The ASTC 2013 conference program is available at this link.
Disney exec chairs AZA; 2014 conference to convene at Orlando theme parks
The Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) announced that its 2014 Annual Conference, September 12-18, in Orlando, FL, will be hosted by Disney’s Animal Kingdom, The Seas, and SeaWorld Orlando.
On Sept 13, AZA marked the official swearing-in of Jackie Ogden, Ph.D., Walt Disney Parks and Resorts vice president of Animals, Science and Environment, as the new Chair of the AZA Board of Directors.
“Dr. Jackie Ogden’s strong leadership and extensive experience will be tremendously beneficial to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and to all AZA-accredited institutions,” said AZA President and CEO Jim Maddy. “We are grateful that Disney has been such a supportive member of the Association, especially in making such an accomplished executive and scientist available to lead the AZA Board of Directors.”
Host Cities Announced for 2014 IMERSA and GSCA Conferences
IMERSA, which stands for “Immersive Media Entertainment, Research, Science & Arts” and the Giant Screen Cinema Association (GSCA) have both announced the host cities for the 2014 conferences.
First up is IMERSA’s annual summit, returning to the Gates Planetarium at the the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver, CO, USA. Taking place March 6-9, the summit will provide workshops in spherical photography, fulldome film production, 360 audio, fulldome cameras, and distribution practices, along with presentations of the latest innovative products, Best of Fest film screenings, interchange standards, and tools and technologies. The Summit is cosponsored by the Denver Film Society, with some events taking place at the SIE Film Center.
March 23-25, the GSCA Film Expo will take place at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, Austin, TX, USA. The Film Expo will focus on film screenings, including new films, films in production, and projects in development. The GSCA is working to include a laser system and/or a digital demo as well as a high frame rate demo at the event.
The GSCA International Conference and Trade Show will be held September 20-23 in Toronto, ON, Canada, co-hosted by Cineplex and the Ontario Science Centre. The conference will feature film screenings, professional development, technical demonstrations, a trade show, and more. The GSCA also plans to include a laser demo as part of the conference.
K2 to Release 3net Space Documentary to 2D and 3D Digital Flat Screens and Fulldome
El Segundo, CA, USA — K2 Communications has announced the release of Space: Unraveling the Cosmos. Utilizing groundbreaking 3D and 4K computer graphics, Space will be released in 3D and 2D, 2K and 4K, as well as in “full dome” format for digital planetariums. The film will be available in a 42 and 22-minute versions.
Space: Unraveling the Cosmos was produced by 3net Studios, the global advanced imaging production arm of 3net—a joint venture of Sony Entertainment, Discovery Communications and IMAX Corporation. It marks the first in a steady stream of 4K 3D film product the group plans to produce for this market. K2 Communications will be the exclusive non-commercial theatrical distributor ofSpace worldwide.
For thousands of years, humans have tried to understand the vastness of our universe. We point our telescopes at it, send our spacecraft into the black void, and yet moving from wonder, to a greater understanding, has eluded us… until now. Space: Unraveling the Cosmos is an epic 3D journey of exploration, as we reach to the farthest points within our universe, and beyond, to develop a greater understanding of space that surrounds our planet. The film brings us closer than ever before to far-off planets, galaxies and into the limitless expanse that surrounds our own celestial home. In our journey we learn just how big, really big is, and just how far, really far is.
Our trek into the vastness of our cosmos will provide audiences an unprecedented adventure filled with discovery, as we use the latest discoveries in space science to help us understand the very nature of our universe and beyond.
Space: Unraveling the Cosmos uses ultra-high definition 4K, hyper-realistic 3D computer graphics and a unique visual twist of time, size and distance to help viewers understand a universe of previously unimaginable scale—which until now, has exceeded our ability to grasp.
Space: Unraveling the Cosmos will debut in theaters in later this fall. A trailer can be viewed here: https://vimeo.com/75435365
AAM Statement on US Government Shutdown
Washington, DC, USA (October 1, 2013) — The American Alliance of Museums (AAM) today released the following statement from its President, Fred W. Bell:
“The failure of Congress to pass a budget—or even a stopgap measure to temporarily keep the government operating—reflects a stunning abandonment of the most fundamental responsibilities of our Congressional leaders. The fact that our national parks and many of our museums will be closing their doors to the public today, and that their staffs will begin indefinite furloughs, is a disgraceful by-product of the dysfunction that has swept the halls of Congress. Americans are justifiably outraged.
“I call on our elected leaders to put aside their partisan differences and political agendas and immediately pass a bill to fund the government at current levels while they continue to work on a long term solution to the budget impasse. It is imperative that members of Congress from both parties, across the political spectrum, work to achieve a bipartisan, common-sense budget that reflects—and respects—our nation’s values and priorities.
“I also call on our citizens to renew their civic responsibility to make their voices heard and to hold their elected officials accountable for their disgraceful dereliction of duty in allowing the government to shut down.
“Federal agencies have all completed contingency plans for the shut down, and we want to hear from you if you or your museum is being affected by the government shutdown.”
Leslie Hutcheson Named Manager of FEC Programs at IAAPA
Alexandria, VA, USA (October 1, 2013) — The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) welcomes new staff member Leslie Hutcheson to its global headquarters staff in Alexandria, Virginia, USA.
Leslie Hutcheson joins IAAPA as manager of family entertainment center (FEC) programs. In this role, she serves as the primary contact for IAAPA’s FEC members and develops programs, products, and services for the FEC segment of IAAPA’s membership. More specifically, Hutcheson’s responsibilities include serving as the staff liaison to the FEC Committee, coordinating the content for the FEC online community, producing the FunExtra newsletter, engaging in FEC-focused social media, coordinating education programs for FEC operators, serving as the direct contact for FEC members and prospective members, and more.
Hutcheson joins IAAPA with extensive marketing and communications experience in the family entertainment center/attractions industry. Her career spans 24 years and includes work at Sportsworld, Funfuzion at New Roc City, and Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament. She has also served IAAPA as a volunteer including two terms on the Board of Directors, Chair of the FEC Committee, Chair of the Human Resource Committee, Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee, and Chair of the Financial Management and IT Committee. Hutcheson has also served on the Board of Directors of K-W Oktoberfest Inc., Attractions Ontario, and Tourism Toronto.
“Leslie is a great addition to the IAAPA team.” said Paul Noland IAAPA president and CEO. “Her vast experience and industry knowledge will serve IAAPA’s FEC members and the association well.”
Zip Lines Set to Depart 50th Floor of Las Vegas’ Rio Hotel
Las Vegas, NV, USA — VooDoo Zip Line, Las Vegas’ first and only zip line attraction to offer breathtaking views of the world-renowned Las Vegas Strip, will debut at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in early November.
Created by New Capital Ventures, VooDoo Zip Line will connect the two towers of the Rio Las Vegas. The Las Vegas attraction will begin on the patio of VooDoo Steakhouse, located on the 50th floor of the Masquerade Tower, and will propel riders at speeds of up to 33 miles per hour to the adjoining 20-story Ipanema Tower. Guests will make a return trip back to the starting point, traveling backwards at 20 miles per hour. The feet-dangling, adrenaline rush will accommodate two riders at once, more than 490 feet above the ground. Offering one of the best views of Las Vegas, VooDoo Zip Line will boast a 360-degree panorama of the Strip and scenic views of the surrounding mountain ranges. The heart-pumping adventure will cover one-third of a mile in one minute and 10 seconds.
“VooDoo Zip Line is an over-the-top experience that Las Vegas has never seen before,” said Joe Shortal, partner and founder of New Capital Ventures. “We’ve created a thrill seeker’s dream that allows visitors to soar hundreds of feet above the entertainment capital of the world. You won’t be able to find an experience like this anywhere else.”
To reduce unnecessary wait time, VooDoo Zip Line will allow patrons to dine, gamble and enjoy the property while waiting for their reserved ride time. An alert will be sent to guests’ cell phone when their reservation is ready. Prior to boarding, all riders will receive a safety briefing to prevent injury and allow operators to answer questions.
“The ride is going to bring a completely new level of excitement to the Rio,” said Kevin Donnelly, director of hotel operations. “Guests will be able to experience the fascinating views that the Rio is best known for from a whole new point of view – more than 400 feet above ground and going faster than 30 miles an hour. Day or night, this ride should definitely be on the bucket-list for tourists and locals alike.”
Giving patrons a chance to be a part of Las Vegas history, VooDoo Zip Line will be launching a crowd-funding marketing effort via Indiegogo. The campaign offers one-time-only incentives and special offers at www.indiegogo.com/projects/
VooDoo Zip Line will be open to the public from noon to midnight daily beginning early November; only patrons 21 years of age or older will be allowed to ride after 8:30 p.m. Admission is $24.99 per person (plus service fees) from noon to 5:30 p.m. and $37 per person (plus service fees) from 5:30 p.m. to midnight. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.VooDooZipLine.com.
Gateway Ticketing Celebrates 25th Anniversary with Groundbreaking of New Offices
Boyertown, PA (July 2013) – Gateway Ticketing Systems, Inc. celebrated 25 years in serving its customers with a ground breaking ceremony for the construction of a new 42,000 sq. ft., two-story office building to serve as the global headquarters for the company. Completion for the $7 million project by Hollenbach Construction Inc. and Mulhlenberg Greene Architects, Ltd. is expected in spring 2014 and is being financed by M&T Bank in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA).
Gateway Ticketing Systems, Inc. was born 25 years ago in a small shed behind co-founder Peter Grumblatt’s house. The small space soon became too tight to house Grumblatt and co-founders Michael Andre and Darryl Moser and the company moved to small storefront on Boyertown’s main street. According to Grumblatt: “We went from a homebrew software product to an actual company.” As sales and the customer base grew, it was time to move again, this time to a larger rental space for development, staging, delivery and support. The company headquarters has been at its current Boyertown location since November 1997.
Time has been kind to Gateway and not just in office size. From a single initial customer in 1988, Gateway now boasts a large and loyal customer base encompassing over 400 venues in 40 countries on six of the seven continents. Customers include: HERSHEYPARK®, the Empire State Building™, San Diego Zoo™, Statue Cruises™, LEGOLAND® theme parks, Crayola Experience™, World of Coca-Cola®, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London™, London Eye™, and Universal Orlando®. The company employee base has also grown over the years: beginning with a team of three, Gateway now employs 93 employees at its corporate, Canadian and UK offices. Gateway CEO and President, Michael Andre, is thrilled to keep the forward momentum: “July has been a fantastic time in the history of Gateway Ticketing Systems. We had our 25th anniversary since the incorporation of the
company, and broke ground on a project that will define the next quarter century of what Gateway Ticketing Systems will become. After many months of preparation, the construction phase of this project has begun and we are celebrating the future of Gateway Ticketing Systems.”
The groundbreaking ceremony included speeches by Gateway founders Michael Andre and Peter Grumblatt. In addition to Gateway employees, representatives from Hollenbach, Muhlenberg, the Colebrookdale Township Planning Commission and PIDA were in attendance. A celebration luncheon was served at the company’s current office following the ceremony
Franceen Gonzales Joins WhiteWater West as VP Waterpark Business Development
Richmond, BC, Canada — WhiteWater is pleased to announce that Franceen Gonzales has been named Vice President Waterpark Business Development. In this role she will be responsible for directing sales and business development throughout the growing Latin American region and in areas of the USA. In addition, Franceen will act as an ambassador for WhiteWater’s booming global markets. “We are truly honored to have Franceen join the Original Waterpark and Attractions Company. She personifies everything we stand for.” said Geoff Chutter, President and CEO.
“We are thrilled to have Franceen join the WhiteWater team”, echoed Andrew Mowatt, Executive Vice President, Business Development. “Her impressive background and experience in the waterpark and amusement park industry will be a huge asset in providing innovative solutions to attractions for our customers”, he said.
Ms. Gonzales brings 25 years of waterpark experience to WhiteWater, most recently as Vice President, Risk Management and Waterparks, for Great Wolf Resorts where she held responsibility for safety and risk management as well as waterpark operations and maintenance for the company’s 12 water park resorts in North America. Prior to joining Great Wolf Resorts in 2006, Ms. Gonzales was park director for Hurricane Harbor at Six Flags Great Adventure. She has also held top management positions at Golfland Entertainment Centers Inc., Waterworld Safari in Phoenix, Arizona, and Wet ’N’ Wild Waterworld in El Paso, Texas.
In accepting the position, Ms. Gonzales commented, “I have always had the utmost respect and admiration for the caliber of WhiteWater’s products and their people and I am honored to be part of such a great and growing organization. I could not be more excited about this new opportunity!”
Ms. Gonzales is a former board chair and board member of WWA (World Waterpark Association) and serves on the IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions) board of directors. She is a member of the IAAPA Safety Committee, has chaired the IAAPA Membership Committee, and served on the IAAPA governance and strategic planning committees. She is active with and has served on numerous ASTM International (American Society for Testing and Materials) committees. Ms. Gonzales currently serves on the board of directors of AIMS (Amusement Industry Manufacturers and Suppliers) and NSPF (National Swimming Pool Foundation).
A regular speaker at industry events, Ms. Gonzales has also written several industry articles, was named to the “Power 25” in 2011 and 2012 by Aquatics International Magazine and has received many industry honors and awards including twice as WWA’s Kelly Ogle Memorial Safety Award Winner.
Electrosonic Helps Create Volcanic Journey Through Hawaii
Burbank, CA, USA — The Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) in Laie, Hawaii, celebrated its 50th anniversary with an upgrade of its theater, which now features AV support from Electrosonic. A new digital 4D theater replaces the center’s aging film-based IMAX theater, which was more than 20 years old, and offers an enhanced guest experience both inside and out.
Set on 42 acres on the North Shore of Oahu, PCC enables visitors to explore all of the Polynesian cultures in the South Pacific. Since opening, PCC has welcomed over 37 million guests, becoming Hawaii’s number-one paid attraction.
Although the IMAX theater and its “Polynesian Odyssey” film served PCC well, it had become apparent that the center needed something new and different to help overall efforts to grow attendance and make better use of the facility for alternative purposes.
The exterior of the new 4D digital theater was transformed by Michael Lee Design of Orem, Utah (MLD), from a gray box that had nothing Polynesian about it into an ancient volcano whose visuals – including volcanic vents that exhale “steam” from deep below the surface – blend in with PCC’s natural, tropical surroundings.
MLD also converted the interior, leading guests through dark and glowing “lava tubes” where guests see flame-effects lighting and hear the sound of the ocean coursing through rock fissures. Upon entering the theater, black-light illumination and artwork create the impression of being inside a large volcanic chamber. Once guests are seated, the new 14-minute production, “Hawaiian Journey,” takes them on a breathtaking flight through the islands as they explore the spectacular beauty of Hawaii through the eyes of the first Hawaiians.
Electrosonic installed a new digital AV system, including a Christie 4K projector, 7thSense 4K media server and Strong/MDI 40×74-foot projection screen. “Converting to digital 4K projection offers numerous advantages over the former IMAX 15/70 film system,” says Electrosonic project manager Guy Fronte. “The cost of maintaining the film-based system – the price of lamps for the 15,000-watt projector, the IMAX maintenance agreement and the high fees for shipping and replacing the films – was excessive. The Christie digital system is more economical and efficient. It has no significant operational costs other than lamp replacement, and it doesn’t require a projectionist.”
Electrosonic also provided a new 7.1 surround sound system (five screen speakers, two theatrical subwoofers and 11 surround speakers) featuring JBL Cinema Series speakers and QSC amplifiers. An assistive-listening headset system allows simultaneous playback of the signature film’s narration in eight languages. A Medialon Show Manager system was selected for show control.
Technifex of Valencia, California, designed the 252 motion-base seats from the ground up to fit into the rake and rise of the former IMAX theater. The new high-back, special-effects seating was custom engineered with forward and backward motion, two headrest speakers in each seat, additional low-end speakers for vibration sensations, and water mist and scent spray effects. Six subwoofer speakers in the theater generate sounds down to 2Hz to create realistic rumblings evocative of an erupting volcano.
One of PCC’s goals was for the theater to serve as a true multi-purpose facility. To achieve that end, the MLD team filled in the screen pit and built a stage platform in front of the screen. A stage door was added for quick load in/load out and as an entrance/exit for performers. Electrosonic installed AV system connections to accommodate a presenter on stage giving PowerPoint presentations from a laptop or iPad projected through the Christie projector. A black curtain in front of the projection screen can be opened to the appropriate width for each media source.
With its transformation complete, PCC’s digital 4D theater is enticing crowds to take an exciting new “Hawaiian Journey” and is fulfilling the center’s need to repurpose the space for conferences and special events.
Alfred Grace is PCC’s president and CEO. Les Hill was the Electrosonic account executive. Mike Lee heads Michael Lee Design, and attraction producer Pat Scanlon heads PRS Associates, Inc. in Colorado Springs. “Hawaiian Journey” was written and directed by David Warner and shot by Reed Smoot. Sam Cardon composed the score with Mike McDonough sound designer. Rick Gordon was the postproduction technical director with Lee and Scanlon acting as executive producers.
