About the blooloop Innovation Awards 2021

Rachel is Finance Director. She has a degree in engineering from Cambridge University and qualified as a Chartered Accountant at Deloittes in London. She worked in finance in industry for twenty years. She oversees our news and also manages our events.

Charlotte Coates is blooloop’s editor. She is from Brighton, UK and previously worked as a librarian. She has a strong interest in arts, culture and information and graduated from the University of Sussex with a degree in English Literature. Charlotte can usually be found either with her head in a book or planning her next travel adventure.

Dominic Hare has been with Blenheim Palace since 2003, initially serving as its Finance Director, before moving into the role of CEO in 2017.

When he arrived at Blenheim Palace, many of the estate houses were boarded up, needing work, as he explained to blooloop in an interview in July 2020:

“The belief was that there wasn’t the money to do it,” he says. “Yet a house that needed £50,000 spending on it would bring in rent of £20,000 a year. Professionals would look at that and see a 40% return. That’s a 2.5-year payback – you don’t normally get that kind of opportunity. So, money started to be invested.

“I was lucky to arrive at that point, and that we were able to grow very quickly. There is a very supportive family and trustees here. And there were so many opportunities. Real low-hanging fruit, in many cases.”

Blenheim Palace is one of England’s biggest houses and the principal residence of the Dukes of Marlborough. It was constructed between 1705 and 1722 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

During his time at the iconic attraction, Hare has been instrumental in pushing forward a series of goals that will see the site become carbon negative by 2025. It also aims to have 50% of visitors arriving in a carbon-friendly way by 2025, to double its current energy production, and to reduce the carbon footprint of its current buildings by 25%.

PY’s career to date has included captain of the French Olympic Ice Hockey team, Vice President of Park Operations at Disneyland Paris, Chief Executive of the Dome and today, he founded and was the CEO of X-Leisure the largest Leisure property group in the UK, which he just sold to Land Securities in March 2014….As if he was not busy enough with business he is Captain of the French inline vet hockey squad, 2 times world champions….And he’s a +1hcp golfer too!
After 20 years of success in Corporate Rescue, which included, turning Euro Disney into Europe’s biggest visitor attraction, and several other businesses Transformations/turnarounds for the WDC, Disney CEO Michael Eisner recommended him to Tony Blair and PY was appointed Chief Executive of the Dome in February 2000.

In 2019 he embarked on his latest turnaround challenge when he took the helm of the ill born “grand project” of the London Resort, the first ever tier 1 theme park destination in the UK, a major investment of £2bn+! In the past 2 years PY revived and re invented the product to transform it as a world class, sustainable destination, and established a bullet proof business plan. The team and PY have successfully submitted planning in Dec 20 and are preparing for the inspectorate examination while finalising the detail design for what will be a game changer for the tourism/leisure industry in the UK and Europe.

PY is, today, regarded as one of the “Guru” of the Leisure/Sport/Tourism and entertainment industries, acknowledged by his election as Leisure personality of the year 2003, Leisure Industry consistent Innovator award in 2006, and award for best Global Leisure operator in 07. Finally, PY won the prestigious “outstanding personal career achievement” last year, and was a finalist for the Best Executive in Europe awards in 2014.

Shelby Honea is a Senior Show Producer at Universal Creative.

Elizabeth Merritt is VP, Strategic Foresight and Founding Director, Center for the Future of Museums at the American Alliance of Museums (AAM).

Founded in 1906, The American Alliance of Museums is the leading trade association for museum professionals in the US. It develops standards and best practices, gathers and shares knowledge and advocates on issues of concern to the museum community.

Merritt is AAM’s VP for Strategic Foresight and also the founder director of the Center for the Future of Museums. This is an influential think-tank and research and development laboratory focussed on the development of museums. Essentially, its aim is to future-proof museums. Merritt is a tireless advocate for diversity and inclusion in the museum sector. She is also the author of AAM’s annual TrendsWatch report.

Merritt’s work covers strategic foresight and trends analysis as applied to museum planning and operation and she also monitors emerging practices in other sectors that AAM may want to adopt.

She has an M.A. in biology from Duke University, a B.S. in ecology and evolution from Yale University and a certificate in future studies from the University of Houston.

With over 25 years experience working on senior management teams, in digital media and in visitor experience, at museums in the UK and the US, Carolyn is deeply committed to providing broad audiences access to rich media content and ideas, in the physical museum and across multiple virtual channels. Her proven track record in delivering effective digital strategies, developing guest experience strategies, managing complex stakeholder relationships, and leading multi-skilled teams, speaks to her ability to envision new possibilities and implement change effectively.

Carolyn joined Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in 2018 as Chief Experience Officer, a new role that aims to seamlessly weave the digital and the physical experience together to create an integrated visitor experience. She is responsible for managing Digital, Information Technology, Audio Visual, Customer Relationship Management, Visitor Services, Accessibility, Operations and Facilities departments and a newly created initiative, The Interaction Lab – the museum’s visitor experience R&D insights hub.

Prior to Cooper Hewitt, she served as inaugural Director of Digital and Information Services at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (Boston, USA) where she oversaw the launch of a new award-winning website and led new initiatives to improve the visitor experience. Previously, Carolyn was Head of Digital at Imperial War Museums and Project Director of the National Museums Online Learning Project, a flagship project led by the V&A and working in partnership with 9 UK national museums.

In April 2021, Carolyn completed the Oxford Cultural Leadership Virtual Program and was a Getty Leadership Institute (GLI) Fellow in 2017. She also served as President of MCN (Museum Computer Network) in 2017 in the 50th anniversary year of the organization, leading a volunteer board of senior level museum technologists and small Executive team representing information professionals from cultural sector institutions around the world.

Chief Executive of leading leisure business consultancy, Petersham Group, Keith is widely
known for his experience and knowledge of project development and operational management across the Experience Economy.

A graduate marine biologist, he joined Sea Life Centres in the mid-80s, managing a series of
aquariums before taking on responsibility as Development Director for the roll-out of Sea Life
Centres and other visitor attractions across the UK and Europe for Vardon Attractions in the ‘90s.

Going on to join London-based consultancy, Grant Leisure Group, he worked internationally on projects as diverse as International Expos, Theme Parks and Zoos before co-founding Petersham Group in 2003, where he and his colleagues have completed over 90 consulting projects across the world for clients ranging from feasibility studies and business planning, concept
development, operational management, fundraising, strategic plans and restructuring.

Keith is also Managing Director of reefLIVE Ltd. established to design and bring to market an aquarium concept for a 21st Century audience. Their first project, in Belfast, recently secured
planning permission and is anticipated on site early next year.

Keith is regularly asked to speak at international leisure events and is a visiting lecturer at University of Exeter Business School.

Rachel Mackay has been working in museum and heritage operations for over 15 years, including managing the visitor operation at the Natural History Museum, London for 8 years.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, she created The Recovery Room, a space to share resources and research about the impact of Covid-19 on the museum and heritage sector, and provided consultancy services for at risk organisations. She was subsequently named one of the top 50 Museum Influencers in the world by Blooloop and shortlisted for Covid-19 Special Recognition at the 2021 UK Museums and Heritage Awards. Rachel is currently writing Delivering the Visitor Experience for Facet Publications.

Theron is a highly adaptive, solution-oriented creative executive with 30 years experience assembling and leading multi-disciplined teams for both domestic and international projects in the Themed Entertainment Industry. A veteran of Walt Disney Imagineering, he has led diverse creation, design and construction projects from hundreds of millions to multiple billions of dollars in a wide variety of experience types. He is a corporate culture evangelist who applies vision, strategy, focus and high personal standards to advance design and increase brand equity. Using “Story” as the key element to deliver business goals and make an emotional connection to guests.

Theron is an organized creative leader with exceptional capability in managing multiple, concurrently running teams and is a highly respected, natural communicator who interfaces positively and professionally at all levels. He is a fair negotiator who is levelheaded under pressure and does what it takes to get the job done.

Karen has been the Chief Executive of Wellington Zoo since 2006 and is a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit MNZM for Business and Animal Welfare. Karen is an elected member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) Council and Chairs the WAZA Ethics and Animal Welfare Committee. She is a member of the WAZA Conservation and Environmental Sustainability Committee. She is a past President of the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia.

Karen won the 2009 HER Business Wellington award for outstanding business leadership and sustainability and the 2010 HER Business NZ National award for outstanding business leadership. Karen was 2010 Wellingtonian of the Year in the Environment category. Karen was a finalist in both the 2014 and 2015 Westpac/Fairfax Media NZ Women of Influence Awards in the Social Enterprise category and the Board and Management category respectively.

David joined Eden Project in early 2013 as Finance Director before becoming joint Executive Director later that year. He subsequently became the first CEO of Eden Project International, leading on the development of a portfolio of ambitious projects in China, Australia, the Middle East, Costa Rica as well as elsewhere in the UK including Eden Project North in Morecambe. Alongside his commitment to Eden’s educational mission, David’s financial background has provided the basis for the growth of Eden despite challenging times and variable circumstances, and as the leader of a diverse and expert staff, he brings highly qualified expertise to bear on all of Eden’s projects both at home in Cornwall and around the world.

Silvia Filippini-Fantoni is the Deputy Director of Learning and Engagement at The Newark Museum of Art.

Silvia is a museum professional with over 20-years experience, working in the areas of art, education, and historic houses. Most recently she served as Director of Programs and Audience Engagement at the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh, NC.

She has also held a number of positions with museums across Europe as well as for organizations serving the museum industry, including at Cogapp, a digital content producer in Brighton, UK, the British Museum in London, the University Paris I-Sorbonne, and Antenna Audio in London.

Silvia has degrees in History and Aesthetics and Art Sciences from the Universita degli Studi di Milano (Italy) and the Université Paris I-Sorbonne in Paris, where she received her PhD.

Brent Bushnell is the Chairman and co-founder of Two Bit Circus, a Los Angeles-based experiential entertainment company.

The interdisciplinary team strives to create immersive, social fun and is opening the first network of micro-amusement parks featuring free-roaming VR, robot bartenders, an interactive supper club and more. Previously they launched STEAM Carnival, a traveling showcase of high-tech entertainment and student STEAM workshops.

They’ve captured action sports content in 360 video for brands like the NFL, NBA, Indy and the Olympics for use in VR activations at the Super Bowl, All Star games and in retail. The company regularly serves as immersive entertainment partners for brands and location-based facilities.

Previously, Brent was the on-camera inventor for the ABC TV show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

He was a founding member of Syyn Labs, a creative collective creating stunts for brands like Google and Disney and helped OK Go build the Rube Goldberg machine for their viral This Too Shall Pass music video that garnered 50+ million views on YouTube. Brent is board president of the Two Bit Circus Foundation, a 501(c)(3), that deploys STEAM-based programs to inspire students about invention and operates annual STEAM Carnivals bringing the excitement of STEM & STEAM to communities around the world.

He’s a Sir Edmund Hillary Fellow and enjoys mentoring teens in entrepreneurship via programs such as NFTE. He’s a supporter of Clowns Without Borders and publishes on Twitter @brentbushnell.

Brent Bushnell is the Chairman and co-founder of Two Bit Circus, a Los Angeles-based experiential entertainment company. The interdisciplinary team strives to create immersive, social fun and is opening the first network of micro-amusement parks featuring free-roaming VR, robot bartenders, an interactive supper club and more. Previously they launched STEAM Carnival, a traveling showcase of high-tech entertainment and student STEAM workshops. They’ve captured action sports content in 360 video for brands like the NFL, NBA, Indy and the Olympics for use in VR activations at the Super Bowl, All Star games and in retail. The company regularly serves as immersive entertainment partners for brands and location-based facilities.

Previously, Brent was the on-camera inventor for the ABC TV show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. He was a founding member of Syyn Labs, a creative collective creating stunts for brands like Google and Disney and helped OK Go build the Rube Goldberg machine for their viral This Too Shall Pass music video that garnered 50+ million views on YouTube. Brent is board president of the Two Bit Circus Foundation, a 501(c)(3), that deploys STEAM-based programs to inspire students about invention and operates annual STEAM Carnivals bringing the excitement of STEM & STEAM to communities around the world. He’s a Sir Edmund Hillary Fellow and enjoys mentoring teens in entrepreneurship via programs such as NFTE. He’s a supporter of Clowns Without Borders and publishes on Twitter @brentbushnell.

Juliana Delaney has been the CEO of Continuum, one of the industry’s storytelling pioneers, for over 20 years.

Over thirty years ago, while working for Heritage Projects, Delaney was instrumental in the creation of the Jorvik Viking Centre in York, widely regarded as a ground-breaking project that lead the way for a new type of museum experience. Since then, she has been the driving force behind Continuum Attractions’ numerous successes, such as Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower and Coronation Street: The Tour.

One of her core beliefs is that the people who work for attractions are their biggest assets:

“Business structure aside, it is the people you employ,” says Delaney. The people who work for you and greet your guests, they make or break your business. It is not about buildings or technology– nor the size of the build or marketing budgets.

“The greatest gratification I have got by being CEO of this business is to create a different culture from the one that was here before. And, how I did that – how I still do that – is to put the people who work for me at the top of the business. It’s too easy to say that it’s a case of reversing the pyramid.

“We talk about it in terms of the fact that it is the teams who are front of house, running the visitor attractions, who are actually the stars. They are the ones who could lose a customer for life or make a great visit. For me, that makes them far more important than me in this business.”

In 2021, Continuum Attractions announced that it had teamed up with ITV to operate its UK visitor attractions, including the I’m a Celebrity… Jungle Challenge. “I’m thrilled that we have brokered this new, long-term working relationship with ITV,” said Delaney.

Juliana Delaney is Chief Executive Officer of Continuum Attractions.

Continuum Attractions’ group of outstanding visitor experiences includes:

• The Real Mary King’s Close, Edinburgh
• York’s Chocolate Story, York
• Oxford Castle & Prison, Oxford
• The Canterbury Tales, Canterbury
• Emirates Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth
• Emmerdale Studio Experience, Leeds
• Emmerdale Village Tour, Leeds
• Coronation Street The Tour, Manchester
• GreenWood Family Park, Gwynedd

In March 2023 Ike Kwon became Executive Vice President & COO of the Field Museum, a world-class science and research institution.

From 2008 to 2023, Kwon was with the California Academy of Sciences, initially taking on the position of director of guest services for the opening team. In this role, he played a key role in leading the museum’s public-facing operation as the Golden Gate Park facility reopened following a five year, $485million build of the LEED double Platinum facility.

Following this, he was promoted to director of guest operations in 2010 and to the role of general manager in 2012. He has served as the museum’s chief operating officer since 2015, taking on the additional role of head of government affairs in 2018. This means he now also works to secure city funds and to boost the institution’s influence in public policy matters related to organizational priorities.

Before joining the popular science museum, he worked for the Museum of Science Industry in Chicago and at the Walt Disney Company.

The California Academy of Sciences is home to a rainforest, a planetarium, an aquarium and a natural history museum all under a unique Living Roof and is one of the greenest museums on the planet. In 2021, blooloop named the institution in its list of the world’s most sustainable museums, and Kwon also spoke at the inaugural greenloop conference, addressing a session on museum sustainability strategies, successes, and challenges.

The Living Roof is also surrounded by solar panels. It catches excess stormwater, provides insulation to reduce energy consumption and transforms carbon dioxide into oxygen. It is home to around 1.7 million plants, which also makes it a haven for birds, insects and more. The museum building, designed by Renzo Piano, has many different sustainable features and is filled with natural light. It hosts around 40,000 living animals like penguins, stingrays, and octopuses.

Blooloop Museum Influencer Ike Kwon is the COO at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. He is in charge of infrastructure, guest and building operations.

He has been with the California Academy of Sciences since 2008, initially taking on the position of director of guest services for the opening team. In this role, he played a key role in leading the museum’s public-facing operation as the Golden Gate Park facility reopened following a five year, $485million build of the LEED double Platinum facility.

Following this, he was promoted to director of guest operations in 2010 and to the role of general manager in 2012. He has served as the museum’s chief operating officer since 2015, taking on the additional role of head of government affairs in 2018. This means he now also works to secure city funds and to boost the institution’s influence in public policy matters related to organizational priorities.

Before joining the popular science museum, he worked for the Museum of Science Industry in Chicago and at the Walt Disney Company.

The California Academy of Sciences is home to a rainforest, a planetarium, an aquarium and a natural history museum all under a unique Living Roof and is one of the greenest museums on the planet. In 2021, blooloop named the institution in its list of the world’s most sustainable museums, and Kwon also spoke at the inaugural greenloop conference, addressing a session on museum sustainability strategies, successes, and challenges.

The Living Roof is also surrounded by solar panels. It catches excess stormwater, provides insulation to reduce energy consumption and transforms carbon dioxide into oxygen. It is home to around 1.7 million plants, which also makes it a haven for birds, insects and more. The museum building, designed by Renzo Piano, has many different sustainable features and is filled with natural light. It hosts around 40,000 living animals like penguins, stingrays, and octopuses.

As Chief Operating Officer, Ike leads the daily operations of the California Academy of Sciences including information technology, engineering, public operations, security and safety, and external affairs. He oversees approximately 230 employees and an annual budget of $19MM as well as $28MM revenue intake. Ike also devotes much of his time cultivating relationships with trustees and major donors. Ike played a key role in raising $18mm for the Academy-for-All campaign for STEM education efforts. He is also the primary relationship manager with city government, which represents the institution’s single biggest “donor.”

Ike now also serves as the institutional leader for government affairs. His primary role in this expanded responsibility is twofold: securing city funds and increasing the institution’s influence in public policy matters related to organizational priorities.

David Rosenberg is VP, Guest Experience at Monterey Bay Aquarium in California. His responsibilities include daily operations, public and fee based programming, volunteer docent programs and interpretive training. He is also is chairman of the aquarium’s Visitor Experience Steering Committee.

David was Chairman of the Board for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) 2018 to 19 and is award winning community leader, keynote speaker and a passionate contributor to the global visitor attractions industry.

David Rosenberg is VP, Guest Experience at Monterey Bay Aquarium in California. His responsibilities include daily operations, public and fee based programming, volunteer docent programs and interpretive training. He is also is chairman of the aquarium’s Visitor Experience Steering Committee.

David was Chairman of the Board for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) 2018 to 19 and is award winning community leader, keynote speaker and a passionate contributor to the global visitor attractions industry.

His special expertise is in creating unique and memorable guest experiences for visitors to attractions, hotels, museums and other large scale facilities.

David Rosenberg is the Vice President at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. In his role he is responsible for the strategic planning, implementation and operations of the famous aquarium experience and is credited with transforming the aquarium’s guest experience into an industry benchmark for excellence. Hosting over 2 million visitors annually, the Aquarium is recognized throughout the world as both a leading attraction and a global force for ocean conservation. The aquarium is applauded for its outstanding exhibits and live programming, which are key to communicating its mission to inspire conservation of the ocean.

After graduating from the University of Arizona, Mr. Rosenberg’s career began at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. He then rose to the executive ranks of Hyatt Hotels Corporation at some of their top properties in the United States before returning to the attractions industry at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Mr. Rosenberg served as the 2019 Chairman of the Board of Directors for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) – the global association for the attractions industry. Under his chairmanship, IAAPA opened its new Global Headquarters in Orlando, Florida, hosted three record breaking expos, and grew services to members throughout the globe. Just prior to being elected to the board, he served as IAAPA’s Chairman of the Global Membership Committee, Chairman of the Zoos and Aquarium Committee and was a member of various constituency committees.

In 2015, he was awarded the association’s prestigious “Outstanding Service Award” for his contributions to the global attractions industry. Additionally, he was recently recognized by the United States Congress for outstanding community leadership and received the “IMTY Award” by the International Museum Theater Alliance for his contributions to the theater industry.

Mr. Rosenberg is a founding member of the School of Business Advisory Committee for California State University Monterey Bay and is an active member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. He has authored articles on methods to drive the visitor experience and has been a featured speaker at industry conferences and symposiums throughout the world. His hobbies include SCUBA Diving, triathlons, marathons and mountain biking throughout Monterey County.

“I grew up in the desert, so the ocean always seemed like the most magical thing to me as a kid—the fact that I now get to help millions of people make a meaningful personal connection with it is a dream come true.”

Paul Moreton is the Group Creative Director for Merlin Entertainments. Merlin is Europe’s number one and the World’s second-largest visitor attraction operator.

He runs the ‘Creating the Magic’ department of Merlin Magic Making (MMM): the creative, delivery and production arm of Merlin Entertainments.

Paul and his team create new attractions across Merlin’s entire estate. Working closely with colleagues in MMM and the Operating Groups, these new concepts are then bought to life in a range of stunning attractions, rides and experiences.

He also oversees the Research & Development and New Brands team focusing on new format development, as well as the Intellectual Property division of the business.

His remit includes the creative development of all new LEGOLAND Resorts including the recently opened LEGOLAND New York Resort, plus the development of all new LEGOLAND Discovery Centres.

In addition, Paul’s team develop all new rides, attractions and accommodation at Alton Towers, Gardaland, Chessington World of Adventures, Thorpe Park and Heide Park Resorts.

Paul has been in his current role for 10 years. Previously he spent almost a decade in the television industry in the UK. His earlier career was in marketing, in a variety of roles in the UK and US including launching the iconic London Eye and as Marketing Director for Madame Tussuads.

Paul Moreton is the Group Creative Director for Merlin Entertainments. Merlin is Europe’s number one and the World’s second-largest visitor attraction operator.

He runs the ‘Creating the Magic’ department of Merlin Magic Making (MMM): the creative, delivery and production arm of Merlin Entertainments.

Paul and his team create new attractions across Merlin’s entire estate. Working closely with colleagues in MMM and the Operating Groups, these new concepts are then bought to life in a range of stunning attractions, rides and experiences.

He also oversees the Research & Development and New Brands team focusing on new format development, as well as the Intellectual Property division of the business.

His remit includes the creative development of all new LEGOLAND Resorts including the recently opened LEGOLAND New York Resort, plus the development of all new LEGOLAND Discovery Centres.

In addition, Paul’s team develop all new rides, attractions and accommodation at Alton Towers, Gardaland, Chessington World of Adventures, Thorpe Park and Heide Park Resorts.

Paul has been in his current role for 10 years. Previously he spent almost a decade in the television industry in the UK. His earlier career was in marketing, in a variety of roles in the UK and US including launching the iconic London Eye and as Marketing Director for Madame Tussuads.

Paul is the Group Creative Director for Merlin Entertainments: Europe’s number one and the World’s second-largest visitor attraction operator. Paul runs the ‘Creating the Magic’ department of Merlin Magic Making (MMM): the creative, delivery and production arm of Merlin Entertainments.

The very talented and highly experienced Creative Team conceive and design new attractions across Merlin’s entire estate. Working closely with colleagues in MMM and the Operating Groups, these new concepts are then bought to life in a range of stunning attractions, rides and experiences.

Paul also oversees the Research & Development and New Brands team focusing on new format development, as well as the Intellectual Property division of the business.

His remit includes the creative development of all new LEGOLAND Resorts including the soon to open LEGOLAND New York Resort, plus the development of all new LEGOLAND Discovery Centres. In addition, Paul’s team develop all new rides, attractions and accommodation at Alton Towers, Gardaland, Chessington World of Adventures, Thorpe Park and Heide Park Resorts. Recently, the MMM team have produced three new global Peppa Pig World of Play attractions and the World’s first Bear Grylls Adventure attraction in Birmingham.

Paul has been in his current role for 8 years. Previously he spent almost a decade in the television industry in the UK. His earlier career was in marketing, in a variety of roles in the UK and US including launching the iconic London Eye and as Marketing Director for Madame Tussuads.

Evi Sari is VP of Location-Based Entertainment for WildBrain CPLG, a world-leading entertainment, sport, and lifestyle brand licensing agency.

Working with WildBrain’s own brands, including Teletubbies, In the Night Garden, and Strawberry Shortcake, as well as third-party IP such as SEGA and the iconic toy brand Playmobil, Sari draws on deep industry expertise to partner IP with unique experiences. Previously, she was VP of LBE at Paramount Consumer Products and Experiences, overseeing partnerships in Asia for Paramount, Nickelodeon, MTV, and CBS franchises.

Trained as an architect, Evi managed production design for Chinese film and theatrical co-productions before joining the attractions industry. She was head of Tim Yip Studio, the Oscar-winning creative team behind “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” directed by Ang Lee. Evi worked on signature projects ranging from “Red Cliff, a blockbuster directed by John Woo, the Netflix series “Marco Polo,” and the water show spectacular “The Han Show” directed by Franco Dragone for the Wanda Group, to an avant-garde art installation for the Festival of China jointly presented in Washington D.C. by the Chinese Ministry of Culture and the Kennedy Center.

She frequently speaks at industry conferences, bringing practical knowledge and deep perspectives on Asia’s DE&I, cross-cultural professional practices, and IP partnerships. Growing up surrounded by cultures different from her own, Evi brings cultural competency to business and technical understanding – committed to transforming international brands into immersive visitor experiences in Asia Pacific and the Middle East, exciting markets for the global attractions industry.

As VP of Nickelodeon Experiences Asia, Evi leads the development of real-world experiences for ViacomCBS International, in one of the most exciting markets for location-based entertainment.

Before joining ViacomCBS, Evi was senior Creative Director for Thinkwell Asia, delivering heritage attractions, theme parks and resorts for clients such as Lionsgate, Cartoon Network, BAIC Ferrari World China, Geely Volvo Automotive, MGM China and China Merchants Group.

Trained as an architect, Evi has 15 years of experience in leading multi-disciplinary and cross-cultural creative processes. She was head of Tim Yip Studio, the Oscar-winning creative team behind “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” directed by Ang Lee. At Tim Yip Studio, she worked on diverse projects inspired by “New Orientalism”, a design language both cutting edge and traditionally Chinese, ranging from “Red Cliff, a Chinese blockbuster directed by John Woo, the Netflix series “Marco Polo”, water show spectacular “The Han Show” directed by Franco Dragone, to an avant-garde art installation for the “China Festival” at the Kennedy Center.

Built on a lifetime of personal experience, Evi is passionate about building cultural bridges, and promoting diversity in the LBE industry, with an Asia perspective.

As VP of Nickelodeon Experiences Asia, Evi leads the development of real-world experiences for ViacomCBS International, in one of the most exciting markets for location-based entertainment.

Before joining ViacomCBS, Evi was senior Creative Director for Thinkwell Asia, delivering heritage attractions, theme parks and resorts for clients such as Lionsgate, Cartoon Network, BAIC Ferrari World China, Geely Volvo Automotive, MGM China and China Merchants Group.

Trained as an architect, Evi has 15 years of experience in leading multi-disciplinary and cross-cultural creative processes. She was head of Tim Yip Studio, the Oscar-winning creative team behind “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” directed by Ang Lee. At Tim Yip Studio, she worked on diverse projects inspired by “New Orientalism”, a design language both cutting edge and traditionally Chinese, ranging from “Red Cliff, a Chinese blockbuster directed by John Woo, the Netflix series “Marco Polo”, water show spectacular “The Han Show” directed by Franco Dragone, to an avant-garde art installation for the “China Festival” at the Kennedy Center.

Built on a lifetime of personal experience, Evi is passionate about building cultural bridges, and promoting diversity in the LBE industry, with an Asia perspective.

Alan Mahony has been a specialist in the design management, launching and operations of numerous world class Theme Parks & Water Parks in Australia, Asia & the Middle East since the mid 1980’s. Thanks to his unique talents, experience, hands-on approach and attention to detail, the businesses Alan has been involved with still trade profitably in today’s demanding tourism and leisure industry.

Alan has developed and operated leading projects in various roles including, Executive Director Attractions, Saudi Entertainment Ventures, Saudi Arabia; VP Marine & Waterpark Atlantas Sanya Resort, Hainan; General Consultant, Chimelong Water Park, Guangzhou; GM, Beijing Watercube Waterpark, Beijing; COO, Ramayana Waterpark, Thailand; GM, Sunway Lagoon, Malaysia; Director of Operations, Warner Bros Movie World, SeaWorld & Wet ‘n’ Wild Water World, Australia.

Many of Alans projects have been recognized globally winning numerous distinguished awards for excellence including 2002 Sunway Lagoon, Malaysia, FIABCI Prix d’ excellence – Category Winner – Leisure; 2007 Chimelong Waterpark, China, IAAPA Must See Waterpark; 2008 Chimelong Waterpark, China, WWA Industry Innovation Award; 2010 Beijing Watercube Waterpark, China, WWA Industry Innovation Award; 2018 Aquaventure Waterpark, Atlantis Resort Sanya, China, WWA Leading Edge Award.

Alan was recognized by industry leaders and selected on the blooloop Top 50 Theme Park Influencer List in 2021 & 2022 for his work in Asia & the Middle East, plus honored with other individual awards including the WWA Executive Board Award 2011 for industry excellence in waterpark development in Asia, plus the 2020 Asian Attractions Magazine, Gold Crown Award, Outstanding Leader for China Amusement & Attractions Industry.

Alan is currently with Keyestone Group as Chief Operations Officer – Entertainment.

Alan Mahony is an award winning attractions professional and a blooloop 50 Theme Park Influencer.

He has been a specialist in the design, management and opening of numerous world class theme and water parks since the mid 1980’s.

Alan began his career with the Warner Village Theme Park Group in Australia where he held senior positions at Wet ‘n’ Wild Waterworld, Warner Bros. Movie World and Seaworld. For 16 years he was based in Asia, where he worked on numerous successful, and award winning waterparks. Alan’s projects include Ramayana Water Park, Thailand; Beijing Watercube Waterpark, China; Chimelong Water Park, China; The Carnival, Malaysia; Sunway Lagoon, Malaysia; Blue Lagoon, Taiwan; Saigon Water Park, Vietnam and Big Hippo Water World, China.

Alan is currently in Saudi, working on the ambitious projects planned by Saudi Entertainment ventures (SEVEN), which is investing over SAR 50 billion ($13 billion) in the development of 21 entertainment destinations across 14 cities in the kingdom.

Alan Mahony has been a specialist in the design management and launching of numerous world class Theme & Water Parks since the mid 1980’s. Thanks to his unique talents, experience, hands-on approach and attention to detail, the businesses he has been involved with have won numerous awards for excellence and still trade profitably in today’s demanding tourism and leisure industry.

Alan began his career with the Warner Village Theme Park Group in Australia where he held senior positions at Wet ‘n’ Wild Waterworld, Warner Bros. Movie World and Seaworld on the Gold Coast. For the last 16 years he has been based in Asia working on the feasibility studies, business plans, development, design, construction and management of numerous successful, leading and award winning waterparks. Alan’s projects include Ramayana Water Park, Thailand; Beijing Watercube Waterpark, China; Chimelong Water Park, China; The Carnival, Malaysia; Sunway Lagoon, Malaysia; Blue Lagoon, Taiwan; Saigon Water Park, Vietnam and Big Hippo Water World, China.

Alan has a strong knowledge of the cultures and markets within Asia due to his extensive experience over the past 16 years, which during this time he has completed the Insead Asian International Executive Program to enhance and improve his skill and knowledge of management in the Asian Region. This knowledge and understanding has lead Alan to be invited as a guest speaker at various Asian Themepark Expo’s & Congresses on various occasions. Alan was awarded the Executive Board Award by the World Waterpark Association for his excellence and commitment to the development and operations of waterparks in the Asian Region.

Steve Tatham is Executive Creative Director at Universal Creative, leading the creative efforts on Epic Universe opening in 2025.

Previously, he held the position of Vice President Creative at Universal Studios Japan, and Principal Walt Disney Imagineering Research and Development. He was at Disney for 28 years and has been at Universal for eight. He is an alumnus of the Harvard Graduate School of Design (AMDP, ‘23) and holds a Masters in Architecture from UCLA and a BA in set design from UC Berkeley.

Steve was selected by blooloop as one of the world’s “Top 50 Theme Park Influencers.” He has been awarded several THEA Awards for his theme park work, and his graphic novel, “Repuglicans” was selected as one of the 10 Best Graphic Novels of 2010 by the Village Voice. He was honored by the LA Weekly as one of Los Angeles’ “People of 2008” for his groundbreaking work on his daily internet comedy show, “The Ointment.” For more, visit www.stevetatham.com.

Steve Tatham is Executive Creative Director at Universal Creative, leading the creative efforts on a major new theme park slated to open in 2025.

Previously, he held the position of Vice President Creative at Universal Studios Japan, and Principal Walt Disney Imagineering Research and Development. He was at Disney for 28 years and has been at Universal for eight. He is an alumnus of the Harvard Graduate School of Design (AMDP, ‘23) and holds a Masters in Architecture from UCLA and a BA in set design from UC Berkeley.

Steve was selected by Blooloop as one of the world’s “Top 50 Theme Park Influencers.” He has been awarded several THEA Awards for his theme park work, and his graphic novel, “Repuglicans” was selected as one of the 10 Best Graphic Novels of 2010 by the Village Voice. He was honored by the LA Weekly as one of Los Angeles’ “People of 2008” for his groundbreaking work on his daily internet comedy show, “The Ointment.” For more, visit www.stevetatham.com.

Steve Tatham is executive creative director for Universal Creative in Orlando.

He started his theme park career at Walt Disney Imagineering immediately after graduating with a masters of Architecture from UCLA.

He was at Disney for 28 years in the roles of show designer, show writer, copywriter, manager of advanced projects, senior manager of connected experiences, and principal at Walt Disney Imagineering R&D.

In 2014, Tatham was approached to lead a team for Universal Studios Japan. He then spent four productive years in Japan before taking up a role leading the development of new projects for Universal in Orlando.

Steve Tatham has 30-plus years of entertainment industry experience in writing, producing, directing, designing and leading creative efforts in the online, interactive and theme park realms.

He has a successful track record grounded in vision, innovative ideas, team leadership and the ability to pitch ideas that get sold, developed and built, from low-budget to multi-billion-dollar projects.

Chris Lange is the founder and creative force behind Creative Studio Berlin, a leading design and production company based in Berlin, Germany. Lange has been working in the entertainment industry for twenty-five years and is a multiple award-winning creative executive. His latest accolade came in March 2024 when he received a Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement for the Deutschlandsmuseum.

Lange is proud of the many unique and exciting visitor experiences he has created for audiences of all ages around the world. Lange’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, Lange 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. Lange’s skills have enabled him to work within various financial and schedule constraints while consistently opening attractions on time and on budget.

As the former Creative Executive at Europa-Park, Lange introduced a new era of storytelling and show quality to the park. Lange 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, Lange 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.

In the past five years Lange established Creative Studio Berlin to a full-service design and production studio working globally on various Local Based Entertainment and Resort Development projects.

Lange is a regular guest speaker on expert panels at industry events like IAAPA Expos, TEA and SATE conference. Chris proudly serves the Themed Entertainment Association as Vice President on 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.

Chris Lange is the founder and creative force behind Creative Studio Berlin. As an award-winning Creative Executive, he is part of the themed entertainment industry for twenty-plus years.

He is proud of the many unique and exciting visitor experiences he has created for audiences of all ages around the world. Throughout his career, Chris has led international design and installation teams across the globe.

As a 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 30 projects, including the highly themed “Rulantica” water park and “Kronasar” hotel.

Before working for Europe‘s second-largest resort, Chris worked internationally on projects like 20th Century Fox World Malaysia, Adlab‘s Imagica Mumbai, LEGOLAND California, and midway brands such as SEA-LIFE aquariums, the Dungeons or LEGOLAND Discovery Center.

Currently, Chris is working as Creative Executive globally on various Local Based Entertainment and Resort Development projects. Chris is also a regular guest speaker on expert panels at industry events like TEA SATE, or IAAPA. He proudly serves the Themed Entertainment Association on the International Board of Directors.

Chris Lange is the founder and creative force behind Creative Studio Berlin. As a Blooloop 50 Theme Park Influencer and award-winning Creative Executive, he has over twenty years experience in the themed entertainment industry.

He is proud of the many unique and exciting visitor experiences he has created for audiences of all ages around the world.

Throughout his career, Chris has led international design and installation teams across the globe.

As a 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 30 projects, including the highly themed “Rulantica” water park and “Kronasar” hotel. Before working for Europe‘s second-largest resort, Chris worked internationally on projects like 20th Century Fox World Malaysia, Adlab‘s Imagica Mumbai, LEGOLAND California, and midway brands such as SEA-LFE aquariums, the Dungeons or LEGOLAND Discovery Center.
Currently, Chris is working as an independent Creative Executive globally on various Local Based Entertainment and Resort Development projects.
Chris is also a regular guest speaker on expert panels at industry events like TEA SATE, or IAAPA. He proudly serves the Themed Entertainment Association on the board of directors in the EME division.

Chris Lange is the founder and creative force behind Creative Studio Berlin. As an award-winning Creative Executive, he is part of the themed entertainment industry for twenty-plus years.

He is proud of the many unique and exciting visitor experiences he has created for audiences of all ages around the world.

Throughout his career, Chris has led international design and installation teams across the globe.

As a 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 30 projects, including the highly themed “Rulantica” water park and “Kronasar” hotel. Before working for Europe‘s second-largest resort, Chris worked internationally on projects like 20th Century Fox World Malaysia, Adlab‘s Imagica Mumbai, LEGOLAND California, and midway brands such as SEA-LFE aquariums, the Dungeons or LEGOLAND Discovery Center.
Currently, Chris is working as an independent Creative Executive globally on various Local Based Entertainment and Resort Development projects.
Chris is also a regular guest speaker on expert panels at industry events like TEA SATE, or IAAPA. He proudly serves the Themed Entertainment Association on the board of directors in the EME division.

Steve Alcorn is an entrepreneur, engineer, inventor, author, and teacher. In 1982 he joined Walt Disney Imagineering, where he helped design the electronic systems for Epcot Center. After opening he was appointed as Imagineering’s first Systems Engineer. In 1986 he founded Alcorn McBride Inc. The company’s show control, audio, and video playback products are the park-wide standard throughout most of the world’s theme parks.

Alcorn is also a USA Today Best-Selling author who has written a dozen fiction and non-fiction books, including the Epcot history Building a Better Mouse: The Story of the Electronic Imagineers Who Designed Epcot, and Theme Park Design: Behind the Scenes with an Engineer.

Steve Alcorn is an entrepreneur, engineer, inventor, author, and teacher. In 1982 he joined Walt Disney Imagineering, where he helped design the electronic systems for Epcot Center. After opening he was appointed as Imagineering’s first Systems Engineer. In 1986 he founded Alcorn McBride Inc. The company’s show control, audio, and video playback products are the park-wide standard throughout most of the world’s theme parks.

Mr. Alcorn is also a USA Today Best-Selling author who has written a dozen fiction and non-fiction books, including the Epcot history Building a Better Mouse: The Story of the Electronic Imagineers Who Designed Epcot, and Theme Park Design: Behind the Scenes with an Engineer.

Steve Alcorn is an entrepreneur, engineer, inventor, author, and teacher. In 1982 he joined Walt Disney Imagineering, where he helped design the electronic systems for Epcot Center. After opening he was appointed as Imagineering’s first Systems Engineer.

In 1986 he founded Alcorn McBride Inc. The company’s show control, audio, and video playback products are the park-wide standard throughout most of the world’s theme parks.

Mr. Alcorn is also a USA Today Best-Selling author who has written a dozen fiction and non-fiction books, including the Epcot history Building a Better Mouse: The Story of the Electronic Imagineers Who Designed Epcot, and Theme Park Design: Behind the Scenes with an Engineer.

Steve Alcorn is an entrepreneur, engineer, inventor, author, and teacher. In 1982 he joined Walt Disney Imagineering, where he helped design the electronic systems for Epcot Center. After opening he was appointed as Imagineering’s first Systems Engineer.

In 1986 he founded Alcorn McBride Inc. The company’s show control, audio, and video playback products are the park-wide standard throughout most of the world’s theme parks.

Mr. Alcorn is also a USA Today Best-Selling author who has written a dozen fiction and non-fiction books, including the Epcot history Building a Better Mouse: The Story of the Electronic Imagineers Who Designed Epcot, and Theme Park Design: Behind the Scenes with an Engineer.

As Executive Vice President and Head of Lionsgate Global Products & Experiences, Jenefer Brown has established Lionsgate as a major force in branded entertainment. Brown oversees several fast-growing businesses that expand the reach of Lionsgate’s film and television properties, including location-based entertainment, which encompasses attractions in the U.S., Europe, Middle East and Asia, the dynamic interactive games business and the consumer products business.

Named Executive of the Year by Los Angeles Business Journal in 2021 and a Top 10 Theme Park Influencer by blooloop for three years in a row, Brown led the successful openings of Lionsgate’ Entertainment World in Hengqin, China, which has earned rave reviews for ushering in a new era of immersive indoor theme parks; the Lionsgate Zone of the Motiongate theme park in Dubai, with a major expansion that opened in January 2022, Saw Escape experiences in Las Vegas and London; and The Hunger Games: The Exhibition at the MGM Grand Las Vegas. These initiatives add to a portfolio of Lionsgate-branded attractions and events that includes SAW: The Ride at Thorpe Park, the Dirty Dancing and Now You See Me live stage shows and La La Land, Hunger Games, Dirty Dancing and Twilight live-to-film concert tours.

Under Brown’s guidance, Lionsgate is also adapting several of its most acclaimed intellectual properties to the Broadway stage in collaboration with award-winning producers including the long-running television series Nashville and the film sensations La La Land and Wonder.

On the interactive games side, the division has garnered critical acclaim and won several major awards at E3. Highlights include the recently released Evil Dead: The Game; the groundbreaking Call of Duty X SAW crossover; Fortnite X John Wick crossover; psychological horror game Blair Witch; top-selling Five Nights at Freddy’s VR: Help Wanted; and Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid.

As Executive Vice President and Head of Lionsgate Global Products & Experiences, Jenefer Brown has established Lionsgate as a major force in branded entertainment. Brown oversees several fast-growing businesses that expand the reach of Lionsgate’s film and television properties, including location-based entertainment, which encompasses attractions in the U.S., Europe, Middle East and Asia, the dynamic interactive games business and the consumer products business.

Named Executive of the Year by Los Angeles Business Journal in 2021 and a Top 10 Theme Park Influencer by Blooloop for three years in a row, Brown led the successful openings of Lionsgate’ Entertainment World in Hengqin, China, which has earned rave reviews for ushering in a new era of immersive indoor theme parks; the Lionsgate Zone of the Motiongate theme park in Dubai, with a major expansion that opened in January 2022, Saw Escape experiences in Las Vegas and London; and The Hunger Games: The Exhibition at the MGM Grand Las Vegas. These initiatives add to a portfolio of Lionsgate-branded attractions and events that includes SAW: The Ride at Thorpe Park, the Dirty Dancing and Now You See Me live stage shows and La La Land, Hunger Games, Dirty Dancing and Twilight live-to-film concert tours.

Under Brown’s guidance, Lionsgate is also adapting several of its most acclaimed intellectual properties to the Broadway stage in collaboration with award-winning producers including the long-running television series Nashville and the film sensations La La Land and Wonder.

On the interactive games side, the division has garnered critical acclaim and won several major awards at E3. Highlights include the recently released Evil Dead: The Game; the groundbreaking Call of Duty X SAW crossover; Fortnite X John Wick crossover; psychological horror game Blair Witch; top-selling Five Nights at Freddy’s VR: Help Wanted; and Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid.

Jenefer Brown is executive vice president and head of global live, interactive and location-based entertainment at Lionsgate.

After the launch of Lionsgate Entertainment World in 2019 in China, Brown and her team opened more themed entertainment experiences featuring the studio’s intellectual property. There are plans to roll out the Lionsgate Entertainment World format to other territories around the world.

What sets Lionsgate apart from other IP providers in the attractions industry is its focus on largely adult-led licensed properties. One of its key film franchises is The Hunger Games, as featured within the Lionsgate-themed land at Motiongate movie park in Dubai. Meanwhile, at Thorpe Park near London and in Las Vegas, horror fans can enjoy The Walking Dead and SAW-themed rides and experiences. In 2021, a new Blair Witch-themed escape room opened in Las Vegas.

Brown has been named in the blooloop Theme Park Influencer list on three occasions.

Jenefer Brown is Executive Vice President and Head of Lionsgate’s Global Live, Interactive and Location-Based Entertainment. She has established Lionsgate as a major force in branded entertainment with a fast-growing location-based entertainment business that encompasses attractions in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East and Asia. She also oversees the dynamic interactive games business that continues to expand the reach of Lionsgate’s iconic film and television properties.

Under her guidance, the Company recently opened Lionsgate Entertainment World in Hengqin, China, a vertically-designed indoor theme park built around multiple Lionsgate properties. The initiative adds to a portfolio of Lionsgate-branded attractions and events that includes the Lionsgate Zone of the Motiongate theme park in Dubai, the Official Saw Escape Room in Las Vegas, The Hunger Games: The Exhibition, the Now You See Me Live stage show and La La Land, Hunger Games and Twilight live-to-film concert tours. Lionsgate is also adapting several of its most acclaimed intellectual properties to the Broadway stage in collaboration with award-winning producers, including the long-running television series Nashville and the film sensation Wonder.

In addition, Ms. Brown heads up Lionsgate’s interactive games business whose slate continues to garner critical acclaim and which won several major awards at E3. Recent highlights include the ground-breaking Fortnite X John Wick crossover, John Wick Hex; psychological horror game Blair Witch; and top-selling Five Nights at Freddy’s VR: Help Wanted.

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.

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.

Bart Kresa is an award-winning Master Projection Designer, with over 25 years of industry experience.

He is the founder of BARTKRESA studio and Bart and his team create unparalleled projection mapping experiences around the world. The firm has won numerous awards, including AV magazine, Biz Bash, IAAPA, and the Themed Entertainment Association.

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. 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.

Winston Fisher serves as Chief Executive Officer of AREA15, the world’s first purpose-
built immersive entertainment district located minutes from the Las Vegas Strip. AREA15 continues to grow in Las Vegas and across the globe. 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.

With a curated mix of dynamic destinations, 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.

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.

Fisher hails from New York and has extraordinary experience in real estate and financial investing. Possessing a life-long interest in real estate while pursuing an early career in finance provides Fisher with an exceptionally intuitive and knowledgeable business mindset.

Since Spring 2000, Fisher has served as a partner for his family-owned and operated real estate company, Fisher Brothers. He directs the company’s financial and investing activities, property acquisitions and dispositions and oversees all new development initiatives. With experience across a broad range of transactions, he leads all financial analysis, due diligence, project capitalization efforts and joint-venture partnerships for new and distressed real estate projects. In addition to his active participation in the company’s development projects, he also manages the firm’s day-to-day stock and investment portfolio.

Fisher was recently named to the International Board of Directors of the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA). In addition, he is also recognized as one of blooloop’s “Top 50 Theme Park Influencers.” An active civic leader, Mr. Fisher also serves as a board member of many prominent organizations including the Partnership for New York City, the Real Estate Board of New York, Regional Plan Association, Citizens Budget Commission and as a Life Trustee at Syracuse University. He also serves as the Co- Chair of the New York City Regional Economic Development Council.

Additionally, Mr. Fisher is involved in a number of philanthropic activities, serving as a board member of the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. Prior to his career in finance, Fisher earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from Syracuse University.

Winston Fisher is the chief executive officer of AREA15, a collaborative venture between real estate development firm Fisher Brothers and creative agency Beneville Studios. Prior to joining Fisher Brothers in 2000, Fisher worked as an analyst at JP Morgan Chase. After completing his tenure at Chase, he joined Heller Financial.

AREA15 is an experiential art and entertainment complex in Las Vegas, home to immersive activations, art installations, state-of-the-art technology, retail and F&B. Experiences include a permanent gallery that showcases artwork inspired by festivals, an ever-changing Japanese maple tree and canopy with more than 5,000 LED lights, and an interactive giant skull covered in 3D projection mapping. It’s also home to Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart.

“It’s a cool space; it’s entertainment, it’s amusement,” Fisher said. “We are a storytelling company. It’s a word that you hear a lot, though only a few people actually do it with authenticity.”

Opened in 2020, AREA15 is already expanding by 20 acres. he anchor tenant will be a year-round eerie experience from Universal Destinations & Experiences inspired by Halloween Horror Nights. In an interview with blooloop, Fisher said the attraction is going to be “incredible and standout”. Halloween Horror Nights, he said, is a “30-year concept that has incredible brand awareness… it’s edgy, it’s cool, it’s fun”. He added: “It’s the right concept to be part of the AREA15 district. It’s exciting”.

​​“We are very strategic about working with really strong partners and delivering on what we promise them and then building from there,” said Fisher. “We couldn’t be happier that Universal chose AREA15. And it’s going to drive traffic. Our goal is that everybody who’s in the AREA15 ecosystem prospers. We want everyone to be wildly economically successful.”

Fisher was a judge for the inaugural blooloop Innovation Awards in 2021 and joined the panel of judges again in 2022. Speaking about the awards, he said: “This collaboration is rooted in a shared philosophy; to celebrate the projects shaping the future of visitor attractions and immersive experiences.”

Winston Fisher is the chief executive officer of AREA15, a collaborative venture between real estate development firm Fisher Brothers and creative agency Beneville Studios.

AREA15 was launched in September 2020.

AREA15 is an experiential art and entertainment complex in Las Vegas, home to immersive activations, art installations, state-of-the-art technology, retail and F&B. Experiences include a permanent gallery that showcases artwork inspired by festivals, an ever-changing Japanese maple tree and canopy with more than 5,000 LED lights, and an interactive giant skull covered in 3D projection mapping. It’s also home to Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart.

“It’s a cool space; it’s entertainment, it’s amusement,” Fisher said. “We are a storytelling company. It’s a word that you hear a lot, though only a few people actually do it with authenticity.”

Fisher was a judge for the inaugural blooloop Innovation Awards in 2021 and joined the panel of judges again in 2022. Speaking about the awards, he said:

“This collaboration is rooted in a shared philosophy; to celebrate the projects shaping the future of visitor attractions and immersive experiences.”

Fisher has been in the blooloop Theme Park Influencer list for 2020, 2021 and 2022.

Winston Fisher is the chief executive officer of AREA15, a collaborative venture between real estate development firm Fisher Brothers and creative agency Beneville Studios. AREA15 launched just one year ago in September 2020. Prior to joining Fisher Brothers in 2000, Fisher worked as an analyst at JP Morgan Chase. After completing his tenure at Chase, he joined Heller Financial.

AREA15 is an experiential art and entertainment complex in Las Vegas, home to immersive activations, art installations, state-of-the-art technology, retail and F&B. Experiences include a permanent gallery that showcases artwork inspired by festivals, an ever-changing Japanese maple tree and canopy with more than 5,000 LED lights, and an interactive giant skull covered in 3D projection mapping

“It’s a cool space; it’s entertainment, it’s amusement,” Fisher said. “We are a storytelling company. It’s a word that you hear a lot, though only a few people actually do it with authenticity.”

Vince Kadlubek co-founded Meow Wolf, an arts complex that captured the public’s imagination so much that it became a profitable business. Meow Wolf’s latest permanent exhibition,Convergence Station, launched in Denver in 2021. The psychedelic attraction follows the House of Eternal Return in Santa Fe and Omega Mart at AREA15 in Las Vegas.

Non-linear storytelling is key to the experience at this award-winning attraction, which also stages after hours concerts, parties and events. Meow Wolf has been described as an innovative take on an amusement park funhouse.

Meow Wolf is also heading to Texas, with two new permanent installations opening in a shopping mall in Grapevine and the Fifth Ward of Houston in 2023 and 2024.

Vince Kadlubek co-founded that rare thing: Meow Wolf is an arts complex that captured the public’s imagination so much it became a profitable business. Built on the site of a former bowling alley in Santa fe, New Mexico, Meow Wolf debuted The House of Eternal Return in 2016. Non-linear storytelling is key to the experience at this award-winning attraction, which also stages after hours concerts, parties and events.

“There are museums, children’s museums, and there are themed rides at Disneyland,” says Kadlubek. “But nobody else is just letting people explore. Everyone says they are attracting all demographics. But we actually do.”

Meow Wolf has been described has an innovative, 21st Century take on an amusement park fun house. The team behind the attraction recently re-invented another carnival classic. Kaleidoscape is a psychedelic dark ride that has freaking out visitors to Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colorado, since April 2019. The attraction serves as a precursor to a $30 million permanent art exhibit that will open in the city in late 2021. Meow Wolf is also planning ‘artainment’ experiences in Las Vegas, Phoenix and Washington DC.

In October, Kadlubek announced that he was stepping down as CEO, but will continue as executive advisor to Meow Wolf. Sharing the role of chief executive will be Ali Rubinstein, Carl Christensen and Jim Ward. Also helping continue the collective’s mission will be Game of Thrones author George RR Martin, an early Meow Wolf backer who has now been appointed its ‘chief world builder’.