Thursday, March 28, 2024

Gantom to Produce Second Annual Seasonal Attraction Leadership Symposium in July

 

The Second Annual Seasonal Attraction Leadership Symposium will take place July 30th, 2018, hosted by the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California and produced by Gantom Lighting & Controls.  The theme of this year’s event is “First Impressions.” Besides presentations by leading industry professionals on this theme, the day’s activities will include a tour of the Queen Mary and an exclusive preview of the upcoming “Dark Harbor” Halloween event.

Register via Eventbrite here.

Crafting memorable first impressions using the key elements of elevation, insight, pride, and connection is the touchstone for presentations at this year’s event. Added to this year’s symposium will be discussions following each speaker’s presentation. During these discussions, attendees will meet and share their thoughts about what they just learned and use workbooks to integrate this into their experience and vision for their own attractions. Deepening the learning using the discussion and workbook format assures the information goes home with the participant and becomes part of their reservoir of knowledge.

For this year’s event, Gantom is seeking speakers on the theme of “First Impressions” as well as moderators to lead discussions following each presentation; contact Philip ([email protected]) to apply.

Last year’s Symposium, titled, “Innovation in Interactivity,” was held at Knott’s Berry Farm on August 1. 2017 Featured keynote talks by Ricky Brigante of Pseudonym Productions, Jon Cooke and Ken Parks of Knott’s Berry Farm, Quan Gan of Gantom, sociologist and author Margie Kerr, the Queen Mary’s Brian Luallen, and industry veteran Scott Swenson.

Brian Luallen, Director of Entertainment Events at this year’s Symposium venue, the Queen Mary commented: “The Leadership Symposium is a terrific opportunity to learn from some of the most inspiring creators in themed entertainment. As a participant in the 2017 Symposium, the event was incredibly inspirational to me, so the Queen Mary is tremendously excited to host our peers and showcase the ship’s unique history and attractions.”

Julie Warren of Lightswitch had this to say about the 2017 event: “The Symposium was an exciting, intimate experience for a diverse collection of leaders in the themed entertainment industry to get together and learn from each other. It’s an incredible space to engage with and celebrate the people who work to build new and game-changing experiences.”

“The Haunted Attraction Leadership Symposium creates, engages and inspires. It’s more than just a day of keynote speakers. I walked away with knowledge while meeting and forming relationships with some of the most innovative people in the field. I’ll be back!” enthused Justin Fix of JFI Productions—Creep | The Willows | LORE

David Ruzicka, Artistic Director of JFI Productions and Immersive Designer for Weta Workshop, said, “The Symposium was a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with old friends, make new ones, and generally nerd out about haunted attraction production in all its wonderful, terrible forms.”

This was the reaction from the S.T.R.E.A.M. Kids Expo™ Team about last year’s event: “This symposium was just a taste of the unique atmosphere and work that [Gantom Lighting & Controls] does to embrace creativity, art, manufacturing, and the vision of individuals within its company.”

As reflected in these testimonials, the focus of the Symposium is on intimate, one-on-one interactions with industry movers and shakers. To that end, tickets are limited to 120 seats, so buying tickets as soon as possible is advised.

For more information, contact Philip Hernandez at [email protected]

Joe Kleiman
Joe Kleimanhttp://wwww.themedreality.com
Raised in San Diego on theme parks, zoos, and IMAX films, InPark's Senior Correspondent Joe Kleiman would expand his childhood loves into two decades as a projectionist and theater director within the giant screen industry. In addition to his work in commercial and museum operations, Joe has volunteered his time to animal husbandry at leading facilities in California and Texas and has played a leading management role for a number of performing arts companies. Joe previously served as News Editor and has remained a contributing author to InPark Magazine since 2011. HIs writing has also appeared in Sound & Communications, LF Examiner, Jim Hill Media, The Planetarian, Behind the Thrills, and MiceChat His blog, ThemedReality.com takes an unconventional look at the attractions industry. Follow on twitter @ThemesRenewed Joe lives in Sacramento, California with his wife, dog, and a ghost.

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