Nickelodeon, Herschend execs to speak on branding, themed environments & architecture at TEA's SATE conference Sept 30-Oct 1 in Orlando

SATE Conference 2010Orlando, FL, August 16, 2010 -- Nickelodeon Recreation VP and Creative Director John Paul Geurts will moderate a discussion on branding and themed environments at the annual SATE conference hosted by the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) Sept. 30-Oct. 1 at Universal Orlando Resort.

With the theme "Telling the Inherited Story," the 2-day SATE conference examines the making of compelling places and guest experiences at theme parks and museums. SATE denotes Story, Architecture, Technology, Experience. Early bird registration for SATE is in force through Aug. 30.

Geurts's branding panel will include Tina Skees, Corporate Director, Guest Experiences of Herschend Family Entertainment and Donald J. Weber AIA of design/build firm The Weber Group, Inc. It is one of two architecture-related panels at SATE organized by Penny Peavler, Director of Brand Development and Marketing for The Weber Group.

"Where in the world is the future of hospitality design?" is the topic to be explored in the second panel, moderated by Peavler and including Fran Boettcher, AIA LEED AP of PBS&J, Jonathan F. Douglas AIA, Managing Principal with VOA Associates Inc. and Dave Eagleson, Vice President at Forrec Ltd.

"Commitment to sustainability is important for the future, not only in terms of materials and systems but also in terms of process, life cycle and integration of technology," notes Douglas. "This could be everything from trip-planning, check-in and how the room works, to changing elements based on individual moods and expectations."

SATE topics and speakers will also include:

- The Wizarding World of Harry Potterâ„¢: Members of the team that brought this new attraction to life at Universal Orlando® Resort discuss the process of keeping the integrity of the story intact while developing it into an immersive guest experience.

- Beyond All Boundaries: Presenters from The Hettema Group, a design and masterplanning company, talk about the creation of the award-winning new 4-D theatrical multimedia experience at the World War II Museum in New Orleans.

- Fort Worth Museum of Science and History: Van Romans, president of FWMSH and former Disney executive and Chick Russell of Chick Russell Communications present the 21st Century transformation of the Museum.

- Walt Disney Imagineers share philosophies and approaches in "Keeping the Magic Fresh: Evolving the Legacy."

Registration for SATE 2010 is now open.

About SATE (Storytelling, Architecture, Technology, Experience)

SATE is a professional design conference presented by the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) annually since 2007. The mission of SATE is to stimulate dialog among the makers of compelling places and guest experiences, reaching across a broad range of creative disciplines and market sectors within the attractions industry. SATE provides an environment to share diverse ideas and concepts, to challenge and inspire, and to discover collaborative opportunities. SATE Committee Chair is Kile Ozier.

A European counterpart, the first SATE Europe, is currently in planning stages by the TEA Europe & Middle East Division. It will take place in addition to the US conference.

SATE is organized by a volunteer committee of TEA leaders in conjunction with TEA staff. SATE 2010 committee chair is Kile Ozier, working with Larry Tuch of Narrative Concepts, Dan Christman of X-nth, Steve Birket of Birket Engineering, Penny Peavler of Weber Group and George A. Head.

SATE 2010 sponsors include Birket Engineering, Electrosonic, PBS&J, Thorburn Associates, Universal Studios and VOA Associates Inc.

About TEA

The TEA (Themed Entertainment Association) is an international nonprofit alliance founded in 1991 and based in Burbank, Calif. TEA represents some 7,000 creative specialists, from architects to designers, technical specialists to master planners, scenic fabricators to artists, and builders to feasibility analysts working in more than 650 firms in 30 US states and 40 different countries. TEA presents the annual Thea Awards and the TEA Summit and hosts the annual SATE conference (Story, Architecture, Technology, Experience). TEA also produces a variety of print and electronic publications, including the TEA/AECOM Theme Index, TEA Project Development Guidelines, and TEA Annual & Directory.

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