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Jonathan Douglas of VOA Assoc. part of distinguished lineup at SATE ’13

jonathan douglas photoUPDATED Sept 30

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Orlando, FL, USA — Jonathan F. Douglas, AIA, Managing Principal of international architecture, planning and interior design firm, VOA Associates Incorporated’s Orlando, FL office, will lead the Architecture Session at this year’s Themed Entertainment Association’s (TEA’s) SATE ’13 Experience Design conference.

Presented by Christie® and hosted by the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA), the conference will take place Oct 3-4, 2013 at the Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) in Savannah, Georgia. The Architecture Session scheduled for 2:25 – 3:25 pm on Thursday, October 3rd, will discuss the State of Architecture and its Role in the Themed Entertainment World. Additionally, Douglas will participate in a roundtable discussion at the end of the day on Thursday, October 3rd, that includes Cecil Magpuri, Josh Lind (SCAD Collaborative Learning Center) and Chuck Hoberman. (For more information about the SATE ’13 program, please visit the conference blogsite at http://sate2013.blogspot.com

“Since the dawn of communication stories have defined our world,” Douglas states emphatically. “The business of architecture is to tell a sort of tangible story through planning and building materials; to interpret a vision much like a movie producer interprets a screenplay or novel adapted for the screen.  The key to success in both instances is how successfully the end product can connect with the audience.”

As Managing Principal with VOA Associates Incorporated, Douglas brings a 30-year-plus expertise in the design arena specializing in design for themed environments that includes major attractions, large-scale resorts, cultural venues, and  environmental learning centers.  For him, storytelling is all about engagement, building connections that lead to positive, memorable experiences.

“The theme of this year’s conference is ‘What’s Next,’” Douglas continued. “And nothing is more critical to the next generation of themed entertainment than the power of the Narrative and Interpretative Planning.  In order to be entertaining, to hit the right dramatic cues and tap into our collective psyche, architects must utilize design tools to write different storylines about what they want the visitor to know, feel and do. This, in essence, is the experience of architecture, design that pulls the audience emotionally, retains their attention and creates compelling experiences.”

With a current staff of over 240 worldwide, VOA specializes in creating environments for hospitality, leisure, cultural, and themed entertainment clients throughout the United States and internationally. VOA has offices in Orlando, Florida; Chicago, Illinois; Washington, D.C.; Highland, IN; New York, NY; Sao Paulo Brazil, and Shanghai and Beijing, China.

www.voa.com

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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