Los Angeles, CA, USA (December 16, 2013) — Electrosonic has provided the primary audio and video systems at the Annenberg Space for Photography Skylight Studios in Los Angeles, a new 5,000-square-foot multimedia studio and retail gallery located across the park from the Annenberg Space for Photography.
The Annenberg Space for Photography exhibits digital and print photography by some of the world’s most renowned photographers and emerging talents. The new Skylight Studios provides an enhanced lecture viewing atmosphere and experience through state-of-the-art AV equipment, a concert-quality audio system and HD broadcast capabilities. The venue also accommodates photography workshops and special events. It’s the new home for the long-running, free Iris Nights lecture series and the Meet & Greet program where visitors interact with photographers, photo editors and other guests.
Electrosonic delivered a comprehensive roster of services to Skylight Studios, including audio and video system engineering design, on-site rack fabrication, systems integration, installation, commissioning and programming. The company met the challenge of a fast-paced installation schedule, which was part of the overall facility renovation.
To meet the video needs of the new space, Electrosonic mounted Christie projectors in Tempest housings to minimize the noise of their operation. Samsung flatscreen monitors were installed for viewing in back of house and in the guests’ green room.
On the audio side, Electrosonic was charged with distributing background music to the retail area and restrooms, and background music plus the performance audio feed from the main sound system to the green room. The company provided Renkus-Heinz and JBL speakers, Extron extenders, a Peavey DSP, Crown amps and Shure mics.
Electrosonic also created Skylight Studios’ back of house studio control room for presentation and broadcast operations. That space is compartmentalized with two equipment racks behind frosted glass doors and the primary space featuring the operations desk with mixing console, lighting console, confidence monitors, control touch panels and edit bay for on-the-fly production of broadcast, webcast and social media events.
”The biggest challenge was the fast paced installation schedule, which was part of the overall facility renovation schedule and coordination with other service providers,” commented Electrosonic’s Steve Calver.
Michael Morrison, Technology Officer for The Annenberg Foundation concluded, “As one of our key partners, Electrosonic delivered. From design collaboration to installation, they were instrumental to bringing our multimedia studio to life.”
Los Angeles, CA, USA (December 17, 2013) — Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products in partnership with Genting Malaysia, one of the leading resort operators in Asia, today announced the name of the first ever Twentieth Century Fox theme park: TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX WORLD at Resorts World Genting, Malaysia.
In addition, the theme park now has an official logo and a first-look at what visitors can expect from the park’s attractions was unveiled today at the launch of the TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX WORLD and Genting Integrated Tourism Plans that was attended by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Razak and executives from both companies. The theme park, spanning 25 acres at the Resort, will create new jobs including cast members who will be trained to operate the rides and attractions, while representing the characters and stories from various FOX properties.
TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX WORLD will open in Malaysia in 2016 and will feature a fully immersive entertainment experience highlighting some of FOX’s most recognized and powerful film brands. In attendance were Jeffrey Godsick president of Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products, Greg Lombardo, vice president of global location based entertainment at Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products and Chairman & Chief Executive, Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay of Genting Malaysia.
“The opening of the first Twentieth Century Fox Theme Park at Resorts World Genting takes our rich history of storytelling to a whole new level and will provide an exceptional entertainment experience,” said Godsick. “People from around the world will gather here in Malaysia to become part of the story and to experience the magic and adventure of their favorite FOX properties.”
“We are investing over $300 million to develop the world’s first unique and compelling world-class Twentieth Century Fox Theme Park. Having the distinction of being the first of its kind in the world, TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX WORLD will be built on a grand scale that consists of unique and creative concepts featuring more than 25 rides and attractions of a cinematic nature. The theme park will definitely pave the way for continued growth of Resorts World Genting with a next-level family entertainment experience which will attract tourism dollars to Malaysia,” said Chairman & Chief Executive of Genting Malaysia Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay.
“Genting Malaysia, as a developer of the world’s top resort destinations, is a natural and valued partner for Twentieth Century Fox,” said Lombardo. “The creation of a world-class entertainment destination in a vital market like Asia is a landmark step in Fox’s global theme park strategy, extending our brand and engaging audiences in new and exciting ways.”
With TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX WORLD targeting families and adults alike, the Resort anticipates a strong growth in visitors from both Malaysia and international arrivals including China and Southeast Asia.
Highlights from the park will include:
More than 25 acres of land, featuring more than 25 rides and attractions from media based rides, thrill rides, dark rides, to children’s rides and water rides
Rides and attractions based on Twentieth Century Fox blockbuster titles like ICE AGE, RIO, ALIEN VS. PREDATOR, PLANET OF THE APESand NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM (additional film build outs to be announced at a later date).
Retail merchandise and themed food and beverage outlets
Current Genting theme park, to be redeveloped into 20th Century Fox World
About Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products
A division 21st Century Fox and recognized industry leader, Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products licenses and markets properties worldwide on behalf of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Twentieth Century Fox Television and Fox Broadcasting Company, as well as third party lines. The division is aligned with Twentieth Century Fox Television, the flagship studio leading the industry in supplying award-winning and blockbuster primetime television programming and entertainment content.
About Twentieth Century Fox Film
One of the world’s largest producers and distributors of motion pictures, 20th Century Fox Film produces, acquires and distributes motion pictures throughout the world. These motion pictures are produced or acquired by the following units of 20th Century Fox Film: Twentieth Century Fox, Fox 2000 Pictures, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Fox International Productions, and Twentieth Century Fox Animation.
About Twentieth Century Fox Television
A 21st Century Fox company, Twentieth Century Fox Television is one of the industry’s most prolific suppliers of primetime television programming and entertainment content, including the blockbuster and Emmy and Golden Globe winning “Modern Family,” the pop culture phenomenon and Golden Globe winning “Glee,” the celebrated anthology series “American Horror Story,” the hit comedies “New Girl” and “How I Met Your Mother,” and the longest running primetime scripted series in the history of television, “The Simpsons.” The studio recently returned the Emmy Award-winning cult hit “Arrested Development” to production on new episodes, and its cable production division Fox 21 is responsible for this year’s Emmy Award winner and Golden Globe winner for Outstanding Drama Series, “Homeland.”
About Genting Malaysia
Genting Malaysia is one of the leading leisure and hospitality corporations in the world. Listed on Bursa Malaysia with approximately RM24 billion in market capitalisation, Genting Malaysia owns and operates major properties including Resorts World Genting, Resorts World Casino New York City, Resorts World Bimini and casinos in the United Kingdom.
Resorts World Genting is a premier leisure and entertainment resort in Malaysia. Equipped with over 9,000 rooms spread across 6 hotels, theme parks and entertainment attractions, over 200 dining and retail outlets, international shows and business convention facilities, Resorts World Genting was previously voted the World’s Leading Casino Resort (2005, 2007-2010) and Asia’s Leading Casino Resort (2005-2010) by World Travel Awards.
In Malaysia, Genting Malaysia also owns and operates Resorts World Kijal (formerly Awana Kijal Golf, Beach & Spa Resort) in Terengganu and Resorts World Langkawi (formerly Awana Porto Malai) in Langkawi.
In the United Kingdom, Genting Malaysia is one of the largest casino operators in the UK and a leading innovator in the provision of high quality customer-focused gaming. It operates 6 casinos in London and 35 casinos in the UK provinces. The Group is presently developing a leisure and entertainment complex at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, to be known as Resorts World Birmingham.
In the United States of America, Genting Malaysia operates Resorts World Casino New York City, a video lottery facility at the Aqueduct Racetrack in New York City. As the first such facility located in the city, the resort presents a premier entertainment hub providing the ultimate gaming and entertainment experience, with approximately 5,000 gaming machines, shows, events and culinary delights.
The Group recently launched Resorts World Bimini in the Bahamas. Resorts World Bimini contains a casino, villas, other accommodations, restaurants and bars, resort amenities and the largest marina in the Bahamas. The Group also operates the Bimini SuperFast, a 32,000-ton cruise ship that sails between Miami and Bimini.
Genting Malaysia is a member of the Genting Group, one of Asia’s leading and best-managed multinationals. The Genting Group is the collective name for Genting Berhad, its subsidiaries and associates, which have significant interests in leisure & hospitality, power generation, palm plantation, property development, biotechnology and oil & gas related activities.
Shanghai, China — Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd. (ICBC) and Shanghai Disney Resort have entered into a multi-year strategic alliance, making ICBC the resort’s first corporate alliance participant. The agreement between the resort’s two joint venture owner companies and ICBC was officially signed during a ceremony held earlier today, and was witnessed by stakeholders from ICBC, Shanghai Disney Resort, and from the resort’s shareholders, The Walt Disney Company and Shanghai Shendi Group, and marks a significant milestone in the resort’s pre-opening development.
“Like Disney, ICBC provides high quality customer experiences,” said Shen Liqiang, President of ICBC Shanghai Branch. “We are thrilled to establish our connection with Shanghai Disney Resort in a way that exemplifies our shared passion for excellent service. This agreement is a source of great pride for the ICBC team, and we look forward to working with Shanghai Disney Resort through this strategic alliance to create a myriad of unique products and experiences for guests visiting the resort.”
As the exclusive “Official Retail Bank Participant” of Shanghai Disney Resort, ICBC will provide a number of retail banking products and services to the resort and its guests, from full-service ICBC ATMs located throughout the Resort to commemorative Shanghai Disney Resort coins.
“We are pleased to announce this wonderful partnership with ICBC on an especially important day for Disney, as today is the birthday of our founder, Walt Disney,” said Mike Crawford, General Manager of Shanghai Disney Resort. “Disney is the world leader and most trusted provider of shared travel and leisure experiences, and we are extremely excited about this important agreement with ICBC, the largest bank in the world by market capitalization and one of the most respected brands in China.”
As part of the agreement, ICBC will also have exclusive integrated brand presence in the “Garden of the Twelve Friends.” The Garden of the Twelve Friends will be located inside a beautiful 11-acre green space at the center of the park and in front of the Enchanted Storybook Castle, the iconic central attraction of the resort’s theme park. The “Garden of the Twelve Friends” will contain 12 mosaic murals, each depicting the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac using famous Disney characters.
“Our Imagineers here in Shanghai are fast at work designing and developing this unique attraction in Shanghai Disneyland, and this is the perfect symbol of how we are designing with the Chinese guest in mind, but with a link to Disney characters and storytelling,” Crawford added.
Singapore — Merlin Entertainments plc (‘Merlin’) and Sentosa Development Corporation announce a new partnership which will see Merlin take on the management of Images of Singapore (IOS), one of Singapore’s leading attractions, and the launch of Madame Tussauds Singapore. The world-renowned ‘celebrity’ wax attraction will open at Imbiah Lookout on Sentosa in 2014. The two attractions will operate alongside one another and bring to life Singapore’s rich history with figures and audio-visual technology.
Merlin, the world’s second largest operator of visitor attractions, will use its specialist knowledge, expertise and skills to enhance the current visitor experience of the popular IOS attraction. This includes a significant investment programme to relaunch it as an exciting, contemporary world-class attraction which can be enjoyed by both local Singaporeans and international visitors of all ages. The attraction originally opened in 1983 as the Pioneers of Singapore and Surrender Chambers, then relaunched in 2005 as IOS – showcasing Singapore’s rich culture and history with the use of multimedia displays and theatre presentations.
Madame Tussauds Singapore will be Merlin’s first Singapore-based attraction, and is a natural complement to IOS. It will be uniquely tailored to reflect the culture and excitement of its Singapore and Southeast Asia location. This is not only in its design but also in the choice of figures which will be included – an exciting combination of historical and contemporary figures from the region, as well as global celebrities. It will also be the only Madame Tussauds outside of the flagship attraction in London to incorporate a ride into the experience. This unique ride will reflect the culture and history of Singapore.
Madame Tussauds Singapore will join other popular and successful Madame Tussauds in Asia – in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo, Bangkok, and Wuhan.
Madame Tussauds Singapore will be run by a Singapore-based team with the support of Merlin’s Asia Pacific management and global marketing teams. Merlin is committed to operating its attractions with local staff to draw on local knowledge and experience.
Santa Clarita, CA, USA — This November, SimEx-Iwerks opened a new Marvel Super Heroes 4-D Theater at Madame Tussauds in Las Vegas. Located in the famed Venetian Hotel, the 70-seat 4-D Theater features the latest in special effects technology and is enhanced by an interactive Marvel-themed pre-show experience.
This is the second collaboration between SimEx-Iwerks and Madame Tussauds. The two companies partnered to create a world-class experience at Madame Tussauds Times Square location. “The Marvel Super Heroes 4-D Experience at Madame Tussauds New York has performed extremely well, and we are delighted to see the opening of a second attraction at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas.” says Mark Cornell, Senior Vice President of SimEx-Iwerks. “We embrace the opportunity to develop cutting-edge attractions that complement the guest experience.”
The 4-D Theater features Marvel Super Heroes 4-D, which brings guests right into the center of an epic battle between the Avengers and the evil Loki and Dr. Doom. Prior to experiencing this dynamic 4-D film, guests will have the opportunity to capture amazing photos with life-like figures of Spider-Man, Captain America, Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk and more!
Marvel Comics’ legend, Stan Lee, was among the first to get a close look at the Marvel attraction and described the experience as “thrilling” and “spectacular.” “It was an honor to have Stan Lee cut the rope to unveil our brand-new attraction,” says Rosita Chapman, General Manager, Madame Tussauds Las Vegas. “We are equally thrilled to now share this with new and repeat guests alike.”
Orlando, FL, USA (Dec. 12, 2013) — Universal Orlando’s CityWalk will undergo a historic expansion during 2014 – all part of an epic year for Universal that will include the opening of the destination’s largest hotel, Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley.
Universal Orlando announced Thursday that it will open eight new venues across CityWalk throughout 2014 as part of a bold growth strategy designed to complement the entertainment complex’s already popular collection of national brands.
The expansion comes after a nationwide search for culinary concepts that include a mix of established national brands, up-and-coming concepts and Universal’s own creations. The new venues will share an overall theme that includes inviting common areas, al fresco dining, open kitchens and more.
“We want Universal CityWalk to grow along with the rest of our destination,” said Ric Florell, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Resort Revenue Operations at Universal Orlando. “We are bringing our guests an amazing new collection of experiences that will be world-class and offer something for everyone.”
The new venues include Hot Dog Hall of Fame, featuring iconic hot dog creations from some of our nation’s most famous ball parks. Universal partnered with Steven Schussler, the global culinary concept creator behind popular restaurants like Rain Forest Cafe, Backfire Barbecue and more, to bring his Hot Dog Hall of Fame concept to CityWalk. They also include CowFish, an innovative and trend-setting concept out of Charlotte, North Carolina with a signature dish called “Burgushi;” and popular frozen treat spots Cold Stone Creamery and Menchie’s.
Original concepts include Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food, a unique tapas-style restaurant, Bread Box, a home-style sandwich shop; A new modern Italian kitchen concept, where guests can watch as the culinary team handcrafts their pasta from scratch; and Red Oven Pizza Bakery – Universal’s first-ever Neopolitan-style pizza bakery, which is now open.
A full list of new venues and descriptions can be found below. Exact opening dates will be released at a later time.
Since its opening in 1999, Universal CityWalk has served as the “entertainment capital of Orlando,” quickly becoming the hottest place in town among locals and visitors to grab a bite to eat, catch a movie, dance the night away and more. The two-tiered, 30-acre complex features a collection of nightclubs, restaurants and shops themed after some of the most recognizable names in entertainment, including Bob Marley – A Tribute to Freedom, Emeril’s Restaurant Orlando, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville and Bubba Gump Shrimp Company. Universal CityWalk is also home to Rising Star – an energetic karaoke club where guests can perform with a live band and backup singers, the 36-hole mini-golf course, Hollywood Drive-In Golf, and the indescribable, nationally-renowned live show, Blue Man Group.
NEW UNIVERSAL CITYWALK VENUES – OPENING THROUGHOUT 2014
NOW OPEN– Red Oven Pizza Bakery: Take a quick trip to Italy for authentic, artisan pizza–made fresh, while you wait–at Universal CityWalk’s first-ever Neopolitan-style pizza bakery. The combination of the highest quality ingredients and a traditional 900-degree stone-lined oven ensures every slice is pizza perfection.
Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food: Take a journey through the cantinas, street carts, and markets of Mexico for unique tapas-style dining at Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food. Only the freshest ingredients are used to create craveable, made from scratch Mexican street fare in an environment of unmatched authenticity.
Hot Dog Hall of Fame: Strike out your hunger at Hot Dog Hall of Fame with some of the most iconic hot dog creations from our nation’s most famous ballparks. Take a seat in the bleachers and enjoy a loaded Chicago dog with all the toppings, a perfectly charred Boston brat, a monster LA dog and more.
The Cowfish: Innovative sushi joins forces with creative burgers for an untraditional dining experience at this reincarnation of the popular North Carolina hotspot. The result: “Burgushi”. A cutting-edge fusion of burger and sushi, burgushi items include sushi rolls created using burger components and sandwiches created using sushi elements
A new modern Italian kitchen concept: Immerse yourself in the essence of modern Italian cuisine at this new restaurant created by Universal Orlando. Watch as the culinary team handcrafts your pasta from scratch to create fresh takes on classic dishes in a clean, contemporary dining atmosphere.
Cold Stone Creamery: For more than 25 years, Cold Stone Creamery has served up the finest, freshest ice cream, cakes, smoothies and shakes using only the highest quality ingredients and their signature process of preparing your custom ice cream creation on a frozen granite stone.
Bread Box: With a Bread Box sandwich, you’ll be transported back to your childhood kitchen or your favorite street corner deli. Here you’ll find that the combination of quality meats and vegetables, fresh bread, and simple preparation can transform a sandwich into something more.
Menchie’s: One of the world’s most popular frozen yogurt shops is coming to Universal CityWalk. The dream was to create a place where people from all walks of life and ages could enjoy themselves—not only with great tasting, quality frozen yogurt and an expansive self-serve toppings bar, but with a unique experience in a fun and happy environment that makes you smile.
Dina Benadon and Brent Young were interviewed by Judith Rubin about their new project to restore and preserve the childhood home of
Walt Disney, in Chicago. The project launched officially with a press conference at the site on Dec. 5, 2013, the 112th anniversary of Walt’s birth. As part of the celebration, Mayor Emanuel proclaimed it Walt Disney Day in Chicago.
Most Chicagoans are meeting Benadon and Young for the first time in the context of this project, but the pair, who are husband and wife as well as business partners, are well-known in the themed entertainment industry for their work on a variety of special venue cinema attractions with their company Super 78.
Fourth graders from the local elementary school were on hand to celebrate (and eat birthday cake). They made the banner themselves.
What is the next step? Dina: At this point, we’re focused on saving and restoring the home. We have put together a great team that includes historical preservation consultant Tim Barton, the Cultural Historian for the City of Chicago, Tim Samuelson and preservation architect and professor at the Art Institute of Chicago, Charles Pipal – in addition to creatives and designers in Los Angeles.
What kind of response have you had from the neighbors? Brent: Our interaction with the community has been positive and has included some great emails from kids in the neighborhood. This is an everyday, working class neighborhood and we’re not looking to disrupt that.
What is the vision for creating a guest experience in the home once it is restored? Brent: It will be an intimate experience. We want to create a time machine using state-of-the-art technology to transport you back to 1901 and make you feel part of the Disney family.
Will you be putting your media production skills to work? Brent: Yes, we want to use sound and projection technology and apply what we’ve done over the years.
What have you done on the home so far? Brent: We’ve done forensic work on the home, and one of the things we did as part of the celebration on December 5th
was to reveal the original siding. Under the aluminum siding is the original wood siding that Elias Disney put up himself. We’ve also taken samples of the original paint, and of the original cedar shake roof, which is still there underneath asphalt shingles. The original brick chimney that runs through the center of the house is also still there. The house that Elias built is all there – it’s just been covered up.
Brent, you’re a native of Chicago. Is this close to where you grew up? Brent: I grew up about 30 miles to the west, in the cornfields. The house is in in Chicago proper, in the 35th ward, in a little known neighborhood called Hermosa.
Your company, Super 78, first made its mark in media production. Is this an expansion of your business direction? Dina: Yes and no. About 6 years ago, we branched out into attraction design. It was part of our evolution. Our talent is in the creative and development space, and this project is a natural progression for us.
Brent was doing some research on a project, came across the home, and asked a real estate agent to look into it. It wasn’t listed for sale,
but the owners were interested in selling it. They manage property in the neighborhood and were aware of the home’s history. They wanted to see something appropriate done with it.
Were Walt and Roy actually born in the house?
Dina: Yes, both Walt and Roy came into the world through home births in that house. We have an historical affidavit documenting it. The family lived there for 12 years.
How has the Disney family responded? Dina: Roy P. Disney has endorsed the project and is supportive. We reached out to the family and they are aware of everything we are
How is the project being funded? Brent: Most of the restoration is being funded by us; we’ve set up WDB Restorations LLC. We are using Kickstarter to engage the community and raise a portion of the money. We are also reaching out for corporate sponsorship. We estimate a budget of some $500,000 will get the home to landmark status.
What does this project mean to you, personally and professionally? Dina: When we look at our careers and where our lives are, this feels like the natural next step – a way to give back to the community and the industry that has given us so much.
Brent: Two extraordinary people – Walt and Roy Disney – were born in the home. Walt Disney is arguably the most famous person ever
born in the city of Chicago. This is a typical home of that time period but very few if any of its counterparts in Chicago
have been given landmark status, so there’s the benefit that this draws attention to this genre of architecture.
So there’s the juxtaposition of extraordinary people who began their lives in a very ordinary home. Brent: It’s a fascinating story. Walt’s father Elias built the house with his own hands. Walt’s mother, Flora, was the architect. There are two other houses on the same street, and a church around the corner, that Elias also built.
Flora and Elias met and married in Kissimee, Florida – which we all know is right next to Walt Disney World. They moved to Chicago because Elias got a job as a laborer/contractor on the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. They had two boys at the time; Flora was pregnant with Roy, and Elias took the skills acquired from helping to build the world expo, and became a small-scale contractor. In Disneyland today, you can look up and see the Elias Disney window on Main Street – it reads, “Elias Disney, contractor.”
Los Angeles, CA, USA — This year’s STATE OF THE ARTS: Future of Fulldome, taking place at LA’s Vortex Dome on December 12, focuses on 360 immersive storytelling and content creation, and the emerging popularity of the fulldome format. From educational to wellness and healing, to immersive live performance, this event will feature a panel of top experts working in the fulldome format and a showcase designed to demonstrate examples of the various types of content being created for the fulldome space. The evening will culminate in networking reception featuring an immersive performance followed by a live 360 VJ/DJ in The Vortex Dome.
7:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Doors Open/Check In
7:30 pm
Welcome The Fulldome as a Space for Wellbeing… Special performance by Michael Perricone, Tibetan Bells, with Jahna Perricone, Mindfulness Certified Practioner, MARC: Mindfulness Awareness Research Center, UCLA
7:45 pm – 9:00 pm
THE FUTURE OF FULLDOME PANEL
Hear from experts working in the exciting format of fulldome 360 content creation. Whether one creates planetarium and educational projects, arts and entertainment, live performances, corporate experiences, theme park attractions or you’re a VJ/DJ, discover the lastest trends in this exciting emerging platform, learn about career opportunities and discover guidelines to great 360 immersive storytelling.
Moderator/Presenter: Ed Lantz, Vortex Immersion Media, Co-Founder IMERSA
Sponsored by IMERSA: Immersive Media Entertainment Research Science and Arts
9:00 pm – 9:30 pm
The Potential of Fulldome & Artist Q&A
A variety of fulldome content selections will be shown along with a brief Q&A with available artists/curators.
You’ll see examples from genre categories such as; Planetarium/Educational, Wellness, Ride, Corporate Entertainment, 360 Narrative, Experimental/Fine Art and Visual Music.
Evanston, IL, USA (December 11, 2013) — D3D Cinema is proud to announce its latest giant screen digital 3D theater conversion at the Kentucky Science Center in Louisville. The upgrade will commence after the holidays and the new Kentucky Science Center Theater will open February 8, 2014. D3D will retrofit the existing 2D 15/70 theater into a state-of-the-art 4K 3D digital projection platform. D3D designed the system with Barco, RealD, Schneider Optics, Qube, and QSC technologies.
“Our giant screen theater has played an integral role in Kentucky Science Center’s science literacy mission for 25 years – so it was critically important for us to upgrade to the best solution on the market” said Joanna Haas, KSC’s Executive Director. “D3D’s system design, coupled with RealD’s 3D technology, aligned perfectly with our needs. This upgrade will allow KSC to present a brighter, sharper, more immersive giant screen experience.”
The giant screen upgrade at Kentucky Science Center marks D3D’s 30th DCI-compliant museum theater installation since its inception in 2009.
Don Kempf, D3D’s Founder and President, expressed excitement about D3D’s growth and future.“We’re thrilled that such a high percentage of the giant screen theaters that are choosing to make the switch to digital are selecting D3D as their integrator. I think this speaks to the positive word-of-mouth generated by our prior integrations in the giant screen market as well as a high confidence and trust level among our clients. This is particularly exciting as the pace of the transition away from film-based systems among giant screen theaters continues to accelerate. D3D is poised to make a handful of really exciting announcements – new venues, laser systems, dome solutions, our first OEM technology, and more – all of which should make 2014 another breakthrough year.”
Boyertown, PA, USA — Gateway Ticketing Systems is pleased to announce the promotion of Scott Lobaugh to Director of Business Solutions. Mr. Lobaugh has a rich history with Gateway Ticketing Systems and brings a wealth of industry knowledge to the Company and its customers. His strength and experience bolsters Gateway’s commitment to moving forward and working proactively to enhance Gateway’s position as the leader in ticketing and access control within the Attractions and Amusement industries.
Gateway CEO and President, Michael Andre, was thrilled to announce the promotion: “Since joining Gateway Ticketing Systems in 2005 as Gateway’s first Inside Sales Representative, Scott has tirelessly focused on deepening relationships with existing customers and growing revenue through an increased customer base. As a participant in our strategic planning, Scott has reliably demonstrated enthusiasm, a spirit for cooperative teamwork, and a strong strategic vision focused on understanding our customers’ needs and helping to drive our business toward meeting and exceeding those needs and customer expectations. I am happy to solidify his ongoing participation in the senior leadership undertakings of the Company.”
Mr. Lobaugh is looking forward to this new challenge in his next chapter with Gateway: “My experience at Gateway Ticketing Systems over the past 8 years has been fantastic. It’s a wonderful place to work with an extraordinary company culture and dedicated team of professionals committed to giving their all to the Company and our customers. What excites me most in my new position is that Gateway is on the move to the next level. We have built a great Company over the past 25 years, but we are certainly not on cruise control! We are strategically focused on evolving our Company, as well as our products and services to continually meet our customers’ needs today and into the future. I look forward to playing an integral role in assisting the Company with our main goal of providing innovative solutions that help our customers identify new and grow existing revenue-generating opportunities and increase efficiency within their businesses.”
