Monday, April 29, 2024
Home Blog Page 592

Steve Bilton Joins Team at Ride Entertainment as Business Development Associate

Joe Kleiman
-
0
Steve Bilton Joins Team at Ride Entertainment as Business Development Associate

Stevensville, MD, USA (October 23, 2015) — Ride Entertainment is proud to announce the addition of Steve Bilton, who joined the company as a Business Development Associate. Bilton will specialize in many different areas of the company: sales, Skycoaster site certifications, and revenue shares.

“We are very excited to add Steve to our team,” said Adam Sandy, Ride Entertainment’s Chief Business Development Officer.  “He has a great background in the attractions industry and we look forward to teaching him our business while learning from his front line experience.”

Bilton started in the hospitality industry in 2008 and two years later joined the operations team at Cedar Point.  He was heavily involved in Skycoaster operations and became a senior site controller in 2014.  In addition, he worked the aquatics and Halloweekends facets of the park’s operations.  In his new position Bilton will be traveling to Skycoaster sites to provide certifications, working with Ride Entertainment’s financial partnership sites to increase revenue, and working with the sales team.

“Steve brings with him a significant amount of industry experience and that is invaluable to us.  We feel that with his background in customer service and park operations, specifically Skycoaster, he will be strong addition to the Ride Entertainment team,” said Mark Rosenzweig, Managing Director of Skycoaster.

“I’m excited and eager to learn a different side of the industry, while still providing world class thrills. Ride Entertainment has proven itself to be a top contender, and I am very proud to be a part of this team,” said Steve Bilton.

WhiteWater’s Andrew Wray Inducted into World Waterpark Association Hall of Fame

Joe Kleiman
-
0
WhiteWater’s Andrew Wray Inducted into World Waterpark Association Hall of Fame

PHOTO by Martin Palicki, InPark Magazine

Richmond, BC, Canada — Andrew Wray, Chief Business Development Officer and Partner at WhiteWater West Industries Ltd., has been welcomed into the World Waterpark Association’s Hall of Fame.

“The WWA’s Hall of Fame exists to honor industry leaders like Andrew Wray,” comments Mark Moore, WWA Board of Directors Chair, “Through his work at WhiteWater, Wray been an industry leader in designing and building some of the world’s most memorable attractions. He also played an early role in pioneering wave pool technology and design, which has led wave pools to become an attraction staple for waterparks all over the world.”

Andrew Wray graduated from the University of Glasgow in Scotland as a mechanical engineer and begin working for his father at Barr + Wray, a manufacturer of pumps, water treatment and filtration systems. In the mid 1980’s, Andrew began designing and perfecting wave generating equipment and brought the technology to Canada through Barr & Wray North America, of which Andrew was president. In 1987, a natural partnership was formed as Andrew Wray and WhiteWater joined forces to deliver the world’s most advanced wave pool systems to the amusement industry.

Andrew was heavily involved in growing WhiteWater to the global company it is today and bringing fully immersive waterparks to the international market. With a growing team of Waterparks and Attractions experts lead by Andrew, WhiteWater was able to increase their efforts in bringing innovative products to markets all over the world.

Andrew’s dedication to his client’s needs through customer service excellence is one of the characteristics that have led to WhiteWater’s success. Long term relationships have always been Andrew’s passion and WhiteWater’s clients trust his advice because of his open-minded, holistic approach to the waterpark business. It is because of Andrew’s leadership, innovation and sharp mind that he has landed a well-deserved place in the WWA Hall of Fame.

Tom Mehrmann to Depart as CEO of Ocean Park in 2016

Joe Kleiman
-
0
Tom Mehrmann to Depart as CEO of Ocean Park in 2016

Hong Kong —  After almost 12 years of service as the Chief Executive of Ocean Park, Tom Mehrmann has recently given notice of his intention to not renew his employment contract with the Park, effective on August 1, 2016.  He has given early notification of his intended departure next year to allow time for the Park to search for a new Chief Executive and ensure a smooth transition of leadership for the organization.

TomMehrmannSince Mehrmann joined Ocean Park as Chief Executive in February 2004, he has been instrumental in leading the Park from strength to strength, improving attendance, revenue, surplus, cash reserves and placement of Ocean Park at the pinnacle of excellence and success within the world of theme parks and zoological facilities.  In his letter to the Chairman and Board, he noted that “the Park is well placed for development and continued growth with ten years of capital programming laid out ahead, infrastructure improvements nearly complete, Water World designed and funded, hotels awarded or tendered, MTR South Island Line poised for arrival, capital funding earmarked for future key developments, and a management team that is steeled by its past and emboldened by its success, while still remaining humble and hungry”.

Reflecting on the past 12 years, Mehrmann said, “I’m immensely proud of my association with Ocean Park, as well as the staff, Management and Board for the meaningful, bold and courageous growth initiatives that have taken the Park to new heights.”  With the Park set to continue moving forward in a positive direction, he believes it was the appropriate time for him to begin pursuing other career development and personal interests.

The Board of Directors and the Park tried to retain Mehrmann, but respects his decision.  They thank him for his tremendous leadership and contribution over the last 12 years and his continuous support in managing through the leadership transition from now until the end of July 2016.  The search process for his successor has already commenced and the result will be announced in due course.

Leo Kung, Chairman of the Ocean Park, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Mehrmann for his contributions and leadership over the years, as he joined the Park at a critical period of time and oversaw the strategic direction, conceptual planning, development, growth, and world-class accolades achieved by Ocean Park.    He additionally indicated that the Board would be delighted to engage him in an advisory role to the Park, as he will be staying in Hong Kong to pursue his future interests.

Attraktion! Providing Interactive Media Experiences to Malaysia’s The Top

Joe Kleiman
-
0
Attraktion! Providing Interactive Media Experiences to Malaysia’s The Top

Vienna, Austria (October 21, 2015) — The EAS show in Gothenburg, held in the Svenska Mässan Exhibition Center from 6th to 8th of October, was a very fruitful exhibition for Attraktion! The cutting edge inventor and supplier of new media based attraction formats signed a major attraction sale & cooperation deal with Only World Group of Malaysia. Attraktion! will install three of its media-based attractions in the new tourist attraction ‘The Top’ on Penang Island, Malaysia. A 5D Dome theater, Playoke Dance & Kids and the newest attraction format, Sea Explorer 5D, will feature as the new attractions within the entertainment areas of The Top.

Attraktion! confirmed a general collaboration agreement with OWG to work together in the region. OWG is a leading developer and operator of leisure venues in Malaysia.

The first project within this collaboration is the delivery of 3 media based attractions on OWG’s newest upcoming tourist destination called The Top. A huge entertainment & leisure attraction, The Top is located in the heart of the Malaysian island Penang. The venue features 300,000 sq ft. floor space with attractions, F&B as well as retail. Aesthetic highlights are The Ground Stairs which range from the ground level to the 5th floor as well as the 360 degrees Observation Deck on level 64. Moreover the world’s highest open-sky bar will open on level 66. The opening of the tourist hotspot The Top will be at the end of this year. Mr. Richard Koh, CEO of OWG and its subsidiary Magnificent Empire who will operate The Top said “we are delighted to bring innovative new attractions to our market and collaborate with Attraktion!”.

OWG is investing approximately $100M USD in the latest state of the art interactive attractions within two years. The company decided to equip the new entertainment and leisure complex with Attraktion!’s high-end experience products. Visitors can explore a captivating 5D Dome with 48 seats and experience an immersive virtual Sea Explorer 5D tour. In addition kids, teenager and adults are invited to dance along Playoke Dance & Kids’ popular music clips as well as to play with The Top’s mascots George & Pearl. Projection hardware for this project is delivered by Barco, a Belgian projector manufacturer. Markus Beyr, CEO of Attraktion! said “we see The Top as the bright start of our collaboration with OWG for the region”.

Round 1 Bowling Becomes a Dynamic Experience with A/V Design from Edwards Technologies

Joe Kleiman
-
0
Round 1 Bowling Becomes a Dynamic Experience with A/V Design from Edwards Technologies

El Segundo, CA, USA — Round 1 recently collaborated with Edwards Technologies Inc. to re-invent their already popular bowling zones at several sites in their portfolio. ETI provided experience, expertise, and guidance in the engineering, installation, and integration of the audio-visual components to create a family friendly atmosphere that would complement their other offerings including an arcade, billiards, private karaoke rooms, darts, ping-pong, food, and drinks. ETI  envisioned then oversaw the selection and implementation of quality products that would create an unmatched consumer experience including elements like the sound system, video system, light shows for Cosmic Bowling, and the control systems to manage the various daily shows

ETI teamed with Round 1 at the following locations: Main Place Mall, Santa Ana, CA, Westfield Southcenter, Seattle, WA, Stratford Square Mall, Bloomingdale, IL, and Arlington Parks, Arlington, TX.

“Our goal was to help Round 1 deliver a fun and dynamic environment for all guests who visit the bowling lanes at these Round 1 locations, especially their exclusive Moon Light Strike Game where everyone bowls at once with the lights down,” commented Guy O’Hazza, Senior Project Manager for Edwards Technologies Inc. who oversaw the work completed for Round 1.

Round 1 is currently rapidly expanding nationwide with eight locations already open in the US and an additional location slated to open soon in Massachusetts.

UPDATED! Deadline for IPS 2016 Abstract Submission Extended to October 26

Joe Kleiman
-
0
UPDATED! Deadline for IPS 2016 Abstract Submission Extended to October 26

Warsaw Poland — IPS 2016 looks forward to your active contribution in the conference by submitting the abstract. Proposals can be submitted on-line via registration form on our website www.ips2016.org.  

In the program section of the website you will find info on the Conference Theme and proposed Session Subjects. 

During IPS 2016 Conference organizers intend to devote a large amount of attention to working under the dome. They will show interesting commercial presentations involving new technologies, as well as typical planetarium productions (both fulldome animations and live shows) during sessions. All of these demonstrations will be inspiring and provoke the exchanging of experiences and ideas for the future. They look forward to your innovative, fresh and smart session proposals in line with the theme and proposed session subjects.

Should you have any questions regarding sessions, email us: [email protected]

IAAPA Hall of Fame Veterans to Be Joined by Newest Inductees at 2015 Panel

Joe Kleiman
-
0
IAAPA Hall of Fame Veterans to Be Joined by Newest Inductees at 2015 Panel

ABOVE: Lightning Rod under construction at Dollywood.  Courtesy Rocky Mountain Construction.

[quote]We are re-launching the Hall of Fame Panel with some significant improvements in the hope of making it relevant and extremely useful to IAAPA attendees. The new focus will focus on the future. Hall of Fame inductees have tremendous knowledge, which will still be deeply true years from now. The panel will deliver timeless leadership wisdom that will help our audience create the future of our industry. The future will not be a repeat of the past, but many of the leadership secrets to be shared in this session will be profoundly valuable in the years to come.” – Bob Rogers, Founder of BRC Imagination Arts[/quote]

Alexandria, VA, USA — At IAAPA’s 2015 Hall of Fame Panel, industry legends will share their hard won wisdom with tomorrow’s leaders with the aim of delivering practical, applicable leadership insights that can be used today and tomorrow.

When: Tuesday, November 17th, 2015 at 5:00 pm in Orlando, Florida.

Participants include:

bobmastersonspeakIAAPA Hall of Famer Bob Masterson, Former President of Ripley’s Entertainment joins the panel. In Masterson’s 36 years with Ripley’s (25 of those years as president) Ripley’s Entertainment grew from just 11 locations to more than 73 museum attractions, aquariums and theaters in 13 countries, a publishing company and a TV series.

“I have worked in the themed entertainment industry for over 35 years during a time of unprecedented international growth and diversification for Ripley Entertainment. I’m very excited to share my background and history to the future of our industry,” says Masterson.

pete-herschendIAAPA Hall of Famer Peter Herschend, Co-Founder of Herschend Family Entertainment will join the panel as well. Herschend’s extensive family organization is well-known for their efforts to help set the direction of tourism and education in Missouri, develop roads, improve environmental awareness and extend the annual tourism in the Branson area. With his brother, Jack, they combined their skills to develop several major attractions throughout the United States including Silver Dollar City, Dollywood theme park, and Stone Mountain.

“As co-founder and co-owner of Herschend Family Entertainment, our professional service to tourism and the themed entertainment industry stretches across many areas including, environmental awareness, tourism, and operations,” says Herschend. “I’m thrilled to share valuable leadership principles to the future pioneers of our industry.

Also joining the panel will be the living 2015 inductee(s) whose name(s) will be announced, earlier that day, Tuesday, November 17th.

522377_550672248282703_580153822_n-1The panel will be moderated by Bob Rogers, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of BRC Imagination Arts (also a Hall of Fame inductee).

Following the session, the panelists will remain in the room to sign autographs.

 

 

 

Alcorn McBride Technology Helps Bring Historic LA Movie Locations to Life

Joe Kleiman
-
0
Alcorn McBride Technology Helps Bring Historic LA Movie Locations to Life

Orlando, FL, USA – Starline Tours offers Los Angeles visitors a new way to be star struck.  The Movie Locations Tour in partnership with TCM visits more than 50 spots around town while passengers view related movie clips on a 65-inch HDTV.  The tour is presented in conjunction with cable network TCM.

Movie Locations Tour is expertly guided by film aficionados who delight in teasing passengers with little-known facts and anecdotes, and giving TCM-infused context to the movie clips being shown.

Two custom Movie Location Tour buses are outfitted with video playback equipment from Alcorn McBride.  This enables tour guides to link locations with their on-screen counterparts.  Panoramic windows and skylights afford great views of movie locations that include famous streets, the iconic Union Station and Bradbury Building, and notable parks.  Stadium seating ensures every passenger has a clear view of the 65-inch HDTV screen at the front of the bus.  Guides offer behind-the-scenes insight and expert commentary on the movie clips and locations. Additional video segments feature popular TCM host Ben Mankiewicz.

“The buses are a real marvel – they’re quite unique,” says Starline IT Director Kian Farhadi.  “There are windows everywhere and as we go by a location we play scenes from the movies that pertain to it.  Passengers are completely immersed in what’s going on.”

1517390_10153452558921103_591721925070070781_n

 

Each bus features an Alcorn McBride DVM8500 Digital Video Machine HD.  The HD video player is paired with an Alcorn McBride VCore controller, which works seamlessly with the Alcorn McBride ShowTouch control panel.  The system drives the big screen for the passengers plus a 7-inch screen for the tour guide.

“We had a very particular set of requirements and Alcorn McBride was able to meet them,” says Kian Farhadi.  “The guide has to have complete control over the media during the tour.  He needs to be able to adapt the itinerary as the tour goes along; there’s an array of buttons on the touchscreen to select locations from.  The system also has to be powered through an inverter.  Alcorn McBride was the only company that could deliver on all these points.”

Kamrouz Farhadi, Chairman of Starline Tours of Hollywood, notes that the company has been using Alcorn McBride products for half-a-dozen years. “We first used the AM4 Digital Audio Machine for the sound in our tours,” he says.  “That has worked very well, so we had Alcorn McBride in mind when we began to plan the Movie Locations tour.  We did look at other systems but felt that Alcorn McBride’s DVM-8500 was the best fit and would do a good job.”

Kian Farhadi reports that the Alcorn McBride systems are “working very, very well” on the Movie Locations Tours.  He gives kudos to Alcorn McBride’s customer support – even if he hasn’t had to make much use of it.  “It was excellent when we were in touch the first couple of days.  But since then we haven’t had to call them.  The equipment just works!” he says.

Halloween Returns to PortAventura for 15th Consecutive Year of Fun and Mahem

Joe Kleiman
-
0
Halloween Returns to PortAventura for 15th Consecutive Year of Fun and Mahem

Salou, Spain (October 15, 2015) — PortAventura Resort has been transformed for yet another year of monstrously good fun. The start of the new Halloween season builds on the park’s existing 15-year legacy of eerie entertainment and promises to be the best yet.

Halloween has become one of the annual highlights of the resort and is a must for families and young people looking for a ghoulishly good time. Each year the park is decorated with pumpkins, bats and spiders, and filled with zombies, vampires and other monstrous creatures to guarantee an unforgettable experience. As a result, more than 5.5 million visitors have enjoyed Halloween at PortAventura over the last 15 years, of whom 1.3 million were foreign visitors, predominantly French, English, Irish and Russian nationals.

A lot has been achieved during the last 15 years to create this success. Milestones include “Selva del Miedo” – the longest terror walk in Europe and the home-grown supply of more than 12,000 pumpkins required for the entire season.

PortAventura returns with a special seasonal schedule full of surprises to mark the 20th Anniversary of the park. Until 15th November, fun is guaranteed thanks to new attractions and about 150 weekly performances of numerous shows that have been transformed by the spirit of Halloween. Up to 160 professional actors, dancers, acrobats, and stunt performers who will combine their talents to put on an unforgettable season of monster magic.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The other areas of the park will also be filled with hair-raising special effects. In ​​México, visitors will enjoy the new show “La Muerte Viva” (The Living Dead), based on the remarkable folklore of “Day of the Dead”.  In China lovers of mystery and music won’t want to miss the incredible “Halloween Escape”, starring World Champion Skipping Rope Performer, Adrienn Banhegyi. Rising from the grave again is the now-legendary show “Vampires”, while the new “Old Wild Halloween” in the Far Westarea will see Emma’s House restaurant temporarily converted to “La Posada de la Familia Halloween”, giving diners the opportunity to enjoy a spine-chilling dinner show while getting to know the ghoulish family.

Mediterrània will host the “Halloween Parade” at the close of each day, featuring crazy vehicles and creepy characters; and “Horror en el lago”, which will once again turn the PortAventura Lake into the stage for a spectacular display of fire, fireworks and music from beyond the grave, starring a monstrous dragon and the sinister character of Death.

The infamous terror walks are also back, including the outstanding “REC EXPERIENCE” passage inspired by the famous film franchise. Guests will walk through an inhospitable passage and, whilst running for their lives with special effects, petrifying noises and atmospheric scenery.

Mark Katz Joins Giant Screen Films and D3D

Joe Kleiman
-
0
Mark Katz Joins Giant Screen Films and D3D

ABOVE (L to R): Paul Fraser of Blaze Digital Cinema Works, Steve Schklair of 3ality Technica, Charlotte Huggins of Rhythm & Hues, Mark Katz at 2012 IAAPA Attractions Expo.  Photo by Judy Rubin.

[quote]GSF and D3D are proven leaders in the giant screen and museum cinema industry and are poised to take their business to the next level while at the same time continuing to contribute to the growth of the industry overall.  I look forward to working closely with Don Kempf and the entire GSF/D3D team to help make this a reality in the most strategic and impactful way possible.” – Mark Katz[/quote]

Evanston, IL, USA — Giant Screen Films and D3D Cinema are thrilled to announce that industry veteran Mark Katz is joining the company as Senior Vice President, Film Distribution and Theater Development.    Mark will be spearheading GSF’s worldwide film distribution business and will play a key strategic role in driving D3D’s growth into new museum and other venues.

unnamed (13)“We are all elated that Mark is joining the GSF/D3D team,” said Don Kempf, President. “Mark brings a wealth of experience in sales and marketing as well as a keen customer insight, and his reputation in our industry is second to none.   Given the strength and diversity of our current film catalog and pipeline, the timing of his arrival couldn’t be better.”

For nearly 30 years, Mark has handled a more diverse and original film catalog than anyone in the industry, most recently as President of Distribution for National Geographic Studios since 2006, representing a wide array of specialty, art and independent films, including the award-winning films “Jerusalem”, “U2 3D” and “Sea Monsters”, as well as box-office greatest hits “Forces of Nature,” “Lewis & Clark,” “Mysteries of Egypt,” “Shackleton’s Antarctic Adventure” “The Human Body” and the highly acclaimed feature films, “Restrepo,” “Amreeka,” “Life in a Day,” and “The Last Lions.”

Prior to joining National Geographic, Katz headed up distribution for nWave Pictures from 1998 to 2005, and was Vice President of Sales for Sony Pictures Classics from 1994-98, where he released the original films “Wings of Courage” and “Across the Sea of Time.” Prior to Sony, he worked for IMAX Corporation, where he released the ground-breaking film “Rolling Stones at the Max” and the Academy Award-nominated “Fires of Kuwait.”

Katz is also a past Chairman of the Board for the Giant Screen Cinema Association (GSCA).

1...591592593...1,095Page 592 of 1,095

InPark Magazine (IPM) covers the intersection of themed entertainment and technology. We specialize in creating custom-crafted content designed to appeal to the industry’s top designers, creators, developers, owners and operators.

Contact us: email
Read our privacy policy