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John Deere Pavilion Brings New Experiences with Reimagined Exhibits

Joe Kleiman
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Courtesy Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau

Moline, IL, USA /PRNewswire/ — The John Deere Pavilion has reopened to the public following a near total transformation of the visitor experience. The renovation coincides with the 15th anniversary of the Pavilion and the year-long celebration of the founding of John Deere’s company 175 years ago. The new experience offers an up-close look at the company’s global businesses and products, rich history and heritage, and solutions for the challenges of providing food and infrastructure to the world’s growing population. Interactive displays, original artifacts, and a variety of media engage visitors in a fun and exciting learning environment for the whole family.

“Today we reopen the doors to the John Deere Pavilion and offer the public a fresh, exciting, and entertaining experience where guests can learn more about how we are all linked to the land,” said Sam Allen, chairman and chief executive officer of Deere & Company. “The Pavilion will provide a superb destination for customers, employees, and fans to celebrate their personal connection to John Deere.”

Although the Pavilion building remains the same, the look and feel inside the facility has changed dramatically. Several machines are displayed in their working environments so visitors unfamiliar with the products can see what they do on farmsites and worksites around the world. Through videos guests will hear owners and operators of these machines describe a typical workday and how John Deere equipment helps them work and shape the land.

Visitors will also see previous concept machines explored by the company, now on display for the first time at the Pavilion. These machines were produced to test and evaluate new technologies and designs, elements of which are now used in current products.

Machine simulators give visitors a chance to try their skills at operating an excavator or crawler dozer in a fun learning environment that looks, sounds, and feels very much like the actual machines when they are in operation. The simulators are the same ones used to train professional operators. 

 
Other New Exhibit Details

    • The Legacy of John Deere – profiles company decision makers from the past 175-years, examines the company’s corporate culture, and tracks Deere & Company highlights in relation to significant events in American history.
    • Our Growing Planet – examines big challenges facing a growing global population and showcases ways John Deere is working to help address these challenges.
    • Innovative Solutions – highlights break-through designs and innovative technologies that John Deere has introduced to help customers make their businesses more productive, efficient, and profitable.
    • John Deere Discovery Zone – provides educational, interactive, and hands-on educational opportunities for kids of all ages to explore where food comes from, the need for roads and bridges, and taking care of the environment.
    • Cotton to Blue Jeans – weaves the story of cotton from seed to shelf where the end product is the ever-popular blue jean. It is the first in a series of rotating exhibits.


    One carry-over from the previous Pavilion line-up is the film, “Anthem: A Song of the Land.”  Presented in high-definition, the film salutes the dedicated work of farm families worldwide.

    Following an eight-week closure, the facility reopened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with several special guests and local officials in attendance.

    ABOUT THE JOHN DEERE PAVILION
    Located along the shores of the Mississippi River near the company’s original Moline plow factory, the John Deere Pavilion has attracted more than 2.7 million guests from around the world since it opened in 1997. The 14,000-square-foot, glass- and steel-enclosed, structure and features a wide variety of fun and informative hands-on exhibits about Deere & Company’s global businesses and products, its rich history and heritage, and how it’s helping meet the challenges of a growing global population. The John Deere Pavilion is a free attraction and is open to the public year-round.  www.johndeereattractions.com

    Six Flags Full Year 2011 Financials

    Joe Kleiman
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    Grand Prairie, TX, USA /PRNewswire/ — Six Flags Entertainment Corporation has announced that Adjusted EBITDA(1) reached a record $350 million for full year 2011, an improvement of $55 million or 19 percent over 2010, primarily as a result of higher guest spending and lower cash operating costs. Full year 2011 Modified EBITDA(2) margin, the most directly comparable measure of the parks’ performance, reached an industry high of 37.4 percent—also a record high for the company—and represented a 430 basis point improvement over 2010. Revenue for the full year 2011 increased $37 million to $1.0 billion, representing a 4 percent gain primarily due to a $44 million or 5 percent increase in guest spending, offset by a collective $6 million decline in sponsorship, international licensing, management fees and accommodations revenue.

    “With all-time-high guest satisfaction ratings and record financial performance, our team has delivered an exceptional year for guests and shareholders alike,” said Jim Reid-Anderson, Chairman, President and CEO. “I am particularly pleased that we achieved our aspirational Adjusted EBITDA target of $350 million in 2011. Our success is directly attributable to a focused business strategy, quality execution and the dedication of our employees—our company’s most important asset.”

    Fourth quarter 2011 Adjusted EBITDA was $35 million, a $13 million or 60 percent improvement over prior year driven by strong revenue growth. Revenue of $138 million increased $16 million or 13 percent. Admissions revenue per capita declined $0.36 or 2 percent to $19.21 due to strong season pass attendance. In-park revenue per capita of $15.61 increased $0.07 while total guest spending per capita of $34.82 declined $0.29 due to the high season pass attendance mix. Guest attendance increased 16 percent to 3.6 million guests. In the quarter, total cash expenses increased $3 million or 3 percent primarily due to higher labor and marketing costs associated with the highly successful expanded Fright Fest and Holiday in the Park offerings.

    For the full year 2011, admissions revenue per capita of $22.30 increased $1.24 or 6 percent over 2010 while in-park revenue per capita of $17.03 increased $0.54 or 3 percent. Guest spending per capita for 2011 was $39.33, compared to $37.55 for full year 2010, representing an increase of $1.78 or 5 percent. Full year attendance was 24.3 million guests. Cash expenses decreased $22 million or 3 percent in 2011 primarily due to lower costs associated with marketing, compensation and utility costs.

    Cash earnings per share(3) in 2011 was $3.51. Since the company emerged from Chapter 11 on April 30, 2010 with a new capital structure, the comparable prior period cash earnings per share figure is not meaningful. The company believes cash earnings per share is a meaningful metric given the current $1.1 billion accumulated tax loss carryforward and the net depreciation and amortization impacts relating to fresh-start accounting. The 2011 reported loss per share was $0.41.

    Free Cash Flow(4) was $193 million for full year 2011—an increase of $65 million or 51 percent. Capital expenditures, net of property insurance recoveries, were $91 million for full year 2011.

    Net Debt(5) as of December 31, 2011 was $726 million, compared to $784 million as of December 31, 2010 — a reduction of $58 million. In the fourth quarter the company repurchased $18.5 million or approximately 452,000 shares of its stock. During 2011 the company repurchased $60 million of its common stock, paid a $30 million arbitration settlement, incurred $25 million of debt refinancing fees and issued $10 million of dividends. The company had $231 million of cash on hand as of December 31, 2011 and a net debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio of 2.1 times as compared to 2.7 times as of December 31, 2010.

    ABOUT SIX FLAGS ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
    Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is the world’s largest regional theme park company with $1.0 billion in revenue and 19 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada. For more than 50 years, Six Flags has entertained millions of families with world-class coasters, themed rides, thrilling water parks and unique attractions including up-close animal encounters, Fright Fest and Holiday in the Park. For more information visit sixflags.com.

    Alton Towers Tests New Dark Ride Element on Unsuspecting London Shoppers

    Joe Kleiman
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    London, UK — Shoppers were given a fright this week as they stepped into a lift at Southside Shopping Centre in Wandsworth, London. When the doors opened, they were only inches away from plummeting down a bottomless lift shaft. Or at least that is what it seemed…

    The experiment was set-up to test the fear-factor of the British public in preparation for the launch of one of Alton Towers Resort’s scariest attractions yet – Nemesis Sub-Terra, opening on 24th March. Combining “terrifying and immersive elements” the experience starts in a lift that takes you deep underground beneath Alton Towers Resort, where a system of hidden and darkened caves has been uncovered.

    Unsuspecting shoppers were fooled by a 3D illusion on the floor of the lift. One shopper said “A deep, dark lift shaft is not what you expect to see on your average trip to the shops! It gave me a bit of a fright, but I quickly realised the joke was on me! I then had a laugh watching other people’s reactions a they walked past”

    Katherine Duckworth, head of consumer marketing at Alton Towers Resort, said, “Nemesis Sub-Terra is by far the most terrifying of our attractions to date and we really wanted to test the limits of the British public to see if they could cope with what it has in store. When creating the illusion inside the lift we considered some our most common fears including heights, darkness and claustrophobia that are also a core part of the new attraction. The reactions of the public were fascinating and we can’t wait to see what happens when people come and experience the new attraction for the first time.” Alton Towers Resort believes it has created Britain’s most psychologically thrilling experience by combining the scariest elements of a theme park with the most common fears of the public. 

    Opening on 24 March, and unlike anything seen before in the UK, Nemesis Sub-Terra is based upon the back-story of the original Nemesis rollercoaster, which opened at the Alton Towers Resort in 1994. 

    For more details on Alton Towers Resort and Nemesis Sub-Terra visit www.altontowers.com/2012

    ABOUT MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS

    Merlin Entertainments is the leading name in location-based, family entertainment, and has seen the most successful and dynamic growth of any company in the sector over the last five years. Europe’s Number 1 and the world’s second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin now operates 87 attractions, six hotels/two holiday villages in 19 countries and across four continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its 46 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and more almost 18,000 employees. Among Merlin’s attractions are – SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, LEGOLAND, The EDF Energy London Eye, Dungeons, Gardaland, LEGOLAND Discovery Centres, Alton Towers Resort, Warwick Castle, THORPE PARK, Chessington World of Adventures Resort, Blackpool Tower, Heide Park, Sydney Aquarium, WILD LIFE Sydney, Sydney Tower Eye and SKYWALK, Siam Ocean World and Busan Aquarium. All brands which are distinctive, challenging and innovative – and which have great potential for growth in the future. www.merlinentertainments.biz 

    Jim Seay Elected to Third Term as Chair of ASTM Committee F24

    Joe Kleiman
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    Baltimore, MD, USA — Jim Seay, president of Premier Rides, Inc., has been re-elected as Chairman of ASTM Committee F24 on Amusement Rides and Devices. The 500-member committee is responsible for global safety standards that cover design, manufacturing, maintenance, inspection, and operations for traditional amusement rides, water-related rides and devices, and special rides and attractions.

    A third-time chairman of F24, Seay has been an ASTM International member since 1989. He is an active contributing member of Committee F24 and serves on several subcommittees. “I am honored to have the opportunity to continue to lead the F24 committee as we advance the development of a globally-accepted set of safety standards,” said Seay.

    “I have been incredibly fortunate to be part of a passionate committee that volunteers literally thousands of hours year-round to develop and refine F24 standards to ensure the amusement industry has the most comprehensive standards available that can easily be adopted anywhere in the world and, in many cases, at virtually no cost,” Seay continued. “F24 standards are now accessible in French, Spanish, Russian, and Chinese as a result of translation initiatives. This past year has seen ASTM standards expanding from one end of the globe to the other in places like Australia and Colombia.”

    Seay’s term will run for two years. “One of the key focuses over the next two years will be to raise communication amongst those that are passionate about safety to the highest level. ASTM already provides advanced online tools such as online collaboration and balloting to make the committee environment a 365-days-a-year experience. The plan is to enhance member communication with social media updates, allowing real-time input on member activities. Doing so allows ASTM to focus on areas of the globe where the adoption of safety standards can have the biggest impact.

    Len Morrissey, director of ASTM committee operations, expounded, “A highlight of the past year’s global efforts has certainly been the development of a highly portable standards model. Canada, working with many volunteers in the harmonization subcommittee, was the first to implement a country-specific standards model. Going forward, this model can be applied to any country in the world since it allows for both the adoption of F24 and the recognition of country-specific requirements.”

    Seay, who holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University, began his career as a project engineer at Hughes Aircraft. He joined the staff at Six Flags Theme Parks in 1988 as corporate engineering manager, focusing specifically on guest safety. He joined Baltimore-based Premier Rides, Inc. in 1995 as Executive Vice President of Engineering. The following year he became the sole owner and president of Premier. A designer and manufacturer of roller coasters and other amusement rides and attractions, Premier Rides, Inc. has worked with some of the largest theme park companies around the world, including Universal Studios and Disney.

    In addition to ASTM International, Seay serves as board member of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA); Amusement Industry Manufacturers and Suppliers International (AIMS); the Living Classrooms Foundation, the Mario Do-Right Foundation, and the National Aquarium.

    ABOUT ASTM INTERNATIONAL

    ASTM International Committee F24 on Amusement Rides and Devices is one of 138 technical standards writing committees. Established in 1898, ASTM International is one of the largest international standards development and delivery systems in the world. ASTM standards are accepted and used in research and development, product testing, quality systems, and commercial transactions around the globe.

    ABOUT PREMIER RIDES, INC. 

    Premier Rides is best known for its high-tech magnetic launch roller coasters. The company is also a global supplier of traditional roller coasters, observation wheels, towers, water rides and custom designed attractions. Premier’s service division offers engineering support, complete ride and train rehab, and it maintains and offers spare parts supply on a 24-hour emergency basis. The company is headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland and has additional U.S., European, and Asian offices. www.premier-rides.com

    A look back at education and attractions

    Martin Palicki
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    Did you know that teachers receive more Valentines than anyone else? This made me think of our educational system, and the continued attacks against it, particularly here in my home state of Wisconsin. It reminded me of how our parks and attractions also have an educational element to them that we often overlook. Judith Rubin and I examined this issue a few years back inside InPark Magazine. — Martin Palicki

    “It’s even boring to fly over it,” laments pop culture buffoon Homer Simpson, as his family arrives for a visit at EPCOT Center during an episode of The Simpsons. While exaggerated, Homer’s disdain was not unfounded – in EPCOT’s first years, many visitors felt disappointed with the too-evident mission to improve their minds. After all, theme parks aren’t supposed to be like going to school.
    As EPCOT approaches its 25th anniversary, the park retains its educational focus, albeit refined and repackaged over the years. The original World of Motion, which led guests through the history of the automobile via dioramas and movies, was redesigned in 1997 as Test Track, a thrilling high-speed ride in which guests are only faintly aware that they are learning how cars are manufactured and tested. The Universe of Energy, initially quite preachy on the subject of fossil fuels, now imparts its message with the help of comedian Ellen DeGeneres and a game of Jeopardy!
    Deftly merging info with thrills and learning with laughter has helped EPCOT remain one of the top-attended theme parks in the world. Other parks also successfully serve up education and entertainment. In fact, at least nine of the 20 most-attended theme parks of 2006 offer some form of informal educational content: three Sea World properties, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s EPCOT Center, plus Disney MGM and the Universal Studios parks, which both take the public behind the scenes at the movie studio.
    Educational subject matter generates revenue, and the theme park industry will continue to pursue it. That revenue is tied to three things: families, school groups and public image.
    Eddie Newquist is President of Creative for the Becker Group, an experiential marketing company [Editor’s Note: Eddie is now with Global Experience Specialists]. A 20-year veteran of the leisure industry who has created and produced high profile experiences for major entertainment operators as well as museums, he is also a father of four who seeks out “interactive experiences where we may learn something of value, as a family, while having loads of fun.”
    Theme parks, Newquist points out, are in a unique position to package entertainment that allows or even forces the intersection of awe, amazement, pleasure and educational value. “Such productions provide meaningful times for all the family members – away from the children’s video game consoles,” he says. “The promise of a child learning something on a trip to a park gets high marks from Mom every time.”

    A family venue that can effectively bundle excitement with tangible educational value has a marketing edge in the competition with home-based entertainment. But both the fictional Homer Simpson and the renowned real-life industry expert, architect and park designer Barry Upson of the Barry Upson Company would have us know that striking the right balance is crucial. Drawing on his four decades of experience, during which he was the first general manager of the Universal Studios Tour and later headed up Universal Creative, Upson cautioned that for parks, education must remain an ancillary focus to be a hit with families. “Park guests are primarily seeking a leisure experience – a fundamental play experience with others,” says Upson. “Escapism, enjoyment, entertainment, sharing, and relaxation all add up to fun. Education is incidental to the play experience, but that doesn’t mean it’s not important.”
    Museums have long enjoyed a positive relationship with local schools. Museum field trips provide a change of pace for teachers and students alike, and the opportunity to learn in a specialized environment. The museums benefit by having their halls filled during weekdays, typically off-peak times.
    Theme parks can likewise ally with their school systems to help fill their facilities on off-peak days, and they share certain important traits with museums, as Eddie Newquist indicates. “Both museums and theme parks need attendance to succeed, and their primary market is families. To generate attendance they have adopted some similar practices, such as utilizing brands to build awareness, garner ticket sales and increase concessions. Both parks and museums are increasingly reliant on creating unique experiences to capture visitor traffic, adopting technologies and trends that ‘wow’ guests.”
    Newquist speaks from experience. With the Becker Group, Newquist helped produce the blockbuster traveling museum exhibit ROBOTS: The Interactive Exhibition, skillfully leveraging the brand of the blockbuster animated film, Robots, to teach about robots in fiction and in reality.

    Tying in a popular brand with educational components provides additional value, Upson pointed out. The right branding imparts a sense of instant familiarity and establishes a comfort level. Upson cited The Jurassic Park Discovery Center at Universal Islands of Adventure, a project Upson helped create and develop.
    To bring in school field trips, parks must take the measure of their educational assets and potential. In the past, this has often led to “Physics Days,” with typical activities such as measuring velocity or acceleration on a roller coaster, or even estimating an object’s height based on its shadow. But Physics Day represents the mere beginning of what parks can do to serve school groups. Newquist suggests that parks book traveling educational exhibitions or science events into their unused spaces. Further opportunities lie in repositioning what’s already there.
    “So many parks have their own rich heritage, with hundreds of engaging stories to tell,” Newquist says. “They simply need to dig beneath the surface and develop compelling, informal educational programs to lure guests and groups.” He suggests working with educators to develop programs on such topics as park design, construction, robotics, animal care, show production, fireworks, special effects and AV technologies.
    “Pursuing components of an, educational nature may not be at the top of a park manager’s to-do list,” says Barry Upson, “but done properly, it can really provide a competitive advantage, especially for smaller parks, and help drive the gate up with school groups.” A plus for smaller facilities is that they often have intimate community ties on which to build. Moreover, educational outreach generates positive PR and goodwill. “Increased attendance from school groups earns the park a reputation as a good neighbor in the community,” says Upson.
    Six Flags has set out on this path with its new Storybook series that teaches children about the various animals that reside within Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (Vallejo, California). The program has drawn national media attention and elevated Six Flags’ brand status.
    “The moment you include animals or movie brands in theme parks, the entire educational dimension of the facilities changes, with the potential for abundant hands-on children’s exhibits and labs coming into play,” observes Upson, who was one of the original designers of the San Diego Wild Animal Park.
    Says Newquist, “They may require a bit more vision to pull off, but informal learning experiences and exclusive exhibitions can provide just as much impact as other attractions at half the cost. In the end, the product offering will be richer by providing experiences and programs that allow guests to come away with something more than an adrenaline fix.”

    See IPM’s original online version of the article here.

    Southeast Asia’s First Transformers Cybertron Con Headed to Resort World Sentosa

    Joe Kleiman
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    Singapore — TRANSFORMERS mania is expected to hit a new high in Singapore and the region, with renowned branded play company, Hasbro (Singapore), and Singapore’s first integrated resort, Resorts World Sentosa (‘RWS’), jointly announcing that the Resorts World Sentosa Singapore TRANSFORMERS Cybertron Con 2012 (‘Cybertron Con’) will be coming to Singapore this year, a first for Southeast Asia.

    Held at the Resorts World Convention Centre from 11 to 14 March 2012, TRANSFORMERS Cybertron Con will be a TRANSFORMERS brand extravaganza for fans, with different exhibits and activities for both neophytes and the most avid TRANSFORMERS collectors and hobbyists.

    Appearing at the convention will be Mr. Hideaki Yoke, who has built up a substantial fan following in his role as the lead designer of TRANSFORMERS figures in Takara Tomy.
     
    “Following the TRANSFORMERS Cybertron Con’s successful inaugural convention in Shanghai in 2010, Hasbro Singapore is thrilled to share the hugely popular TRANSFORMERS brand with fans in Singapore and around the region. With the recent launch of TRANSFORMERS The Ride, and TRANSFORMERS: Dark of the Moon becoming the fourth highest grossing movie of all time at the global box office, it is a fantastic opportunity to bring this tremendous TRANSFORMERS event to Resort World Sentosa, a destination resort that is very popular with tourists from the region” said Mr. Harland Chun, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Asia Pacific, Hasbro Singapore.

    “The TRANSFORMERS brand continues to be a pop culture phenomenon with millions of fans all over the world. As such, we’re excited to welcome tens of thousands of fans to this unprecedented convention to celebrate the stories, characters, art, action figures and entertainment surrounding the popular property. TRANSFORMERS Cybertron Con is about celebrating the love of the TRANSFORMERS brand with lifelong fans and new fans alike,” he added.
     
    Together, RWS and Hasbro (Singapore) will help bring the global TRANSFORMERS phenomenon to fans in the region, and inject vibrancy into the tourism sector as the integrated resort continues to bring in world-class attractions and events.
     
    Said Mr. Dennis Gilbert, Senior Vice President of Attractions, Resorts World Sentosa: “We have had a tremendous run since the launch of TRANSFORMERS The Ride at Universal Studios Singapore. Bringing TRANSFORMERS Cybertron Con to Resort World Sentosa is a natural step to take, considering the strong following of this global TRANSFORMERS phenomenon in Asia. We believe that the combination of the convention and the ride will complete the experience for any TRANSFORMERS fan.”
     
    Paying tribute to the popular entertainment brand that has taken the world by storm through its animated TV series, comic book and movie franchise, the convention will feature an extensive display of TRANSFORMERS toys; cartoon animation and video games! The event will also highlight previously unreleased artwork, as well as workshops for aspiring designers.
     
    To showcase the history of the brand, Hasbro will present an extensive collection of historical TRANSFORMERS items from throughout the brand’s 27 year history via a visually stunning exhibit. The exhibit will take fans through the chronological progression of the TRANSFORMERS brand, beginning with the classic ‘Generation 1’ era. As fans proceed through, they will be able to view extensive artwork and information about characters and stories from different eras of the brand from ‘Beast Wars’ to the most recent entertainment blockbuster movie and current ‘Transformers Prime’ animated series produced by Hasbro Studios.
     
    Other than the historical retrospective, TRANSFORMERS Cybertron Con will feature a wide variety of displays, interactive experiences and special events. TRANSFORMERS brand leaders and designers will also be in attendance to meet with fans and attend special events and panel discussions.

    Other special events and exhibits will include:

    • Panel Sessions with special guest, Mr. Hideaki Yoke and TRANSFORMERS brand experts from Hasbro 
    • A 22-foot tall OPTIMUS PRIME character statue, one of the largest TRANSFORMERS statues ever
    • TRANSFORMERS drawing classes by top Hasbro artists (at select times)
    • Three-dimensional action figure dioramas capturing scenes from popular TRANSFORMERS entertainment including the blockbuster movies 
    • National ‘Fastest Fingers First’ Challenge, testing convention goers’ skills at converting TRANSFORMERS action figures from “robot” to “vehicle” modes

    Convention-goers can also expect to receive limited edition 2012 TRANSFORMERS Cybertron Con souvenirs while supplies last, and see premium TRANSFORMERS collectibles. Hasbro will also display the latest line of TRANSFORMERS toys and products which will be available for purchase during the convention.


    More information will be released closer to date. In the meantime, for more on 2012 TRANSFORMERS Cybertron Con, please visit www.cybertroncon.com.
     

    ABOUT HASBRO
    Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) is a branded play company providing children and families around the world with a wide-range of immersive entertainment offerings based on the Company’s world class brand portfolio. From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, video games and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its customers through the strategic leveraging of well-known and beloved brands such as TRANSFORMERS, LITTLEST PET SHOP, NERF, PLAYSKOOL, MY LITTLE PONY, G.I. JOE, MAGIC: THE GATHERING and MONOPOLY. http://www.hasbro.com
    © 2010 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    ABOUT RESORT WORLD SENTOSA
    Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), Singapore’s first integrated resort is located on the resort island of Sentosa. Spanning 49 hectares, the resort opened in January 2010 and welcomed 15 million visitors in its opening year. RWS is home to the region’s first-and-only Universal Studios theme park, a Maritime Experiential Museum and Aquarium, a casino, luxurious accommodation in six unique hotels, the Resorts World Convention Center, celebrity chef restaurants as well as specialty retail outlets. The resort also offers entertainment ranging from its resident theatrical circus spectacular Voyage de la Vie, to public attractions such as the Crane Dance and the Lake of Dreams. Still to come are a destination spa and the world’s largest oceanarium, the Marine Life Park. Resorts World Sentosa is wholly owned by Genting Singapore, a company of the Genting Group.  www.rwsentosa.com

    Legendary Mercury Astronauts Will Make Rare Joint Appearance at Kennedy Space Center to Mark Anniversary

    Joe Kleiman
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    Courtesy NASA

    Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA — In 1962, NASA’s Project Mercury made history by sending an American into orbit for the first time. To mark the 50th anniversary of this historic achievement, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is inviting the public to a celebration that will be headlined by Mercury astronauts John Glenn and Scott Carpenter, the first two Americans to orbit Earth. 

    The 50th anniversary event, entitled “Celebrating 50 Years of Americans in Orbit,” will feature a full day of activities on Saturday, Feb. 18, providing guests with the chance to indulge their nostalgia for an earlier era of American manned spaceflight, and to inspire their curiosity about NASA’s ongoing mission. These events will include: a United Launch Alliance (ULA) presentation discussing the Atlas rocket, used to launch astronauts into space during the Mercury program, and its impact on human spaceflight; a display of space-themed artwork created by area students; and NASA exhibitions providing guests with a vision of the future of human spaceflight.

    The highlight of “Celebrating 50 Years of Americans in Orbit” is the “On the Shoulders of Giants” program beginning at 6:30 p.m. featuring special guests Senator John Glenn and Scott Carpenter as they participate in a ceremony honoring all of those who made Project Mercury possible. Speakers scheduled to appear in the program include Kennedy Space Center Director Robert Cabana, Senator Bill Nelson, and space shuttle astronaut Stephen Robinson, mission specialist on STS-95. Glenn and Carpenter will also sign an artifact during the program to be placed on permanent display. In addition, musical entertainment will be provided before and after the presentation.

    Project Mercury was initiated by NASA in October 1958 with three goals: to place an American into orbit; to observe his reactions to the space environment; and to safely recover both the astronaut and the spacecraft. These three goals were met for the first time with the launch from Cape Canaveral of Mercury-Atlas 6, which carried American John Glenn into orbit aboard his spacecraft, Friendship 7. Glenn orbited the Earth three times, spending 4 hours, 55 minutes and 23 seconds in flight, before returning to Earth with a splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean.

    Just three months later, Scott Carpenter became the second American to orbit the Earth following the May 24, 1962, launch from Cape Canaveral of Mercury-Atlas 7. Carpenter traveled into orbit aboard his spacecraft, Aurora 7, and, like Glenn, Carpenter completed three orbits on a flight lasting 4 hours, 56 minutes and 5 seconds. Following Carpenter’s successful flight, only two other Americans would be launched into orbit as part of Project Mercury: Walter Schirra and Gordon Cooper.

    Guests to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex wishing to learn more about Project Mercury may also be interested in adding the “Cape Canaveral: Then & Now” guided tour to their admission package. This tour takes guests to the original Cape Canaveral launch sites associated with the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs, and it is a “must-do” for anyone interested in fully experiencing the storied history of American orbital spaceflight.
     
    ABOUT KENNEDY SPACE CENTER VISITOR COMPLEX

    Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex opens at 9 a.m. Closing times vary by season. The Visitor Complex is open daily except December 25 and certain launch days. Admission includes the Kennedy Space Center Tour, Shuttle Launch Experience, 3D IMAX® space films, Astronaut Encounter, Exploration Space: Explorers Wanted and all exhibits. Admission also includes the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame®, featuring historic spacecraft and the world’s largest collection of personal astronaut memorabilia.  www.KennedySpaceCenter.com.

    Legoland Windsor Hosting Star Wars Event to Launch Star Wars Miniland Experience

    Joe Kleiman
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    Windsor, UK — Stormtroopers manning the turnstiles, Droid workshops and Jedi training camps are just some of the activities in store for guests as the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort celebrates the official opening of the new LEGO® Star Wars™ Miniland Experience on the 24 and 25 March.

    The indoor fully themed LEGO® Star Wars™ Miniland Experience will painstakingly recreate seven of the most famous scenes – six from the beloved Star Wars™ films and one from the smash hit animated series: Star Wars: The Clone Wars™, using around 1.5 million LEGO® bricks. Following a chronological path through the Star Wars™ timeline and featuring around 2,000 LEGO® models in 1:20 scale from the planets Naboo, Geonosis, Kashyyk, Mustafar, Tatooine, Hoth, Endor and Christophsis, the area will also feature authentic Star Wars™ sounds, actions and lighting effects further immersing visitors into the Star Wars™ saga and bringing the experience to life.

    And for one weekend only you can also enjoy the opportunity to climb aboard a life size Landspeeder for a photo. Would-be Jedi juniors can hone their lightsabre skills at Jedi training camp, and all can enjoy the spectacle of a battalion of Stormtroopers marching through the park as they search for their Star Wars™ heroes; Han Solo, Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, and Chewbacca, who will be roaming the Resort.

    The event is included in the normal LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort ticket price, FREE for under threes and to Premium Annual Pass Holders.

    Find out more at www.legoland.co.uk

    ABOUT MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS
    MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS is the leading name in location-based, family entertainment, and has seen the most successful and dynamic growth of any company in the sector over the last five years. Europe’s Number 1 and the world’s second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin now operates over 75 attractions, six hotels/two holiday villages in 17 countries and across four continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its 43.6 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and more than 16,000 employees. Merlin Entertainments operates the following attractions – SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, LEGOLAND, The EDF Energy London Eye, Dungeons, Gardaland, LEGOLAND Discovery Centres, Alton Towers Resort, Warwick Castle, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures Resort, Blackpool Tower, Heide Park, Earth Explorer, Sydney Aquarium, WILD LIFE Sydney, Sydney Tower Eye and SKYWALK, Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter Underwater World, Oceanworld Manly and WILD LIFE Hamilton Island. All brands which are distinctive, challenging and innovative – and which have great potential for growth in the future.  www.merlinentertainments.biz

    Advance Tickets On Sale For Merlin Attractions in Kansas City

    Joe Kleiman
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    Kansas City, MO, USA — Merlin Entertainments has announced that online tickets are now available for LEGOLAND Discovery Center Kansas City and SEA LIFE Kansas City Aquarium.
     
    LEGOLAND Discovery Center Kansas City is described as stepping into the biggest box of LEGO bricks in the world. The $15 million, 30,000-square-foot interactive attraction will feature a MINILAND® exhibit which recreates landmark buildings in Kansas City out of LEGO® bricks, hands-on play areas, a 4D Cinema, master classes from the LEGO Master Model Builder, LEGO rides, and special party rooms for birthdays and other celebrations. This highly interactive and educational 2-3 hour indoor experience is ideal for families with children between the ages of 3-10. LEGOLAND Discovery Center will open in May 2012.

    SEA LIFE Kansas City Aquarium will take visitors on an enthralling 2-3 hour journey from the fresh waters of the Missouri River, into the mighty Mississippi River then out into the warm blue coral strewn waters of the Caribbean Sea, ending in the deep dark abyss of the Atlantic Ocean. Come nose to nose with sharks and prepare for astonishingly close views of everything from humble starfish and seahorses to graceful rays. In addition, a stunning centerpiece will be a huge tropical ocean tank with a walk-through underwater tunnel. SEA LIFE Aquarium will open in April 2012. 

    ABOUT MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS
    MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS is the leading name in location-based, family entertainment, and has seen the most successful and dynamic growth of any company in the sector over the last five years. Europe’s Number 1 and the world’s second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin now operates over 75 attractions, six hotels/two holiday villages in 17 countries and across four continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its 43.6 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and more than 16,000 employees. Merlin Entertainments operates the following attractions – SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, LEGOLAND, The EDF Energy London Eye, Dungeons, Gardaland, LEGOLAND Discovery Centres, Alton Towers Resort, Warwick Castle, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures Resort, Blackpool Tower, Heide Park, Earth Explorer, Sydney Aquarium, WILD LIFE Sydney, Sydney Tower Eye and SKYWALK, Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter Underwater World, Oceanworld Manly and WILD LIFE Hamilton Island. All brands which are distinctive, challenging and innovative – and which have great potential for growth in the future.  www.merlinentertainments.biz

    Global PR Firm Public Système Hopscotch Opens Beijing Office

    Joe Kleiman
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    Paris, France — Following the opening of its first office in Hong Kong, the Public Système Hopscotch group has now established a second Hopscotch Asia in One hub in Beijing, furthering its expansion in Asia.  The new agency, managed by Louis Cacciuttolo, will grow its Chinese clientele and work alongside the group’s key clients in China. 

    “After establishing Hopscotch Europe in One in Dublin and Hopscotch Asia in One in Hong Kong, this new hub represents a major step towards connecting our international activities through regional hubs.  Our objective is not to be present in all the Chinese major cities, but rather to cover this tremendous market stretching from Beijing to Hong Kong,” said  Jérôme Lascombe, Managing Director of the Public Système Hopscotch and President of Hopscotch.


    The Public Système Hopscotch group is pursuing its international development strategy by following the model of the hub created by Hopscotch in Dublin in Hopscotch Europe in One, an agency providing PR, e-PR, and digital services. 


    Hopscotch Asia in One, established in Hong Kong, now has a second branch in Beijing integrating the disciplines of PR, e-PR, and events.  This global offer is a direct response to the Asian market’s needs.  Hopscotch Asia in One will therefore represent the group’s agencies and their three main trades.

    ABOUT PUBLIC SYSTÈME HOPSCOTCH
    As a communication consultancy group, Public Système Hopscotch is structured around three main agencies – Le Public Système, an integrated communication agency, Hopscotch, a PR and digital communication agency and Heaven, a digital marketing agency as well as several specialised agencies, including Sagarmatha, Human to Human and Capdel.  Listed on Euronext Paris, the group now has 500 employees.  In 2010, it made a turnover of EUR 128.7 million with a gross margin of EUR 51.5 million.  www.publicsystemehopscotch.com
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