by Judith Rubin, Editor, InPark Magazine
Where is the leading edge in themed entertainment today? There are in fact multiple leading edges, depending on your perspective. Licensing and technology represent two of them.
Brands and IPs driving story and immersion in themed entertainment experiences can deliver rewards to the IP holder, the operator and the audience. Recognizing the huge value of these endeavors, licensors today are making attractions an organic part of their game plan, even setting up company verticals to address the LBE sector. We’ve seen this from the attractions industry angle for a number of years, with brand companies having more and more of a presence at IAAPA. And in the pages of InPark, we’ve covered this space in detail with IP holders, operators, consultants and creatives. The licensing community, notably Licensing International and its Licensing Expos in the US and Europe, have likewise stepped up to address these markets. Some of the most innovative and influential projects today are in the licensing space. There is great opportunity here, and we hope you’ll explore it with us.
The InfoComm show meets alternately in Las Vegas and Orlando, and 2023 is an Orlando year, which gives it more of a themed entertainment spin. It will be a great time to catch up with Orlando-based companies on the floor, exhibiting and attending, as well as in the educational sessions. This coming together of the industry specifically around technology also provides opportunities to gather and meet colleagues at extracurricular events such as the Attractions Technology Lab, hosted at Oceaneering. Technology is a dynamic front with endless challenges and opportunities for creating the Next Big Thing in guest experience, whether in connection to content, operations, integration or another aspect of project creation and delivery. That of course serves the never ending quest of themed entertainment – to remain competitive and fresh. InPark salutes InfoComm for its service to the industry. We look forward to meeting you there.
