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Tom Haggerty Joins Technomedia Solutions

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NEW YORK, May 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Building on decades of success in innovative design, and integration of audiovisual, projection and interactive media and technologies, Tom Haggerty has joined Technomedia Solutions LLC as Director of Project Development in the New York Office.

In his new position, Mr. Haggerty will play a key role in the development, design and directing of Technomedia projects in the Northeast. He brings vast experience in pushing the limits of custom A/V design and has excelled in creative development, project management and video production with his most recent success at the Cosmopolitan Hotel Project in Las Vegas with Rockwell Group. Mr. Haggerty, who holds a Master’s in Fine Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University, produced the award-winning exhibition for the entryway of the 11th Venice Architectural Biennale – Hall of Fragments in Venice, Italy. He is also known as one of the lead designers and ‘sculptors’ of the enormous three story “Chandelier Lounge” at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas which consists of over 2 million glass beads in dozens of interlocking arrays that form the central enclosure of the space.

Chris Chuilli, Technomedia’s General Manager, stated, “The list of Tom’s accomplishments is extensive and as our company continues to grow by leaps and bounds, we feel extremely fortunate to have him join our team. His knowledge and character meld well into the company culture and we look forward to many new opportunities to share his talents with our clients.”

Technomedia, headquartered in Orlando with offices in Los Angeles, New York City, and Las Vegas, is a leading provider of creative advanced audio visual experiences, interactive media/technology and service to a variety of industries, including the: theme park, museum, hospitality, retail, corporate, military, performing arts, digital cinema, and educational markets. The company is committed to delivering world-class experiences for its clients and their patrons through the creative design and integration of technology and media, faithfully executing projects on time and on budget anywhere in the world. For more information, please visit www.gotechnomedia.com.

Vekoma Rides Congratulates Drayton Manor Themepark on new Ben 10 coaster

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Message from Vekoma:
 

‘Drayton Manor unveiled its newest ride during a special VIP event: the new Vekoma Junior Boomerang, named and themed “Ben 10” by the park.

Vekoma Rides and Drayton Manor management and staff are extremely pleased with the great ride experience and are proud of the enthousiams with which this spectacular opening was received by the guests. Ben 10: Ultimate Mission rollercoaster is the first of its kind in Europe, launching riders forwards on their first tour of the 180m track, hitting speeds of 55kph and a g-force of 3, before returning travelling backwards along the same route.’

Ben 10 is a popular children’s program broadcast on Cartoon Network, which follows the adventures of 10-year-old Ben Tennyson, who is able to turn into a variety of alien superheroes, each with unique powers, thanks to his mysterious Omnitrix watch. Info about the Ben 10 licensing deal here. 

AIMS study: estimated value to tourism industry of an individual reef shark is nearly $2M over its lifetime

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http://www.oceanstar.com/shark
A single reef shark can contribute almost US$2 million in its lifetime to the economy of Palau, according to a new study by the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and the University of Western Australia. The analysis quantified the economic benefits of the shark-diving industry to the Pacific island nation and found that its value far exceeded that of shark fishing.

“Sharks can literally be a ‘million-dollar’ species and a significant economic driver,” said Mark Meekan, principal research scientist at AIMS. “Because of their low rates of reproduction and late maturity, shark populations have been driven into a global decline due to fishing. Yet our study shows that these animals can contribute far more as a tourism resource than as a catch target.”

Global Study Launched on the Future of Arts, Media, and Entertainment

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Message from the Millennium Project:
 

“What’s new in the future of art? What do visionaries think will become the next big things? What are engineers inventing to change how we will perceive?

“The newly formed Arts/Media Node of The Millennium Project – a global think tank with 40 Nodes around the world – has launched an online questionnaire to find out the answers.

“The results will be published in the 2011 State of the Future report and used as inspiration to create and implement existing and future art forms to address global challenges.

“Just as the Florentine Camerata (an arts “think tank”) invented and produced the first European Opera in the late 1500s, the Arts/Media Node seeks to help invent and inspire the future of the arts, media, and entertainment – but this time on a global basis.

“‘This Delphi is great. It is the best I have ever seen on creative industries trends,’ as quoted by Arts & Media Node member Klaus Haasis, CEO, MFG Baden-Württemberg GmbH, Public Innovation Agency for ICT and Media Stuttgart, Germany.

“Those interested in participating in this study, please contact Kate McCallum, kate [at] consciouscreativity. org.”

Audubon Zoo opens new splash park

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Richmond, BC – One of America’s most beloved zoos, the Audubon Zoo, in New Orleans, welcomes WhiteWater’s first North American zoo installation. A new wild and wet splash park, the “Cool Zoo” comes to life with WhiteWater’s award-winning AquaPlayTM multi-level interactive structure, adding a refreshing new element to the popular zoo.
And what’s a New Orleans zoo without a gator? WhiteWater’s designers have created a custom 360-degree themed focal point on its AP550 structure to mimic Spot, the zoo’s rare white alligator. However, this AquaPlayTM gator doubles Spot in size; it’s a whopping 8.5 meters (28 feet) tall and 10.1 meters (33 feet) long! One-of-a-kind, this gigantic gator chomps down on a tipping bucket, drenching kids of all ages with tons of not-so-swampy water. What’s more, its tail doubles as a fun, waterslide engaging kids in the overall experience.
Audubon Zoo
This patented AquaPlayTM AP550 provides hours of splashing entertainment with an additional 60 features including interactive tipping cones, jets, spray nozzles, valves, water guns, as well as waterslides, pull ropes and a climbing net! Not only that, sensational sound effects with programmable timing have been added to the Cool Zoo’s AquaPlayTM structure, another first for WhiteWater.
“We’ve been chomping with anticipation – pun intended – to announce this AquaPlay installation,” Geoff Chutter, WhiteWater’s CEO quips. “WhiteWater is proud to assist the Audubon Zoo in its dedication to nature; we had a great time designing and constructing Spot’s oversized AquaPlay twin”.
For more information on WhiteWater West Industries, The Waterpark Company, and its award-winningAquaPlayTM structures, please visit www.WhiteWaterWest.com.

Louisville Zoo Opens Bear Habitat and Town of Glacier Run

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LOUISVILLE, KY – Mayor Greg Fischer, Louisville Zoo Director John Walczak, Louisville Zoo Foundation Chairman Mark Wheeler, Polar Bears International senior scientist Dr. Steven Amstrup and others broke a ribbon made of ice and officially opened the polar and grizzly bear habitat and the town of Glacier Run.  One of the Zoo’s polar bear mascots presented the Mayor with a key (also made of ice) to the town of Glacier Run adding a whimsical note to the opening festivities.
“Glacier Run is an innovative, world-class exhibit that makes the Louisville Zoo an even stronger center for lifelong education and exploration,” Fischer said. “This exhibit also provides another strong destination attraction, meaning increased tourism and a positive impact on our city’s economy.”
Designed as an imaginary town on the edge of the arctic wilderness, Glacier Run is modeled after the real town of Churchill, Canada, the polar bear capital of the world, where humans and wildlife have learned to co-exist.
Glacier Run’s bear habitat is home to Arki, a 26 year-old polar bear that moved here from the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago and three grizzly bears from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes – Division of Fish, Wildlife, Recreation and Conservation in Polson, Montana — 6 year-old Inga and her two cubs Otis and Rita, each one year-old.  Polar and grizzly bear training and enrichment demonstrations will be held daily at 11:15 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. with a keeper talk at 5:15 p.m.
Glacier Run features include an old mining quarry now flooded with water (for the bears to play in), a fishery and warehouse dock (more bear play space) and a melting glacier that has destroyed a road in the town (even more bear play space). The exhibit offers spectacular views, captivating stories of the arctic and unique opportunities for close-up encounters with the magnificent and iconic polar bear, as well as grizzly bears.  Guests can interact with zoo keepers, learn about current challenges to arctic environments and animals, and discover how incremental changes in our everyday activities and behaviors can make a difference for our planet and these magnificent species.
“Glacier Run is sure to delight and entertain, but will also tell one of the most important environmental stories of our generation. This arctic-themed exhibit fundamentally advances your Zoo’s mission of ‘bettering the bond between people and our planet,” Louisville Zoo Director John Walczak said. “The very nature of this exhibit’s design is based on the idea of humans learning to co-exist with wildlife.”
“The Louisville Zoo remains a powerful educational resource for our entire community, and with the addition of the immersive learning environment and up close bear viewing offered by Glacier Run, students in our region will expand their curiosity for science learning even further,” said Louisville Zoo Foundation Chair Mark Wheeler. 
This multi-phase capital project has included several successes to date including the June 2010 opening of the Seal and Sea Lion Habitat, the 2008 completion of the Alice S. Etscorn Tiger Tundra, and the 2007 opening of the Calistoga Splash Park.  The final two phases of Glacier Run are set to open in Spring 2012 —the Glacier Run Arctic Ambassador Center which will include outreach animals such as snowy owls and arctic foxes and an aviary to house the Zoo’s magnificent Steller’s sea eagles.
Once Glacier Run is totally complete, the estimated economic impact of the Zoo on the region will increase to $33.6 million.  Attendance at the Zoo is expected to increase to more than 890,000.

Hollywood & Disney Artist lends talent to New Whalom Park

The New Whalom Park Ownership Program, LLC is pleased to announce that Hollywood and Disney artist Andrew Probert has agreed to help transform the group’s park concepts into visual realities.
The New Whalom Park Ownership Program, LLC. is a cooperatively owned and operated company dedicated in preserving Whalom Park. Its efforts are focused on the development of a new Whalom Park attraction. This new attraction will include a museum, restaurants, games area, indoor and outdoor rides and entertainment.

Andrew has worked as a Walt Disney Imagineer designing various theme park rides and attractions. He has also worked as a designer for many movie productions, including Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Back to the Future, and TRON. Andrew was in Massachusettes when a public access TV show about classic amusement parks brought Whalom Park to his attention.

InPark Magazine has covered the progress of Whalom Park since shortly after it closed its doors and through this groups efforts to revitalize the park.

Learn more online: www.newwhalom.com

Thomas F Schwartz, Chief Historian for exhibits at Lincoln Presidential Museum, to direct Hoover Presidential Library & Museum

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(PRNewsFoto/National Archives)

WASHINGTON, May 2, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero announced today the appointment of historian Thomas F. Schwartz as the new director of the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library & Museum. His appointment is effective July 5, 2011.

Dr. Schwartz is currently the Illinois State Historian. He serves as the chief historian for exhibits and content at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. He is also director of Research and the Lincoln Collection in the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, IL, including the historical documentary editing project, “The Papers of Abraham Lincoln”.

In making the announcement, Mr. Ferriero said, “Mr. Schwartz’s extensive experience and knowledge of research library and museum practice will strengthen both the Hoover Library and the National Archives. We all look forward to working with him on new and exciting projects.”

Dr. Schwartz was appointed curator of the Henry Horner Lincoln Collection at the Illinois State Historical Library in 1985 and is an acknowledged authority on the Sixteenth President and his times. In 1993, Governor Jim Edgar named Dr. Schwartz to fill the post of State Historian. Among the many honors and awards Dr. Schwartz has received include Plank Owner, USS Abraham Lincoln (1989), Logan Hay Medal (2000), Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award (2006), Order of Lincoln (2009), and the Civil War Preservation Trust Chairman’s Award for Excellence in Education (2009).

In noting the appointment, Andrew Hoover, grandson of Herbert Hoover said, “On behalf of the Hoover Family and the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library Association, Margaret and I are delighted by the appointment of Tom Schwartz as our new presidential library director. Tom’s leadership at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, his respect among Lincoln scholars, and, most particularly, his experience making Lincoln understandable to popular audiences will be invaluable. Herbert Hoover’s life and legacy are still largely unknown and there is great opportunity to communicate his accomplishments to popular audiences in Iowa and nationwide. The depth and breadth of Tom’s experience makes him a wonderful fit for this position. We look forward to the years ahead with excitement.”

In accepting the position, Dr. Schwartz said, “The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library & Museum is a distinguished research institution supported by an expert staff telling the stories of ‘The Great Humanitarian.’ I am honored by this appointment and l look forward to advancing the mission of the Library.”

Author of more than one hundred articles, reviews, chapters, and electronic reference entries and author of Lincoln: An Illustrated Life and Legacy (Fall River Press, 2009), Dr. Schwartz is senior editor of the Journal of the Abraham Lincoln Association and historical advisor for the Journal of Illinois History. He has appeared on the Today Show, C-SPAN, the History Channel, the Voice of America, NPR, and the BBC.

Among the many events and programs overseen by the State Historian include the King V. Hostick dissertation competition and the annual Conference on Illinois History. Dr. Schwartz also served on the advisory board for the state and federal Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial commissions. Among the other boards on which he serves are the Abraham Lincoln Association, Ford’s Theatre Advisory Board, The National Civil War Museum, and the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History President’s National Excellence Council.

Dr. Schwartz attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he received the B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. in history and international relations.

The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library & Museum, located in West Branch, Iowa, was opened to the public on August 10, 1962, Mr. Hoover’s 88th birthday. In the years since, more than 2.5 million visitors have toured the museum and more than 2,000 scholars from every state in the union and a dozen foreign countries have utilized the library’s seven million pages of documentary holdings. One significant result has been an increased understanding of the life and times of America’s 31st president, known around the world as the “Great Humanitarian.”

In recent years, the Hoover Library & Museum has been transformed into a nationally recognized center for the study of twentieth-century history and the American presidency. Beginning in 1988, it has sponsored major exhibits featuring personal memorabilia from every U.S. President and First Lady, a pioneering look at World War I, an unprecedented display of presidential gifts and exciting exhibits on the “Roaring Twenties,” the Civil War, and other subjects of broad public appeal.

The Hoover Library is one of 13 presidential libraries administered by the National Archives and Records Administration.

Gaylord Entertainment and DreamWorks Animation Unveil Strategic Alliance Featuring the DreamWorks Experience within Gaylord Hotels’ Family-Friendly Leisure Offerings

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. & GLENDALE, Calif., USA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE: GET) and DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. (Nasdaq: DWA) unveiled a strategic alliance to expand Gaylord Hotels’ family-friendly leisure offerings to feature the DreamWorks Experience, the next generation of family vacation programming and world class entertainment.

As part of this strategic alliance, Gaylord plans to offer unique leisure experiences for its guests featuring DreamWorks Animation’s iconic characters at all Gaylord properties. The live interactive experiences will include character breakfasts, newly themed Christmastime events, poolside activities in the summer, imaginative food-and-beverage offerings, private birthday parties, festive parades, merchandise and various themed entertainment. Gaylord Hotels plans to feature live appearances by characters from current DreamWorks Animation franchises, including “Shrek,” “Kung Fu Panda,” and “Madagascar,” as well as other future films and characters from the studio.

This program furthers Gaylord’s focus on growing the leisure side of its business and continuing to drive revenue through its top-notch entertainment attractions throughout the year. DreamWorks Animation characters will be integrated into existing Gaylord Hotels’ holiday and summer offerings, which Gaylord believes will further increase the popularity of these highly successful, award-winning family offerings in addition to augmenting the experience of Gaylord Hotels’ convention guests.

“We are honored to form such an exciting alliance with one of the most visionary entertainment companies in the world to bring the iconic DreamWorks Animation characters to life for our leisure hotel guests,” said Colin V. Reed, chairman and chief executive officer of Gaylord Entertainment. “We have been looking for a significant way to expand our leisure offerings for some time, and this program with DreamWorks Animation will allow us to offer unique experiences that will enthrall our customers. Importantly, today’s announcement should allow us to meaningfully enhance occupancy and revenue on the leisure side of our business, particularly during the summer and holiday periods, when group business is traditionally slower and lower-rated.”

“Gaylord Entertainment has displayed an incredible commitment to creativity and high-quality family entertainment, making each of their world-class U.S. resorts an ideal destination for the DreamWorks Animation brand,” commented Jeffrey Katzenberg, chief executive officer of DreamWorks Animation. “We look forward to bringing to life the characters, stories and worlds featured in our film franchises in new and innovative ways throughout the Gaylord Hotel guest experience starting this year.”

Vacation packages featuring the “DreamWorks Experience at Gaylord Hotels” go on sale in July 2011. The experiences will go live in all four resorts beginning in November 2011, as part of Gaylord’s award-winning Christmastime programs.
About Gaylord Hotels®
Gaylord Hotels is a collection of four upscale resorts that afford endless opportunities for leisure travelers and conventioneers. The hotel company’s hallmark — “everything in one place” — provides vacationers with diverse dining options, quality spa and fitness center services, top-notch entertainment, on-site shopping and endless activities — all within each resort. Gaylord Hotels is a pioneer in the hotel and convention industry with properties in the nation’s most desirable destinations. Gaylord Hotels include Gaylord Opryland® in Nashville, Tenn.; Gaylord Palms® in Kissimmee, Fla. near Orlando; and Gaylord Texan® on Lake Grapevine near Dallas, Texas, and Gaylord National® on the Potomac in National Harbor, Md. Gaylord Hotels is owned and operated by Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE: GET), a leading hospitality and entertainment company based in Nashville, Tenn. For more information, please visit: www.gaylordhotels.com.

About DreamWorks Animation 
DreamWorks Animation creates high-quality entertainment, including CG animated feature films, television specials and series, live entertainment properties and online virtual worlds, meant for audiences around the world. The Company has world-class creative talent, a strong and experienced management team and advanced filmmaking technology and techniques. DreamWorks Animation has been named one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” by FORTUNE® Magazine for three consecutive years. In 2011, DreamWorks Animation ranks #10 on the list. All of DreamWorks Animation’s feature films are now being produced in 3D. The Company has theatrically released a total of 21 animated feature films, including the franchise properties of Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon.

Monroeville, Alabama: Georgia-Pacific sponsors amphitheater expansion at Monroe County Heritage Museum

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MONROEVILLE, Alabama, USA /PRNewswire/ — On opening night of the annual production of the “To Kill a Mockingbird” play in downtown Monroeville, Georgia-Pacific announced that it is sponsoring the construction of an outdoor amphitheater to host the play beginning in 2012. A preliminary design was revealed to patrons attending this season’s first performance, which is based on Monroeville native Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel.

Georgia-Pacific’s donation to the Monroe County Heritage Museum, which sponsors the play, represents a $150,000 investment in 2011, with an additional commitment of $25,000 over five years for maintenance and repairs. The amphitheater will include portable seating, a courtyard, and improved landscaping for the west lawn of the historic Old Monroe County Courthouse and Museum. The area serves as a permanent location for the play and the project will enhance the site as a venue for other community events, concerts, receptions and plays.

“The Monroe County Heritage Museum is proud to have the Old Courthouse Museum chosen as the recipient of Georgia-Pacific’s community investment,” said Stephanie Rogers, executive director of the Monroe County Heritage Museum. “We see the international draw that “To Kill a Mockingbird” brings to our hometown and we appreciate that Georgia-Pacific, an international company, seeks to invest in this unique and special part of Monroeville’s heritage. This will be a handsome enhancement to our downtown square and an attractive venue for our annual production as well as for other museum and community-related events to be held downtown.”

Georgia-Pacific’s Alabama River Cellulose operation is the largest manufacturer in Monroe County. Since acquiring the pulp facility in July 2010, Georgia-Pacific has worked to identify a community investment project that would be meaningful to the entire community, fill a recognized need and demonstrate its long-term commitment to and support of the community. A local steering committee determined that an amphitheater would add the greatest value to improve the community’s infrastructure, support tourism efforts and enhance the cultural and fine arts heritage that has become a significant trademark of Monroeville.

The amphitheater project is the latest addition to more than $2 million in community investments made in Alabama during the past five years by Georgia-Pacific and other companies owned by Koch Industries. Nationally, Koch companies contribute tens of millions of dollars annually through in-kind giving and direct contributions to causes and organizations focusing on economic education and educational programs, arts and culture, health and human services, community and civic causes, and environmental projects.

“Georgia-Pacific supports thousands of initiatives and projects that strengthen our facility communities all across the country, and our history of support in Monroe County has been the same,” said Peggy Jaye, public affairs manager at the company’s Alabama River Cellulose operations. “We look forward to dedicating the new amphitheater at the opening of next year’s play. We are proud to help contribute to Monroe County’s legacy as the state’s Literary Capital.”

The amphitheater project design and construction will be led by a team consisting of The Architects Group (TAG), CSA Group Inc., and JubileeScape, all of Mobile. The team was chosen by the steering committee based on a preliminary design. Construction is expected to start after the play’s current season ends in late May. Plans call for the amphitheater to be dedicated on opening night of the 2012 season next spring.

Headquartered at Atlanta, Georgia-Pacific is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of building products, tissue, packaging, paper, cellulose and related chemicals. The company employs 40,000 people at 300 locations in North America, South America and Europe. Georgia-Pacific is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Koch Industries, LLC, a privately-owned company headquartered in Wichita, Kan. Koch companies and subsidiaries employ more than 70,000 people worldwide.

In Alabama, Koch companies employ more than 2,800 people directly and support 13,700 Alabama jobs in total. The company’s total compensation and benefits in Alabama is nearly $175 million annually.