Join at 4 pm GMT on Wednesday, 21 January for Bringing a dark ride to life: innovation in immersive attractions at the Festival of Innovation.
Our guest speakers for this session are: Ernest Bakenie, senior director of sales and business development, themed entertainment, Christie; Mark Beumers, CEO of Lagotronics Projects BV; and Lawrence Mancey, marketing and technology director at Paultons Park.
Attendees will learn how to bring a dark ride to life and how regional parks can create one in a small footprint, and will discover the importance of interactivity and achieving competitive balance.
The Festival of Innovation will be held online from 21 to 22 January 2026 and celebrates the creative ideas, products, and organisations advancing the attractions sector.
All sessions will be available on demand for 30 days.
To register to attend, please click here.
The blooloop Innovation Awards, held in partnership with Area15, recognise the extraordinary energy, creativity, and imagination that drive the industry forward.
The winners of the 2025 Immersive Attraction category will be announced at this session. Attendees can view all the entries during the event.
Meet the speakers
Ernest Bakenie
As the senior director of entertainment at Christie, Ernest Bakenie works closely with the themed entertainment market to drive growth and create best-in-class solutions.
Bakenie has worked in international sales for over 25 years, including leadership roles at Showscan Entertainment and Kraftwerk Living Technologies. He previously served as director of entertainment sales, APAC, at Christie.
His passion for the industry, together with a deep technical understanding of AV technology and sales expertise, makes him a vital part of the Christie team.
Mark Beumers
Mark Beumers is the CEO of Lagotronics Projects and has more than 25 years of experience in the amusement and attractions sector. Since joining Lagotronics in 1999 as a project manager, Beumers has served in several leadership roles before becoming CEO. In 2018, he and his partners took over the company.
Beumers' portfolio includes contributions to a wide range of projects worldwide, including theme park dark rides, interactive attractions, museums, live events, and media installations.
Today, his work centres on long-term strategy, client relationships, and developing innovative, high-quality interactive attractions, such as Lagotronics’ next-generation Gameplay Theater and GameChanger dark ride concepts.
Lawrence Mancey
Lawrence Mancey is director of marketing and technology at Paultons Park, a family-run theme park in the New Forest, UK. He is responsible for leveraging technology to support the development of immersive attractions and visitor experiences, including significant new themed areas and rides.
Mancey has worked at the park for nearly a decade, and his expertise spans ride operations, retail, admissions, IT, and marketing. He marks the third generation of the Mancey family to be involved in the business.
Paultons Park was founded in 1983 by Mancey's grandparents and remains independently owned and operated, with a strong focus on immersive, high-quality family experiences.
To join us at this free session, please register here.
