What do you do in the attractions industry? Birket Engineering designs and builds ride and show control systems for the themed entertainment industry. The company was started by my brother Glenn in 1984 after leaving Walt Disney Imagineering. Glenn was responsible for the electrical systems for Epcot’s American Adventure. Today we have about 60 employees with offices in Orlando, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.
What’s happening at the TEA? TEA is experiencing exciting growth in several areas, including our membership, international reach, and in the quality and quantity of projects. The interest we’re seeing in our association and our industry has never been greater.
Our staff, Board, Committee and Division leadership has never been better in my opinion. We’re benefiting from the economic growth we see internationally. The world is increasingly aware of the possibilities of themed entertainment. Guest expectations continue to rise – and our industry rises to meet them!
What do you hope to bring the TEA table? I would like to see further development of TEA’s SATE conference, SATE Academy Days and everything TEA does that fosters a variety of dialogue and networking around the world.
Within TEA we’re optimising our processes and communications.
With your engineering background, do you bring a different perspective to the TEA? Yes, I think I do. People associate a ride, show or museum project with the things they see and do. The things they see and do are the result of the great efforts of designers, producers, renderers, artists, and storytellers. For every one of those, there is an engineer or technical person who made the project work. You generally don’t hear from the technical people because their personalities often don’t make them very talkative. I can say this coming from a family of engineers.
What do you want to achieve as head of the TEA? I’d like to continue to expand the Asia-Pacific and the Europe & Middle East Divisions, and increase our overall visibility. For educational topics, there are many sectors and areas relevant to the industry that haven’t been explored.
Do you have any concerns about the industry? Our industry is at its most vibrant ever, with exceptional growth globally. Guest expectations have been set and I don’t think the appetite is going away. In the US, the leisure industry is now the number two producer of jobs in the private sector.
What trends are you noticing? The industry continues to extend and integrate with others and we see more well-known IPs and global brands.
We are also seeing see new ideas layered on top of existing facilities.
The globalisation of the industry has brought new energy to storytelling. Out-of-home leisure options are more exciting and varied than ever.
What’s next from the TEA? We’ve planned a fantastic few days for the TEA Summit and the Thea Awards Gala at Disneyland Resort Anaheim in March.
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2015 issue 1
Interview: Dominique Cocquet
Euro Disney’s Villages Nature is
a next-generation approach to
park accommodation with leading
eco credentials. Resort manager
Dominque Cocquet tells all
Rides: The Ride Makers
In the second part of our series,
industry-leading manufacturers tell us
about the latest trends in family-friendly
coasters and child-friendly rides
Workplace Apps: Work Mates
Apps that manage an attraction’s
workforce make life easier for operators.
Could this software help you?
3D/4D/5D: New Dimensions
From zombie-themed dark rides to
3D films about supersonic cars, its the
latest news, products and launches
from the world of 3D/4D/5D
What do you do in the attractions industry? Birket Engineering designs and builds ride and show control systems for the themed entertainment industry. The company was started by my brother Glenn in 1984 after leaving Walt Disney Imagineering. Glenn was responsible for the electrical systems for Epcot’s American Adventure. Today we have about 60 employees with offices in Orlando, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.
What’s happening at the TEA? TEA is experiencing exciting growth in several areas, including our membership, international reach, and in the quality and quantity of projects. The interest we’re seeing in our association and our industry has never been greater.
Our staff, Board, Committee and Division leadership has never been better in my opinion. We’re benefiting from the economic growth we see internationally. The world is increasingly aware of the possibilities of themed entertainment. Guest expectations continue to rise – and our industry rises to meet them!
What do you hope to bring the TEA table? I would like to see further development of TEA’s SATE conference, SATE Academy Days and everything TEA does that fosters a variety of dialogue and networking around the world.
Within TEA we’re optimising our processes and communications.
With your engineering background, do you bring a different perspective to the TEA? Yes, I think I do. People associate a ride, show or museum project with the things they see and do. The things they see and do are the result of the great efforts of designers, producers, renderers, artists, and storytellers. For every one of those, there is an engineer or technical person who made the project work. You generally don’t hear from the technical people because their personalities often don’t make them very talkative. I can say this coming from a family of engineers.
What do you want to achieve as head of the TEA? I’d like to continue to expand the Asia-Pacific and the Europe & Middle East Divisions, and increase our overall visibility. For educational topics, there are many sectors and areas relevant to the industry that haven’t been explored.
Do you have any concerns about the industry? Our industry is at its most vibrant ever, with exceptional growth globally. Guest expectations have been set and I don’t think the appetite is going away. In the US, the leisure industry is now the number two producer of jobs in the private sector.
What trends are you noticing? The industry continues to extend and integrate with others and we see more well-known IPs and global brands.
We are also seeing see new ideas layered on top of existing facilities.
The globalisation of the industry has brought new energy to storytelling. Out-of-home leisure options are more exciting and varied than ever.
What’s next from the TEA? We’ve planned a fantastic few days for the TEA Summit and the Thea Awards Gala at Disneyland Resort Anaheim in March.
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2015 issue 1
Interview: Dominique Cocquet
Euro Disney’s Villages Nature is
a next-generation approach to
park accommodation with leading
eco credentials. Resort manager
Dominque Cocquet tells all
Rides: The Ride Makers
In the second part of our series,
industry-leading manufacturers tell us
about the latest trends in family-friendly
coasters and child-friendly rides
Workplace Apps: Work Mates
Apps that manage an attraction’s
workforce make life easier for operators.
Could this software help you?
3D/4D/5D: New Dimensions
From zombie-themed dark rides to
3D films about supersonic cars, its the
latest news, products and launches
from the world of 3D/4D/5D
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme
that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi-
day destination.
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii
is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder
Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while
remaining actively involved with the company.
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th
anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s
longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its
recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
+ More news
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