment Group, Arts Council England, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, The BBC, Warner Brothers, Parque Reunidos, Nickelodeon, Cunard, P&O Cruises, Marella Cruises, Landal, Ocean Point, The Maho Group, Ministry of Sound, Sonesta, Eden Rock & Belmond.</p><p>Shep is responsible for leading the thoughtful innovation and creative development of new experiences for our clients. “In everything Fuzzy Lightbulb does, we think ‘experience’, designing tailored concepts and creative strategies that put client goals at the centre of our thinking. We pride ourselves on pushing our team and our clients to think about ‘what’s next’ and ‘what’s best’ for their audience.”</p>
<p>Judith Zissman believes in the power of transformative experiences to build understanding, forge connection, invite possibility, and inspire change. As Executive Creative Director of <a href="https://www.bluetelescope.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(5, 117, 222);" target="_blank">Blue Telescope</a>, she leads teams of designers and technologists in creating digital interactives with compelling stories and human connection.</p><p>Zissman began her career in independent film production and distribution in New York City, then expanded to digital media and web technology, moving to Silicon Valley to explore new opportunities for innovation and product development before returning to the world of experience design with Blue Telescope.</p><p>Her cross-industry foundation in creative problem solving, client relationship management, and product ideation and strategy complements her expertise in experience design, fine art, and narrative strategy. A passion for inclusivity and diversity fuels her desire to use her skills to create memorable work that reflects, celebrates, and shares the scope of human experience.</p><p>At Blue Telescope, Zissman relishes the opportunity to bring projects with difficult or complex topics to life with rigor, compassion, and clarity. Recent clients include <a href="https://blooloop.com/museum/news/blue-telescope-sloan-museum/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(5, 117, 222);" target="_blank">Sloan History Gallery</a>, Kennedy Space Center, Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum, Sing Sing Prison Museum, and Historic Hudson Valley (Kofi’s Fire). Judith graduated with honors in Modern Culture and Media from Brown University and is a volunteer with Tech for Campaigns.</p>
<p>Graduated with a Master’s degree from UCL in 2023, joined Kaiqi Group in December 2023 as an Assistant to the General Manager’s Office; in January 2024, joined the assembly workshop at Kaiqi Group as an installer; in March 2024, was transferred to the International Trade Department of Kaiqi Group as Deputy Director; in June 2024, was promoted to Director of the International Trade Department at Kaiqi Group; in October 2024, concurrently assumed the role of Director of the New Media Department at Kaiqi Group; Promoted to Vice-President of Kaiqi Group in January 2025; promoted to Executive Vice-President of Kaiqi Group in October 2025; assumed the additional role of Chairman of Lefei’er Cultural Tourism Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Kaiqi Group, in April 2026; promoted to President of Kaiqi Group and Chairman of Lefei’er Cultural Tourism in June 2026.</p>
<p>Olivia Wyrick continues her career in the Middle East being recently appointed as the General Manager of Meryal Waterpark, located in Doha, Qatar. Olivia’s success in the region stems from not only operating some of the largest waterparks in the Middle East, but also being involved in design & development of such assets. Previous to Meryal, Olivia served at the Senior Director of Operations & Aquatics at Aquarabia Water Theme Park, within Qiddiya City located just outside of Riyadh, KSA where she was involved with design, development and the preopening of the waterpark. The preparation and readiness for her work in Saudi was served in her role as Director or Operations for Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis Dubai where she played a critical role in 4 expansion projects for the waterpark in addition to over seeing the day to day operation of the waterpark, pools and beaches. Olivia’s passion for the industry stems from 27 years of overall experience where she gives back through mentorship to the next generation of the industry’s leaders as well as her volunteer work with IAAPA.</p>
<p>For over 30 years, <a href="https://blooloop.com/museum/influencer/sarah-sutton/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(5, 117, 222);" target="_blank">Sarah Sutton</a> has led the US museum sector in sustainability and climate action.</p><p>She is CEO of <a href="https://ecprs.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(5, 117, 222);" target="_blank">Environment and Culture Partners</a>, a non-profit organisation dedicated to strengthening and broadening the <a href="https://blooloop.com/sustainability/in-depth/environment-culture-partners-interview/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(5, 117, 222);" target="_blank">environmental leadership of the cultural sector</a>. She co-founded the company in 2021 with <a href="https://blooloop.com/museum/influencer/stephanie-shapiro/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(5, 117, 222);" target="_blank">Stephanie Shapiro</a>.</p><p>She is the co-author of “The Green Museum: A Primer on Environmental Practice”, published in 2008, and was also a founding board member of AAM’s Professional Network dedicated to <a href="https://blooloop.com/sustainability/in-depth/greenloop-24-inspiring-climate-action/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(5, 117, 222);" target="_blank">sustainability</a>.</p><p>Sutton was recognised with the AAM Environment and Climate Network’s first Individual Impact Award in 2019. She was the plenary speaker for the International Council of Museums and represented the US Cultural Sector’s climate work at COP25. Sutton was one of 100 global representatives invited to advise ICOMOS-IPCC-UNESCO on the role of cultural heritage in IPCC Assessments, and also represented the US cultural sector at COP26.</p><p>She was voted into the blooloop 50 Museum Influencer list for 2022 and 2023.</p>
<p>Mark Stutzman serves as global chief technology officer for AREA15, the world’s first purpose-built immersive entertainment district located parallel to the Las Vegas Strip, and parent company Fisher Brothers, a New York-based real estate and investment firm. AREA15 offers live events, immersive activations, monumental art installations, extraordinary design elements, unique retail, ground-breaking technology, bars and eateries and much more. Welcoming more than 17 million visitors since opening its doors in 2020, AREA15 now offers even more immersive destinations and experiences across Zone 2: The Terminals, including Universal Destinations & Experiences’ year-round horror entertainment experience Universal Horror Unleashed.</p><p>In his role, Stutzman oversees technology strategy, custom application development, infrastructure and vendor relationships across both AREA15 and Fisher Brothers. Working collaboratively and cross-functionally with development, construction, design, marketing, production and operations, he built the technology infrastructure that enhances the visitor experience at AREA15. He also leads Fisher Brothers’ AI Innovation Lab, a dedicated team that applies artificial intelligence to custom application development, tenant and guest experience and internal operations across both organisations. He reports directly to Winston Fisher, chief executive officer of AREA15 and partner at Fisher Brothers. </p><p>Under Stutzman’s leadership, the AI Innovation Lab has built a growing portfolio of custom AI-powered applications that replace traditional off-the-shelf software, spanning ticketing and yield management, sales outreach, workforce scheduling and event programming. He has also driven enterprise-wide deployment of AI and a connected AI-based data architecture linking internal systems across both organisations.</p>
<p>Lora Sauls began her career at Universal Orlando 29 years ago as a singing and dancing Bride of Frankenstein in the Beetlejuice Graveyard Review. From the moment she performed on stage at Universal Orlando, she knew this would be her home.</p><p>In 1998, Sauls choreographed her first <a href="https://blooloop.com/theme-park/in-depth/halloween-horror-nights-evolution/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(5, 117, 222);" target="_blank">Halloween Horror Nights</a> shows, and ever since, she has worked on all aspects of HHN, from being creative director of haunted houses and scare zones to directing shows. Her passion for HHN now leads the creative team behind all the content.</p><p>Sauls and her team have backgrounds in writing, choreography, staging, and directing, and they lead creative projects at Universal Orlando’s Marquee Productions, including Halloween Horror Nights, the Grinchmas programme, all Universal parades, Mardi Gras, Mega Movie, and Holiday events.</p><p>Sauls has a passion for creating a creative village that encourages multiple teams to collaborate and develop fresh ideas.</p>
<p>Sophie is the V&A’s Director of Audiences, leading the museum’s brand, marketing, communications, digital engagement, content, and experience teams. She is responsible for growing and diversifying audiences across the V&A’s family of venues and digital platforms.</p><p>Since joining the V&A in 2019, Sophie has led the brand transformation of the V&A from a South Kensington-focused museum into a multi-site global brand, directing award-winning campaigns and launching Young V&A and V&A East, all in support of the museum’s mission to champion creativity in all its forms, for everyone.</p><p>With more than 20 years’ experience across media and cultural organisations, Sophie is passionate about using insight and creativity to engage diverse audiences and create meaningful impact. Before joining the V&A, she was Marketing and Communications Director at Girl Effect, the global non-profit founded by the Nike Foundation. Previously, as Marketing Director at Myspace, she led marketing for a community of more than 100 million music fans, and at Channel 4 she worked across current affairs, sport, and factual programming to grow audiences and reputation. Sophie also worked agency-side as Head of Planning at Anomaly and began her career at Ogilvy.</p>
<p>Nancy Patterson is a senior business leader in the commercial entertainment and attractions industry, with over 25 years of experience and more than a decade with OpenAire. Working with clients globally, she brings a unique blend of business development and design expertise to the creation of complex, experience-driven destinations. </p><p>As Director of Design & Business Development, Nancy builds client, market, and sales opportunities by aligning architects, developers, and project owners with solutions that support their project goals and market positioning. Her work spans the full project lifecycle, from early-stage visioning through execution, including programming, budgeting, partnerships, team development, planning, and creative direction across the commercial attractions space. </p><p>Known as a big-picture thinker and problem solver, Nancy helps uncover opportunities for expanded service offerings for OpenAire while guiding projects through key milestones in design and construction. This includes development and writing for multiple courses with the American Institute of Architects earning architects both continuing Education, Green Build and health, safety and wellness accreditation. </p><p>In addition to leading a diverse portfolio of projects and client relationships, Nancy drives strategic growth as an active thought leader, speaker, writer, and content contributor across a range of publications and industry organisations. </p><p>Nancy is deeply engaged in the global attractions’ community through her work with IAAPA. She was a writer for the 2021 ICAE & ICAP certification exams and served on IAAPA’s Space Allocation Committee. She has been a speaker for at IAAPA International Expo events and is in her fourth consecutive year supporting IAAPA’s mentorship program and is a member of the inaugural IAAPA North American Sustainability Committee Task Force, reflecting her ongoing commitment to advancing sustainable practices within the attractions industry. </p>
<p>Sara Pasch is a creative project leader with two decades of experience bringing museum exhibitions and digital experiences to life. Her work spans exhibition design, wayfinding, film, interactive media, and digital strategy, with projects for institutions including the Smithsonian, The Mob Museum, the FDR Presidential Library, and Ford’s Theatre. Sara has worked for leading experience design firms including Gallagher & Associates, Threespot, and Bluecadet.</p><p>At the Obama Presidential Center Museum, Sara leads integrated media projects from creative vision through execution. Over the past five years, she oversaw the development of 58 film and interactive experiences for the inaugural exhibitions.</p>
<p>Judith Owens is Chief Executive at TBL International Ltd (TBL), a Tourism and Attractions management consultancy and operator of the award-winning Titanic Belfast and SS Nomadic. In her role with TBL International, Judith acts as lead consultant offering practical, insight-led guidance and knowledge to businesses on a wide range of projects covering a variety of sectors.</p><p>With experience spanning nearly three decades, unrivalled knowledge of the attractions, tourism and events industry and an exceptional track record, she is one of the UK’s most experienced and established management professionals. She is a former board member of the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA), Visit Belfast and Chair of the Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance (NITA)</p><p>Prior to her role as Chief Executive at TBL, Judith, as Operations Director, was part of the opening team for Titanic Belfast and oversaw the daily operations and strategic planning for all three of TBL’s venues, ensuring a consistent and seamless five-star service. Judith also previously managed the Waterfront & Ulster Hall.</p><p>She is passionate about inclusive tourism and previously chaired Adapt NI, a local charity that promoted equality for people with disabilities through accessibility to arts venues.</p>
<p>Stephanie has been with the Walt Disney Co. for over 30 years, where she began her Disney parks career as a performer and has since held many different leadership roles. In her current role as a Sr. Program Manager, she supports the Global Business Strategy Integration efforts, including fostering entertainment industry relationships. She is exceedingly proud to participate in industry committees and judging panels in support of the worldwide Entertainment community. On the other side of her life, Stephanie is a director and voice/performance coach and loves helping young people gain confidence and share in the joy of theatre.</p>
<p>Nick is Head of Business Development at On The Stage, the ticketing platform for experiences, attractions and performing arts venues. He brings experience across a range of industries, helping businesses improve performance, manage growth, and navigate operational challenges, with particular expertise in UX/UI, systems analysis, and business planning.</p><p>He is known for his commercial insight into experiences, attractions, and theatre, and for delivering practical solutions that support long-term success. Above all, Nick is focused on building the systems and technology that will continue to drive the growth of the experience economy for many years to come.</p>
<p>Founder and Director of Experience Lifestyle PR Agency Mance Communications, and currently listed on the blooloop 50, Meritaten has developed the PR strategies for many of the UK’s more prominent lifestyle and immersive experiences as well as working with and alongside international studios and IP-led brands including Disney, Universal, BBC and Mattel. </p><p>Meritaten’s experience across traditional hospitality, f&b brands, luxury hotels and more recently helping spearhead the breakthrough of the immersive and experience industry has helped brands such as Disney100: The Exhibition, Minecraft: Villager Rescue, Traitors: The Live Experience, Jurassic World: The Exhibition, Swingers - The Crazy Golf Club, Squid Game: The Experience, The Friends Experience (across the UK), Race Across the World: The Experience, The Crystal Maze Live Experience, Sherlock: The Game is Now, Chaos Karts, Gravity, Peaky Blinders: The Rise, Patty & Bun, Night Tales Shoreditch & Phantom Peak become successful household names with successful followings amongst consumers. She also works alongside ticketing agencies such as Fever and Live Nation as well as dedicated industry bodies IEN, WXO and Experience UK.</p><p><br/></p>
<p>Shaowei Li, Deputy General Manager of Zhongshan Elephant Sculpture Art Co., Ltd., has over 20 years’ experience in design and industry management. He has long been responsible for front-end operations such as market development, project planning, strategic planning and commercial partnerships. He has spearheaded the company’s transition from spatial design to brand-oriented, eco-friendly operations, with its business portfolio spanning numerous cultural and tourism projects both domestically and overseas.</p><p>He was honoured with the title of ‘Leading Figure in the Cultural and Tourism Industry’ at the 2022 Amusement Industry Golden Crown Awards. He has served on the judging panel for the China Amusement Industry Golden Crown Awards on multiple occasions, represented the company at industry summits on numerous occasions, and been interviewed by mainstream media. He is a seasoned professional in themed amusement spaces, combining artistic sensibility with commercial acumen.</p>
<p>Traci Lewand currently serves as the chief experience officer at <a href="https://blooloop.com/animals/in-depth/san-antonio-zoo/" rel="noopener noreferrer">San Antonio Zoo,</a> where she brings over 25 years of experience in operations and event management across the tourism and hospitality industries.</p><p>Her career has spanned key roles at SeaWorld San Antonio and Hemisfair, where she made significant contributions to the development and success of both organisations.</p><p>At SeaWorld, Lewand managed a diverse range of operational functions, from admissions to special events, rides, and guest services. She was instrumental in overseeing park quality, waterparks, and training programs, ensuring a seamless guest experience.</p><p>In 2015, Lewand transitioned to Hemisfair, where she helped with the redevelopment of the historic site of the 1968 World’s Fair. As the Director of Events, she played a crucial role in building and executing some of San Antonio’s largest and most culturally significant festivals, several of which earned national recognition for their scale and impact.</p><p>Lewand is deeply involved in the San Antonio community, serving as a board member for the San Antonio Visitor Alliance, Respite Care of San Antonio (Gala Chair), and the Metro San Antonio Chamber of Commerce (Government Affairs Committee Vice-Chair).</p><p>She is also on the Council of Commissioners for Women in Film & Television Texas and serves on the Reddix Center School Advisory Committee.</p><p>A passionate advocate for inclusion, Lewand founded ChangingSA, a community awareness initiative aimed at addressing the need for universal changing stations. Inspired by her 13-year-old son, Mason, who requires such facilities to participate in community activities.</p><p>Lewand’s advocacy efforts have led to the installation of universal changing stations in various locations throughout San Antonio.</p>
<p>Mary Levinsky is a visual merchandise designer at Universal Destinations & Experiences with a background as a retail business owner, interior designer, and recent graduate of UCF’s Themed Experience MS program.</p><p>"I love bold, vibrant design, colour, storytelling, and immersive retail," says Levinsky.</p><p>"I love being in the themed experience industry and am constantly inspired by how creative and ever-changing it is.</p><p>"For innovation in retail design, I’m most impressed when a display not only captivates visually but also immerses the guest in a story, engaging them so they want to take a piece of it home.</p><p>"I look for design that sparks joy, invites guest interaction, and incorporates unique or unexpected materials."</p>
<p>Lena Lee is the Executive Vice President, Attractions & Destination Experience at Resorts World Sentosa, where she oversees the strategic direction, operations, and growth of the resort's attractions and experiential businesses. A highly respected leader in the attractions and entertainment industry, Lena brings nearly 20 years of international experience leading complex operations, transformative guest experiences, and large-scale organisational teams across Asia and the United States.</p><p>Prior to RWS, she served as Senior Vice President of Park Operations at Universal Studios Japan, responsible for operations across attractions, food and beverage, retail, guest services, and signature seasonal events. Her career includes leadership roles in the opening and operation of iconic destinations such as Resorts World Sentosa and Universal Studios Singapore, as well as involvement in major global events including the Beijing Olympics, the NBA, and the International Champions Cup.</p><p>Known for her collaborative leadership style and commitment to innovation, Lena is passionate about cultivating talent, advancing inclusive leadership, and delivering exceptional guest experiences that create long-term value for both guests and organisations.</p>
<p>Katrina Lat is a Toronto-based experience designer, producer, and client strategist operating at the intersection of creativity + commerce across events, immersive experiences, and cultural programming. She holds an HBA from Ivey Business School.</p><p>Over the past decade, Katrina has attended 1000+ immersive works across three continents, grounding her practice in one of the most robust bodies of firsthand field research in the immersive sector. She has spoken about experience design at events such as London Experience Week, FITC, SXSW, and the Next Stage Immersive Summit. At FITC Toronto in April 2025, she first launched the AURA framework for determining the overall quality of an immersive experience. </p><p>Katrina has worked as an experience designer for a variety of artists, conferences, and corporations, including the College of Extraordinary Experiences and Microsoft. She is a member of the 2026 Odyssey Works EDCP Cohort and a Curator for No Proscenium.</p><p>As a photographer, her work has been used by the BBC, Toronto Star, CBC, and in collaborations with Jack Daniel’s, Live Nation, Grolsch, and Samsung. </p>
<p>MCK Creative is a boutique creative consultancy led by Margaret Chandra Kerrison — a narrative experience designer, published author, and creative lead with 20 years building stories that people can walk through. She previously worked for Disney Imagineering, Airbnb, and other design agencies working with clients that include Fortune 500 companies, theme parks, museums, real estate developers, architectural firms, media organisations, cultural institutions, and global brands navigating the space between traditional media and live experience. She is a published author of four books—Immersive Storytelling for Real and Imagined Worlds (MWP, 2022), Reimagined Worlds: Narrative Placemaking for People, Play, and Purpose (ORO Editions, 2024), and The Art of Immersive Storytelling: Strategies from the Gaming World (MWP, 2025). This past March, she released her latest book, Los Angeles Lost and Found: Essays on Identity, Place, and Belonging (ORO Editions, 2026), a collection of personal essays that examines the city through the lens of migration, memory, culture, and identity. She is a frequent speaker and guest lecturer.</p>
<p><a href="https://blooloop.com/theme-park/influencer/joe-herrington/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Joe Herrington</a> was born and grew up in the cattle country and oil fields of West Texas. He served in the U.S. Army as a drill instructor at Fort Knox, KY, then as a platoon sergeant in Korea until 1969. Returning to civilian life, he directed commercials, news, and local programming for KMID-TV in Odessa/Midland, Texas.</p><p>In 1973 he became the production director for the Reuben Fleet Space Center in San Diego, California, writing and producing all public programming. Late in his eighth year with Fleet, he was discovered and asked to come to <a href="https://sites.disney.com/waltdisneyimagineering/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Walt Disney Imagineering</a> to head up a sound effects department and produce soundtracks for all of <a href="https://blooloop.com/disney/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Disney’s theme park attractions</a>. During his time with Disney, he also became a novelist and Western storyteller, travelling internationally, telling stories of the American West. Joe is now in his 43rd year with Walt Disney Imagineering as an Audio Media Designer.</p>
<p>Toby Harris is the President and CEO of State of Play Hospitality, a rapidly growing social entertainment platform that creates and operates technology-enabled concepts designed to bring people together through play.</p><p> </p><p>A people-focused leader and proven value creator, Toby combines deep operational expertise with a strong financial background to scale innovative hospitality businesses. Since founding State of Play in 2018, he has transformed the company from a single three-venue concept into one of the fastest-growing and most innovative operators in the competitive socialising sector, with three unique concepts operating across 15 venues in North America and the UK.</p><p> </p><p>State of Play’s portfolio includes Flight Club, a proprietary Social Darts® experience that the company licenses and operates in North America; AceBounce, a premium social ping pong concept; and Hijingo, an immersive bingo concept launched in London in 2021.</p><p> </p><p>Under Toby’s leadership, State of Play has built a rapidly expanding North American platform with a strong pipeline of new locations planned across the country. Across all of its concepts, the company combines technology-enabled gameplay, design-led environments, and elevated food and beverage to deliver premium hospitality experiences.</p><p> </p><p>Toby is widely recognised as a leading voice in experiential hospitality and the future of play-driven social experiences. His leadership philosophy combines disciplined financial strategy, thoughtful site selection and an unwavering focus on guest experience, repeat visitation and sustainable long-term returns.</p><p> </p><p>Before founding State of Play, Toby held senior leadership roles across hospitality, hotels and private equity-backed businesses. He served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of D&D London, where he oversaw a portfolio of more than 40 upscale restaurants, 2,000 team members and approximately $200 million CAD in annual revenue. Earlier in his career, he led the turnaround and expansion of a UK coffee chain, transforming it from a loss-making 70-store operator into a profitable franchise business with more than 120 locations across the UK and Ireland. Toby also served as Finance Director for Hilton’s London region, its largest and most profitable business unit at the time, and held C-suite and board roles within high-growth private equity-backed companies that were successfully sold to strategic buyers.</p><p> </p><p>Toby began his career in investment banking and qualified as a Chartered Accountant with PwC. Today, he is regarded as one of the hospitality industry’s foremost strategists in scaling experiential concepts that deliver both exceptional guest experiences and strong financial performance.</p><p><br/></p>
<p>Uri Grinbaum is an Art Director at Toronto-based experience design company, FORREC. With over 20 years in the industry, his career has spanned furniture, residential, retail, and hospitality before shifting his focus to experiential design.</p><p>Uri leads multidisciplinary teams with a focus on storytelling, creative problem-solving, and collaboration, guiding projects of all scales from early concept through completion. A strong relationship builder and mentor, Uri thrives in environments where different disciplines and ideas collide, evolve, and become meaningful experiences. He brings a service-focused approach and a distinctive narrative perspective to his work.</p><p>Uri is an active member of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) and the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA).</p>
<p>Suzanne Grimmer is a museum professional with more than a decade of experience specialising in exhibitions, collections management, archives, and public history. She currently serves as Senior Director of Museum Experiences for the Holocaust Museum for Hope & Humanity in Orlando, where she leads exhibitions, collections, public programming, and interpretive planning for the institution's new museum project.</p><p>Prior to her current role, Suzanne held museum and archives positions at leading cultural institutions, including the Motown Museum, where she served as Collections Manager during the museum's transformational capital expansion. Her work has spanned museum development, collections stewardship, large-scale digitisation initiatives, and the creation of visitor-centred experiences that make complex history accessible to diverse audiences.</p><p>Suzanne holds a Master of Library and Information Science from Louisiana State University and a bachelor's degree in public history from Western Michigan University. She has presented nationally on museum collections, archives, and digital preservation through organisations including the Society of American Archivists and the American Alliance of Museums, and she remains actively involved in professional museum organisations across the United States.</p>
<p><a href="https://blooloop.com/theme-park/influencer/winston-fisher/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Winston Fisher</a> serves as Chief Executive Officer of AREA15, the world’s first purpose-built immersive entertainment district located minutes from the Las Vegas Strip. <a href="https://blooloop.com/immersive/news/area15-expansion-interstellar-arc-experience/" rel="noopener noreferrer">AREA15 continues to grow in Las Vegas and across the globe</a>. Welcoming nearly 5 million visitors since opening its doors in 2020, AREA15 Las Vegas is expanding across 20 acres to its north. In addition, AREA15 announced its first licensed pop-up location as part of Riyadh’s Boulevard World.</p><p><a href="https://area15.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">With a curated mix of dynamic destinations</a>, AREA15 represents what’s next in experiential entertainment. The project represents a joint venture between real estate development firm Fisher Brothers and creative agency Beneville Studios, both of New York.</p><p>As CEO of AREA15, Fisher exercises his creative muscles and characteristically ambitious vision every day. As a first-of-its-kind venture occupying its own brand-new category, AREA15 represents the culmination of Fisher’s career-spanning passion for innovation and aspirational approach to every project he undertakes. He is the leading industry voice of the experience economy, speaking across the globe at conferences and conventions about the future of immersive experiences.</p><p>Fisher hails from New York and has extraordinary experience in real estate and financial investing. Possessing a lifelong interest in real estate while pursuing an early career in finance provides Fisher with an exceptionally intuitive and knowledgeable business mindset.</p>
<p>Stuart Edgington is Global Director of Business Development at Holovis, where he helps shape the company’s global growth strategy across immersive entertainment, attractions and experiential technology. With a background spanning data analytics, artificial intelligence, computer vision and product innovation, Stuart has played a key role in developing technologies that power next-generation guest experiences.</p>
<p>A global executive in the entertainment and attractions industry, Philipp is leading the development and production of dozens of award winning experiences around the World. As Head of Production for Netflix Experiences, Philipp oversees an ambitious array of new and innovative projects such as the global tours of Stranger Things and Squid Game Experiences, Bridgerton's The Queen's Ball, Netflix Bites Restaurants as well as Netflix House, Netflix’s push into global, permanent experience destinations. </p><p>His previous work includes the production of permanent brand experiences for brands like Coca-Cola, Ford, Heineken and NASA as well as working closely with government bodies of the United States and the European Union for World EXPO pavilions. He's been recognized several times, including Cleo Awards for his work at Netflix and multiple TEA Awards.</p>
<p>Latoya Flowers is a multimedia creative, filmmaker, and creative leader specialising in exhibition storytelling and immersive visitor experiences. She develops narrative-driven media that connects audiences with science, history, and culture through film, sound, interactive media, projection, and environmental storytelling.</p><p>As Senior Multimedia Creative at the Field Museum, Latoya leads the creative development of media for travelling, temporary, and permanent exhibitions. She collaborates with curators, scientists, designers, developers, artists, composers, and media integration teams to transform complex research and ideas into engaging media experiences. Her approach centres on using media not as a technological feature, but as a storytelling tool that creates emotional connections and meaningful moments for audiences.</p><p>With more than 15 years of experience in media production and storytelling, Latoya brings a multidisciplinary perspective shaped by museum practice, documentary filmmaking, and immersive design.</p><p>Her short documentary Still Searching examines the ongoing crisis of missing Black women and girls through a poetic, human-centred lens. She was named to the blooloop 50 Immersive Influencer list in 2024 in recognition of her contributions to immersive storytelling. Prior to joining the Field Museum, Latoya was a Media Producer at the Adler Planetarium, where she created exhibition media that combined science communication, visual storytelling, and public engagement.</p><p>Throughout her career, Latoya has championed audience-centred storytelling, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the role of media as a powerful tool for connecting people with ideas, places, and one another.</p>
<p>Mario Centola is EVP and COO of International Operations at CEC Entertainment, the parent company of Chuck E. Cheese, the world’s largest family entertainment brand. In this role, he leads operational strategies across the brand’s international portfolio, including expansion into new markets around the world.</p><p>Mario has spent his career in the out-of-home entertainment, theme park, and international development space with experience spanning SeaWorld, Herschend Entertainment, and Six Flags. Prior to joining CEC Entertainment, he held several senior leadership roles at Six Flags Entertainment, including Senior Vice President of In Park Services, Chief Accounting Officer, and Vice President of Financial Planning and Strategy. His responsibilities spanned operations, capital planning, engineering, maintenance, international operations, sales, corporate partnerships, finance, and strategic planning, giving him a broad perspective that combines operational leadership with financial discipline.</p>
<p>Michael Casper is Vice President of Business Development at AREA15, the world’s first purpose-built immersive entertainment district located minutes from the Las Vegas Strip. Since opening in 2020, AREA15 has welcomed more than 16 million guests, establishing itself as a globally recognised destination for immersive art, live entertainment, and cultural experiences.</p><p>In his role, Casper focuses on how immersive entertainment can scale sustainably as a business while still delivering compelling guest experiences. He is responsible for identifying and developing new revenue opportunities across attractions, brand partnerships, and evolving experience formats, while playing a key role in the curation and commercialisation of the AREA15 platform. Working closely with creative teams and operators, he helps translate ambitious concepts into durable, revenue-generating destinations that can grow with audience demand.</p><p>Prior to AREA15, Casper held senior roles at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas and Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) Europe. During his time at AEG, he contributed to the launch and commercial strategy of major sports and entertainment venues in London and Istanbul, gaining international experience in venue operations, live events, and audience development.</p><p>With more than a decade of experience across hospitality and live entertainment, Casper brings a global perspective to building destination-scale experiences.</p><p>Casper holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Washington University in St. Louis.</p>
<p>Justin Brown brings more than 20 years of experience in aquatic operations, maintenance, and waterpark management. As Executive Vice President of Development for American Resort Management (ARM), he leads the planning, development, and execution of portfolio-wide projects, providing strategic oversight and consulting services for waterparks, resorts, and destination attractions across the country.</p><p>Prior to joining American Resort Management, Justin was the Assistant Director of Operations at Universal’s Volcano Bay Water Theme Park in Orlando, FL. In this role, he was responsible for all operational aspects of the park’s 17 attractions and virtual line system, which included an annual attendance of 1.8 million guests. Justin was part of the construction, commissioning, and opening team of Volcano Bay. </p><p>Previous to his work at Universal, Justin was the Director of Aquatics at DelGrosso’s Park and Laguna Splash in Tipton, PA. While there, he led the largest park expansion project in the company’s history, which added a new guest entryway, attractions, and food and beverage concepts. </p><p>While earning his MBA at Penn State University, Justin served as the Coordinator of Aquatics at McCoy Natatorium. In this position, he was responsible for all pool operations, special event coordination, and risk management procedures for the University’s aquatic centre. </p>
<p>Rosie Brailsford is a Creative Director at <a href="https://blooloop.com/theme-park/in-depth/merlin-sustainability-carbon-scope-3/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Merlin Entertainments</a>, where she plays a pivotal role within Merlin Magic Making - the global creative and delivery team behind some of the world’s most iconic entertainment destinations. With over 12 years of experience spanning immersive attractions, exhibitions, and experiential design, Rosie brings a uniquely multidisciplinary perspective as a Creative Director, Art Director, Producer, and Narrative Spatial Designer.</p><p>At Merlin, Rosie leads the creative vision for projects across the <a href="https://blooloop.com/legoland-galacticoaster-opening-date/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Legoland Parks</a> and Global Existing Estate, guiding teams from concept through to installation. Her work emphasises guest-centric design, inclusive storytelling, and collaborative innovation, working closely with a broad range of talent including producers, creative technologists, strategists, and brand leads.</p><p>Rosie is passionate about crafting playful, educational, and meaningful experiences that resonate with audiences of all ages. Her leadership combines strategic thinking with creative flair, ensuring every project not only delights but also inspires.</p>
<p>Kimberly Beneville is a Co-Founder of <a href="https://benevillestudios.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Beneville Studios</a>, an Idea Manifestation Machine based in New York City. With a background in theatre, storytelling has been the primary focus of her career and a skill that has been integral to her work at Beneville Studios.</p><p>Born and raised in Connecticut, Kimberly began working as an actress at a young age. She met her future business partner and husband, Michael Beneville in 2003, during which time they were both working actors, Kimberly as a performer on a hidden camera show and Michael as a host for an Xbox gaming show. Kimberly and Michael’s first projects together focused on creating bespoke objects such as inventive centrepieces for leading event planners. Though Kimberly and Michael have since divorced, they remain best friends and business partners.</p><p>When Kimberly and Michael established Beneville Studios, with Co-Founder and current President Camille Purdy, Kimberly found that her passions for storytelling were best suited to working behind-the-scenes. For the studio’s projects creating commissioned artwork and one-of-a-kind artefacts for exclusive clientele, Kimberly spends countless hours researching and compiling interviews, photos, and footage to construct the story of a client’s life and success. She believes that everyone has a compelling story to tell, and strives to make these stories tangible.</p><p>The project that Kimberly views as one of the masterpieces of her career at Beneville Studios was her work on The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, which provides world-class education to previously disadvantaged girls in South Africa. Kimberly and her team travelled to South Africa to interview the first class of girls to graduate from the school, collecting the students’ expressions of their hopes, dreams, and gratitude, which the studio then wove into a hand-bound commemorative book that was presented to Oprah Winfrey and preserves a magical moment in time for all involved.</p><p>For the Studio’s more recent work on <a href="https://blooloop.com/theme-park/in-depth/area15-immersive-entertainment/" rel="noopener noreferrer">AREA15</a>, a massive experiential retail and entertainment complex off the Las Vegas Strip, Kimberly has played an integral role in researching and securing tenants who will be the best fit for the project.</p><p>She has brought in a wide range of partners, including the Santa Fe art collective <a href="https://blooloop.com/meow-wolf/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Meow Wolf</a>, which brought to AREA15 a permanent interactive exhibition featuring the work of hundreds of local and international artists, and Los Angeles-based Lost Spirits, an immersive distillery experience. Kimberly has also spearheaded the creation of an interactive bazaar offering handmade wearable art, including headpieces, jewellery, goggles, cloaks, bodysuits and more.</p><p>Kimberly currently splits her time between Los Angeles, New York, and Las Vegas.</p>
<p>Jian Hu, Vice President of Pop Mart International Group and General Manager of Pop Land. He is responsible for planning, constructing, and operating Pop Land, having built the park’s entire team and operational system from the ground up. By creating immersive IP experience environments, he has deepened the emotional connection between the brand and consumers.</p>
<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">As President of Lionsgate Global Products & Experiences, </span><a href="https://blooloop.com/theme-park/influencer/jenefer-brown/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(5, 117, 222);" target="_blank">Jenefer Brown</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> has established Lionsgate as a major force in branded entertainment. Brown </span><a href="https://blooloop.com/brands-ip/in-depth/lionsgate-jenefer-brown/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(5, 117, 222);" target="_blank">oversees several key businesses</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> that expand the reach of Lionsgate’s top film and television properties around the world, including location based entertainment, which encompasses branded theme parks and attractions in the U.S., Europe, Middle East and Asia, live entertainment, including Broadway and touring shows and concerts, the interactive games business and the consumer products business.</span></p>
<p><a href="https://blooloop.com/immersive/influencer/jasmin-jodry-2/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jasmin Jodry</a> is an award-winning Executive Creative Director specialising in immersive experience design. Based in New York, she creates transformative Storyliving experiences that blend art, culture, and entertainment to inspire connection and participation. With over 20 years of experience in innovation-led design across the US and Europe, she develops original IP and spatializes existing IP in location-based entertainment—collaborating with clients across entertainment, culture, tech, luxury, and wellness.</p><p>Jasmin leads teams in crafting immersive storyworlds that integrate storytelling, worldbuilding, performance, technology, and game mechanics, designing shared experiences that foster community, well-being, and cultural inspiration—bringing people together with joy and meaning.</p>
<p>Grayson is an emerging zoo/aquarium leader and self-advocate for Autism Spectrum Disorder, Anxiety, ADHD and Sensory Processing Disorder. In addition to his role with ZANE, he serves as a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Diversity Committee, a co-principal investigator on Beyond Access (an NSF-funded initiative focused on neurodiversity in zoos, aquariums, science centres, children's museums and public gardens), and a researcher on Inclusive Workplaces for Neurodivergent Individuals with Developmental Disabilities in Informal STEM Education (IWISE). Grayson’s background is in zoo conservation education and engagement, having worked at three AZA-accredited institutions, working up from teen volunteer to management and earning a Master's in Teaching of Biological Sciences from Miami University's Project Dragonfly. By night, he is a zoo historian and avid wildlife traveller/photographer. </p><p>Growing up with a severely Autistic, epileptic and nonverbal brother and navigating his own neurodivergence, Grayson has always had a strong passion for making the zoo and aquarium profession as inclusive as possible. He has taken every opportunity to use his voice to tell his story and advocate for neurodivergent voices in the zoological community. Grayson sees a great need to nurture and support neurodivergent leaders in the zoo conservation movement and create an environment that sets them up to thrive. He has been blessed with amazing opportunities and mentors in the profession and wants to ensure all neurodivergent individuals have the same opportunity. </p><p>Grayson currently lives in the Salt Lake City metro area with his wife Courtney. When not doing zoo activities, he is probably wildlife watching, travelling, hiking, enjoying Disney animation, going to a museum or seeing a musical.</p>
<p>Frederica Peters (née Swallow) is the Regional Lead EMEA, Location Based Entertainment for <a href="https://corporate.mattel.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Mattel</a>. Frederica leads a team across <a href="https://blooloop.com/theme-park/in-depth/mattel-adventure-park/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Theme Parks and Permanent Attractions</a>, Live Entertainment, Hospitality, and Exhibitions. With brands, such as Barbie™, Hot Wheels™ and Thomas & Friends™, in the Mattel portfolio, Frederica is an expert at creating memorable consumer experiences which empower the next generation to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential.</p><p>Frederica is a specialist in creative project management and has launched attractions such as ‘Barbie: The Exhibition’ at the Design Museum London, ‘Thomas & Percy’s Submarine Splash’ at Drayton Manor Resort, the world’s first ‘All Engines Go’ theme park ride and managed a touring attractions portfolio including Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live and Barbie: A Cultural Icon Exhibition.</p><p>Previously, Frederica managed global events and marketing for the Virgin Racing Formula-E team, before leading the Sales, Events and Groups team for Hyatt UK as Events & Groups Director. Frederica has been in the industry over ten years since her graduation from the University of Nottingham.</p>
<p>Erin Meyer is the chief program officer of the American Humane Society</p>
<p><a href="https://blooloop.com/museum/influencer/al-yaqdhan-bin-abdullah-al-harthi/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Eng. Al Yaqdhan bin Abdullah Al Harthi</a> is the director general of the <a href="https://experienceoman.om/oman-across-ages-museum/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Oman Across Ages Museum</a>. This new museum charts the story of the Sultanate of Oman from its geographic pre-history through its evolution to the Renaissance of the 1970s, to the present day and into the future. Al Harthi was involved in all aspects of its creation, overseeing the collection, storyline, conservation work, structure, and policies. As part of his role, he helps visitors connect with Oman’s past, understand its present, and envision its future.</p><p>The museum has an auditorium, permanent and temporary exhibition galleries, a vast garden and numerous dining venues, and a comprehensive library, the Knowledge Centre. It takes inspiration from the landscape and canyons of the Al Hajar Mountains. Leveraging scale, form, light, and vistas, the design harmonises with the landscape and celebrates Oman’s rich heritage.</p><p>Inside, open, column-free spaces afford an unobstructed visitor experience. The content traces Oman’s story from its first prehistoric settlers through the following civilisations to its modern renaissance.</p><p><a href="https://blooloop.com/museum/in-depth/oman-across-ages/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Speaking to blooloop in 2024</a>, Al Harthi said: “I was handling this from the museum’s initial concept. The museum was built by the vision of the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said, which was to build a museum in Manah, a small village near Nizwa, the ancient capital of Oman. Oman Across Ages is an audiovisual museum, looking at Oman’s history from its geographic and geological origins through to 1970, and then the 50-year renaissance period of achievement that followed under the reign of the late Sultan Qaboos, and into the future.”</p><p>The Oman Across Ages Museum’s vision is to be a world-class visitor destination that strengthens the relationship of Omani youth with their cultural heritage, transforming the way they engage with their country and inspiring them to participate in shaping its future.</p>
<p>With over three decades of experience in the entertainment industry, Deana Taylor serves as Vice President of Operations, Innovation & Transformation at Miral Experiences. In this role, she leads strategic operational initiatives with a strong focus on enhancing the guest experience, driving excellence through a customer-centric approach, and upholding the highest show quality standards.</p><p>Deana’s previous role was General Manager of Ferrari World Yas Island Abu Dhabi, where she spearheaded the park’s day-to-day operations, led the retail, F&B, and guest services teams, and managed shared service support functions within Miral Experiences - the manager and operator of Yas Theme Parks, as well as CLYMB™ Yas Island, Abu Dhabi and Qasr Al Watan.</p><p>Prior to that, Deana assumed the role of Entertainment Director at both Yas Waterworld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi and Ferrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, where she looked after optimizing guest experiences and was responsible for the coordination, management and financial planning of the parks' entertainment shows.</p><p>Deana’s breadth of entertainment experience entailed theme park events management and commercial performance. Kick-starting her career in 1991, she held several positions in themed entertainment over the course of 14 years at Village Roadshow Theme Parks, Australia in Australia. In 2008, Deana took the position of Voice Recording Artist at Pen2stage, later on transitioning into the role of International Events Manager, where she worked on a wide variety of events across the UAE and Asia until 2015. </p><p>*Voted by travelers and travel industry professionals at the World Travel Awards 2019</p>
<p>Damian Norman heads up Excel London’s Immersive Entertainment & Live Events division and is responsible for bringing some of the venue’s highest profile entertainment events including Formula E, Disney 100: The Exhibition and The Formula 1 Exhibition.</p><p>After earning a degree in International Business & Marketing, Damian began his career in the trade conference and exhibition market, before landing his first consumer position via DMG World Media in 2003, leading their skiing and snowboarding portfolio (despite not being able to do either!). </p><p>During this time, he worked his way to become Group Show Director, earning a string of industry awards along the way. In 2008, Damian carried out an MBO independently and, together with private investors, brought the company, setting up VOS Media which he ran for five years launching events such as the London Bike Show and The Rouleur Classic. </p><p>In 2013, he sold the business to The Telegraph Media Group (TMG), as part of this offering Damian became MD of Telegraph Events where he grew their events portfolio from five to 60 events in just four years. During this time, he was an integral part of the Senior Leadership Team of TMG helping oversee the overall £300m business. </p><p>At the end 2017, he exited the Telegraph to take time out to help his wife raise their family, before setting up Live Mind Consultancy with several clients including the International Boat Show and Excel London. He moved to join permanently 2019 after successfully leading the venue’s bid to host the world-renowned electric motor racing series Formula E. </p><p>Before long, he began working on many other projects at the Royal Docks venue and now has pioneered a new waterside development at the venue to bring a host of global, immersive experiences to Excel as part of a wider strategic destination project. In 2024 he launched Immerse LDN, creating London’s first Immersive Entertainment District, attracting over 1 million visitors since its inception.</p>
<p>Chris Lange is the founder and creative force behind Creative Studio Berlin, a leading design and production company based in Berlin, Germany. Chris has been working in the entertainment industry for more than twenty-five years and is a multiple award-winning creative executive. In March 2024, he received a Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement for the Deutschlandmuseum, followed by a THEA Award in 2026 for the Secret Laboratory at Schloss Augustusburg.</p><p>Chris is proud of the many unique and exciting visitor experiences he has created for audiences of all ages around the world. Chris's strength in these projects is his creative vision, which he is able to develop for his clients and then impart to his talented design teams. And, throughout his career, Chris has led international design and installation teams worldwide. These projects have given him extensive experience in all phases of attraction and theme park development, from blue-sky concepts to opening. Chris' skills have enabled him to work within various financial and schedule constraints while consistently opening attractions on time and on budget.</p><p>As the former Creative Executive at Europa-Park, Chris introduced a new era of storytelling and show quality to the park. Chris was responsible for all new stories, designs, and implementation of over 40 projects, including the highly themed "Rulantica" water park and "Kronasar" hotel. Before working at Europe's second-largest resort, Chris worked internationally on projects like 20th Century Fox World Malaysia, Adlab‘s Imagicaa Mumbai, LEGOLAND California, and midway brands such as SEA-LIFE Aquariums, the Dungeons and LEGOLAND Discovery Center.</p><p>In the past seven years, Chris established Creative Studio Berlin to a full-service design and production studio working globally on various Local Based Entertainment and Resort Development projects.</p><p>Chris is a regular guest speaker on expert panels at industry events like IAAPA Expos, TEA and SATE conferences. Chris proudly serves the Themed Entertainment Association as Vice President in the Executive Committee on the International Board of Directors. Chris has been distinguished as blooloop's Top 50 Theme Park Influencer for many years in a row.</p>
<p>Bywater is currently serving as the Park President at Carowinds and Carolina Harbor in Charlotte, North Carolina, having previously served as the Vice President and General Manager of Kings Dominion and Soak City in Doswell, Virginia. In her thirty-five-year career in the amusement park industry, Bywater has worked in a wide variety of roles, including Ride Operations, Park Services, Admissions, Aquatics, Live Entertainment, Safety, Security, Accommodations, Human Resources, and international responsibility as the Corporate Director of Operations for the Cedar Fair Entertainment Company. During her career, Bywater achieved the level of Senior Associate with Jeff Ellis & Associates and reached the milestone of twenty consecutive years as a licensed Instructor Trainer for the E&A aquatic risk management program.</p><p> </p><p>Bywater describes herself as a purpose-driven servant leader. She is passionate about delivering exceptional experiences to both guests and associates. She believes that details matter and continuously seeks opportunities to embrace legacy while driving the business forward into the future. She lists her three core leadership principles as this: give people the tools they need to be successful, hold yourself accountable, and leave the world a better place than you found it.</p><p> </p><p>Bywater enjoys many hobbies and activities. She especially loves to travel and spend quality time with her extended family. Born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, Bridgette attended Truman State University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a dual concentration in management and marketing, and a minor in business psychology. She further holds an MBA from Radford University.</p>
<p>Brice Helman is the founder and CEO of ProIO, a technology design and integration firm specialising in themed entertainment and immersive experiences. With more than 15 years of experience delivering complex projects around the world, Brice brings a multidisciplinary perspective spanning audio, video, lighting, show control, automation, and networked systems.</p><p> </p><p>His work has contributed to attractions and experiences for organisations including Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Studios Japan, Chimelong, MGM Macau, Dubai Parks and Resorts, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.</p><p> </p><p>Brice believes the most successful immersive attractions are not defined by the amount of technology they contain, but by how effectively every element works together in service of the experience. The best technology should mostly go unnoticed by the guest and instead focus on supporting the story, environment, and emotion without calling attention to itself. As judge for the Immersive Attraction category, he looks for experiences where creative ambition and technical execution reinforce one another, resulting in something that is not only innovative, but convincing, memorable, and meaningful.</p>
<p>Brent Bushnell has been building games, attractions, viral stunts, learning experiences and large scale productions for 20+ years. He's led multidisciplinary teams of engineers, artists, and storytellers to design and produce experiences for brands, venues, and events both in real life and virtually in VR/AR/XR.</p><p>He's cofounder of DreamPark, deploying downloadable theme parks. He's cofounder of Two Bit Circus, a live entertainment incubator that builds and exhibits all-ages, social attractions</p><p>Brent is passionate about using games and play as a catalyst for learning. He is Chairman of Two Bit Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit that deploys play-based programs to inspire students about creativity and invention.</p><p>Brent is a Sir Edmund Hillary Fellow, a Shark Tank alumnus, founding board member of LEXRA.org, a mentor in entrepreneurship, and a supporter of Clowns Without Borders. Many projects he's participated in have garnered awards, including Clio, Cannes Lions, a World Record, TripAdvisor's Top 10% of Global Attractions and Fast Company's Most Innovative Game Company.</p>
<p>Bob Dennis is a creative executive with more than 40 years of experience developing world-class theme parks, attractions, and destination experiences across North America and Asia. His career includes landmark projects for Universal, Paramount Parks, Samsung, Sanrio, and Enchanted Kingdom, including StarQuest at Expo '93 Korea, Outer Limits: Flight of Fear, Volcano: The Blast Coaster, Hollywood Magic at Universal Studios Japan, and Transformers Metrobase at Universal Beijing Resort. Today, as Senior Director of Resort Development at Universal Beijing Resort, he leads creative development and placemaking initiatives, drawing on four decades of experience turning ambitious ideas into award-winning guest experiences.</p>
<p>Master Projection Designer Bart Kresa creates projections for large corporations, movie studios, and multimedia conglomerates, including Oprah Winfrey, Paramount Pictures, the Grammy Awards, HBO, General Motors, Warner Brothers, FOX, and ABC. Kresa is also devoted to promoting humanitarian concerns through his work with various government bodies and multinational teams across the globe, including commissions in Japan, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, Austria, Italy, Ireland, and his native Poland.</p><p>Kresa’s work with international artists and producers, consulting for Panasonic, along with his lectures and workshops, play a large part in advancing the use of projection design to inspire wonder and communicate ideas.</p>
<p>Asa Kalama is a Creative Executive at Walt Disney Imagineering, where he oversees the development of interactive attractions and experiences as well as the global Lucas Film Portfolio.</p><p>Prior to this role, Asa spent over a decade at Walt Disney Imagineering, Research & Development developing new tools, technologies and techniques for the greater Walt Disney Company including Park and Resorts, Consumer Products, Games and Entertainment divisions.</p><p>Asa attended the University of California Los Angeles where he studied design at the school of Theater, Film, and Television. Many of his formative years prior to working with Walt Disney Imagineering were spent in darkened theaters both on and backstage; an experience in performing arts that allows Asa to bring a unique perspective to thematic storytelling.</p>
<p>As chief marketing officer for AREA15, Amy Naples oversees brand development and all marketing and communications strategies to establish AREA15 as a must-see destination.</p><p>Her team handles creative campaigns, digital advertising, public relations, curated content programmes, and a range of marketing strategies to increase visitation and ticket sales.</p><p>An experienced live entertainment marketing leader, Naples brings more than two decades of experience in driving brand growth, establishing high-impact partnerships and delivering memorable visitor experiences.</p><p>She previously served as senior vice president of marketing at Kirvin Doak Communications, Nevada’s largest full-service agency, supporting a portfolio of high-profile entertainment and hospitality clients.</p><p>Before this, Naples was vice president of entertainment and attractions marketing at Caesars Entertainment. Here, she oversaw multimillion-dollar budgets, partnered with leading artists, and created integrated campaigns to support residencies, production shows, and attractions across the Las Vegas Strip.</p>
<p>At the helm of AREA15's creative evolution, my tenure has been marked by strategic innovation and a steadfast commitment to artistic excellence. Leading a team that thrives on pushing boundaries, we've developed immersive experiences that not only entertain but also inspire our audience. </p><p>Embracing the challenge of transforming spaces into storytelling canvases, my role at AREA15 encompasses directing multifaceted projects that resonate with a global audience. Our work, underpinned by a strong creative vision, ensures that every project is a confluence of art, technology, and experience, a testament to our dedication to redefining the creative landscape.</p>
<p>Steve Alcorn is the founder of Alcorn McBride Inc., the company that provides the audio, video, and control systems for nearly all of the world's theme parks. He began his career in 1982, opening The American Adventure and Imagination Pavilions at Epcot Center. He is the author of many books about theme parks, including "Building a Better Mouse: The Story of the Electronic Imagineers Who Built Epcot," "Theme Park Design: Behind the Scenes with an Engineer,” "Curious by Design: Adventures in Engineering and Creativity,” and “Journey into Imagination: The Inside Story of the Engineers Who Brought EPCOT's Legendary Pavilion to Life."</p>
Previous award cycles
2025
View → View 2025 Awards →Innovation Awards — presented with AREA15
Best in Show: Of the Oak. Public Choice: Symphony of the Green Island
2024
View → View 2024 Awards →Innovation Awards — presented with AREA15
Best in Show: WDI Bipedal Robotic Character Design and Control. Public Choice: 360, An Extraordinary Experience
2023
View → View 2023 Awards →Innovation Awards — presented with AREA15
Best in Show: Eatrenalin. Public Choice: Draw me the Planet
2022
View → View 2022 Awards →Innovation Awards — presented with AREA15
Best in Show: Summit One Vanderbilt. Public Choice: Digital Park: Mission Space
2021
View → View 2021 Awards →Innovation Awards — presented with AREA15
Best in Show: Omega Mart
