Announcing Speakers for the 2025 Festival of Innovation
The complete agenda has now been disclosed for the Festival of Innovation, which is set to occur online from 15 to 16 January 2025.
Professionals in the visitor attraction sector are encouraged to explore the winners of the 2024 blooloop Innovation Awards, presented in collaboration with AREA15, and to gain insights from industry experts.
This year, we are thrilled to host speakers from renowned institutions such as The British Museum, International African American Museum, Six Flags, Merlin Entertainments, Walt Disney Imagineering, Universal Orlando, Lionsgate, Netflix, MSC Cruises, AREA15, San Antonio Zoo, Efteling, CAMP, COSI, and many more, across 16 enlightening sessions.
Participants will also have the opportunity to cast their votes in the Public Choice Award, engage in networking sessions, and be among the first to learn who has clinched the Innovation Awards, with winners announced after each category discussion.
Registration is free and is currently open.
Expert Speakers
The Festival of Innovation will delve into the pivotal trends for 2025, showcasing the latest projects, technologies, and products that will propel our industry forward.
Featured speakers include:
- Kimberly Beneville, co-founder at Beneville Studios
- Sam Bompas, director at Bompas & Parr
- Ben Wilson, head of architecture and concept design at MSC Cruises
- Tom Lionetti-Maguire, founder of Little Lion Entertainment and creator at The Games Arena
- Jeffrey Godsick, executive vice president, global partnerships, brand management, and head of LBE at Sony Pictures Entertainment
- Matt Palmer, chief marketing officer at Brite Management
- Rob Hetherington, founder of Little Lion Entertainment and creator at Spider Entertainment
- Nick Moran, co-founder / creative director at Phantom Peak
- Julie Swanston, executive creative director at Merlin Magic Making
- Michael Aiello, senior director, creative, live entertainment at Universal Creative
- Jason McNanus, principal, executive creative at TAIT
- Lora Sauls, assistant director, creative development and show direction at Universal Orlando Resort
- John Burton, senior creative lead at Merlin Entertainments
- Philipp Edelman, head of production at Netflix Live Experiences
- Jenefer Brown, executive vice president and head of Lionsgate glo at Lionsgate
- Anthony Chong, group managing director at Kingsmen Exhibits Pte Ltd
- Jim Deny, VP of eCommerce at Six Flags
- Adele Keane, COO & creative director at Imvizar
- Mark Locker, founder & CEO at Attractions.io
- Tim Morrow, president & CEO at San Antonio Zoo
- Jon Tozer, vice president of global delivery at Holovis
- Pearl Verzosa, executive director of marketing at AREA15
- Matt Usi, technical manager, experiences at Netflix
- Neil Lewin, owner at Semantic
- Ernest Yale, president, CEO and founder at Triotech
- Kees Rijnen, strategist at Efteling
- Ernest Backenie, senior director of entertainment at Christie
- Asa Kalama, executive, creative & interactive experiences at Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development
- Rachel Nakamura
- Jim Shumway, VP project delivery at TAIT
- Erica McCay, creative director, themed entertainment at Valtech Themed Entertainment Studio
- Felix Erdman, managing director at BeWunder
- Judith Zissman, executive creative director at Blue Telescope
- Malika Pryor, chief learning and engagement officer at International African American Museum
- Amanda Mayne, head of partnerships: international touring exhibitions at British Museum
- Erik Burdock, Sr. director of experience design at COSI
- Arik Lubkin, chief creative officer at CAMP
- Jacqui Sorvillo, chief retail officer at the SSA Group
- Sheena Khan, head of environment and culture programmes, education at Terra Pavilion, Expo City
Further details about the sessions can be found here. Each session will be available on demand for 30 days following the event.
We extend our gratitude to the sponsors of the Innovation Awards, AREA15, and our Innovation Award category sponsors Attractions.io, Christie, TAIT, The Games Arena, Holovis, Kingsmen Xperience Ltd, and Blue Telescope.
