W. CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — A major new report from ASTM International highlights the impactful role that standards play in supporting global innovation trends. The Standardization Impact Report (SIR) serves to showcase the direct links between these emerging technologies and the work of several key ASTM committees. 

The SIR addresses the ways in which standards in five notable industry sectors adhere to the United Nations Sustainable Development goals and influence crucial sustainability initiatives. These sectors include:

• Emerging Airspace
• Health and Safety
• Advanced Manufacturing
• Built Environment and Infrastructure Systems
• Clean Energy and Decarbonization Technology

“This Standardization Impact Report showcases direct links between the impactful work of ASTM’s 149 committees and emerging technologies within these key industry sectors,” notes Brian Meincke, ASTM’s vice president of global business development. “It leverages a broad review of publicly available information and provides a snapshot that roadmaps our standards development trajectory to these key topic areas to better inform strategic decisions and resources”.

As noted in the SIR Executive Overview, “in recent years ASTM International’s committees have underpinned developments in the way we build, the way we manufacture, and our ventures into emerging airspace, embodying the phrase: “Advancing Standards, Transforming Markets.”

The report will be available in sections, with detailed overviews of ASTM’s role in each of these sectors being released throughout the year. Executive Overview and Emerging Airspace sections are now available. 

ORLANDO, Fla. — Next year, guests can jump into the action of their favorite video games when SUPER NINTENDO WORLD makes its much-anticipated debut at Universal Orlando Resort as one of five imaginative worlds at the all-new Universal Epic Universe theme park. Developed in partnership between the visionaries of Universal Creative and Nintendo, the vibrant land combines iconic Nintendo characters with Universal’s renowned craft of creating innovative theme park experiences to deliver a multi-sensory environment where guests can experience the fun and adventure of Nintendo games in a whole new way.

Today, Universal Orlando reveals official details about all the excitement that awaits in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD at Epic Universe – featuring attractions plus dining, shopping and interactive experiences inspired by the Super Mario franchise and – for the first time in the U.S. – Donkey Kong Country.

ENTER THE ICONIC GREEN PIPE
It all begins the moment guests enter the portal to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, which will transport them through the iconic green pipe into the immersive land. As guests emerge from the pipe, vibrant scenery and exciting kinetic energy surround them as they are greeted by the familiar sights and sounds that they’ve experienced on their Nintendo game consoles – from the towering Mt. Beanpole and majestic Peach’s Castle to swaying Piranha Plants, pacing Goombas, spinning coins, ? Blocks and more.  Inside SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, guests will be able to explore Super Mario Land – where they’ll enjoy adventures alongside Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and other characters; and Donkey Kong Country– wherethey’ll encounter thrills featuring Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong and other members of the Kong family. 

SUPER MARIO LAND
The colorful landscapes of the Mushroom Kingdom come to life in Super Mario Land, where guests can experience:

• Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge: Guests are invited to join Team Mario and battle Team Bowser for the Golden Cup in this groundbreaking attraction that fuses augmented reality, projection mapping technology and elaborate environments to bring the fun of the Mario Kart video game series to life in a compelling ride-through experience. Guests up for the challenge will enter through Bowser’s Castle – where they’ll wind its corridors and get a glimpse of Bowser’s deceptive plans to stack the odds in his favor – before boarding their kart and heading to the starting line. Then, guests steer through a variety of Mario Kart courses – collecting coins, tossing shells at Team Bowser, dodging obstacles, and more – as they join their favorite characters and compete to help Team Mario win the race.
• Yoshi’s Adventure: The delightfulYoshi’s Adventure attraction will make its U.S. debut when SUPER NINTENDO WORLD opens at Universal Epic Universe. On this family-friendly ride, guests of all ages will enjoy breathtaking views of Super Mario Land as they join Yoshis and travel through Mushroom Kingdom landscapes in search of glowing eggs – encountering many familiar characters along the way.
• Toadstool Cafe: At Toadstool Cafe, guests can enjoy a variety of tasty dishes inspired by the world of Super Mario and its characters, including Mario and Luigi-themed burgers, Super Mushroom Soup, Piranha Plant Caprese, Fire Flower Spaghetti and Meatballs and so much more. Guests will also get glimpses of several Toads cooking up culinary creations through various virtual windows as they dine inside the restaurant.
• Yoshi’s Snack Island and Turbo Boost Treats: Guests can also pick up delicious treats, snacks and beverages at these walk-up dining locations.
• 1-UP Factory and Mario Motors: Guests can shop for souvenirs, apparel, toys and more inspired by their favorite Super Mario characters and adventures within these retail locations.
• Meet and Greets: Guests can meet, greet and interact with Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad throughout various areas in Super Mario Land.

DONKEY KONG COUNTRY
At the edge of Super Mario Land, guests will discover an entrance that leads them to Donkey Kong Country, where they’ll explore the lush, tropical landscape from the video game series, complete with tall trees, waterfalls, landmarks such as The Golden Temple and more. Here, guests can enjoy:

• Mine-Cart Madness: Guests will hop into a mine cart and careen through the jungle to help Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong protect the coveted golden banana on this first-of-its-kind family coaster. Utilizing an unprecedented ride system, innovative technology and a unique coaster design, Mine-Cart Madness will send riders on a thrilling adventure where they will experience the jaw-dropping maneuvers that they’ve seen Donkey Kong and the mine carts perform in the video games – including getting blasted out of a barrel, seemingly jumping over gaps as they speed along a rickety track, and so much more.
• A selection of tropical menu and merchandise offerings in the middle of the jungle – all inspired by the Donkey Kong Country video game franchise and its characters. More details will be shared in the coming months.

And that’s not all – guests will find even more exciting experiences and adventures while exploring SUPER NINTENDO WORLD.

POWER-UP BANDS
Guests can level up their fun in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD with the purchase of a Power-Up Band, a wearable for their wrist that allows them to enhance their play throughout Super Mario Land and Donkey Kong Country. With the Power-Up Band, guests can collect digital coins by punching ? Blocks and playing interactive activities; collect digital stamps on attractions; earn digital keys to unlock an exclusive showdown against Bowser Jr.; and discover other hidden surprises. Guests can also access Leaderboard screens in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD to see where they rank amongst fellow guests.

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD at Epic Universe will be Universal Destinations and Experiences’ third installment of the immersive land. Right now, guests can enjoy SUPER NINTENDO WORLD at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Japan.

NEW YORK, N.Y. — RWS Global, the world’s largest producer of live experiences, today announced the appointment of Veronica Hart to its Board of Directors. With over 25 years of experience as a cross-disciplinary corporate leader, Hart has demonstrated success driving sales, operations and licensing for multinational corporations. Hart will act as a trustee of the organization offering oversight and due-diligence on the overall performance of the business while leveraging her expertise in spearheading the company’s efforts to unlock new revenue opportunities with large-scale IPs.

Hart has held executive leadership roles at Paramount, HIT Entertainment, Sesame Workshop, The Jim Henson Company, CBS Studios and CBS Consumer Products, where she built the first-ever franchise division for the company. She also handled publicity for The Muppets at the Jim Henson Company and marketing and public relations at Sony Wonder. Throughout her career, she has honed her skills in franchise planning, global licensing, operations, creative, and marketing, leading strategic planning, brand positioning, and retail and marketing efforts across key markets.

“We are thrilled to welcome Veronica to our board,” said Ryan Stana, Chairman and CEO of RWS Global. “Her passion for fandom and her deep knowledge of the licensing industry will be invaluable assets as we expand our offerings globally and strengthen our position in the market.”

“I am excited to join the team at RWS Global and help further elevate their global position as leaders in live entertainment and continue to push boundaries and deliver unforgettable experiences to fans around the world,” said Hart.

Recently, Hart founded HARTstring Entertainment, providing strategic advice on brand building, business development and marketing to maximize partners’ commercial impact. She currently serves as Chair-elect of the Board for Licensing International, the official industry association at the center of the multi-billion-dollar worldwide licensing community.

CARLSBAD, Calif. — Brick by brick, the excitement builds! LEGOLAND California Resort announces the grand launch of North America’s first-ever LEGO World Parade, set to debut on May 24! In celebration of the launch, the Carlsbad theme park is rolling out an incredible offer: $29 Kids Tickets.

Starting May 6, families can take advantage of a limited time $29 Kids Tickets offer to experience the magic of the LEGO World Parade throughout the summer.

The LEGO World Parade promises to be an unforgettable experience for LEGO fans of all ages. It will feature a dazzling array of LEGO themed floats including a LEGO City Firetruck, a swashbuckling pirate ship, and floats inspired by LEGO NINJAGO, LEGO Friends, LEGO City Deep Sea Adventure, and LEGO DUPLO. This is a unique opportunity to see favorite LEGO worlds come to life in a vibrant, dynamic parade like no other.

The Parade will also feature an exciting cast of five costume characters, each bringing their unique LEGO charm to their floats. Joining them will be more than 50 entertainers, dancing and marching along the parade route through the west side of the Park. The Parade will be the perfect finale to a day spent riding, climbing, splashing, and building throughout the theme park’s 60+ rides, shows, and attractions.

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Cordish Companies announced today that their 73,000-square-foot dining and entertainment destination at Pointe Orlando will take on the Company’s nationally acclaimed Live! hospitality and entertainment brand. LIVE! AT THE POINTE ORLANDO will bring an unmatched food and beverage, social, nightlife and special event experience to Orlando’s tourism corridor when it opens this fall, creating a unique block party atmosphere for locals and tourists alike. Located on International Drive, Live! at The Pointe Orlando will be just a short drive from Orlando, Florida’s major theme parks and across the street from the Orange County Convention Center. The Company also announced two new venues today for the project – HOUNDSMEN ENGLISH LOUNGE and SHARK BAR – joining previously announced anchor concepts SPORTS & SOCIAL and PBR COWBOY BAR. A major announcement of an additional two-level anchor concept will be happening within the next few weeks. 

For nearly three decades, The Cordish Companies’ Live! brand has dramatically changed the entertainment experience around the country, creating one-of-a-kind destinations that offer premier dining venues and nightlife, first-class hospitality, the best of local, regional, and national entertainment, and a curated year-round calendar of special events. Highly regarded as one of the premier entertainment brands nationwide, Live! welcomes over 55 million visitors each year to its dining, entertainment, hotel, casino resort and music venues throughout the U.S. including Xfinity Live!, in partnership with Comcast Spectacor, and Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex; Texas Live! and Live! by Loews hotel in the Arlington Entertainment District in partnership with the Texas Rangers; Live! at The Battery Atlanta in partnership with the Atlanta Braves; Nashville Live! in the heart of downtown Nashville, TN on 2^nd Avenue; and Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland in the Baltimore/Washington DC corridor. This will be the Company’s first opening in the Orlando market as it continues its vast expansion across the state of Florida and Southeast region of the United States.

In Florida, Cordish was the original development partner of the Seminole Tribe of Florida for Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, two of the most successful casino entertainment resorts in the world. Further demonstrating their strong commitment to the State of Florida, Cordish recently opened Vivo!, a 62,000-square-foot dining and entertainment destination in Miami, and is under crane on a 223-acre master planned mixed-use development in Pompano Beach called The Pomp that combines casino gaming with best-in-class entertainment, retail, dining, hotel, residential, office and lifestyle amenities into one dynamic destination.

“It is incredibly exciting for The Cordish Companies to unveil more details about our highly anticipated dining and entertainment destination in Orlando, starting with the naming of the project under our flagship Live! brand,” said Reed Cordish, Principal of The Cordish Companies. “We are proud to continue working with Brixmor Property Group to bring a world-class experience to Pointe Orlando. Live! at The Pointe Orlando will be a game-changing development for Orlando’s tourism corridor and is sure to become the premier destination for both locals and tourists.”

LIVE! AT THE POINTE ORLANDO is being developed by Live! Hospitality & Entertainment, a division of The Cordish Companies, with plans to bring approximately 73,000 square feet of immersive indoor and outdoor dining and entertainment space to Pointe Orlando, including 37,000 square feet of exterior gathering space. The world-class dining, entertainment, nightlife and social destination will feature several venues centered around an incredible outdoor LIVE! PLAZA that willserve as the living room of the community for special events, live music, sports watching and festivals year-round, giving guests a variety of experiences to enjoy and always a reason to come back. Among the new venues announced today for the project are:

• HOUNDSMEN ENGLISH LOUNGE is a thoughtfully considered cocktail lounge that offers a curated list of expertly crafted drinks featuring fine spirits, dark whiskeys and diverse inspiration. With rich interior finishes, wood-paneled walls, low lighting and leather accents, the lounge will offer an elevated space that provides a sophisticated destination to relax, unwind and gather. The captivating 4,800-square-foot venue will transport guests to the highlands of England, creating a welcoming space for all.
• The home of endless summer, SHARK BAR brings an endless party to Live! at The Pointe Orlando. The 4,600-square-foot venue offers a spacious interior that blends retro surf with retro cool with vibrant colors, retractable garage doors and plush exterior patio seating, making it the perfect oasis for cocktail parties, receptions, happy hour and late-night social scene. From frosty cool rum runners and piña coladas to Shark Bar’s signature beach pail punch, Shark Bar heats up with the greatest retro dance music in the region. Other locations of the concept can be found at Ballpark Village adjacent to Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MO and at Kansas City Live! in the Power & Light District located in the heart of downtown Kansas City, MO.

“Riding a mechanical bull at PBR Cowboy Bar, imbibing crafted cocktails in an elevated lounge reminiscent of the English countryside, or watching your favorite sporting events on state-of-art screens in Sports & Social are just a few of the one-of-a-kind experiences you will soon find at the newly renovated Pointe Orlando. The addition of The Cordish Companies’ Live! Brand is another example of why Pointe Orlando is Orlando’s dining and entertainment destination that embraces sophisticated fun indoors and outdoors,” said Matt Ryan, EVP & President South Region for Brixmor Property Group, owner of Pointe Orlando.

Previously announced anchor venues, SPORTS & SOCIAL and PBR COWBOY BAR, are located in high-profile entertainment and lifestyle districts, world-class casino resort destinations, and adjacent to professional sports stadiums around the country. Together, the concepts have nearly 30 locations nationwide including The Battery adjacent to Truist Park in Atlanta; Ballpark Village adjacent to Busch Stadium in St. Louis; Texas Live! in the Arlington Entertainment District; Nashville Live! in the heart of downtown Nashville, and Vivo! in Miami, FL.

• SPORTS & SOCIAL is the premier restaurant and bar concept in the United States that brings elevated food and drink offerings, premier sports watching, live music, a high energy nightlife, and social games all under one roof. Guests can expect a full menu of made-from-scratch gameday favorites, curated cocktails and specialty drinks, including its signature Crush selection, and a variety of beer from national brews and local favorites. The two-level, 11,700-square-foot venue will feature one of the best sports watching experiences in the region with its premier game-day Sports Watch activations. Outfitted with state-of-the-art technology, the space will boast an impressive LED display at its centerpiece that will show multiple games and sporting events at once. Guests will also be able to enjoy live music throughout the week, as well as a wide variety of social games such as skee-ball, foosball, hoops, arcade games, shuffleboard, and Beirut. Sports & Social will have ample seating inside and out, including multiple signature bars and an indoor/outdoor bar that flows out to the Live! Plaza.  
• Born from the toughest sport on dirt, the iconic PBR COWBOY BAR lives up to its legendary namesake, Professional Bull Riders, which embodies toughness, determination, and a true spirit of independence. PBR Cowboy Bars fuse that spirit with first-class hospitality, bringing an authentic country western experience that marries an electric combination of ‘cowboy cool’ and big-time entertainment. The 8,400-square-foot venue in Orlando, the 16^th location to open in the country, will feature a professionally endorsed mechanical riding bull, multiple signature bars, and private VIP booths, offering an incredible venue for celebrating special occasions and hosting private events. The soul of PBR Cowboy Bar comes alive through its great entertainment, the best in country music, and its rich traditions. PBR Cowboy Bar venues have welcomed some of the biggest names in country music including Luke Bryan, Old Dominion, and Justin Moore. Additionally, each PBR Cowboy Bar recognizes Freedom Friday, a night of appreciation once a month forall military personnel, veterans, first responders and public service members.

SARASOTA, Fla. — Five individuals associated with fairs across five states received the Certified Fair Executive (CFE) designation at the 2024 IAFE Management Conference in Sarasota, Florida on April 30, 2024.

Those individuals are:

• Kristen Bright, IFMG, CFE, Tennessee Valley Fair
• Tasha Hyder, IFMG, CFE, Clay County Agricultural Fair, FL
• Rachael Lough, IFMG, CFE, Ohio State Fair
• Angela Miller, IFMG, CFE, Roosevelt County Fair, Mt
• Shelly Parish, IFMG, CFE, North Dakota State Fair

The purposes of the CFE program are a) to provide incentive for professional improvement in fair management; b) to recognize those who achieve the specific standards; and c) to develop professional status in the field of fair management. Certification also honors those members who have demonstrated their abilities through years of service to their fairs, fair associations, communities, and the Association.

Read more about each 2024 CFE Recipient below:

Kristen Bright, IFM, CFE, Tennessee Valley Fair is the Foundation Coordinator for the Tennessee Valley Fair. Kristen is originally from West Tennessee but has called East Tennessee home for 12 years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from University of Tennessee, Knoxville (Go Vols!). She began working at the fair in 2016 as a Social Media Intern. Since her time as an intern, Kristen has also worked as the Sponsorship and Special Events Coordinator, the 100th Anniversary Celebration Coordinator, and the fair Historian. Kristen has been involved with the IAFE for over 6 years. She is an Institute of Fair Management graduate, and she has served as an active member of the Sponsorship, Ticketing, and Convention Program committees, and was the Sponsorship Committee Chair in 2023. Her favorite aspect about the fair industry is everyone’s willingness to share ideas and help each other. Outside of her fair interests, Kristen spends time in her garden, going to concerts, and in her portrait photography business where she enjoys photographing families and events. She hopes to continue her role in the fair industry for many years to come!

Tasha Hyder, IFMG, CFE, Clay County Agricultural Fair, FL is from the Clay County Fair in Florida. Tasha has been involved in the events and fair industry for over 15 years, where she has created new community events and grown community favorites. She has become known for doing out-of-the-box stuff and it usually involves goats (she doesn’t even really like goats). Tasha has brought unique ideas like Ferris Wheel Speed Dating, Goat Yoga, Silent Disco Goat Party, and more to her fair. She created “Our Fair Cares” to give back to the community. In 2022, Tasha’s team organized a nationwide effort to assist hurricane victims in Florida. $35,000 and twelve semi-trucks were sent to help. Tasha is a champion for diversity and inclusion, serving on the Florida Festival Events DEI Task Force and frequently sharing with other fairs how they can become more inclusive. Tasha has a master’s degree in education from the University of North Florida. She is still considered a newlywed, married last October. She enjoys time with her fur-kids Dudley and Finley, five cats and a host of rescues looking for a home.

Tasha’s favorite thing about the industry is how helpful and caring everyone is.

Rachael Lough, IFMG, CFE, Ohio State Fair, , a vibrant presence in the fair industry, began her journey with a humorous twist when a joke about the name “Dixie Classic” ignited a lasting passion for fairs. Prior to diving into fairs, Rachael accumulated valuable experience at Walt Disney World and Zoo Tampa, where she met her husband, Danny. In her role as the Public Relations and Marketing Director of the Carolina Classic Fair, Rachael demonstrated strategic prowess by successfully rebranding the event from Dixie Classic to Carolina Classic Fair. Her innovative spirit extended to digitizing the competitive exhibits process. Transitioning to the Ohio State Fair as the Assistant Rental Director, Rachael continues to make significant contributions to the industry.

Angela Miller, IFMG, CFE, Roosevelt County Fair, Mt, A town kid who believed that FFA was a fun idea, is now an 11-year manager of the Roosevelt County Fair in Montana. Angela began her FFA experience as a freshman in highschool and showed livestock at the California Mid State Fair in Paso Robles, California. From there, she went on to study Animal Science at Reedley College, where she was a member of the beef show team at the Big Fresno Fair and Tulare Fair, as well as the traveling Round Robin judging team, where she judged numerous fairs throughout the state of California. After attending college at California State University, Fresno, Angela went on to teach agriculture and coached her students through a swine breeding and show program at the Kings County Fair in Hanford, California. She then decided that a big move was ideal and relocated to Bainville, MT to teach agriculture and volunteer on the Livestock Committee before becoming a board member at the Roosevelt County Fair. Angela believes that her experiences with numerous fairs have shaped her into becoming the manager she is today.

Shelly Parish, IFMG, CFE, North Dakota State Fair is employed with the North Dakota State Fair in Minot, North Dakota. She started her career with North Dakota State Fair in 2000 as an accounting assistant. In 2003 she was given the opportunity to take on the competitive exhibits department, plus human resources and payroll, which she continues today. Shelly has been married to her husband Scott for 23 years. Together they have 4 daughters and 9 grandchildren. In her off time, you will find her attending the grandkids sporting events. If the grandkids aren’t occupying her time, you will find her out on her motorcycle. A place where she feels she can recharge. Although the fair industry wasn’t part of her long-term plan, she is very thankful for the “life” lessons she has learned. Getting to know and learn from others across the country has been very rewarding.

BRANSON, Mo. — Ozarkly, a new multimedia hub from the internationally awarded Silver Dollar City theme park, launches today, detailing the food, music, crafts, attractions, and culture of the 1880s Ozarkian destination. From digital concerts and at-home recipes, to planning guides, Ozarkly is the ultimate destination for Silver Dollar City content and all things related.  

Ozarkly is a place to find valuable Silver Dollar City information — along with the park’s unique culture — through the award-winning storytelling that has put the park on the map as an international destination. Ozarkly features news, planning resources and entertainment as well as human interest pieces in the form of articles, videos, podcasts and photo galleries.

Joey Thorsen, head of content at the Silver Dollar City Company, will guide the new entertainment and educational resource. “Ozarkly’s primary focus is what makes our park and region so special,” Thorsen explains, “Those stories and legacies left behind by those who came before us, but also the cutting-edge thinking and new traditions that make Silver Dollar City a one-of-a-kind destination.” 

Ozarkly topics will always be authentically Ozarkly. “Until now, there has not been a unique online home for our content that spans media channels,” Thorsen says. “Now, we have a place where we can share with the country, with the world, what makes Silver Dollar City and our region so distinct.”

The creation of Ozarkly comes at a time when telling the genuine stories of the park and destination is more accessible than before, thanks to the increasing prevalence of social media in our everyday lives. “In the age of social media, where content is perfectly curated, the demand for ‘real’ content is greater than ever before,” notes Thorsen. “Ozarkly will serve as that hub for original content — content about real people and their deep connection with this special place.”

Known for rich storytelling and place-setting, Ozarkly operates under the Silver Dollar City Company umbrella, where the company’s flagship theme park, Silver Dollar City, has been telling the story of the Ozarks to guests for more than six decades. Content is now live on www.ozarkly.com with new weekly content in development.

MILTON KEYNES, U.K. — RWS Global, the world’s largest producer of live experiences, today announced the appointment of Danielle Tanton to the role of Director, Business Development. With her extensive IP-themed entertainment licensing expertise, Tanton is poised to strengthen RWS Global’s business development and strategic partnerships, as the company continues to expand globally. 

Based at RWS Global’s UK headquarters, Tanton has over 13 years of experience in the themed entertainment industry, including roles at Mattel, Paramount and Entertainment One. Most recently, she served as head of licensing at The Path Entertainment Group, responsible for sub-licensing Monopoly Lifesized, the SAW: Escape Experience and the upcoming Paddington Bear Experience into international markets. Tanton’s work has allowed her to license experiences and manage accounts for several large-scale intellectual properties, including Nickelodeon, MTV, Paramount, Channel 5’s Milkshake!, Teletubbies, Peppa Pig and Thomas & Friends.

“We are thrilled to welcome Danielle to our team and are confident that she will play a pivotal role in shaping our global business strategies and contributing to our overall growth,” said Rochelle Wilhelm, VP, Business Development, RWS Global.

“I am delighted to be joining the business development team at RWS Global, representing an incredible breadth of capabilities,” said Tanton. “Contributing to RWS Global’s impressive history of projects, I look forward to supporting the expansion of the business on land and at sea.”

Tanton is currently President-Elect for the Themed Entertainment Association Europe and Middle East (TEA EME) Divisional Board after a 6.5-year service and is set to serve as President for 2 years starting in 2025. Other honors include being named an Inside Out Award finalist, an MBS Woman to Watch in Hospitality and a LIMA International Rising Star.

As Director, Business Development, Tanton will be based in the UK and support business development opportunities Worldwide across the RWS Global portfolio, including but not limited to show production, seasonal installations, master planning and design, brand toolkits, costume design, casting, operations and retail development.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Legacy Entertainment, the acclaimed designer of several of the world’s largest Theme Parks, Resorts, and Aquariums, will be making its Saudi Arabian debut at May’s Saudi Entertainment and Amusement (SEA) Expo in Riyadh, May 7-9. There, the company will debut its brand new Expo Booth, which has been custom designed specifically for the SEA event.

During the SEA Expo, Taylor Jeffs, Legacy’s President and Chief Creative Officer, will be delivering a keynote speech.

“Saudi Arabia is the most exciting market in the world right now,” said Eric Carnagey, Legacy’s Managing Director, as well as one of the firm’s owners. “With a combination of vision, talent, and access to capital, there is an opportunity there to transform the way the entire world experiences and consumes the next generation of location-based entertainment.”

Despite this being Legacy’s first public showcase in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the firm has been active in the region for several years. Currently, Legacy has four projects in the Middle East at various stages of design and construction.

Long known as a dominant themed attraction-design force throughout Asia, the executives at Legacy point out that they have been waiting for just the right opportunity before diving into the Saudi Arabian market

“A key part of Legacy’s success over the years has been exercising great discretion in selecting the exact right projects with the exact right partners,” Carnagey adds. “We have waited a long time for just the right opportunities in Saudi Arabia to present themselves, and we are confident that within the very near future, the Legacy brand will be successfully launched in this vital region with the strongest suite of new partners and projects imaginable!”

This year’s SEA Expo comes at a pivotal time for the bustling Saudi Arabian market. Despite there only being a few operating Theme Parks available in the region at this time, a recent YouGov study has indicated that 1 in 5 Saudi residents prefer Theme Parks as their go-to leisure destination. “This figure is remarkably strong for a market in its infancy and suggests a bright future for the various parks in that region which are currently under-construction, including Six Flags Qiddiya,” Carnagey concludes.

NIKITO has forged a dynamic partnership with Sacoa Cashless System, integrating their innovative products and services, such as Spark Readers and RFID PlayCards, to redefine guest experiences. Spanning an impressive 10,000 square meters, this location celebrated its grand opening on April 6th.

Hugo Perpere, CEO & founder of NIKITO, expressed his excitement for the incorporation of Sacoa’s technologies into their operations: “[…w]e’re thrilled to team up with Sacoa, introducing the latest in cashless innovations to NIKITO. Their advanced solutions seamlessly aligns with our needs, ensuring guests enjoy a smooth experience while optimizing our profitability.”

Pol Mochkovsky, CEO of Sacoa International, extended gratitude to NIKITO for selecting Sacoa as its cashless system provider: “We are honored to have been chosen by NIKITO to provide our state-of-the-art system,” Pol remarked. “Their exceptional FEC in France underscores their dedication to delivering outstanding entertainment, and we’re proud to contribute to their success.”

Situated in the Accessite Domus shopping center near Paris, in Rosny-sous-Bois, NIKITO DOMUS offers immersive activities tailored for guests of all ages.