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'Profile' on Planet Attractions


Plans for a second Great Wolf waterpark in the UK could soon be finalised after an ‘in-principle’ deal was agreed for a proposed attraction in Basingstoke


John Wick is the latest major IP to be announced for Las Vegas’s immersive entertainment district Area15, with the new experience taking visitors inside the world of the franchise as they navigate their own high-stakes action adventure


With thousands of visitors from across the world expected to attend a landmark DEAL event, its organisers are urging companies to secure final booths, promising this year’s show will ‘redefine the landscape of FECs, theme parks and the amusement industry’


From waterpark suppliers and media specialists to creative designers, dark ride producers and operations specialists, Planet Attractions has gone to every corner of the globe to find out what’s hot in 2024


As the MENA attractions market continues to surge, DEAL represents one of the most important business opportunities of 2024. Abdul Rahman Falaknaz, president of show organisers International Expo-Consults speaks about this year’s upcoming event


The Themed Entertainment Association has announced the appointment of Joe Graziano to its Europe and Middle East Board of Directors.


Six Flags and Cedar Fair are merging in an US$8bn deal that will create a new theme park powerhouse in the North American market


Attractions industry veteran Clara Rice has been named global marketing director of Adirondack Studios (ADKS), a creative solution provider targeting designers, producers, artists and other themed entertainment professionals.


Vekoma has a number of high-profile projects and products in development, with the company highlighting a number of major projects set to open in 2024 and beyond


There’s a transformative shift happening when it comes to use of technology in attractions management. Anthony Palermo, co-founder of Connect&GO, spoke to Tom Anstey...


An exhibition inspired by hit-series Derry Girls has drawn a record number of visitors to Londonderry’s Tower Museum


Ralf Schipper has been named international business development director at Simworx.


Ireland’s government is introducing an expert committee to create national guidelines for any cultural institutions’ handling of items of unknown provenance, as well as advising the government on how to handle restitution and repatriation of culturally sensitive items.


Virgin Experience Days has announced the appointment of Christoph Homann as its new CEO, as the company moves into its next growth phase


A new immersive visitor attraction will open its doors at the Dubai Mall later this year


The British Museum has refuted claims that it has ended its commercial partnership with BP following reports that the institution had ended its 27-year relationship with the fossil fuel giant


Karin Hindsbo has been appointed to lead London’s Tate Modern art gallery as its new director.


Ferrari World Abu Dhabi’s Mission Ferrari opened to the public to much fanfare in January. Holovis’s James Lodder shares a decade-long journey to realise this incredible immersive rollercoaster experience


Keith James, president of JRA; Robin Breese-Davies, executive vice president of ted; and Danielle Kramer, executive vice president of RWS, speak to Planet Attractions about what looks to be a bumper year ahead for the company


Adam Hattan explains how content creators can be effectively used to drive new and returning guests to your attraction


Disney is facing criticism from a high-profile investor that is unusual in the business world: that it is squeezing money out of its theme park customers.


Merlin Entertainments has named Paul Moreton as its new chief development officer, effective from January 1, 2023.


Directors from The Met, British Museum, Louvre and National Gallery have signed an open letter published by ICOM condemning the ‘risky endangerment’ of irreplaceable artworks in climate demonstrations


Katapult CEO Dawn Foote has been elected to the TEA Board of Directors for Europe and the Middle East, with her three-year term beginning on January 1, 2023.


Longtime member and actor Helena Bonham Carter CBE has become the first female president of The London Library


The Merlin-operated Madame Tussauds in London, UK, has removed a wax figure of Kayne West from display.


Experience design firm FORREC will be on hand to discuss several of its high-profile projects, including the new Legoland Korea Resort, at this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe


The Natural History Museum’s Generation Hope: Act for the Planet programme will offer a series of free in-person and online events aimed at young people to help drive positive change for the planet


eCommerce software platform and app innovator Convious has launched a new technology that allows attractions to enhance the visitor experience with targeted messaging.


Experiential design collective Conductr has appointed Ben Dowson to oversee the company’s creative division


Royal Caribbean has received approval to acquire the “ultra-luxury” cruise ship Endeavor, which was originally delivered to Crystal Cruises in 2021.


After months of speculation, Disney has extended the contract of Bob Chapek, with the company CEO set to stay at its head until at least 2025


JRA, part of the RWS Entertainment Group, has appointed Sam Xu to lead business development in the Asia-Pacific region.


The Hettema Group and Themespace are to combine their talents to form a single independent creative studio known as THG


Walker joins the company with more than 20 years experience, having held senior creative roles at Universal Creative and Dynamic Attractions


The National Portrait Gallery and BP have decided to mutually end their decades-long commercial partnership


The exhibition had its world premiere at Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute earlier this month


Officials at the British Museum reportedly recently met with BP officials to discuss options for support ‘post Spring 2023’, hinting at a likely renewal of the controversial partnership


Orange County – the home of both Universal and Disney’s Florida operations – has been declared a Covid-19 hotspot


Planet Attractions has expanded its offering with a brand-new jobs portal


Forrec shares details of several high-profile projects


IAAPA’s international trade show is back with IAAPA Expo Europe emanating from Barcelona, Spain. Here’s everything you need to know about the event


Forrec has worked on several high-profile projects, including the Nickelodeon Universe indoor theme park at American Dream


Three British art galleries will present a series of exhibitions and collaborations looking back at the past year to explore the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic


The gallery will raise its national and international profiles with a major social media campaign and digital content subscriptions


The museum has faced criticism from scientists about its partnership with Shell, which is viewed by its opponents as an attempt at ‘greenwashing’ the brand


The US cruise industry is a step closer to resuming operations, the creation of the Lego Sky Lion at Legoland Windsor, the fan who built a gargantuan rollercoaster entirely out of K’nex and the operator’s role as a custodian of treasured memories. Welcome to the latest edition of The Week from Planet Attractions


Falcon’s Creative has introduced its new ÄEONXP system - an application designed to further immerse visitors in themed entertainment experiences


The eagle-eyed fan who might have spotted Wakanda is Disneyland’s expansion plan, vital funding for the Game of Thrones Studio Tour, a long-awaited ban on cruise ships in central Venice and the technology powering Legoland New York’s most anticipated attraction. Welcome to the latest edition of The Week from Planet Attractions


The fourth shrine of Tutankhamun is heading to the Grand Egyotian Museum, Shakespeare’s Globe reopens for business, Paul Chutter on his new role at WhiteWater and Boris Johnson sparking controversy over the Elgin Marbles. Welcome to the latest edition of The Week from Planet Attractions


With Warner Bros ending its live owl performances, Benedict Cumberbatch sending out a message of hope for the struggling culture sector, the first apes to be vaccinated against Covid and the luchadores taking a stand against non mask wearers, welcome to the latest edition of The Week with Planet Attractions


Isle of Wight festival organisers say that they hope to bring back as many artists as they can for the later dates


Featuring a dog, a doge, Soul’s Epcot debut and Taylor Swift’s legal issues, welcome to the latest edition of The Week with Planet Attractions


Rounding up all the biggest news from both publications and associations, here is this week’s edition of From the Industry


How do you operate a zoo when your customers aren’t allowed to visit? Chester Zoo MD Jamie Christon tells Planet Attractions how the attraction made it through 2020 and what management’s outlook is for 2021



Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood launches TCM Classic Films Tour





Phoenix Rising ‘100 percent complete’ reveals Busch Gardens




Chuck E. Cheese and American Society for Deaf Children partner on inclusivity initiative




Industry insights



Spatial Sound, Immersive Audio: What is it and is it here to stay?




Video



Disneyland Paris renames park ahead of €2bn expansion

In Depth



Storm surge: How Chimelong Spaceship’s award-winning and record-breaking Bermuda Storm was brought to life



© Kazoo 5 Limited 2024
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'Profile' on Planet Attractions | Planet Attractions
'Profile' on Planet Attractions

Plans to build second Great Wolf waterpark resort in the UK move step closer after ‘in-principle’ deal agreed


Plans for a second Great Wolf waterpark in the UK could soon be finalised after an ‘in-principle’ deal was agreed for a proposed attraction in Basingstoke

John Wick the latest major addition to Area15 as new immersive experience announced for Las Vegas entertainment district


John Wick is the latest major IP to be announced for Las Vegas’s immersive entertainment district Area15, with the new experience taking visitors inside the world of the franchise as they navigate their own high-stakes action adventure

Final spots up for grabs as DEAL’s landmark 30th edition draws near


With thousands of visitors from across the world expected to attend a landmark DEAL event, its organisers are urging companies to secure final booths, promising this year’s show will ‘redefine the landscape of FECs, theme parks and the amusement industry’

Supplier Showcase 2024: The biggest attractions projects landing worldwide this year


From waterpark suppliers and media specialists to creative designers, dark ride producers and operations specialists, Planet Attractions has gone to every corner of the globe to find out what’s hot in 2024

Setting the stage: 30th edition of DEAL opens shop window to MENA market


As the MENA attractions market continues to surge, DEAL represents one of the most important business opportunities of 2024. Abdul Rahman Falaknaz, president of show organisers International Expo-Consults speaks about this year’s upcoming event

Christie’s Joe Graziano elected to TEA EMEA Board


The Themed Entertainment Association has announced the appointment of Joe Graziano to its Europe and Middle East Board of Directors.

Theme park giants join forces as Cedar Fair and Six Flags announce US$8bn merger


Six Flags and Cedar Fair are merging in an US$8bn deal that will create a new theme park powerhouse in the North American market

Clara Rice joins Adirondack Studios as global marketing director


Attractions industry veteran Clara Rice has been named global marketing director of Adirondack Studios (ADKS), a creative solution provider targeting designers, producers, artists and other themed entertainment professionals.

Vekoma highlights high profile launches, with major attractions to open in 2024


Vekoma has a number of high-profile projects and products in development, with the company highlighting a number of major projects set to open in 2024 and beyond

Solving the puzzle: Connect&GO’s Anthony Palermo on how technology is rapidly changing attractions management


There’s a transformative shift happening when it comes to use of technology in attractions management. Anthony Palermo, co-founder of Connect&GO, spoke to Tom Anstey...

Derry Girls Experience draws record visitor numbers for Northern Ireland’s Tower Museum


An exhibition inspired by hit-series Derry Girls has drawn a record number of visitors to Londonderry’s Tower Museum

Ralf Schipper to lead international business development at Simworx


Ralf Schipper has been named international business development director at Simworx.

Ireland introduces panel to advise on restitution and repatriation of contested cultural heritage


Ireland’s government is introducing an expert committee to create national guidelines for any cultural institutions’ handling of items of unknown provenance, as well as advising the government on how to handle restitution and repatriation of culturally sensitive items.

Christoph Homann new Virgin Experience Days CEO


Virgin Experience Days has announced the appointment of Christoph Homann as its new CEO, as the company moves into its next growth phase

House of Hype: New immersive attraction to open at Dubai Mall


A new immersive visitor attraction will open its doors at the Dubai Mall later this year

British Museum denies ending controversial BP partnership


The British Museum has refuted claims that it has ended its commercial partnership with BP following reports that the institution had ended its 27-year relationship with the fossil fuel giant

Karin Hindsbo named as director at Tate Modern


Karin Hindsbo has been appointed to lead London’s Tate Modern art gallery as its new director.

Mission Holovis: How Holovis brought Ferrari World Abu Dhabi’s immersive mega coaster Mission Ferrari to life


Ferrari World Abu Dhabi’s Mission Ferrari opened to the public to much fanfare in January. Holovis’s James Lodder shares a decade-long journey to realise this incredible immersive rollercoaster experience

Transforming the business: Meet the minds behind RWS Entertainment Group


Keith James, president of JRA; Robin Breese-Davies, executive vice president of ted; and Danielle Kramer, executive vice president of RWS, speak to Planet Attractions about what looks to be a bumper year ahead for the company

How to work with content creators (influencers) to drive attendance and improve brand affinity


Adam Hattan explains how content creators can be effectively used to drive new and returning guests to your attraction

Is Disney squeezing theme park customers?


Disney is facing criticism from a high-profile investor that is unusual in the business world: that it is squeezing money out of its theme park customers.

Paul Moreton succeeds Mark ‘Fish’ Fisher as chief development officer at Merlin


Merlin Entertainments has named Paul Moreton as its new chief development officer, effective from January 1, 2023.

92 museum directors sign open letter condemning climate action against ‘irreplaceable’ artworks


Directors from The Met, British Museum, Louvre and National Gallery have signed an open letter published by ICOM condemning the ‘risky endangerment’ of irreplaceable artworks in climate demonstrations

Dawn Foote appointed to TEA board for Europe and the Middle East


Katapult CEO Dawn Foote has been elected to the TEA Board of Directors for Europe and the Middle East, with her three-year term beginning on January 1, 2023.

Helena Bonham Carter named first female president of The London Library


Longtime member and actor Helena Bonham Carter CBE has become the first female president of The London Library

Madame Tussauds removes Kanye West waxwork


The Merlin-operated Madame Tussauds in London, UK, has removed a wax figure of Kayne West from display.

FORREC to showcase new projects at IAAPA Expo Europe


Experience design firm FORREC will be on hand to discuss several of its high-profile projects, including the new Legoland Korea Resort, at this year’s IAAPA Expo Europe

Generation Hope: London’s Natural History Museum launches programme encouraging climate action


The Natural History Museum’s Generation Hope: Act for the Planet programme will offer a series of free in-person and online events aimed at young people to help drive positive change for the planet

Convious launches new automated personalisation module


eCommerce software platform and app innovator Convious has launched a new technology that allows attractions to enhance the visitor experience with targeted messaging.

Ben Dowson to lead creative division at Conductr


Experiential design collective Conductr has appointed Ben Dowson to oversee the company’s creative division

Royal Caribbean Group acquires ‘ultra-luxury’ cruise ship Endeavor for US$275M


Royal Caribbean has received approval to acquire the “ultra-luxury” cruise ship Endeavor, which was originally delivered to Crystal Cruises in 2021.

‘Right leader at the right time’: Bob Chapek to remain at Disney until at least 2025 after board unanimously agrees contract extension


After months of speculation, Disney has extended the contract of Bob Chapek, with the company CEO set to stay at its head until at least 2025

JRA appoints Sam Xu to drive growth in Asia-Pacific region


JRA, part of the RWS Entertainment Group, has appointed Sam Xu to lead business development in the Asia-Pacific region.

Hettema Group and Themespace merge to form THG


The Hettema Group and Themespace are to combine their talents to form a single independent creative studio known as THG

George Walker named as VP of creative development at Holovis


Walker joins the company with more than 20 years experience, having held senior creative roles at Universal Creative and Dynamic Attractions

National Portrait Gallery and BP to end 30-year partnership in December


The National Portrait Gallery and BP have decided to mutually end their decades-long commercial partnership

Harry Potter: The Exhibition arrives at Franklin Institute for worldwide debut


The exhibition had its world premiere at Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute earlier this month

Documents suggest British Museum’s controversial BP partnership will be renewed despite protests


Officials at the British Museum reportedly recently met with BP officials to discuss options for support ‘post Spring 2023’, hinting at a likely renewal of the controversial partnership

Potential problems for Universal and Disney as Orange County named Florida hotspot for Covid-19


Orange County – the home of both Universal and Disney’s Florida operations – has been declared a Covid-19 hotspot

Planet Attractions launches new recruitment portal


Planet Attractions has expanded its offering with a brand-new jobs portal

Forrec shares details of several high-profile projects


Forrec shares details of several high-profile projects

Everything you need to know about IAAPA Expo Europe 2021


IAAPA’s international trade show is back with IAAPA Expo Europe emanating from Barcelona, Spain. Here’s everything you need to know about the event

High-profile Forrec attractions to be showcased at IAAPA Expo Europe


Forrec has worked on several high-profile projects, including the Nickelodeon Universe indoor theme park at American Dream

Art for your health: NHS key workers and young people to curate National Partners Programme exhibitions


Three British art galleries will present a series of exhibitions and collaborations looking back at the past year to explore the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic

National Gallery at 200: British institution releases five-year strategy ahead of bicentennial anniversary


The gallery will raise its national and international profiles with a major social media campaign and digital content subscriptions

Science Museum Group comes under fire for Shell partnership on new climate exhibit


The museum has faced criticism from scientists about its partnership with Shell, which is viewed by its opponents as an attempt at ‘greenwashing’ the brand

The Week: Cruise resurgence, Legoland’s new attraction, the K’Nex coaster and fan revolt


The US cruise industry is a step closer to resuming operations, the creation of the Lego Sky Lion at Legoland Windsor, the fan who built a gargantuan rollercoaster entirely out of K’nex and the operator’s role as a custodian of treasured memories. Welcome to the latest edition of The Week from Planet Attractions

Falcon's Creative debuts custom user interface for immersive themed entertainment experiences


Falcon’s Creative has introduced its new ÄEONXP system - an application designed to further immerse visitors in themed entertainment experiences

The Week: Wakanda in Disneyland? The Game of Thrones Studio Tour, Venice’s cruise ban and Holovis at Legoland


The eagle-eyed fan who might have spotted Wakanda is Disneyland’s expansion plan, vital funding for the Game of Thrones Studio Tour, a long-awaited ban on cruise ships in central Venice and the technology powering Legoland New York’s most anticipated attraction. Welcome to the latest edition of The Week from Planet Attractions

The Week: A new home for Tutankhamun, the return of Shakespearean theatre, WhiteWater’s new president and the fate of the Elgin Marbles


The fourth shrine of Tutankhamun is heading to the Grand Egyotian Museum, Shakespeare’s Globe reopens for business, Paul Chutter on his new role at WhiteWater and Boris Johnson sparking controversy over the Elgin Marbles. Welcome to the latest edition of The Week from Planet Attractions

The Week: Final flight of the owls at Harry Potter attractions, Benedict Cumberbatch’s message for culture and the luchadores fighting Covid


With Warner Bros ending its live owl performances, Benedict Cumberbatch sending out a message of hope for the struggling culture sector, the first apes to be vaccinated against Covid and the luchadores taking a stand against non mask wearers, welcome to the latest edition of The Week with Planet Attractions

Isle of Wight festival pushed to September as Download and Primavera get the axe


Isle of Wight festival organisers say that they hope to bring back as many artists as they can for the later dates

The Week: Covid-detecting dogs, Soul comes to Epcot and have you tried being more like Elon Musk?


Featuring a dog, a doge, Soul’s Epcot debut and Taylor Swift’s legal issues, welcome to the latest edition of The Week with Planet Attractions

From the Industry: Tom Mehrmann on Universal Beijing, diversity in zoos and Bernie Sanders does his best to keep warm


Rounding up all the biggest news from both publications and associations, here is this week’s edition of From the Industry

Managing a pandemic: How has Chester Zoo handled the Coronavirus crisis?


How do you operate a zoo when your customers aren’t allowed to visit? Chester Zoo MD Jamie Christon tells Planet Attractions how the attraction made it through 2020 and what management’s outlook is for 2021



© Kazoo 5 Limited 2024