About the blooloop Innovation Awards 2025

Denize Ledeatte, as the director of the National Windrush Museum, is skilled in organisational management, strategic planning, and fundraising.

Her leadership and analytical abilities enable her to navigate complex challenges and opportunities, while her personable nature allows her to build strong relationships with stakeholders and partners.

She has a talent for identifying and communicating complex historical and cultural themes in ways that engage and inspire diverse audiences.

Ledeatte's passion for the arts, heritage, and social justice, along with her diverse range of skills and experiences, fuels her innovative approach to solving problems. She is dedicated to using her talents to preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of the Caribbean and to advance social equity through education.

Olivia Wyrick began her waterpark career 26 years ago as a lifeguard, eventually turning her seasonal role into a full-time management position at Wet’n Wild Emerald Pointe in North Carolina, where she worked for 11 years.

In early 2009, she seized an opportunity to broaden her knowledge and experience by joining Great Wolf Lodge Resorts & Waterpark in Concord, North Carolina, as the waterpark’s aquatics training manager. She managed all pre-opening training and operational development for the resort’s indoor waterpark, while also taking on additional responsibilities with the resort’s hotel operations.

After a successful opening and first quarter, Wyrick got a life-changing opportunity to work abroad at another resort waterpark. In late 2009, she moved to Dubai and began working at Atlantis Dubai as an operations manager at Aquaventure Waterpark. She managed the waterpark, pools, and beaches, gaining new skills with a diverse team.

In 2014, Wyrick was promoted to director of operations, where she continued to lead a team of more than 400 colleagues in the safe and successful daily operation of one of the world’s largest waterparks. Over the following years, she became involved in the expansion of the waterpark, participating in four separate developments, including the most recent, Trident Tower.

This addition introduced 28 more slides, an action river, and the region's first-ever cliff jumps to the Aquaventure attraction portfolio.

Following the successful opening of the new area in March 2021, Wyrick concluded her 11.5 years with Aquaventure and joined one of the Kingdom’s emerging mega projects, Qiddiya. Currently, she serves as the senior director of operations and aquatics for Aquarabia Water Theme Park, which will be the region’s largest water theme park, offering a wide range of attractions.

She was among the initial group to join the project in 2021, contributing to the design and development of the park’s attractions and facilities, as well as establishing the operational structure and teams.

Featuring world-class waterslides combined with white-water rafting and surfing waves in the desert, she looks forward to opening a world-class water theme park for all of Saudi Arabia to enjoy.

In addition to her extensive operational experience, her passion for safety and aquatic risk management over the past two decades has significantly influenced lifeguard and aquatic professional training and development in the region. This dedication and commitment to aquatic safety earned her recognition in January 2021 as a senior associate with Ellis and Associates, which specialises in risk management and aquatics.

Anna Warnecke is a dynamic leader with a deep passion for storytelling, live performance, and audience engagement.

With a career spanning elite equestrianism, large-scale event production, and visitor attraction management, she brings a unique blend of creativity and operational expertise to her role as CEO of Kynren.

Warnecke has been part of Kynren since its inception, playing a pivotal role in shaping its vision and success. She initially served as director of cavalry and estates, overseeing the precision training of horses and riders and ensuring the seamless integration of equestrian performance into the show’s grand spectacle.

Now at the helm as CEO, she continues to drive Kynren’s evolution, blending immersive storytelling with breathtaking live performances. She is spearheading the expansion of The Storied Lands, transforming it into a vibrant daytime attraction while maintaining the magic of the renowned evening show.

With a deep appreciation for history, spectacle, and audience engagement, Warnecke ensures that Kynren remains an unforgettable journey through time—one that captivates, educates, and inspires audiences year after year.

With over three decades of experience in the entertainment industry, Deana Taylor serves as vice president of operations, innovation and transformation at Miral Experiences.

In this role, she leads strategic operational initiatives with a strong focus on enhancing the guest experience, driving excellence through a customer-centric approach, and upholding the highest show quality standards.

Taylor’s previous role was general manager of Ferrari World Yas Island Abu Dhabi, where she spearheaded the park’s day-to-day operations, led the retail, F&B, and guest services teams, and managed shared service support functions within Miral Experiences - the manager and operator of Yas Theme Parks, as well as CLYMB Yas Island, Abu Dhabi and Qasr Al Watan.

Prior to that, she served as entertainment director at both Yas Waterworld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, and Ferrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, where she optimised guest experiences and coordinated, planned, and managed the parks' entertainment shows.

Taylor’s breadth of entertainment experience entailed theme park events management and commercial performance. Kick-starting her career in 1991, she held several positions in themed entertainment over the course of 14 years at Village Roadshow Theme Parks in Australia.

In 2008, she took the position of voice recording artist at Pen2stage, later on transitioning into the role of international events manager, where she worked on a wide variety of events across the UAE and Asia until 2015.

Elaine Schomburg-LaFleur has over 22 years of experience in the entertainment industry, working across diverse roles and projects.

Her expertise spans project engineering, technical management, project management, and mechanical engineering, as well as the design, inspection, and maintenance of rides, shows, retail, and restaurants for major theme parks in Florida.

This breadth of experience enables her to balance big-picture strategy with the intricacies of design, ensuring successful project execution.

At Walt Disney World Resort, she served as a project manager for the 50th Celebration, overseeing the design, fabrication, and installation of the castle decorations, Main Street projector show, bronze sculptures, and gateway arches. She also managed the new attraction track and themed show elements for Big Thunder Mountain and handled the replacement of key show elements and equipment during a tight two-week window at Pirates of the Caribbean.

Schomburg-LaFleur coordinated the installation of an ADA ramp and themed bench for Prince Charming Carrousel, contributed as a ride engineer for Buzz Lightyear ride component modifications, and managed the design, fabrication, and installation of a coffee kiosk at Tomorrowland Joffrey’s. Additionally, she led modifications to tunnels for stormwater, sanitary, and fire suppression systems.

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, she managed the Kilimanjaro Safari ride vehicle replacement. She oversaw various modifications during attraction downtimes, including track-switch work, fall protection, and themed-element updates for Expedition Everest, and ride-track switch, animated-figure repair, and vehicle maintenance for Dinosaur.

She also managed track and brake modifications for Primeval Whirl, puppet updates for the Festival of the Lion King, and themed fabrication for the Anandapur Ice Cream Truck, as well as back-of-house animal facility projects.

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Schomburg-LaFleur managed themed elements for Jedi Training. At Epcot, she handled the projection changeout for Frozen, created maintenance inspection documentation for Soarin’, and managed various bridge, concrete, and sanitary repairs across key facilities.

Lora Sauls began her career at Universal Orlando 29 years ago as a singing and dancing Bride of Frankenstein in the Beetlejuice Graveyard Review. From the moment she performed on stage at Universal Orlando, she knew this would be her home.

In 1998, Sauls choreographed her first Halloween Horror Nights shows, and ever since, she has worked on all aspects of HHN, from being creative director of haunted houses and scare zones to directing shows. Her passion for HHN now leads the creative team behind all the content.

Sauls and her team have backgrounds in writing, choreography, staging, and directing, and they lead creative projects at Universal Orlando’s Marquee Productions, including Halloween Horror Nights, the Grinchmas programme, all Universal parades, Mardi Gras, Mega Movie, and Holiday events.

Sauls has a passion for creating a creative village that encourages multiple teams to collaborate and develop fresh ideas.

Tim Reeve has been deputy director and chief operating officer of the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) since 2013.

He has also overseen the development of the V&A East Museum and Storehouse in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, East London, as part of the East Bank cultural and educational legacy.

Before joining the V&A, Reeve was director of historic properties at English Heritage, and he is a trustee of the Canal and River Trust, a member of the Hunterian Strategic Development Board, a director of V&A Dundee, and a member of the Exhibition Road Cultural Group (ERCG).

Malika N. Pryor, JD, is the chief learning and engagement officer for the International African American Museum. She works with the CEO to guide the development of programs exploring the Middle Passage, the African diaspora, and African Americans' vital contributions to history and the modern world.

Pryor leads the learning and engagement division and develops partnerships and initiatives that advance and uphold the museum’s mission, including exhibitions, school programmes, faith-based initiatives, local and national public programmes, and the Center for Family History, a unique research centre dedicated to African American genealogy.

A native of Detroit, Michigan, Pryor was influenced by her family’s legacy in education and the arts. She also benefited from the city’s diverse community and cultural arts institutions, and both her academic and professional journey mirror this rich early experience.

She earned a BA in Organizational Studies and Afro-American and African Studies from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, then a JD from Wayne State. After practising entertainment law in Atlanta, Pryor returned home in 2010 to serve as director of education and programmes at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

From there, she launched a boutique non-profit consulting firm providing services to emerging community-based organisations and social entrepreneurs with a special emphasis on Black, Indigenous, and global majority founders.

She then joined the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas, where she led communications, development, and education, directing the museum’s national touring exhibition.

While living abroad, she founded Curlyfest Bahamas, a festival celebrating natural hair, before returning to Detroit, where she most recently served as the senior director of education programmes and outreach for the Detroit Historical Society.

There, she developed innovative and notable interpretive experiences, including Invoking the Spirit: Detroit’s Black Bottom, a digital exhibition and walking tour chronicling the lives and experiences of one of the city's most historically significant neighbourhoods.

Goc O’Callaghan is a global experience strategist at UBQex, where she combines analytical skills with creative flair, with a holistic approach to experience consultancy that encompasses everything from strategic planning and concept development to execution and evaluation.

This dynamic approach and innovative experience consultancy facilitate clients to find, define and unlock the perceived and actual value in the experiences for their end-users.

As the founder, owner and director of the award-winning ArcTanGent Festival, O’Callaghan has transformed the event into a cultural phenomenon, attracting thousands of attendees from around the globe.

The visionary approach to festival curation of unorthodox artistry has earned numerous accolades, including the prestigious Best Small Festival in the UK Festival Awards.

O’Callaghan is a respected trend forecaster, specialising in predicting future trends in the experience industry. Their insights have been instrumental in guiding brands and organisations to stay ahead of the curve, ensuring that their offerings remain relevant and engaging in an ever-evolving market.

O’Callaghan's trend reports are highly anticipated and have been featured in leading industry publications.

Renowned for her ability to combine the strategic and advisory service offer with the practical application of crafting unforgettable experiences that resonate deeply with audiences and advanced academic studies, O’Callaghan has become a sought-after expert in the field of experience.

O’Callaghan's dedication to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the realm of experiences has made her a trailblazer in the industry. Whether it’s through work as an experience consultant, festival owner, academic or trend predictor, O’Callaghan continues to inspire and innovate, shaping the future of experiential design.

Keely McClarin is the vice president of Global PMO, overseeing Holovis’ projects worldwide and managing a team of highly experienced project managers who create some of the most technologically advanced attractions in the world.

McClarin has worked on everything from roller coasters to immersive attractions to live experiences, working with some of the most recognisable brands in the entertainment industry, including Netflix and Busch Gardens – as well as a lot of projects she can’t even tell you about!

Yoshi Maruyama is the CEO of TOCA Football (TOCA) and serves on its board of directors. Maruyama was named CEO in May 2019 and leads all of TOCA's global businesses.

Prior to TOCA, Maruyama served in leadership roles for leisure and entertainment companies for over 20 years, most recently as global head of location based entertainment at DreamWorks Animation and senior vice president of business development at Universal Parks & Resorts.

Maruyama began his career as a financial analyst at J.P. Morgan & Co. and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Operations Research from Columbia University.

In addition, Maruyama serves on the boards of SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, a NYSE-listed company, and Make-a-Wish Greater Los Angeles, a children’s non-profit organisation.

Brian Machamer is the park president of Six Flags Qiddiya City and the adjacent Aquarabia Water Theme Park, two flagship entertainment destinations under development in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

With more than three decades of international theme park leadership experience, Machamer oversees the operational design, development, and operational strategy for both parks as part of Qiddiya City’s pioneering role in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 transformation.

Machamer began his career in 1990 with Universal Studios Florida, where he held senior roles across park operations. Over the following years, he helped launch and manage major theme park developments in Singapore, Malaysia, and the United Arab Emirates, including assignments at Universal Studios Singapore.

His work has spanned both mature and emerging markets, giving him a broad perspective on international guest expectations and large-scale attraction delivery.

Traci Lewand currently serves as the chief experience officer at San Antonio Zoo, where she brings over 25 years of experience in operations and event management across the tourism and hospitality industries.

Her career has spanned key roles at SeaWorld San Antonio and Hemisfair, where she made significant contributions to the development and success of both organisations.

At SeaWorld, Lewand managed a diverse range of operational functions, from admissions to special events, rides, and guest services. She was instrumental in overseeing park quality, waterparks, and training programs, ensuring a seamless guest experience.

In 2015, Lewand transitioned to Hemisfair, where she helped with the redevelopment of the historic site of the 1968 World’s Fair. As the Director of Events, she played a crucial role in building and executing some of San Antonio’s largest and most culturally significant festivals, several of which earned national recognition for their scale and impact.

Lewand is deeply involved in the San Antonio community, serving as a board member for the San Antonio Visitor Alliance, Respite Care of San Antonio (Gala Chair), and the Metro San Antonio Chamber of Commerce (Government Affairs Committee Vice-Chair).

She is also on the Council of Commissioners for Women in Film & Television Texas and serves on the Reddix Center School Advisory Committee.

A passionate advocate for inclusion, Lewand founded ChangingSA, a community awareness initiative aimed at addressing the need for universal changing stations. Inspired by her 13-year-old son, Mason, who requires such facilities to participate in community activities.

Lewand’s advocacy efforts have led to the installation of universal changing stations in various locations throughout San Antonio.

Mary Levinsky is a visual merchandise designer at Universal Destinations & Experiences with a background as a retail business owner, interior designer, and recent graduate of UCF’s Themed Experience MS program.

"I love bold, vibrant design, color, storytelling, and immersive retail," says Levinsky.

"I love being in the themed experience industry and am constantly inspired by how creative and ever-changing it is.

"For innovation in retail design, I’m most impressed when a display not only captivates visually but also immerses the guest in a story, engaging them so they want to take a piece of it home.

"I look for design that sparks joy, invites guest interaction, and incorporates unique or unexpected materials."

Dr. Kenneth Lacovara has unearthed some of the largest dinosaurs ever to walk the earth, including the massive 65-ton Dreadnoughtus, which appeared in the film Jurassic World: Dominion.

He is a recipient of The Explorers Club Medal, the highest honor in exploration, previously awarded to pioneers such as Sir Edmund Hillary, Jane Goodall, and Neil Armstrong.

His TED talk has been viewed by over five million people, and his book, Why Dinosaurs Matter, published by Simon & Schuster, is a winner of the Nautilus Book Prize.

Lacovara’s discoveries have landed him three times in Discover magazine’s 100 Top Science Stories of the Year, and he has appeared in over 20 television documentaries.

He is founding former dean of the School of Earth & Environment at Rowan University, and is the founding executive director of the Edelman Fossil Park & Museum.

Henry Kim is a creative director at FORREC, a Toronto-based experience design company with projects around the world.

He’s a true blue-sky thinker who thrives on early-stage concept development, using sketches, visual tools, and collaborative sessions to help teams unlock big ideas.

Kim is known for leading exploratory brainstorms that turn bold, imaginative thinking into clear, actionable next steps. His portfolio includes the Three Kingdoms Theme Park in Hangzhou, Six Flags Chongqing, LEGOLAND Shanghai Resort, and the Babylon Hotel & Resort in Vietnam.

Before joining FORREC, Kim worked on early concept development for landmark projects, including The Palm Jumeirah and The World Islands in Dubai.

Tera Greenwood is a hospitality strategist and brand storyteller with more than two decades of experience driving growth and innovation across the cultural attractions industry.

As executive vice president of brand and relationships at SSA Group, she leads the company’s partner engagement, brand voice, and experiential strategy—helping venues reimagine the guest journey through design, technology, and 452 Hospitality.

Greenwood believes in the power of moments—the kind that leave people feeling seen, connected, and part of something bigger—and she brings that philosophy to every aspect of her work.

She oversees SSA’s brand identity, guides experiential marketing, and champions 452 Hospitality as an operational approach that turns everyday interactions into lasting impact.

A passionate advocate for inclusive experiences and neurodiversity in the workplace, Greenwood brings heart, creativity, and curiosity to every relationship she builds and every story she tells.

A destination entertainment design expert with 25-plus years of experience in immersive, themed, and experiential design, Andrew Fastman has influenced the outcomes of large, complex projects from the earliest conceptual stages through the end of construction.

His knowledge of intellectual property design, coupled with the practical application of operational efficiencies, has added significant value to the firm's work for clients such as Universal Creative, Walt Disney Imagineering, and Six Flags (formerly Cedar Fair Entertainment Company).

He is a recognised leader in creating compelling designs that are tied together through engaging storytelling. Fastman is dedicated to enhancing the experience of his venues through global stewardship and responsible practices.

Kael Elliott is an experienced creative leader specializing in cutting-edge, innovative and immersive theme park resort design, including master planning, art direction, experiential design, film and television directing, writing and production.

He has multi-discipline experience within the entertainment, attraction and media industries, including concept design and creation, 3D modeling, interactive and audiovisual effects, lighting design, IP integration and immersive themed environments.

James Dwyer is Creative Director and Owner of Lumsden, a studio renowned for award-winning retail and restaurant interiors at many of the world’s most iconic cultural and entertainment destinations. With 19 years’ experience spanning retail, hospitality, themed environments, and exhibition design, his portfolio includes Warner Bros. Studio Tour London and Tokyo, the flagship Harry Potter stores in Chicago and Harajuku, Netflix House, MoMA, the British Museum, M+ Hong Kong, The National Gallery, and the Royal National Theatre.

His work weaves storytelling, inventive product curation, and immersive design to create shopping and dining experiences that engage audiences and deliver lasting commercial success worldwide.

Jim Denny is the Vice President of Digital Experience for Six Flags, where he leads the strategy and innovation behind guest-facing digital platforms, including mobile, web, and emerging technologies. With more than a decade of leadership in the amusement park and hospitality industry, Jim has driven transformative initiatives that enhance engagement and improve the guest journey.

His career began in financial services, where he spent more than 15 years building expertise in customer experience, operations, and technology integration. Combining these diverse experiences, Jim brings a unique perspective to creating seamless, guest-focused digital solutions that blend improved business performance with memorable guest experiences.

Marcy Davis is the Senior Vice President of Attractions for American Dream, a division of Triple Five Group. Marcy is a part of a six-person executive leadership team at American Dream, which is comprised of the ownership team and the COO.

Marcy handles $150 million in revenues across multiple attractions including Nickelodeon Universe (amusement park), DreamWorks Water Park, Hasbro Game Room (arcade/restaurant), Sesame Learn & Play, Angry Birds Mini Golf, Black Light Mini Golf, Mirror Maze and The Arena (Ice rink, transformed to a hard surface for sporting and concert events such as Harlem Globetrotters, The Throne basketball tournament, gymnastics, wrestling and Jonas Brothers album release concert). Revenue streams include ticket sales, retail, F&B, third-party management, sponsorship and related marketing activities.

Marcy’s role also includes the strategic development and vision for new attractions at American Dream; along with assisting other like attractions across the Triple Five portfolio (Mall of America, West Edmonton Mall).

Marcy’s role was created by the CEO of Triple Five, who recruited Marcy from her role as COO at Paradox Museum.

Mark Cornell boasts over three decades of groundbreaking leadership in attraction development, business strategy, and entertainment innovation. As a visionary force behind many of the industry’s most dynamic projects, he founded Malvern Entertainment to represent a premium roster of the world’s top-tier ride and attraction companies. Building on this success, Mark plays a pivotal role in the overall development of Mattel Adventure Parks, helping bring globally recognized IP to life through immersive, next-generation experiences.

Notably, he led business development initiatives for Chance Rides and other major industry players across North America, curating bespoke, high-impact attractions that redefined brand engagement in location-based entertainment.

Mark also served as a senior executive at SimEx-Iwerks Entertainment for an impressive eighteen years. This globally renowned company was at the forefront of cinematic and experiential attractions, with a growing portfolio that includes 4-D FX theaters, themed retail and dining, ride simulators, branded experiences, laser mazes, nature-based attractions, and aerial adventure courses. His leadership was instrumental in establishing partnerships with over 60 venues throughout North America and the United Kingdom.

Mario Centola is Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of International Operations and Chuck E. Cheese Worldwide Franchise Development. In this role, Mario will be responsible for leading the strategy and growth of the brand’s international efforts and expansion into new and existing markets.

Mario has over 25 years’ experience in out-of-home entertainment, theme parks and international development space having worked for several regional theme park companies during his career. Prior to joining CEC Entertainment, Mario served as the served as the Senior Vice President of In-Park Services at Six Flags Entertainment, where he oversaw capital planning, engineering, maintenance, international operations, and commercial activities, inclusive of sales and corporate partnerships. Mario’s operational background is complimented by his strong financial background having served as Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer and Vice President of Financial Planning and Strategy during his 21-year tenure at Six Flags Entertainment.

Mr. Centola holds a B.S. degree in Finance from Miami University and a Master’s degree in both Business Administration and Information Systems from The University of Akron.

Rosie Brailsford is a Creative Director at Merlin Entertainments, where she plays a pivotal role within Merlin Magic Making - the global creative and delivery team behind some of the world’s most iconic entertainment destinations. With over 12 years of experience spanning immersive attractions, exhibitions, and experiential design, Rosie brings a uniquely multidisciplinary perspective as a Creative Director, Art Director, Producer, and Narrative Spatial Designer.

At Merlin, Rosie leads the creative vision for projects across the Legoland Parks and Global Existing Estate, guiding teams from concept through to installation. Her work emphasizes guest-centric design, inclusive storytelling, and collaborative innovation, working closely with a broad range of talent including producers, creative technologists, strategists, and brand leads.

Rosie is passionate about crafting playful, educational, and meaningful experiences that resonate with audiences of all ages. Her leadership combines strategic thinking with creative flair, ensuring every project not only delights but also inspires.

Abby Bysshe is Chief Experience and Strategy Officer at The Franklin Institute. In addition to fostering a world-class touring exhibition program, she is currently prioritizing the museum’s visitor experience, elevating its exhibitions, and leading a comprehensive master planning process that intersected with the museum’s bicentennial in 2024.

Bysshe brings 20 years of experience in innovative museum business modeling and exhibition development and implementation to The Franklin Institute. Before landing in Philadelphia, Bysshe worked in the National Gallery of Art exhibits department, then moved to National Geographic to lead its traveling and digital exhibition programs and eventually took charge of its national and international museum partnerships.

Bysshe’s endless curiosity about the experiences and location-based entertainment industries continues to inform her drive to evolve how museums think, act, and earn in the 21st century. She is a sought-after thought leader and presenter with speaking engagements for the American Alliance of Museums, the Association of Science and Technology Centers, and the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. In Philadelphia, she represents The Franklin Institute as a Board Member of the Parkway Council Foundation.

In 2022, Bysshe was named among Blooloop's Top 50 Museum Influencers, and in 2024, received the Women of Influence distinction from the Philadelphia Business Journal.

Thomas Tzortzi is a research-led designer with 15 years of expertise across the cultural sector. His experience spans the concept-to-delivery stages of major regeneration projects, masterplans, museums, and visitor attractions, both internationally and across the UK.

His work is focused on both strategic and personal impact, enhancing the tourism and cultural offer of milestone national schemes and projects whilst seeking to make an emotional connection with project audiences.

As Museum Studio's associate creative director, Tzortzi has led world-class projects such as Oman Across Ages Museum, Carlsberg Home, Museum MACAN, and Meet Vincent Van Gogh, utilising his experience across various project stages to formulate bespoke design project processes that centre on collaboration and creative vision.

Thomas Berry is the Regional Amusement Manager for Andretti Indoor Karting & Games, a family entertainment company built around the Andretti racing legacy. He began his career with the company seven years ago as an arcade technician and worked his way up through a mix of ambition, honesty, and practical problem solving.

In his current role, Thomas oversees locations across Florida, Georgia, and Kansas, while also helping guide the openings of new centers in Schaumburg, Illinois, and Raleigh, North Carolina. With extensive hands-on experience and a passion for delivering standout guest experiences, from virtual reality attractions to arcades, bowling, and laser tag, he continues to support the company’s growth and uphold the Andretti commitment to quality and excellence.

Wolfgang Bergmann, geboren 1963 in St. Pölten, ist seit Jänner 2017 wirtschaftlicher Geschäftsführer der Österreichischen Galerie Belvedere. Nach einem Studium der Theologie begann er seine Laufbahn als Sprecher und Leiter der Öffentlichkeitsarbeit der Caritas (1988-96). Als Kommunikationschef der Erzdiözese Wien (1996-2000) war er auch Gründungsgeschäftsführer von Radio Stephansdom. 1999 wurde er Verlagsleiter der Tageszeitung der Standard, wo er im Jahr 2000 die Geschäftsführung übernahm und zudem ab 2008 auch Vorstand der Standard Medien AG war.

Wolfgang Bergmann, born in St. Pölten in 1963, has been the Belvedere’s chief financial officer since January 2017. After earning a degree in theology, he began his career as the spokesperson and head of public relations for the charity Caritas (1988–96). During his time as head of communications for the Archdiocese of Vienna, from 1996 to 2000, he also served as the founding director of Radio Stephansdom. He was appointed publishing director of the daily newspaper Der Standard in 1999, taking over as managing director in 2000, and also served on the board of Standard Medien AG from 2008 to 2012.

Linda Spurdle is an expert in the cultural sector, with over 20 years of experience working as a digital leader within museums. She has worked for several large and complex, multi-site museum services, and was the head of the Digital at Birmingham Museums Trust (BMT) for the last 10 years, leading on digital strategy, digital engagement and IT. Her digital transformation work at BMT saw her lead the push towards being “digital by default”, and this included the development and use of Shopify as a single ecommerce solution, bringing together ticketing, retail and F&B sales.

Spurdle led on the open access policy at Birmingham Museums Trust, releasing out of copyright images into the public domain, and developed innovative partnership projects to enhance this work. This includes the large scale success of a partnership with Unsplash ( a million downloads of images a year) and creative projects such as working with Cold War Steve and Vivid Projects on the Cut Copy Remix project and developing a R&D project with Kultura and West Midlands artist performers to take poetry and music into the Occupy White Walls metaverse. Spurdle enjoys working with artists and supporting good storytelling, and feels privileged to have commissioned Pogus Caesar’s The Tiny Spark film in 2023, a moving and inspiring reimagining of the Handsworth Riots which included the poetry of Benjamin Zephaniah.

She is the chair of Vivid Projects, is a non-profit company based in Birmingham that supports media arts practice, encouraging innovation, risk and experimentation. She is a well-known leader in the sector often speaking at events and recognised for my experience of leading high-profile projects. She was named as one of the 2021 blooloop Top 50 Museum Influencers and regularly gives presentations at conferences and events, such as MuseumNext, American Alliance of Museums AAM2021, CultureGeek, Museum and Heritage Show and the Museums Association.

Jasmin Jodry is an award-winning Executive Creative Director specialising in immersive experience design. Based in New York, she creates transformative Storyliving experiences that blend art, culture, and entertainment to inspire connection and participation. With over 20 years of experience in innovation-led design across the US and Europe, she develops original IP and spatializes existing IP in location-based entertainment—collaborating with clients across entertainment, culture, tech, luxury, and wellness.

Jasmin leads teams in crafting immersive storyworlds that integrate storytelling, worldbuilding, performance, technology, and game mechanics, designing shared experiences that foster community, well-being, and cultural inspiration—bringing people together with joy and meaning.

Sayan Gulino is the Chief Executive Officer of Waterbom Bali, a botanical, boutique and
sustainable waterpark in Indonesia. He has worked with Waterbom for over 15 years, playing a
large role in bringing the park to new heights, with it being recognised for 9 years in a row as Asia’s #1 waterpark by TripAdvisor Best of the Best.

Raised in Bali since he was four months old, Sayan has since called the island his home. His father, Santo Gulino, founded Waterbom in 1993, and Sayan first joined the waterpark at the young age of 13 via short stints with the operations team, from Locker Boy to Guest Relations Officer, while pursuing his education.

Inspired to continue in his father’s footsteps, Sayan graduated with an IBDiploma from the United World College of South East Asia in 2002, a Bachelor of Commerce in Economics at the University of Sydney, and a Bachelor of Commerce in Tourism Management and Entrepreneurship at Curtin University of Technology.

Following his studies, Sayan returned to Bali and joined Waterbom as the Operations Manager in 2008 and worked his way up through the business until he was appointed CEO in 2017.

His commitment to sustainability is driven by the very same sentiment that made his father, Santo, determined not to cut down a single tree in the construction of the waterpark: to not detract from the value of Bali and to protect their island home. Such is his passion, he delivered a TEDxUbud talk in 2014 titled ‘Running out of water, running out of time’ to bring awareness to Bali’s water crisis, and in 2018, he spearheaded the release of a short documentary on the same issue, titled ‘Balancing the Waters’. The film also focuses on Waterbom Bali as an example of how sustainable business practices can result in returns. (A follow-up documentary is in the pipeline now as well, with scheduled release in mid 2026).

In December 2024, at The Punch Sustainability Awards, Sayan was awarded Impact Hero of the Year, being recognised for his leadership of Waterbom’s Karmic Returns program and driving the park’s sustainability initiatives, while Waterbom also received the Sustainable Business of the Year award.

Michael Casper serves as vice president of business development for AREA15, the world’s first purpose-built immersive entertainment district located minutes from the Las Vegas Strip.

Offering live events, immersive activations, monumental art installations, extraordinary design elements, unique retail, ground-breaking technology, bars and eateries and much more, AREA15 continues to grow in Las Vegas and across the globe.

Welcoming nearly 4 million visitors since opening its doors in 2020, AREA15 Las Vegas will soon expand across 20 acres to its north. In addition, AREA15 announced its first licensed pop-up location as part of Riyadh’s Boulevard World and its second permanent location coming to Orlando in 2024.

As vice president of business development, Casper’s primary responsibility is to develop and implement strategies for partnership evolution and success, ensuring financial growth and improved guest experiences. In addition, Casper spearheads new business initiatives with a focus on uncovering unique new profit streams, delivering powerful experiences for brand partners and guests alike.

Casper brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise through more than 10 years of experience in hospitality, entertainment venue operations and enhancing guest experiences both domestically and in European markets with his previous experience at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and AEG Europe. During his time at AEG, he opened sports and entertainment arenas in both London and Istanbul.

Casper received his bachelor’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis.

Mark Stutzman serves as chief technology officer (CTO) for AREA15, the world’s first purpose-built immersive entertainment district offering live events, distinctive attractions, interactive art installations, extraordinary design elements, unique retail, ground-breaking technology, bars and eateries and much more. With a location in Las Vegas just minutes from the Strip, AREA15 offers a robust, ever-changing roster of concert events, art exhibitions, out-of-this-world nightlife and boundary-pushing production shows.

As CTO of AREA15, Stutzman is responsible for developing and implementing the technology and digital strategies to drive innovative solutions, optimize efficiencies, and achieve overall business goals. In addition, Stutzman is accountable for developing, acquiring, and deploying technology infrastructures that create compelling and immersive guest and consumer experiences, enhance marketing and sales capabilities, and streamline digital solutions for the company’s future.

Stutzman is an experienced entrepreneur and product executive with over 20 years experience delivering elegant, effective, scalable applications. As a digital strategist, product specialist and executive technologist, Mark plays a critical role in continually evolving strategic product and technical direction.

Stutzman’s focus throughout his career has been primarily on high-technology startups where he has held the roles of CEO, CIO, CTO, and CPO. Mark is the former CPO of Wylei and AI Marketing optimization company, CEO/CTO of Appmobi, CEO/CTO and founder of Digital Variant, CIO and PoinOne, a clinical genetic startup, CTO at Bolt.com, and Executive Director of Technology at Outpost.com. His career began at IBM, where he was responsible for building IBM’s first direct sales, online commerce site, ShopIBM.

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 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.

Judith Owens is Chief Executive of TBL International Ltd (TBL), the management company of Titanic Belfast, and SS Nomadic. With over 30 years’ experience, Judith is one of the UK’s most accomplished leaders in tourism and events.

Under her leadership, Titanic Belfast has welcomed more than 8 million visitors from 145 countries, won the title of 'World’s Leading Tourist Attraction,' and received the 2024 THEA Award for Outstanding Achievement.

The attraction has contributed £430 million in additional spend to the Northern Ireland economy in its first decade.Judith led the £4.7 million transformation of the Titanic Experience, further establishing its status as a world-class, immersive attraction. A passionate ambassador for tourism, she chairs the Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance, serves on the boards of Visit Belfast and the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA), and co-founded the Hospitality and Tourism Skills (HATS) network to help attract and retain talent in the sector.

Previously, Judith was TBL’s Operations Director and spent 14 years managing the Waterfront & Ulster Hall. Judith is a passionate advocate for accessible and sustainable tourism. As well as her dedication and strategic vision, she continues to drive innovation and excellence across the tourism sector.

Frederica Peters (née Swallow) is the Regional Lead EMEA, Location Based Entertainment for Mattel. Frederica leads a team across Theme Parks and Permanent Attractions, Live Entertainment, Hospitality, and Exhibitions. With brands, such as Barbie™, Hot Wheels™ and Thomas & Friends™, in the Mattel portfolio, Frederica is an expert at creating memorable consumer experiences which empower the next generation to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential.

Frederica is a specialist in creative project management and has launched attractions such as ‘Barbie: The Exhibition’ at the Design Museum London, ‘Thomas & Percy’s Submarine Splash’ at Drayton Manor Resort, the world’s first ‘All Engines Go’ theme park ride and managed a touring attractions portfolio including Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live and Barbie: A Cultural Icon Exhibition.

Previously Frederica managed global events and marketing for the Virgin Racing Formula-E team, before leading the Sales, Events and Groups team for Hyatt UK as Events & Groups Director. Frederica has been in the industry over ten years since her graduation from the University of Nottingham.

A graduate of an engineering school specializing in Building, Planning and Architecture, Pauline Ravry first worked as a Project Manager - Project Management Assistant in the social housing sector before joining Futuroscope four years ago.

As Project Manager at Futuroscope for 4 years, Pauline is in charge of the park's development projects, including the design and implementation of new attractions, restaurants and hotels.

As a strategist at Efteling, Kees Rijnen ‘s primary focus is shaping the long-term vision and developing strategic plans in key areas such as sustainability, accessibility, diversity and inclusion. Improving and enhancing immersive experiences to ensure guests fully embrace the Efteling magic is also a key focus area.

Together with his fellow strategists, they create forward-looking visions and actionable plans that guide the future of Efteling. Their work encompasses the guest journey, technology and innovation and the creation of strategic and policy documents that support the Board of Directors and the Supervisory Board.

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.

Chris Lange is the founder and creative force behind Creative Studio Berlin, a leading design and production company based in Berlin, Germany. Chris has been working in the entertainment industry for twenty-five years and is a multiple award-winning creative executive.

His latest recognition came in March 2024 when he received a Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement for the Deutschlandmuseum. Chris is proud of the many unique and exciting visitor experiences he has created for audiences of all ages around the world. Chris's strength in these projects is his creative vision, which he is able to develop for his clients and then impart to his talented design teams.

And, throughout his career, Chris has led international design and installation teams worldwide. These projects have given him extensive experience in all phases of attraction and theme park development, from blue-sky concepts to opening. Chris'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, Chris introduced a new era of storytelling and show quality to the park. Chris was responsible for all new stories, designs, and implementation of over 40 projects, including the highly themed "Rulantica" water park and "Kronasar" hotel. Before working at Europe's second-largest resort, Chris worked internationally on projects like 20th Century Fox World Malaysia, Adlab‘s Imagicaa Mumbai, LEGOLAND California, and midway brands such as SEA-LIFE Aquariums, the Dungeonsand LEGOLAND Discovery Centre.

In the past six years, Chris established Creative Studio Berlin to a full-service design and production studioworking globally on various Local Based Entertainment and Resort Development projects. Chris 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 in the Executive Committee on the International Board of Directors. Chris has been distinguished as a blooloop Top 50 ThemePark Influencer for many years in the row.

Born and raised in Yorkshire, Ben Wilson graduated with a BA Hons in Interior Design in 2009 and has been a part of the design community ever since. In 2012 he joined a well-established interior design studio specialising in Cruise Ship design, SMC Design in London. Here, he worked his way up from a Junior Designer on the award winning Viking Cruises prototype, Viking Star, to Senior Designer/Project Manager for the first newbuild of Saga Cruises, Spirit of Discovery, of which received the inaugural Seatrade ‘Marine Interior Design of the Year’ award in 2019.

Since joining the New Building department of MSC Cruises in 2021 as Head of Architecture and Concept Design, Wilson has led the successful delivery of MSC World Europa, MSC Seascape, MSC Euribia and within 2025, MSC World America. Looking to the immediate future, his role is to design, develop and deliver innovative and exciting new cabins, suites, and public areas for MSC World Asia, MSC World Atlantic and the rest of the World Class fleet, along with spearheading the continuous evolution of the MSC Cruises contemporary brand.

Nick Laister is the owner of Fairytale Farm in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, an award-winning farm attraction aimed at families with young children. When it opened in 2013, it was the first mainstream visitor attraction to be designed around the needs of children with disabilities.

Laister is Managing Director of Laister Planning and is the leading planning consultant in the UK providing planning advice to owners and operators of visitor attractions, holiday parks and park home developments. Laister advises a large number of UK theme parks, zoos, farm parks and heritage attractions.

Laister is also founder and former chair of the Dreamland Heritage Trust, which secured funding for the restoration and reopening of the Dreamland Amusement Park in Margate, Kent.

“The last 15 years have gone in an absolute flash,” says Joe Graziano, Director of Sales, EMEA, Entertainment Division. Joe started at Christie in February 2007 and has held various management roles, including UK channel sales manager, market development manager, EMEA, MicroTiles and interactivity, and regional sales manager, for Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Greece, Cyprus and Bahrain.

Over the last decade and a half, Joe has traveled to different parts of North America, the Middle East, Asia, and Europe to meet with partners. He appreciates the opportunity to combine his love of travel and culture with work. And it’s not just “any work” – Joe prides himself in creating and maintaining lasting partnerships based on trust, loyalty, and understanding.

When asked if he could pinpoint a career highlight, the answer was clear: being involved in the development and supply as well as visiting the Al Wasl dome at Expo2020 in Dubai. The dome was a technological marvel–a feat of architecture, engineering, and AV integrations that featured 252 Christie D4K40-RGB projectors powered by Christie Conductor. “Not only did it make me realize what a great technology company Christie is, but what amazing partners we work with every day,” says Joe.

While he’s not at work, Joe loves to spend time with his family. He’s also a very passionate football fan; Liverpool FC is his team. He often visits Liverpool with his family to catch a match, which is a trip that combines family time, travel, and football. Does it get any better than that?

Born in 1962 in Flensburg, Germany, Michael Kreft von Byern has a longstanding career in tourism, leisure, and entertainment management. After completing A-Levels in Flensburg, he served in the German Armed Forces, where he underwent military service and officer training as a signal communications officer in Munich. He later studied Tourism and Leisure Science in Fulda and Würzburg and was a Scientific Assistant at the Würzburg Institute for Tourism and Leisure Research.

Since 1988, he has held various leadership positions at Europa-Park in Rust. Starting as a Public Relations Officer, he progressed to roles including Director of Public Relations, Director of Marketing, Director of Operations, and Head of Mack Solutions and the Creative + Development Team. He currently serves as the Representative of the Board of Europa-Park.

In addition to his work at Europa-Park, Kreft von Byern has held prominent roles in industry organizations. From 2001 to 2018, he was a member and later Chairman of the Tourism Committee of the German Chamber of Commerce in Berlin. He is a member of the Supervisory Board of Black Forest Tourism and chairs the Economy Advisory Committee. Since 2010, he has been a member of the Research Advisory Committee of the German Institute for Tourism (DWIF) at the University of Munich. He served on the European Board of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) from 2010 to 2019, including as Chairman of its EMEA Government Relations Subcommittee in Brussels. In 2019, he became Vice President of the Board of the German Association of Leisure Parks (VDFU).

Since January 2019, Kreft von Byern has been the General Manager of Rulantica, Europa-Park’s water world, overseeing its development and operations.

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.

Eng. Al Yaqdhan bin Abdullah Al Harthi is the director general of the Oman Across Ages Museum. This new museum charts the story of the Sultanate of Oman from its geographic pre-history through its evolution to the Renaissance of the 1970s, to the present day and into the future. Al Harthi was involved in all aspects of its creation, overseeing the collection, storyline, conservation work, structure, and policies. As part of his role, he helps visitors connect with Oman’s past, understand its present, and envision its future.

The museum has an auditorium, permanent and temporary exhibition galleries, a vast garden and numerous dining venues, and a comprehensive library, the Knowledge Centre. It takes inspiration from the landscape and canyons of the Al Hajar Mountains. Leveraging scale, form, light, and vistas, the design harmonises with the landscape and celebrates Oman’s rich heritage.

Inside, open, column-free spaces afford an unobstructed visitor experience. The content traces Oman’s story from its first prehistoric settlers through the following civilisations to its modern renaissance.

Speaking to blooloop in 2024, Al Harthi said: “I was handling this from the museum’s initial concept. The museum was built by the vision of the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said, which was to build a museum in Manah, a small village near Nizwa, the ancient capital of Oman. Oman Across Ages is an audiovisual museum, looking at Oman’s history from its geographic and geological origins through to 1970, and then the 50-year renaissance period of achievement that followed under the reign of the late Sultan Qaboos, and into the future.”

The Oman Across Ages Museum’s vision is to be a world-class visitor destination that strengthens the relationship of Omani youth with their cultural heritage, transforming the way they engage with their country and inspiring them to participate in shaping its future.

Guillaume Allaire joined Puy du Fou in 2014, managing its international expansion during eight years. In 2022, he became Executive Producer of Puy du Fou Films, overseeing projects bringing the brand’s essence from stage to screen. Concurrently, he serves as CEO of Puy du Fou Nederland and is also a member of the Executive Board of Puy du Fou Group.

Kimberly Beneville is a Co-Founder of Beneville Studios, an Idea Manifestation Machine based in New York City. With a background in theater, storytelling has been the primary focus of her career, and a skill that has been integral to her work at Beneville Studios.

Born and raised in Connecticut, Kimberly began working as an actress at a young age. She met her future business partner and husband Michael Beneville in 2003, during which time they were both working actors, Kimberly as a performer on a hidden camera show and Michael as a host for an Xbox gaming show. Kimberly and Michael’s first projects together focused on creating bespoke objects such as inventive centerpieces for leading event planners. Though Kimberly and Michael have since divorced, they remain best friends and business partners.

When Kimberly and Michael established Beneville Studios, with Co-Founder and current President Camille Purdy, Kimberly found that her passions for storytelling were best suited to working behind-the-scenes. For the studio’s projects creating commissioned artwork and one-of-a-kind artifacts for exclusive clientele, Kimberly spends countless hours researching and compiling interviews, photos, and footage to construct the story of a client’s life and success. She believes that everyone has a compelling story to tell, and strives to make these stories tangible.

The project that Kimberly views as one of the masterpieces of her career at Beneville Studios was her work on The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, which provides world-class education to previously disadvantaged girls in South Africa. Kimberly and her team traveled to South Africa to interview the first class of girls to graduate from the school, collecting the students’ expressions of their hopes, dreams, and gratitude, which the studio then wove into a hand-bound commemorative book that was presented to Oprah Winfrey and preserves a magical moment in time for all involved.

For the Studio’s more recent work on AREA15, a massive experiential retail and entertainment complex off the Las Vegas strip, Kimberly has played an integral role in researching and securing tenants who will be the best fit for the project.

She has brought in a wide range of partners, including the Santa Fe art collective Meow Wolf, which brought to AREA15 a permanent interactive exhibition featuring the work of hundreds of local and international artists, and Los Angeles-based Lost Spirits, an immersive distillery experience. Kimberly has also spearheaded the creation of an interactive bazaar offering handmade wearable art, including headpieces, jewellery, goggles, cloaks, body suits and more.

Kimberly currently splits her time between Los Angeles, New York, and Las Vegas.

Co-founder of Bompas & Parr, Sam Bompas works as executive creative director of the company. He spends his time developing ideas that are universally appealing, experientially compelling and highly press-worthy. Projects such as Alcoholic Architecture have had a reach of 3.7 billion and Symphony in Blue (for Johnnie Walker Blue Label) had a reach of over 3 billion. Press accolades include TimeOut’s ’50 Best Londoners’ and Evening Standard’s ‘1000 most influential people’.

Over the years Sam has cultivated an extensive network of historians, chemists, micro-biologists, artists, musicians, art directors, flavourists, chefs, professional noses, inventors, stage illusionists, and pyrotechnicians who collaborate with Bompas & Parr to create genuine world firsts such a fireworks show where you can taste the fireworks as they explode above your head, attended by a quarter of a million people.

Sam lectures internationally and has delivered keynotes for companies such as Google, Unilever, Diageo and Coca-Cola and at the Met, Royal Academy of Arts and Victoria & Albert . Particular areas of expertise include, location based experiences, consumer journeys, visitor experiences, routes to creativity, the future of food and drink and multi-sensory design.

Co-founder of Bompas & Parr, Sam Bompas works as executive creative director of the company. He spends his time developing ideas that are universally appealing, experientially compelling and highly press-worthy. Projects such as Alcoholic Architecture have had a reach of 3.7 billion and Symphony in Blue (for Johnnie Walker Blue Label) had a reach of over 3 billion. Press accolades include TimeOut’s ’50 Best Londoners’ and Evening Standard’s ‘1000 most influential people’.

Over the years Sam has cultivated an extensive network of historians, chemists, micro-biologists, artists, musicians, art directors, flavourists, chefs, professional noses, inventors, stage illusionists, and pyrotechnicians who collaborate with Bompas & Parr to create genuine world firsts such a fireworks show where you can taste the fireworks as they explode above your head, attended by a quarter of a million people.

Sam lectures internationally and has delivered keynotes for companies such as Google, Unilever, Diageo and Coca-Cola and at the Met, Royal Academy of Arts and Victoria & Albert . Particular areas of expertise include, location based experiences, consumer journeys, visitor experiences, routes to creativity, the future of food and drink and multi-sensory design.

As President of Lionsgate Global Products & Experiences, Jenefer Brown has established Lionsgate as a major force in branded entertainment. Brown oversees several key businesses that expand the reach of Lionsgate’s top film and television properties around the world, including location based entertainment, which encompasses branded theme parks and attractions in the U.S., Europe, Middle East and Asia, live entertainment, including Broadway and touring shows and concerts, the interactive games business and the consumer products business.

With a passion for protecting nature, an understanding of the challenges the natural world faces, and a spirit of ruthless optimism, Dolf DeJong has enjoyed an incredible career in the conservation, wildlife protection and education field.

Dolf began as Chief Executive Officer of your Toronto Zoo in September 2018. His focus revolves around a commitment to raising the Zoo’s community connections to ensure we are working together to deliver on the Zoo’s new Strategic and Master Plan. These plans focus on saving and protecting wildlife, igniting the passion, delivering exceptional guest experiences, serving the community and revolutionizing technology.

Dolf has a Masters of Environmental Studies from Wilfred Laurier University, a Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto, and an Honours Bachelor of Science from Brock University.

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.

Wouter Dekkers (53) brings nearly 25 years of experience in the leisure business since his start in 2000 with Six Flags Holland and Walibi Holland. In 2005 he started in Movie Park Germany as General Manager, where he became part of Parques Reunidos Group in 2010 after the acquisition by PQR. He has also worked for companies such as EY and KPMG. Since 2014 he has worked for Slagharen Themepark & Resort in the Netherlands and in 2019 was appointed General Manager for Tropical Islands after the acquisition by PQR early 2019. After a successful integration and turnaround, he was asked in 2021 to initiate and oversee all accommodation expansion projects for Parques Reunidos as the new Corporate Development Director.

April 2024 he was appointed as CEO of Momentum Leisure to lead the company’s further expansion, with an initial focus on growth markets in Central Europe. Momentum Leisure already operates three theme parks in Poland.

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.”

Joe Herrington was born and grew up in the cattle country and oil fields of West Texas. He served in the U.S. Army as a drill instructor at Fort Knox, KY, then as a platoon sergeant in Korea until 1969. Returning to civilian life, he directed commercials, news, and local programming for KMID-TV in Odessa/Midland, Texas.

In 1973 he became the production director for the Reuben Fleet Space Center in San Diego, California, writing and producing all public programming. Late in his eighth year with Fleet, he was discovered and asked to come to Walt Disney Imagineering to head up a sound effects department and produce soundtracks for all of Disney’s theme park attractions. During his time with Disney, he also became a novelist and Western storyteller traveling internationally telling stories of the American West. Joe is now in his 43rd year with Walt Disney Imagineering as an Audio Media Designer.

Eddie Kemsley is a strategy and development specialist with expertise in destination creation, driving value and fundraising.

CEO Dreamland, Margate and Board Director Margate Estates Ltd, a development company with a portfolio of entertainment facilities, live music venues, property and sites with mixed use potential. Eddie’s driving a development strategy to diversify this seafront portfolio to create a year-round arts and culture destination.

Previous senior roles include Kidzania, London; Port Lympne Reserve and Howletts Wildlife Park, The Hop Farm, Kent and Dreamland, Margate.

On BALPPA’s ManCom since 2014 and regular speaker at key expos and conferences; IAAPA, Lappset, Family Attraction Expo, LeisurUp, MAPIC. Eddie is also a founding member of World Experience Organisation, (WXO), a global institution improving the quality of experiences and promoting the experience economy.

Eddie Kemsley is a strategy and development specialist with expertise in destination creation, driving value and fundraising.

CEO Dreamland, Margate and Board Director Margate Estates Ltd, a development company with a portfolio of entertainment facilities, live music venues, property and sites with mixed use potential. Eddie’s driving a development strategy to diversify this seafront portfolio to create a year-round arts and culture destination.

Previous senior roles include Kidzania, London; Port Lympne Reserve and Howletts Wildlife Park, The Hop Farm, Kent and Dreamland, Margate.

On BALPPA’s ManCom since 2014 and regular speaker at key expos and conferences; IAAPA, Lappset, Family Attraction Expo, LeisurUp, MAPIC. Eddie is also a founding member of World Experience Organisation, (WXO), a global institution improving the quality of experiences and promoting the experience economy.

Born in Indonesia and raised in Singapore, Margaret Kerrison ’s career spans over sixteen years of creating narratives for multimedia, games, brand storytelling, location-based entertainment, and immersive experiences. After receiving her MFA in Screenwriting from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, she worked as a Narrative Lead, Creative Consultant, Writer, and Disney Imagineer on multiple award-winning projects around the world, including Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, National Geographic Base Camp, and the NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

As a consultant, she has created experiences for some of the most beloved brands in the world. She is the author of Immersive Storytelling for Real and Imagined Worlds and Reimagined Worlds: Narrative Placemaking for People, Play, and Purpose and is a frequent guest speaker on immersive storytelling. She was awarded the prestigious 2023 Paul Helmle Fellowship by the Department of Architecture at California Polytechnic State University, Pomona. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and son and is always looking for her next adventure and invitation to play.

A creative collaborator and event strategist, June Ko has worked across multiple countries and industry sectors in the past 20 years in management roles. With global experience spanning North America, Europe and Asia Pacific, Ko joined InfoCommAsia in July 2023 to expand the international footprint of the expos in Asia Pacific. Based in Hong Kong, Ko is a Hong Kong born Canadian and Australian, and is a passionate leader dedicated to creating events to connect industries and people with meaningful memories.

Ko was recently Executive Director and Vice President, IAAPA Asia Pacific Operations. Ko joined IAAPA in 2014 with more than 20 years of experience promoting business interests in the Asia-Pacific region. She has expertise assisting Europe-and North America-based companies with successfully navigating cultural and business differences. Her background in product development and corporate services is an asset to IAAPA within the region.

Prior to joining IAAPA, Ko served as a director with Meridian Partners, a Hong Kong-based consulting company that assists clients engaged in corporate services and international trade, especially in China and Southeast Asia. Based in the Toronto office, she provided support and guidance to North American clients. Prior to Meridian Partners, Ko held various positions with ICS Trust, a financial services company based in Hong Kong; Ascalade Communications, a wireless communications firm with offices in Vancouver, Hong Kong, Mainland China; and Ngai Lik Electronics Trading Ltd., also based in Hong Kong and Mainland China.

Ko oversees the IAPL teams in Shanghai, China and Singapore, which hosts three international expos InfoCommChina, InfoCommIndia and InfoCommAsia in Beijing, Mumbai and Bangkok respectively.

She was named one of the blooloop 50 in 2020, identifying her as one of the top 50 theme park influencers that year.

Ko earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto with a major in East Asian Studies and Economics. She is fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, and English.

A global executive in the entertainment and attractions industry, Philipp Edelmann is leading the development and production of dozens of award winning experiences around the World. As Head of Attractions for Netflix, Philipp oversees an ambitious array of new and innovative projects such as the global tours of Stranger Things and Squid Game Experiences, Bridgerton’s The Queen’s Ball, Netflix Bites Restaurants as well as several branded retail stores.

He’s also responsible for the development and production of all permanent and touring attractions for Netflix House. His previous work includes the production of permanent brand experiences for brands like Coca-Cola, Ford, Heineken and NASA, as well as working closely with government bodies of the United States and the European Union for World EXPO pavilions. He’s been recognised several times, including Cleo Awards for his work at Netflix and multiple TEA Awards.

Judith Zissman believes in the power of transformative experiences to build understanding, forge connection, invite possibility, and inspire change. As Executive Creative Director of Blue Telescope, she leads teams of designers and technologists in creating digital interactives with compelling stories and human connection.

Zissman began her career in independent film production and distribution in New York City, then expanded to digital media and web technology, moving to Silicon Valley to explore new opportunities for innovation and product development before returning to the world of experience design with Blue Telescope.

Her cross-industry foundation in creative problem solving, client relationship management, and product ideation and strategy complements her expertise in experience design, fine art, and narrative strategy. A passion for inclusivity and diversity fuels her desire to use her skills to create memorable work that reflects, celebrates, and shares the scope of human experience.

At Blue Telescope, Zissman relishes the opportunity to bring projects with difficult or complex topics to life with rigor, compassion, and clarity. Recent clients include Sloan History Gallery, Kennedy Space Center, Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum, Sing Sing Prison Museum, and Historic Hudson Valley (Kofi’s Fire). Judith graduated with honors in Modern Culture and Media from Brown University and is a volunteer with Tech for Campaigns.

Asa Kalama is Executive, Creative & Interactive Experiences at Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development where he oversees the development of interactive experiences around the world. He also oversees projects in collaboration with Lucasfilm for Disney Parks, including Star Wars and Indiana Jones-related projects. Previously, he oversaw the creative development of Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run attraction and the Star Wars: Datapad interactive experience for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort.

Prior to his work on Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Asa spent over a decade at Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development. With a mandate to develop new tools, technologies and techniques for The Walt Disney Company, he had the unique opportunity to contribute his talents to the Park and Resorts, Consumer Products, Interactive and Media Networks business segments. Asa also oversaw Advanced Development’s Narrative Experience Portfolio that focused on interactive storytelling and role-play.

Asa attended the University of California Los Angeles where he studied design at the school of Theater, Film, and Television. Many of his formative years prior to working with Walt Disney Imagineering were spent in darkened theaters both on and back stage; an experience in performing arts that allows Asa to bring a unique perspective to thematic storytelling.

Walt Disney Imagineering is the creative engine behind experiences found in Disney theme parks, resort hotels, cruise ships, and consumer products—including books, games, and merchandise. Imagineering’s unique strength comes from the teamwork and syntheses of creative and technical professionals representing more than 100 diverse disciplines.

Asa Kalama is an Executive Creative Director at Walt Disney Imagineering where he oversees the development of immersive rides and interactive attractions as well as new experiences designed to entertain guests beyond-the-berm. He recently lead the global teams behind the THEA Award winning Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and the land-wide interactive program for Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge.

Prior to this role, Asa spent over a decade at Walt Disney Imagineering, Research & Development. With a mandate to develop new tools, technologies and techniques for the greater Walt Disney Company, he had the unique opportunity to contribute his talents to the Park and Resorts, Consumer Products, Interactive and Media Networks business segments. Asa also oversaw Advanced Development’s Narrative Experience Portfolio that focused on interactive story-telling and role-play.

Asa attended the University of California Los Angeles where he studied design at the school of Theater, Film, and Television. Many of his formative years prior to working with Walt Disney Imagineering were spent in darkened theaters both on and backstage; an experience in performing arts that allows Asa to bring a unique perspective to thematic storytelling.