About the blooloop Innovation Awards 2022

Linda Spurdle is the Head of Digital at Birmingham Museums Trust and a Blooloop 50 Museum Influencer. At the Trust she manages digital strategy, digital engagement and ICT. She is committed to increasing access to its collections and images.

She was behind Birmingham Museum’s first open-access policy. This made it the only museum in the UK that made all of its out-of-copyright artworks available for free under a Creative Commons Zero License.

This resulted in thousands of images being viewed millions or times and downloaded in the hundreds of thousands, a development that was especially important during lockdown.

As a result, the museum has been more digitally engaged than ever. Despite the pandemic, new projects have focused on community, well being and creativity.

Spurdle has always championed new and creative new ways for visitors to engage with the museum. To this end she has recently run a series of hacks and workshops.

Choni Fernandez Veciana is the director of central services and sustainability at PortAventura, the first carbon neutral theme park in the world. She joined the company in 2007 and is a key player in PortAventura’s efforts to minimise its environmental footprint.

In 2020, PortAventura World became the first carbon-neutral theme park. The attraction will now offset 100 percent of the direct emissions generated. Its programmes include a large solar energy plant, plastic elimination targets and the first carbon-neutral hotel, Colorado Creek.

“The carbon-neutral resort project is integrated into the global corporate responsibility strategy that guides the company’s decision-making to continue being a benchmark in sustainable tourism,” Fernandez Veciana said. “Our strategic approach also demands that we integrate compliance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), defined in the 2030 Agenda, into our management in order to continue generating value.”

She is not content just to rest at carbon neutral, however. Speaking at greenloop 2022, Fernandez Veciana outlined the next steps in decarbonisation for one of the most sustainable theme parks & resorts in the world and explained how and why PortAventura is adopting Science Based Targets.

Fernandez Veciana was in the blooloop Theme Park Influencer lists for both 2021 and 2022.

James Dwyer is Design Director at Lumsden, an award-winning design firm specialising in creating unique retail environments for museums, galleries and visitor attractions worldwide.

With Lumsden for twelve years, James and his team work with major global brands, world leading museums and cultural attractions. Clients include the V&A, TATE, Warner Bros. and M+ Hong Kong.

Lumsden recently completed work on The Burrell Collection‘s retail environment as part of a major refurbishment project.

Ben Thompson has over 20 years experience in marketing and strategy roles in the themed entertainment and theme park industry.

He spent five years at Walt Disney where his most recent role was as Marketing Director EMEA in Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. In this role he was responsible for EMEA-wide marketing programs on major film franchises including Star Wars Episode VII, Frozen, Cars 2, Brave and several MCU releases.

Between 2015 and 2018 Ben was Global Marketing Director for Merlin Entertainments. He had responsibility for the openings of 4 LEGOLAND theme parks and 40 Midway sites.

In 2018 Ben founded 9 Degrees West, a strategy consultancy for the experience economy, specialising in theme parks, visitor attractions and brand homes. Ben’s consultancy work included global children’s edutainment brand KidZania, Europa Park, the Cataratas Group (the largest park operator in South America), M&Ms World, and Tony’s Chocolonely.

Ben joined Storyland Studios as Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Global Clients in July 2020. Ben runs the Storyland international office and is a member of the Storyland executive board. He is highly active in developing new theme parks and attraction concepts, including the recently announced partnership with the global gaming giant Ubisoft.

Mat Way is Global Director, Live Entertainment, Gaming & Interactive at the BBC in London.

He is a highly experienced media executive with extensive experience in the commercial, strategic, and creative development of Location Based Entertainment and Live Shows. He has a proven background working with major IPs and leading live event business development and execution in key markets including Asia, Europe, and North America. His role also includes managing the BBC’s Gaming and Interactive businesses.

Brandon Helgeson is Director, Digital Experience & Product Development at Universal Parks & Resorts. He is currently based in Japan.

He has been with Universal for over 14 years. Having started his career as an usher at the Blue Man Theater, he has since been involved in Entrance Operations, then as a Business Analyst and finally to working in Digital Experience & Product Development, where he is now the Director. Brandon leads a group of product managers responsible for an eCommerce platform, a Guest Experience Management System (GEMS), the admission ticketing system and the Hotel Experience Integration & Central Reservation System (CRS).

Chad Kunimoto is the global business development manager, Immersive Experiences & Themed Entertainment, for Panasonic Connect.

She has over 15 years of global marketing and business development experience, especially with professional audio-visual technology for the themed entertainment industry. With her expertise and insights into trends in this immersive entertainment area, some of her experiences include working together with key partners to create memorable new experiences for guests around the world through Panasonic’s cutting-edge technologies.

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.

Ty Granaroli has been creating and producing theme parks and attractions for over 30 years. His projects include developments throughout the world, including in China, Korea, Japan, Europe, Thailand, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar and North America.

Ty started his career as a writer and creative director, leading the creative development for 6 Thea Award-Winning projects, including Star Trek: The Experience, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Caesars Magical Empire, Hershey’s Really Big 3D Show, T2:3D and the M&M’s 4D attraction.
Ty’s successes includes creating projects for owner/operators Universal, Disney, Hershey and Paramount Parks, which he later joined as Vice President of Creative.

Ty opened his own design company, where he continued to design and produce outstanding attractions for a long list of international clients, with significant involvement in Warner Bros. Movie World, Abu Dhabi (another Thea Award Winner), where he created four of the main attractions and oversaw creation and production of all attraction media.

In 2018, Ty returned to Paramount to lead design, development and production for all Paramount and ViacomCBS LBE licensing projects, including the Star Trek and Nickelodeon brands. In 2020, Ty was promoted to Executive Vice President of Themed Entertainment and was also named to the Blooloop 50 Top Influencers list.

Eleanor Harris is the Director of I-Xperience, a visitor attraction marketing and business consultancy working with museum, cultural and leisure attractions businesses. It helps its clients to become more profitable, develop new income streams and to attract more visitors.

With extensive experience working with major attractions, from London Zoo to Royal Museums Greenwich, Eleanor is also a Director of British Airways i360, Brighton’s most visited paid-for attraction and was CEO during its opening (2014-2016).

Justin East is the Global Senior Creative Director, Research and Development at Merlin Entertainments, the world’s second biggest attractions operator and the biggest in Europe.

An award-winning professional and Blooloop 50 Theme Park Influencer, he has substantial experience directing strategic planning and creative design for high-growth corporations. He works globally across all Merlin’s attractions, ranging from LEGOLAND to Madame Tussauds.

Justin has held his current role since 2012. Before this, he served as group creative director at Merlin from 2007 – 2012 and spent over a decade at the LEGO Group, where his last role was as group creative director of LEGOLAND’s global family attractions in 2005.

East has been behind a raft of new product developments. These include the LEGOLAND Discovery Centres, a rollercoaster bearing Derren’s Brown’s name at Thorpe Park, the relaunch of The London Dungeon, and the redesign of Cadbury World. He has extensive knowledge and experience in bringing new technology, such as VR and robotics, into attractions.

In 2022, Merlin R&D and blooloop joined forces to hold a first-of-its-kind one-day online event, brainstorming the evolution of dark rides and inviting ideas from the next generation of innovators.

Rachel Kuhn is an Associate Director at BOP Consulting, a global consulting practice specialising in culture and the creative economy.

Rachel has extensive experience in planning and opening exciting cultural venues and destinations. Leading BOP’s Strategy and Master Planning work, she helps the firm’s clients to realise significant transformation projects including strategic development and capital projects.

Her specialisms include strategic, business, commercial and operational planning. She’s an expert on visitor experience and operations in museums, galleries, and visitor attractions. She is also a proud trustee of Kids in Museums.

Rachel Kuhn is an Associate Director at BOP Consulting. The firm is a research and consulting practice with expertise in the cultural sector.

Rachel has extensive experience in planning and opening exciting cultural venues and destinations. Leading much of BOP’s Master Planning work, she helps the firm’s clients to realise new programmes, capital projects and shape destinations.

Specialisms include strategic, business, commercial and operational planning. An expert on visitor experience and operations in museums, galleries, and visitors attractions.

Proud trustee of Kids in Museums.

Mary Coriano is the Head of Products and Corporate Portfolio at Merlin Entertainments, the world’s second biggest operator of visitor attractions and the biggest in Europe.

She is a Business Transformation and Digital Supply Chain Professional with a proven track record of delivering major change programmes globally.

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.

Helen Lockhart is the conservation and sustainability manager for the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town, South Africa, where she has worked since 1995. Lockhart is currently responsible for managing the aquarium’s environmental impact. This includes developing and implementing the aquarium’s sustainability strategy, minimising its ecological footprint, and raising staff and public awareness around sustainability through communication platforms, exhibits and environmental campaigns.

“I feel a deep connection to the ocean and all of nature. It is my only home and part of my extended family. It is what gives me life. Although I grew up far away from the sea it has been an integral part of my life for the past 30 years as not only do I now live close to it, but I also work in the field of ocean conservation. The plants and animals of the marine realm continually astound me and teach me new things. I am also inspired by the many people who have dedicated their lives to protecting the ocean,” Lockhart said.

She recently contributed to and edited WAZA’s guide on reducing, measuring and offsetting carbon, which launched in October 2022. The guide was written by professionals in zoos and aquariums around the world. She also contributed to WAZA’s short guide on how to reduce single-use plastics at zoos and aquariums, and was a speaker at greenloop 2023.

Additionally, she is a member of the WAZA carbon subcommittee. Both guides are free to download and provide tips, guidance, advice and practical steps to follow. “The credibility of our messages and even the legitimacy of our existence is at stake if we don’t reduce our own emissions,” said Lockhart.

Helen Lockhart is the Communications & Sustainability Manager at Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town, South Africa. She is interested in behaviour change, connecting people with nature, joining the dots so that people can see how everything is interconnected and that every action has a consequence for the natural world.
Helen has worked in communications, marketing, conservation and sustainability for 25 years.
She likes to use storytelling, photography and poetry to inspire and create an emotional connection to nature.

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.

Amanda Mayne is responsible for partnership development within the international touring exhibitions department of the British Museum, bringing the museum’s vast collection to audiences across the world.

With over 8 million objects , the museum has a wide-ranging programme of travelling exhibitions, with up to 14 openings a year. Exhibitions have included Egyptian mummies, Rome: city and empire; Italian Renaissance drawings; Ancient Greeks; an age of luxury: the Assyrians to Alexander, and Goddess, celebrating the power and diversity of the divine female in belief through the ages.

Mayne joined the British Museum in 2007 from the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London. She is Co-Chair of the International Committee of Exhibition Exchange (ICEE) and has been on the committees’ board since 2016.

Amanda Mayne is responsible for partnership development within the international touring exhibitions department of the British Museum, bringing the museum’s vast collection to audiences across the world.

With over 8 million objects , the museum has a wide-ranging programme of travelling exhibitions, with up to 14 openings a year. Exhibitions have included Egyptian mummies, Rome: city and empire; Italian Renaissance drawings; Ancient Greeks; an age of luxury: the Assyrians to Alexander, and Goddess, celebrating the power and diversity of the divine female in belief through the ages.

Mayne joined the British Museum in 2007 from the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London. She is Co-Chair of the International Committee of Exhibition Exchange (ICEE) and has been on the committees’ board since 2016.

Amanda Mayne is International Engagement Manager at the British Museum, in Bloomsbury, London. She is responsible for touring exhibitions , bringing the museum’s vast collection to audiences across the world.

With over 8 million objects , the museum has a wide-ranging programme of travelling exhibitions, with up to 14 openings a year. Exhibitions have included Egyptian mummies, Rome: city and empire; Italian Renaissance drawings; Ancient Greeks; an age of luxury: the Assyrians to Alexander, and Goddess, celebrating the power and diversity of the divine female in belief through the ages.

Mayne joined the British Museum in 2007 from the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. She has been an elected board member of the International Committee of Exhibition Exchange (ICEE) since 2016.

For over 30 years, Sarah Sutton has led the US museum sector in sustainability and climate action.

She is CEO of Environment and Culture Partners, a non-profit organisation dedicated to strengthening and broadening the environmental leadership of the cultural sector. She co-founded the company in 2021 with Stephanie Shapiro.

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 sustainability.

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.

She was voted into the blooloop 50 Museum Influencer list for 2022 and 2023.

For over 30 years, Sarah Sutton has led the US museum sector in sustainability and climate action.

She is CEO of Environment and Culture Partners, a non-profit organisation dedicated to strengthening and broadening the environmental leadership of the cultural sector. She co-founded the company in 2021 with Stephanie Shapiro.

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 sustainability.

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.

She was voted into the Blooloop 50 Museum Influencer list for 2022.

For over 30 years, Sarah Sutton has led the US museum sector in sustainability and climate action. She is CEO of Environment and Culture Partners, a non-profit organisation dedicated to strengthening and broadening the environmental leadership of the cultural sector. She co-founded the company in 2021 with Stephanie Shapiro.

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 sustainability.

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.

She was voted into the Blooloop 50 Museum Influencer list for 2022.

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’.