St Louis Zoo Holds Open House on Expansion Plans

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Artists rendering of proposed St Louis Zoo expansion

St. Louis, MO, USA (December 12, 2012) -- The St. Louis Post-Dispatch discusses last night's open house  by the St. Louis Zoo about expansion plans on the former Forest Park Hospital:

"This fall, the St. Louis Zoo Association closed on its $6 million purchase of 14 acres just south of Highway 40, site of the old Deaconess Hospital."Tuesday night, St. Louis residents said what they wanted built there."One suggested a boutique hotel. One touted a trolley, to ferry guests into the zoo. One proposed a pedestrian bridge across Highway 40 (Interstate 64). Another suggested “a new home for the Rams.”"But most held smaller ideas, reflecting hopes for their streets and neighborhood: A farmer’s market. A corner store. An ice cream shop. A local-food restaurant. Bike rentals. And, in several cases, a dog park."At the three-hour open house, the zoo’s hired planning and design team presented a half-dozen placards with dozens of ideas for the land — just ideas, they noted carefully — ranging from exhibits and attractions to traffic and research parks."They showed pictures of a grass-roofed greenhouse in California, a gigantic Ferris wheel in London, a hot air balloon that rises over the Philadelphia zoo, glass-walled aquariums, and the bulbous gardens of Marina Bay, Singapore.“'Who knows if it will come to fruition?' said Jim Wolterman, co-owner of the planning firm, SWT Design. 'But the idea is to stimulate the imagination. Projects like these all started with visionary ideas.'"The SWT photo montages suggested zip lines, suspension bridges, giant wooden playgrounds, vegetable gardens, trains, trams and hotels.";I think our attitude for tonight is, let’s not dream small. Let’s dream big,' said SWT principal Ted Spaid. 'I have seen things happen in this town I never thought would happen.'”READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

Cedar Point to Spend $60 Million on Renovations to Hotels and Beachfront Properties

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Sandusky, OH, USA -- The Toledo Blade reports on Cedar Point's planned improvements to its hospitality operations:

"With its sprawling Breakers Hotel, pristine nationally-known beach, Atlantic City-style boardwalk “roller chairs,” and shoreline rides like the Water Toboggan, the Cedar Point peninsula was crowded every summer with visitors anxious to spend lots of days and nights at the Erie County resort.

"Matt Ouimet thinks Cedar Point can be that way again.

"The Cedar Fair LP president and chief executive officer recently green-lighted a $60 million three-year reinvestment of hotel properties at the Sandusky-based amusement park chain’s flagship Cedar Point property. If successful, the move could convince more visitors to plan multi-day stays at Cedar Point rather than one-day visits.

"The trio of company-owned hotels — the historic Breakers Hotel, upscale Sandcastle Suites, and 12-year-old Breakers Express hotel — at Cedar Point must become “more than a room for the night,” Mr. Ouimet said.

"The former Walt Disney Co. executive said the importance of Cedar Point to its parent company is obvious.

“'It’s more a destination resort or super regional park than any of the other parks we have. Its resorts play a much bigger role here than we would see at any of our other parks,' Mr. Ouimet said.

“'I was talking to some of our guests earlier about what they would like to see. They said they would like to see the resorts more refreshed and the beach enhanced,' he said.

"After 18 months at Cedar Fair’s headquarters, which is nestled between Cedar Point’s nostalgic buildings and beach and is but a short walk from the park’s midway, Mr. Ouimet agrees with those customers who want a restoration of the park’s hotel and beach properties.

“'I’ve become enamored with this place,' he said of the 106-year-old park. 'This is a very important asset not only to our company, but to the state of Ohio.'After 18 months at Cedar Fair’s headquarters, which is nestled between Cedar Point’s nostalgic buildings and beach and is but a short walk from the park’s midway, Mr. Ouimet agrees with those customers who want a restoration of the park’s hotel and beach properties.

"Mr. Ouimet envisions hotels with greater ambience — an aspect he may have learned from running Disney’s Cruise Ship lines — and a beach where families can play, stroll, and bathe in the Lake Erie waters during breaks from the amusement park or nearby Soak City water park.

"To make that vision reality, two weeks ago Cedar Fair announced it would sell its Knott’s Soak City water park in the San Diego suburb of Chula Vista to SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. Cedar Fair will use the sale’s proceeds to help fund makeovers at its Cedar Point hotels."
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Big & Digital to Distribute Giant Screen Film "In Saturn's Rings"

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Henderson, NV, USA (December 18, 2012) -- BIG & Digital, LLC and SV2 Studios, LLC announced today that In Saturn's Rings will be distributed worldwide by BIG & Digital to the network of IMAX®, Giant Screen, and Full-Dome Theaters. The film will be released in early 2014.

In Saturn’s Rings is a non-profit giant-screen space art film, produced by SV2 Studios, that takes audiences on the ultimate journey of the mind and spirit from the big bang to the wonders of the Solar System climaxing with the Cassini-Huygens Mission at Saturn.

Over One Million photographs, manipulated to create full motion, make up the film's visuals for a photographic fly-through of deep space. Using innovative visual techniques developed by the filmmaker, In Saturn’s Rings lets audiences fly through space and time using real photographs, not CGI. The film will feature powerful music by Ferry Corsten, William Orbit, Samuel Barber and melds narrative visual poetry and science into a rich and emotional experience. The imagery, synchronized to powerful and moving music, provides a direct and powerful opportunity of exploring space.

“We're very excited to work with BIG & Digital to bring the film to the network of Giant Screen Theaters,” said Stephen van Vuuren of SV2 Studios. “In Saturn’s Rings is literally a big and digital film, so this is a perfect match for presenting the film in the best light to the industry.”

“I have been following Stephen's film for several years and I appreciate his passion for a unique and scientific space film that reaches an emotional level with audiences. The film is different than the space films that have come before it and we are looking forward to be bringing In Saturn’s Rings to theaters worldwide,” said Tina Ratterman, founder of BIG & Digital.

A one minute clip with millions of views on the internet was named one of NASA’s “Astronomy Pictures of the Day.” The online space and scientific communities support and endorse the project including resources and support from Bill Nye “The Science Guy” and The Planetary Society. Individual scientists from NASA, JPL, ESA and numerous other scientific institutions are active advisors and volunteers.

More than a dozen volunteer scientists, photographers and image processors are working directly on the production creating custom programs, processing lunar imagery, and creating stunning time-lapse of the dark sky at giant screen resolutions.

More information on the film can be found at www.in_saturnsrings.com and updates and announcements can be received through social media: Twitter - @in_saturnsrings, Facebook at www.facebook.com/insaturnsringsmovie

Distribution and leasing information is available from BIG & Digital. Contact: info@biganddigital.com or 702-932-4045.

About SV2 Studios
SV2 Studios was founded by filmmaker Stephen van Vuuren in 2000 to focus on digital cinema production.  SV2 Studios has produced a range of multimedia projects, including award-winning short and feature length films. The company also provides digital cinema mastering to independent filmmakers. Van Vuuren has become a leading photographic animation artist while creating the stunning visuals for In Saturn's Rings.

About BIG & Digital, LLC
BIG & Digital specializes in distribution of 15/70mm and digital giant screen content to museums, attractions and planetariums. BIG & Digital was founded in March 2009 by Tina Ratterman. Ratterman is a veteran in the giant screen industry with more than 15 years of successful marketing and distribution experience. More information can be found at www.biganddigital.com.

Utopia Entertainment Helps Turn 20th Anniversary of House of Blues' Sunset Strip Location into a Blast

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Studio City, CA, USA -- Utopia Entertainment created a spectacle on Tuesday December 4, 2012 at the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip for their 20th Anniversary Celebration. Utopia produced a pre-show for the event that included a grand entrance for the Blues Brothers, Elwood and Zeke Blues, played in character by Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi. The event was to commemorate 20 years of being an iconic live music venue and included performances by the Blues Brothers, Deer Tick, Flogging Molly, and Rock and Roll hall of famers and legendary rock band ZZ Top.

Utopia Entertainment sent Elwood and Zeke Blues in their classic “Blues Mobile” down Sunset Boulevard with a full police motorcade and news helicopter to help guide them. The Brothers were on a “mission from God” to flip the switch that would kick off the evening’s festivities. Once they arrived at the venue, the duo took the stage and after Aykroyd spoke a few words, Belushi pulled the switch and a pyrotechnic
spectacular began including a ten-foot-tall “20” that was set ablaze raised 40 feet above street level and 20 comets that exploded off of the iconic water tower, one for each year the venue has been in business. This was the largest 90-second fireworks display ever seen on the Sunset Strip. As the pyrotechnics ended, a huge boom sounded and streamers filled the front of the venue. This prompted the beginning of a night of music,  food, and celebration.

“We were thrilled to be invited back to the House of Blues to continue to create spectacular elements for them. Having been a Blues Brothers fan since their first appearance back in the ‘70s, this was truly an honor and a great deal of fun,” said Norm Kahn, Utopia Entertainment CEO.


 For more information, visit www.utopiaworldwide.com

ABOUT UTOPIA ENTERTAINMENTUtopia Entertainment, Inc., with production offices in Los Angeles, is a leading provider of entertainment solutions for clients around the globe. Utopia Entertainment’s Design, Production, and Operations groups all focus on a singular goal: Providing “World Class” entertainment experiences for commercial applications worldwide.

Wet 'n' Wild Las Vegas Announces Senior Management

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 Las Vegas, NV, USA -- Two amusement and water park industry experts have joined the Wet ‘n’ Wild Las Vegas management team.Takuya Ohki has been named general manager, and Rick Belhumeur is director of operations and maintenance. Both are highly regarded managers at Village Roadshow Theme Parks, a part of Village Roadshow Limited, internationally recognized as one of the largest and most diverse entertainment companies in the world.

Ohki was the general manager of Wet ‘n’ Wild Hawaii in Oahu following its 2008 acquisition by Village Roadshow Theme Parks when it was Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park. His responsibilities covered revenue generation, marketing, sales, finance, guest satisfaction, operations and maintenance, park safety and human resources, and he managed the $8 million capital transformation and rebranding of the park to its current name. In 1999, Ohki joined Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park – then a new start-up tourism venture – and worked in all facets of park operations in positions of increasing responsibility.

Ohki has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Brigham Young University-Hawaii.

Belhumeur will oversee Wet ‘n’ Wild Las Vegas’ aquatics, loss prevention, facilities and park services departments. He joined Village Roadshow Theme Park in 2009 during construction of its second U.S. water park in Phoenix and was a vital member of the park’s start-up management team, helping create and implement many of the company’s standard operating procedures and policies. Additionally Belhumeur oversaw the construction of unique products including the world’s first Constrictor water slide and the two-acre expansion of Wet ‘n’ Wild JR, the park’s children’s area.

Belhumeur’s experience includes operations and construction management positions at several Paramount Park theme parks and the Hard Rock Park in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

He has a degree in applied social science fromJ. Sergeant Reynolds Community College in Richmond, Va., and is a Jeff Ellis & Associates Lifeguard Instructor, National Aquatic Safety Company Instructor-Trainer and Certified Pool Operator.

About Wet ‘n’ WildLas Vegas
Wet ‘n’ Wild Las Vegas will be Nevada’s largest water park and home to more than 25 exhilarating slides and attractions. It is expected to open in May 2013 with attractions ranging from extreme water slides, including the first-of-its-kind in North America three-person Rattler, to family friendly interactive play areas. Valued at more than $50 million, the 41-acre park is ideally located in southwestLas Vegas near the I-215 and Sunset Road at7055 S. Fort Apache Rd.,Las Vegas, NV 89148 on a parcel of land leased from The Howard Hughes Corporation. Project investors include Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, Dr. Steven and Karen Thomas of the Thomas and Mack family of Las Vegas, Roger and Scott Bulloch of SPB Partners and Australian entertainment conglomerate Village Roadshow Limited which also will manage the park along with holding a 51 percent ownership. For more information, visit www.WetnWildLasVegas.com.

Imagineer Roger Broggie Jr. Passes Away

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San Francisco, CA, USA (December 12, 2012) -- The Walt Disney Family Museum released the following statement on behalf of Diane Disney-Miller:

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Roger Broggie Jr., whose death was caused by a head injury sustained from a fall while working on a parade float in his Oregon hometown yesterday. Roger followed his father, Roger Sr., who was not only the head of the Disney Studio machine shop, but also my father’s mentor in the building of his Lilly Belle steam engine train. Roger Jr., his son Gary, and Don Iwerks, were the source of inspiration for all of The Walt Disney Family Museum’s camera displays, which include the mighty multiplane camera. The work and spirit of these men were an important part in building this institution, and our thoughts go out to his family and friends. We will miss him dearly.

New Zealand Ferry Operator Fullers Group Chooses Gateway for Ticketing and Access Control Software

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Boyertown, PA (December 17, 2012) -- Gateway Ticketing Systems is pleased to announce that the Fullers Group Ltd. has chosen Gateway’s flagship product, Galaxy™, for their ticketing and access control software. Fullers Group, located in New Zealand, has been the leading ferry operator in Auckland for over 20 years. The company offers a wide range of ferry trips, tours and charters in Auckland Harbour and the Hauraki Gulf Islands. Installing Galaxy on the ferry and tour vessels will enable Fullers to combat potential theft and fraud. By printing tickets on demand, rather than using preprinted ticket products, there is less opportunity for ticket theft or loss. And Galaxy’s Pass Module means that Fullers can now issue monthly photo passes to more easily verify pass holders.

Gateway Assistant General Manager Jim McGregor is excited about the what the new system will mean for Fullers Group: “Using Galaxy is going to take Fullers to the next level in two regards: in providing better customer service and improving operational efficiency.” McGregor continued, “For example, pass renewal on the eGalaxy Consumer Web Store means their regular customers don’t have to stand in line every month for a ferry pass. The Print At Home ticket option available on the eGalaxy Consumer, Mobile and Reseller Web Stores will shorten lines at ticket counters and allow all sales to be stored in a single database and pull from the same capacities for all sales channels.”

Simon Ford of Fullers Group echoed the customer-based benefits in the decision to go with Galaxy: “The Fullers customer base is a blend of commuters and tourists. The other solutions we looked at tended to offer a solution which had a stronger focus on either the tourist or the commuter. Galaxy however represents a good solution for both customer types, meeting the ticketing requirement for commuters, as well as being able to offer a tourist-oriented package. A further major benefit is Galaxy’s ability to integrate our food and beverage products, allowing us to sell all our products on a single integrated platform.”

The Galaxy Admission Control module will provide clear and accurate ridership numbers, allowing Fullers to make the best possible operational decisions and to track usage on passes. Admission control will also provide their Marketing department with more information so they can created targeted promotions, including the Galaxy Packages module, Galaxy Loyalty programs and Galaxy Upsell opportunities.

Gateway Ticketing Systems and its employees are thrilled to welcome Fullers Group to the Gateway family and look forward to a long and successful relationship.

For more information on Gateway Ticketing Systems, visit www.gatewayticketing.com For more information about Fullers, visit http://www.fullers.co.nz.

About Gateway Ticketing Systems, Inc.:
Gateway Ticketing Systems, Inc. is a world leader in admission control and ticketing software for the attraction, amusement, and transportation industries. Located in Boyertown, Pennsylvania, Gateway Ticketing Systems provides sales, service and support for Point of Sale and ticketing systems throughout North America and worldwide.

About Fullers Group Ltd:
Fullers has been the largest ferry operator in Auckland for over 20 years and offers a range of cruises around Auckland Harbour and to surrounding islands. Its portfolio includes daily public transport services, harbour cruises and island tours with over 4 million passengers carried per year, including commuters and tourists.