Mike West

Mike West has a 40+ year career in the entertainment industry and an impressive resume with two legendary companies, as well as smaller design firms, universities, museums, retail locations & cruise ships.

As an Executive Producer at Universal Creative, Mike led the initial blue-sky development of the company's most ambitious project to date - Universal's EPIC UNIVERSE. He also oversaw the creation of multiple award-winning attractions including The Simpsons Ride, Transformers the Ride 3-D, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, and Skull Island: Reign of Kong.

Prior to Universal, Mike was an executive with Walt Disney Imagineering where for 25 years he was deeply involved in developing, writing, directing, and producing more than 80 shows, attractions, retail locations, museums, interactive guest experiences, and new business initiatives. Mike was at the creative forefront during the development of Adventures by Disney, the highly successful travel business launched by The Walt Disney Company in 2005 and now circles the globe with more than 65 Adventures.

As a member of the University of Central Florida’s College of Arts and Humanities Themed Experience Advisory Council, Mike, working with Professor Peter Weishar, was responsible for launching the development of UCF’s Creative Lab, a partnership between the university and Universal Creative that creates unique opportunities for NextGen designers and producers to gain real-world experience within the industry. He has also lectured and mentored students from Carnegie Mellon’s Entertainment Technology Center, UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management, Ringling College of Art & Design, University of Texas, and Savannah College of Art and Design.

In addition to his project work around the globe, Mike served as a primary PR spokesperson for both Universal and Disney. He has been a featured speaker at national and international TEA SATE conferences, the CODE Conference, Disney Cruise Line, and the "What If" Conference in London. He is a past member of the Eastern North America Regional and International Board of Directors for the Themed Entertainment Association.

With his rare combination of talent, leadership experience, mentorship, and industry recognition, Mike West is a true veteran and visionary in the entertainment and attractions business.