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