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    • MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS
    • Member Benefits
    • Member Directory
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    • TEA NextGen
    • CAREER CENTER
    • TEA Global Partners
    • Portal
  • NEWS AND EVENTS
    • ALL EVENTS
    • Calendar
    • TEA INSPIRE
    • TEA SATE >
      • SATE Europe
      • SATE North America >
        • SATE SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLKIT
    • TEA Code of Conduct
    • TEA Theme & Museum Index
    • Member News
    • Blog
    • Sponsorship Opportunities
  • DIVISIONS
    • Asia Pacific
    • Eastern North America
    • Europe & Middle East
    • Western North America
    • TEA Division Boards
  • AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
    • TEA MASTERS >
      • Keeping Up With The Masters!
    • THEA AWARDS >
      • 29th Annual Thea Award Recipients
      • ORDER A TROPHY
      • HISTORY OF THEA AWARDS
      • THEA AWARDS DIGITAL PROGRAMS
      • THEA COMMITTEE
      • SUBMIT YOUR PROJECT
    • CATALYST AWARD
    • PETER CHERNACK AWARD
  • About Us
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SATE North America

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Origins and Influencers: The People, Places and Ideas That Shape Our Industry
WHY KANSAS CITY?

​As storytellers, we enjoy a good origin story, and few cities have a richer tale than Kansas City.  SATE North America this year will take us to a city rooted in entertainment and the arts.  While SATE encourages looking to the future, it is just as informative to learn from our past.

​Based in the “Heart of America”, this year’s SATE North America conference will review what the past has taught us, engage in the lessons of those that influence us, take a risk on future innovations, and create the next generation of experiences. 
“Around here, however, we don’t look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we’re curious … and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” - Walt Disney
As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Walt Disney moving to Los Angeles, let’s celebrate all the great origin stories and the people that influence us and the industry. Let us discuss how the past informs the future and how art and storytelling are the DNA of innovation.
SATE NORTH AMERICA SCHEDULE
wednesday, october 11
3:00 PM
Hard Hat Laugh-O-Gram Studio Tour presented by Thank You Walt Disney
Space is limited.

6:00 PM
​Opening Welcome Reception and Masters Pinning Ceremony at Union Station
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12
7:45 AM
​Registration Opens
.

8:00 AM
​​Breakfast
.

8:45 AM
Welcome & Introductions
  • ​Garrick Hansen, Principal, EXP
  • Shannon Martin, Director of Development, Color Reflections
  • Greg Senner, Director Project Development, Scenario

9:00 AM
Keynote Conversation - Leslie Iwerks on The Iwerks Story: Forging an Uncharted Path in Animation, Technology & Themed Entertainment
Leslie Iwerks, Academy Award and Emmy-nominated director, Writer, and Producer; CEO & Creative Director, Iwerks & Co.
Moderated by: 
Jason Surrell, Executive Creative Director, Universal Creative

9:50 AM
How Live Entertainment Can Beat the Metaverse
Val Syganevich, President, Сo-Founder, Freckled Sky

10:10 AM
Designing For the Future… Today: How Performance Architecture Has Evolved to Future Proof the Creative Expressions of Tomorrow
Gary Wright, Director, Charcoalblue

10:40 AM
​Break
.

11:10 AM
Mentor Story: The Origins of Inspiration
Dave Cooperstein, Senior Creative Designer, PGAV Destinations

11:20 AM
Creating the Illusion of Reality: How Disney Animation Influenced the Design of Theme Parks
Dennis Tanida, Principal, Stantec

11:40 AM
​​The Roots & Fruits of the Dreaming Tree: Uncovering Missouri’s Fertile Soil and its Influence on Themed Entertainment
  • Freddy Martin, Collective Director, Storyland Studios
  • Mel McGowan, Chief Creative Officer, Storyland Studios
  • Matthew Parrish, Media Professor, Disney Historian, and Host of Thirty20Eight
  • Andy Merkin, Creative Director, Experiences & Games, COSM
  • Cynthia Brown, Principal, Museum EXP
  • Jason Surrell, Executive Creative Director, Universal Creative

12:40 PM
​​​Lunch
.

1:35 PM
Mentor Story: The Origins of Inspiration
Erica McCay, Creative Director, Valtech Themed Entertainment Studio

1:40 PM
Artificial Intelligence and Experience Creation
  • Phil Hettema, Chief Executive Officer, THG
  • Michael Libby, Founder & CEO, Worldbuildr

2:00 PM
Animatronics Unleashed: Journeying Through the Past and Pondering the Future of Theme Park Magic!
  • Jay Rottinghaus, Executive Vice President, Strategy at LF Studios
  • Rodney Heiligman, President, LifeFormations
  • ​Sonny Tilders, Founder, CEO and Design Director, Creature Technology Company
  • John Wood, Sally Dark Rides
  • Michael Libby, Founder & CEO, Worldbuildr

2:50 PM
​Break
.

3:20 PM
TEA Masters Induction
Master of Ceremonies: Lanny Smoot, Disney Research Fellow, Walt Disney Imagineering

4:00 PM
Computationality of Experience: Designing at the Intersection of Systems and Humans Across Our Layers of Reality
Rachel Joy Victor, Strategist, Designer, Worldbuilder

4:20 PM
Are you AUTHENTIC? The What and Why of Cultural Authenticity!
Molly Piveral, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Fivestone Studios

6:00 PM
A Beautiful Disruption: Experiencing the Bloch Galleries, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Advance Sign-Up Required - Registration Opening Soon.

7:15 PM
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos NFL Game
Sold Out - Transportation on your own.
Friday, October 13
7:45 AM
Registration Open

8:00 AM
​Breakfast

8:45 AM
Welcome & Introductions
  • ​Garrick Hansen, Principal, EXP
  • Shannon Martin, Director of Development, Color Reflections
  • Greg Senner, Director Project Development, Scenario

9:00 AM
Sustainability Toolbox: What You Need for Today, Tomorrow and Beyond
Amy Pastor, Vice President, Sustainability, EXP

9:20 AM
How to Leverage Technology to Enhance Rather than Distract
  • Andrew Fastman, Director, Destination Entertainment, Cuningham
  • Mel McGowen, Chief Creative Officer, Storyland Studios
  • Val Syganevich, President, Сo-Founder, Freckled Sky
  • Gregg Katano, Senior Advisor, Innovation and Partnerships, Allureum and Medici XD
  • Brant Underwood, Associate Principal, Theatre Projects

10:10 AM
Immersive Storytelling for Real and Imagined Worlds
Margaret Chandra Kerrison, Author/Narrative Lead 

10:35 AM
​Break

11:05 AM
Mentor Story: The Origins of Inspiration
Rachel Joy Victor, Strategist, Designer, World Builder

11:10 AM
Popular Nostalgia: When Everything Old Becomes Cool Again
David M. Edmonds Jr., Art Director, MDSX

11:35 AM
​Keynote Session: The Marceline, MO, Walt Disney Story
Kay Malins, Founder, Walt Disney Hometown Museum

12:20 PM
​Lunch

1:20 PM
Mentor Story: The Origins of Inspiration
Kourtney Day, Senior Director of Business Development, Jim Henson’s Creature Shop

1:30 PM
Let’s Meet Up! Social Capital in the Theme Parks
Jovon Harkless, Freelance Art Director

1:50 PM
The Rapid Evolution of Community Engagement and Remarkable Experiences: What Industry Trends & Progressive Behaviors are Fueling Change for the Future
  • Spencer Farley, Practice Director/Entertainment-Dimensional Innovations
  • James Anderson, Senior Director, FORREC Ltd.
  • Amahl Hazelton, Strategy and Development, Moment Factory
  • Chris Moore, Executive Consultant, Electrosonic

2:40 PM
​Break

3:10 PM
​Mentor Story: The Origins of Inspiration
Dave Cooperstein, Senior Creative Designer, PGAV Destinations

3:20 PM
10 Lessons LBE Can Learn from Tabletop and Escape Rooms
  • Ariel Rubin, Creators of Fun, Wild Optimists​
  • Juliana Moreno, Creators of Fun, Wild Optimists

4:00 PM
The Changing Landscape of Entertainment Destinations and the Future of Immersive Live Experiences
Brian Mirakian, Director of Digital Entertainment and Brand Activation for the Americas / Senior Principal, Populous

4:20 PM
Discussion on Sports Entertainment and the Evolution of the Modern Stadium
Mark Donovan, President, Kansas City Chiefs

6:00 PM
​Evening Event at Worlds of Fun
Transportation provided. Event includes: Dinner, Zambezi Zinger, & access to Experience Haunt.
Saturday, October 14 - STUDENT / NEXTGEN ONLY
8:00 AM
Registration Opens

8:00 AM
​Breakfast

8:15 AM
​Welcome & Introductions
  • ​Garrick Hansen, Principal, EXP
  • Shannon Martin, Director of Development, Color Reflections
  • Greg Senner, Director Project Development, Scenario

8:20 AM
​Rotating Discussion 1: TEA NextGen Speed Networking / Masters Panel / Design Session

9:30 AM
​Break

9:45 AM
​Rotating Discussion 2: TEA NextGen Speed Networking / Masters Panel / Design Session

10:55 AM
​Break

11:10 AM
​Rotating Discussion 3: TEA NextGen Speed Networking / Masters Panel / Design Session

12:20 PM
Lunch

2:00 PM
Kids and Cats: Inspiring Interactive Play
  • Jenny Lim, Interactive Designer, Valtech Themed Entertainment Studio
  • ​Erica McCay, Creative Director, Valtech Themed Entertainment Studio

2:45 PM
Attraction Technology Lab Walkthrough
  • Loren Barrows, Chief Operating Officer, Alcorn McBride
  • Scott Harkless, Chief Innovation Officer, Alcorn McBride
  • Larry Howard, Vice President of Business Development, Quince Imaging

3:30 PM
Redos, Pivots, and Repairs: Transform Your Networking Story
  • Lisa Lowe, Associate Business Development, Scenario
  • ​​Erica McCay, Creative Director, Valtech Themed Entertainment Studio

4:15 PM
Behind the Evil: Illumination's Villain-Con Minion Blast at Universal Studios Florida
  • Carson Luter, Associate Project Manager, Universal Creative
  • Tony Mecca​, Studio Animation director and Creative Producer, Universal Creative
SATE NORTH AMERICA PRICING
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Register Now For SATE North America!

THANK YOU TO OUR SATE NORTH AMERICA SPONSORS

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2023 SATE NA SPONSORSHIP PROSPECTUS
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