CHICAGO — At its Spring 2024 opening, Flyover in Chicago became the newest of Flyover Attractions’ immersive indoor flying rides, joining existing installations in Las Vegas; Vancouver, Canada; and Reykjavik, Iceland, that transports guests to the planet’s most epic places through exhilarating flying journeys.

Located within Chicago’s landmark waterfront Navy Pier, the multi-sensory experience, which incorporates leading drone technologies along with impressive aerial shots and first-person narratives, showcases the city from perspectives never seen before. Flyover’s signature Chicago journey is shown on an impressive 65-foot spherical screen with flight motion seats engineered to swoop, dip and turn, giving guests the feeling of flight. The attraction transports 61 guests at a time, with complete sensory immersion using wind, mist and scents, as fliers hang suspended.

The breathtaking ride employs a massive number of audio sources, which are controlled and dynamically spatialized by the advanced audio object and Wave Field Synthesis features of FLUX:: SPAT Revolution immersive audio software, then played through a highly customized system of JBL loudspeakers in a nearly spherical configuration. The FLUX:: software and JBL Professional loudspeakers are supplemented with Crown amplifiers, BSS loudspeaker processing, and control systems from HARMAN Professional, who also supplied extensive support and expertise to the project.

Designing and building an attraction like Flyover is a highly complex undertaking, so the thrilling sonic world of Flyover Chicago is the work of a team of experts from several companies working closely together.

Immersive Entertainment
An extensive presentation occurs primarily in its own immersive theatre, which features a 10-foot diameter, circular “lollipop” screen in the center (serving guests on both sides), plus an elliptical screen wrapping 360 degrees around the audience. Sound designer/mixer Tim Archer of Masters Digital programmed SPAT Revolution to control the soundtrack, which plays through a system designed by Wels, Austria-based Kraftwerk Living Technologies (KLT), who also designed the main flight ride audio system.

Speakers are placed behind the perforated screens, with each side of the venue featuring the same speaker configuration: eight JBL COL800 column loudspeakers inside the lollipop facing out (for a total of 16 cabinets), and six JBL AC18/26 compact two-way loudspeakers behind the wraparound screen (for a total of 12). Low-frequency support is provided by four ceiling-mounted JBL ASB6115 subwoofers.

Crucially, these are not arrays in which every loudspeaker receives the same signal; SPAT Revolution sends a discrete signal to each loudspeaker in order to implement Wave Field Synthesis and other reproduction techniques. Still, a source such as dialogue may need a large contribution of speakers for coverage or perceived sound size reasons, a situation which can create its own problems.

“When you’ve got eight speakers that are not in a simple array and all are receiving the same content, how do you get away with not having comb filtering?” asks Archer. “The answer is that you run the signal through SPAT. I pop one track of dialogue into SPAT and WFS spreads it across the eight columns. And you can be almost around the side of the lollipop before you lose the character of the sound; it’s extremely wide. WFS is killer. It’s a game changer.”

A ring of 10 more AC18/26s mounted above the audience (five on each side of the room) acts as the primary source for presenting the music from composer Elliott Wheeler.

The Main Flight Ride
For the flight ride, guests are seated on one of three separate moving platforms which are vertically “stacked” in the room. Presenting realistic, well-balanced sound to every guest was the biggest challenge facing both Archer and KLT’s Philipp Hartl, responsible for Sales/Lead Audio System Design & Optimisation.

“There are three platforms, and that’s critical. We’re talking about people above, in the middle, and below,” reveals Archer. “That is probably the main thing that makes this mix so unique: traditionally, we are all based in the idea that the person mixing is on the same plane as the rest of the audience. You normally don’t have people located on three different planes.

“But at Flyover Chicago you do, so the guests are having three different experiences. Since everybody doesn’t have the same visual perspective, they should not get the same audio perspective.”

Complicating things further was the sheer number of moving elements, which defined a massive mix process. “I am sitting down with just over a thousand tracks, about six hundred for music and about four hundred and change for sound effects,” Archer reports. Handling this tremendous load required SPAT Revolution to work side-by-side with a second immersive audio system from Encircled Audio.

With the platforms in constant motion, object audio was the only way to place a source and have each person hear it properly. Two guests viewing the same visual element from different platforms need separate mixes that accurately localize the sound for their positions, while the platforms continue to move. Traditional multichannel mixes simply cannot accomplish this. For this reason, localization in SPAT Revolution is not viewed in terms of routing sounds into loudspeakers, but, rather, sending them to “pan points” or virtual speakers to synthesize artificial wavefronts.

What’s more, some musical events relate to visual elements, necessitating moving music sources through space, too. “I’ve got a trumpet player on top of the Wrigley Building, and when the camera flies by him, his trumpet sound has got to whip past us,” Archer details. “Every single thing in the mix moves.” To facilitate this, composer Wheeler and his engineer went to the trouble to deliver the music to Archer already in the form of a SPAT Revolution session.

In his sound system design, Hartl faced the same issue of trying to supply sound appropriately to three continuously moving platforms. “As a practical matter, it’s not possible to achieve the exact same coverage at every seat on each platform,” Hartl explains, “so one of the really tricky things was to find a middle way to tune the speakers that minimized the amount of compromise made at any individual seat.”

Hartl used 34 JBL AM7215-series high power two-way loudspeakers, deployed in four different vertical layers, plus four JBL ASB7128 dual 18-inch subwoofers to furnish prodigious amounts of low-frequency effects. As in the pre-show theatre, SPAT Revolution rendered a different signal feed for each loudspeaker. To ensure clear rear localization, a pair of JBL Control 23-1 ultracompact speakers is mounted on each seat back.

Once the content was generated and the system tuned, the presentation was implemented in a show control system for playback by Miami-based Smart Monkeys.

Teamwork is Key
Bringing such an immensely complex project to a successful conclusion involves plenty of tweaking and problem-solving. As a central contributor to the project, HARMAN gave close support to all the teams involved, with Flux’s Hugo Larin being particularly deeply involved in the design and programming of the immersive audio. “Hugo’s involvement was what got the show across the line,” compliments Eric Sambell, Flyover’s Global Director of Construction and Entertainment. “He was knowledgeable and really jumped in, even with issues that weren’t directly involved with SPAT, like some aspects of design and workflow. It was a really great value-add.”

Teams from Flyover and all of the vendors reported tremendous cooperation and support from all parties, which made a difficult, stressful project actually fun. “It was great to see the different companies work together and not against each other, which was the case at Flyover,” enthuses Hartl. ”We learned from each other, and that was the best thing which could have happened there.”

Archer was just as impressed. “The spirit of collaboration started right with the management of Flyover, who assembled teams of people that could and would work together.”

In the end, of course, the effort is not about the sophisticated systems or even the teams, but providing the guests an amazing experience, as Sambell highlights. “The technology has to be so good that it disappears, like it isn’t even there, so that guests enjoy a seamless experience from the moment they walk in the door to when they walk out afterwards,” he asserts. “We don’t want guests thinking about the technology or where they are, we just want them to be present in what’s happening.”

As we close the final chapter of BDR Design Group, we celebrate over 40 years of creativity, innovation, and unparalleled success. It has been an extraordinary journey, bringing to life entertainment destinations that have delighted and inspired millions around the world.

Our success has been fueled by the incredible talents and dedication of our team. Together, we have designed unforgettable experiences, each project a testament to our shared vision and passion. We are immensely proud of the legacy we leave behind, one built on creativity, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

Bruce D. Robinson, our founder and President, has been the heart and soul of BDR Design Group. His vision and leadership have shaped our path and inspired us all. 

Effective September 30th, Bruce will be retiring to embrace more precious moments with his family, and BDR Design Group will be closing the doors on its traditional design practice. Bruce will continue to share his expertise, consulting on unique projects, serving long term clients, and supporting former teammates in their future endeavors.

As we reflect on our achievements, we are filled with gratitude for the friendships, partnerships, and memories we have forged. The spirit of BDR Design Group will live on in the extraordinary projects we have created and in the hearts of those who have been part of our journey.

Thank you to all of the wonderful people that have been a part of our lives over the years and for being a part of our story. Here’s to the future, filled with new adventures and endless possibilities.

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Jack Morey, the creative force behind Morey’s Piers for the past three decades.  Jack wasn’t particularly fond of titles, but was the Company’s Executive Vice President, Chief Creative Officer, and, most importantly, champion of “it will be beautiful…we change everything.”

Jack’s life is a testament to his passion, creativity, and unwavering love of the beauty of people, experiences, and life…which he often insisted on viewing upside down via an impromptu handstand..

Although known for his eccentric and gregarious persona, Jack would often dive deeply and quickly into conversations.  Not one to recognize conventional boundaries, a favorite Jack question upon meeting someone was, “What do you love?”  A question which he was genuinely curious about, which presumably left the unguarded recipient pondering the meaning of life a little more deeply than moments prior.

Jack was long fascinated with people, design, and public spaces from all around the world, and spent his life and career working to bring his incredible and innate creativity to life. If you’ve visited Wildwood, you’ve been touched by Jack’s vision.  The Rio Grande Avenue Gateway, the iconic “Wildwoods” sign, the Wildwood Dog Park and Beach, the Socratic Outdoor Learning Center, the Doo-Wop style architecture, Starlux Mini Golf, and his latest project the Big Little 9 Golf Course are just a few, and of course, Morey’s Piers and Resorts, all bear Jack’s unique vision.  He drew inspiration from the most unlikely places and poured his passion for beauty, art, and human interaction into everything in which he was involved. Jack adored the Wildwoods, often describing it as – “not a place for everybody, but it is a place for anybody,” and in answering the question of what’s your favorite project, there was no hesitation, simply – “the next one, but first we much fall in love.”

Jack saw the world in a way few others do, often combining elements which logically shouldn’t work together…but did. Not one for meetings, committees, or offices (and reported to have declared in jest that budgets were for wimps), he was most often found in the field either dreaming, designing, or clearing the way for his next vision.  Jack’s perspective and passion are inspirations that, while irreplaceable, we will strive to follow as we continue with his personal quest to make Morey’s Piers the “Greatest Seaside Park in the World.”

While Jack loved his job, his true passion in life was his family. He loved his Bride of 36 years, Karen, and his two children, Zack (Morgan) and Jordan (Alyssa), and the many dog companions he had throughout his life, presently Hobbes, Finley, and Frankie. When his grandchildren (Jack, Miller, and Nora) were born, he was the first to jump to the ground to teach them to crawl, spending almost as much time on the ground as the newborns.  

We will draw inspiration from Jack’s constant intrigue and inspiration from the world around him and, in turn, his love of life, people, and creativity. For all of this, we, and anyone who spent time with Jack, are forever grateful.

Services will be held on Monday, July 29 at Assumption Church located at 7100 Seaview Ave in Wildwood Crest.  The Gathering will be from 10 AM – 1 PM, with services immediately to follow.

SAN SEBASTIAN — Wavegarden is excited to shine a light on The Bays, a surfing zone that positively impacts both the way people learn surfing and the financial viability of our wave parks. While much attention is often given to the larger, more impressive Turn, Barrel, and Air waves, the Bays are equally as important for the accessibility of surfing and the success of surf parks.

For business owners, the Bays, with their high capacity of 50 surfers (25 on each side), represent 30-40% of the lagoon’s turnover. And, as the Bay waves are the continuation of the Reef waves, known as reform, they require zero additional energy.

For surfers who are starting out, the Bays offer possibly the safest and most optimal conditions to learn, facilitating rapid improvement. The slow-moving white-water and open-face waves that rise 50 cm high provide ideal rides between 14-18 seconds long. During a one-hour session, all surfers have the opportunity to catch 15 or more waves – something almost impossible to achieve in the ocean.

At one of the most recent Wavegarden facilities to open, Surfland Brasil in Garopaba, the depth in the Bays varies between knee and waist-deep, so surfers are never out of their comfort zone. There´s even a non-slip liner with a cushion underlay to further enhance safety. 

Achieving the perfect conditions in The Bays has been no small feat. Surprisingly, it has required almost as much effort as developing a good air section in the Reef area. What initially seemed straightforward – creating a white water wave that rolls towards the shore – turned out to be quite complex. Our main challenges included obtaining the optimum size and power, and managing currents to ensure they move correctly without sweeping surfers away.

But huge strides have been made and our fluid dynamic experts were thrilled with their recent accomplishments at Surfland Brasil, Garopaba, where The Bay waves are ideal, and turbulence is low.

“The Bays of Surfland are the best of any wave pool in the world, an achievement that has taken many years of testing”, explained Josema Odriozola, CEO and Founder of Wavegarden. “The challenge has been to tame the forces in the water, but I think now we have cracked the code.”

The lagoon operations team at Surfland has developed an innovative method of organizing students in a long line as they await their next wave. Students simply hold on to the leg rope of the surfer in front of them, which keeps everyone neatly positioned in the channel.

Importantly, it is in the Bays that tomorrow’s customers are developing their skills, gaining experience, and fostering a lifelong love for surfing. With nearly 20 different waves to master, today’s Bay surfers are set to become the Reef surfers of tomorrow.

Wavegarden continues to lead the way in providing unparalleled surfing experiences, and the Wavegarden Bays are a testament to our commitment to innovation, safety and accessibility.   

Zamperla and Dinosaur Dream Factory are proud to announce the newest Lightning Coaster opening at Dinosaur DreamWorks. This is Zamperla’s third Lightning coaster and the first to use a vertical chain lift hill.

“As one of the 10 most anticipated roller coasters in the world in 2024, Lightning of Zamperla brings visitors a new thrilling experience that will be a highlight in Hubei province and even the whole world,” said Mr. Ruan from Dinosaur Dream Factory.

The guest experience starts with riders looking straight into the air as they climb the 39 meter (127 foot) vertical lift hill. As the din of the park grows quieter guests reach the apex. In a matter of seconds they go from looking skyward to accelerating towards the ground. After flying down the near-vertical drop they enter the signature vertical loop. They are turned upside down three more times before returning to the station.

“The thrills of this coaster cannot be beat,” said Antonio Zamperla, CEO of Zamperla Group. “What is extremely fun for our team is that this layout is similar to others we have manufactured with our previous Thunderbolt system. We promised our clients that we would provide coasters that were just as thrilling as our old experiences but have significantly improved track quality and more comfortable vehicles. We believe we have exceeded everyone’s expectations,” he exclaimed.

Like its launch coaster counterparts, the Lightning train used for this project features many features that save parks both time and money. “Our clients chose us in part because the Lightning train offers a long-term return on investment (ROI),” said Davide Donadello, Sales & Operation Manager for the China & Korea Region. “The combination of a coaster that offers marketable thrills and reduced maintenance cost is extremely popular,” he noted.

The roller coaster is Zamperla’s largest in the country, the third in the country with a vertical lift and represents over a dozen roller coasters operating in China. Zamperla is one of the only ride manufacturers to have a technical support office in China, which has led to over two decades of success in Asia’s largest market.

This Lightning coaster is the first to utilize Zamperla’s new patent pending BBZ track design. “This track design is not only beautiful, but also some of the best we have fabricated in our company’s history. This was fully manufactured at Zamperla’s roller coaster hall in Europe,” said Adam Sandy, the company’s Roller Coaster Sales and Marketing Director. “The new design requires less materials, which helps keep costs down, while also allowing us to manufacture to extremely tight tolerances,” he noted.

Ride Stats:

• Track Length: 689 meters (2260 feet)
• Maximum height: 39 meters (128 ft)
• Maximum speed: 92 km/h (57 mph)
• Number of Trains: 3
• Passengers per-Train: 8
• Height Restriction: 120 cm (48 in) minimum
• Hourly Capacity: 590 people per-hour

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — For the third time in two weeks, SeaWorld San Antonio experienced the birth of a new member of its whale and dolphin family. Arriving on the heels of the births of a beluga whale and a Pacific white-sided dolphin in late June, the new calf, another Pacific white-sided dolphin, was born under the watchful eyes of animal care specialists and the park’s veterinary team. Upon birth, the calf instinctually swam to the surface of the water for its first breath of air and began swimming alongside its mother.

“Our team has been waiting on this moment for months and it’s finally here,” said Katie Kolodziej, Curator of Zoological Operations at SeaWorld San Antonio and manager of the facility in which all three calves were born. “With three new babies now in our habitat, the team is looking forward to providing the best possible care and enrichment for the calves and their mothers, as well as watching them grow and become a part of our existing pod.”

All three calves have had access to each pool in their two-million-gallon facility, including the main presentation pool. Guests can catch a glimpse of them at various times throughout the day and hear updates about their progress from the zoological staff during special educational chats.

The mother, 17-year-old Ohana, gave birth to the female calf estimated to measure 19 inches long and weigh 21 pounds. For a month prior to the birth of the calf, animal care specialists watched the expectant mother around the clock looking for signs of birth that include changes in the mother’s eating and behavioral patterns, temperature monitoring, and the emergences of the tail flukes. Round the clock observations will continue for at least a month, and data is being collected and compiled to help monitor the well-being of these calves and to share with other zoological facilities.

In late June, the same habitat welcomed a beluga whale calf as well as a Pacific white-sided dolphin calf within 48 hours of each other. In the two weeks since those births, both of those calves have been introduced to each other as well as to other members of the pod that now includes 10 beluga whales and nine dolphins. The SeaWorld zoological team is encouraged that these births are a sign of a healthy marine environment and successful species management.

The “baby boom” at the marine park began earlier this summer with the arrival of a harbor seal, a California sea lion, and an endangered radiated tortoise. All newborns are showing signs of good health and SeaWorld officials are cautiously optimistic that all of the babies and mothers will continue to thrive and integrate well.

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — The East Potomac Miniature Golf Course, America’s oldest continuously operating miniature golf course, and the only outdoor miniature golf course in Washington, D.C., was recently restored to much of its original 1931 splendor by Adventure Golf & Sports (AGS) and will be re-opening this summer. “We were very pleased to have been selected by National Links Trust to rehabilitate this course,” said Scott Lundmark, President of AGS. “This course is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and required exceptional attention to detail.”

National Links Trust (NLT), a non-profit organization dedicated to positively impacting the Washington, DC community and changing lives through affordable and accessible municipal golf, was chosen by the National Park Service (NPS) in 2020 to rehabilitate and operate three Washington, D.C. public golf courses: East Potomac Golf Links, Langston Golf Course and Rock Creek Park Golf. “We are fortunate to have a strong partnership with the NPS and a shared vision for the future of municipal golf in our nation’s capital,” says Clark Pastrick, Director of Capital Projects for the NLT. “Our goal is to keep municipal golf accessible and affordable while improving the facilities to make them true community assets. This project plays an important role in that.”

While transforming the course into a welcoming, affordable community hub, NLT also approached the project with historical accuracy at the forefront of their plans. Luckily for NLT and AGS, there were a number of images and news articles that helped inform the restoration process. They were also supported by the NPS who provided additional knowledge throughout planning, design, and construction. 

For example, a couple of holes that had been re-routed over the years were restored to the original flow of play. Noteworthy restored features include replicas of the White House, Mount Vernon, and the Capitol Building which serve as obstacles, in addition to a wishing well, loop-de-loop, and “Marshmallow Man” obstacle. All of these features had long been lost or had significantly deteriorated over the last several decades. AGS, NLT, and the NPS worked collaboratively and with third-party companies to reproduce and restore these features.

“Being able to restore so many historic elements to the course has been exciting,” Pastrick says. “We were fortunate to have a wealth of resources that were crucial to building and installing the various features with an extremely high degree of accuracy.”

Equally as important as restoring historic features to the course, was improving playability. Over the last several decades, the course suffered from deferred maintenance. Turf was torn and worn down, brick and concrete were chipped and cracked throughout the course, and drop pipes were obstructed causing golf balls to get stuck. NLT and AGS addressed these issues by removing all the existing turf and replacing it, repairing cracks underneath playing surfaces, and installing new drop pipes. For historic stonework, NPS provided certified masons to make repairs.

What will result from the project, Pastrick says, is a course that is fun for all ages. “It is on a pretty large site and the holes are very large providing ample opportunity for people to putt the ball through and around obstacles. It is actually pretty difficult as far as miniature golf courses go, with a few par threes and fours, but we think it will still appeal to everyone from experienced golfers who are taking their family out for a fun activity, to those who may never have touched a golf club before. With a location right next to ‘The Wharf’ (a mile-long development along the Potomac River with restaurants, retailers, residences, and businesses), and our plans for food and beverage, we think we have a really unique opportunity on our hands. This would not have been possible without the partnership of AGS.”

AGS began work on the project in the early spring, persevering through cool and rainy weather that at times made work challenging. Despite this, they completed their work on schedule, allowing grading, drainage, and other sitework to commence in early summer. An exact reopening date has not been determined, but is expected to be in late summer of this year.

AGS’ diligent work was instrumental to keeping the project moving throughout the entirety of the process Pastrick shares. “From the beginning, we felt AGS really understood the historical integrity of the course and our goals. They had a great plan of attack and relevant experience, and we are extremely happy to have chosen them for this project. Working alongside the NPS requires significant documentation and following exact processes, and AGS has been able to provide everything we asked for from a schematic design perspective and a design layout. They have a great team and have done exemplary work. We cannot wait to reopen the course and welcome our community back to play and experience all it has to offer.”

CARLSBAD, Calif — Get ready to boogie! LEGOLAND California Resort, operated by Merlin Entertainments, is turning up the volume and lighting up the dance floor with Brick Boogie, the coolest kids’ nightclub, nestled inside LEGOLAND Hotel. Open nightly exclusively to LEGOLAND Hotel and LEGOLAND Castle Hotel guests, families are invited to make memories and bust some moves this summer and beyond!

Equipped with a light up dance floor, a playlist packed with kid-approved tunes and interactive dance-offs, entertainers keep the party popping from 6 – 9 p.m. every night.

LEGOLAND California Resort Hotels are built for kids with bunk beds and a trundle bed in a separate kids’ sleeping area, in-room treasure hunts, elevator dance parties and silly surprises like a whoopee cushion corner and interactive LEGO models. Both  LEGOLAND Hotel and  LEGOLAND Castle Hotel are just steps away from the Park’s entrance, include a full hot breakfast to fuel up for a day of fun and offer early access to the Resort’s new land, Dino Valley!

Limited Time Hotel + Ticket Package: For a limited time only, get a package that includes $39 kids tickets plus up to 20% off rooms at LEGOLAND California Resort Hotels, where you can experience Brick Boogie, as well as all that LEGOLAND California, SEA LIFE Aquarium and the LEGOLAND Water Park have to offer!

ORLANDO — Guests and clients can watch in awe as fan-favorite films leap off the screen and onto the streets of Universal Studios Florida during Universal Mega Movie Parade, now open at Universal Orlando Resort. The all-new parade highlights iconic movies such as E.T., Back to the Future, JAWS, Ghostbusters, Jurassic World, Illumination’s Minions and Sing, and DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls and Kung Fu Panda.

Universal Mega Movie Parade combines 13 new floats, nearly 100 performers – including dancers, skaters, stilt walkers, poi performers and more – and special effects to create a jaw-dropping experience that allows guests to relive classic film moments in a whole new way. Guests can see the colorful Caterbus with giant rainbows on the vibrant Trolls float, a massive 16-foot Stay Puft Marshmallow Man atop the Ghostbusters float, groovy Minions on a 70s dance floor across the Minions float, a live marching drum line performing the iconic movie score from JAWS alongside a float themed to the film, and – for the epic finale – the fierce Tyrannosaurus rex aboard the Jurassic World float – and so much more. Fans can also spot additional details that pay homage to iconic elements from the films on some of the floats as the parade winds through Universal Studios Florida.

To add to the excitement, guests can purchase all-new interactive bubble wands inspired by some of the parade’s films that illuminate, blow bubbles, vibrate, and activate sounds when interacting with select Universal Mega Movie Parade floats, as well as other bubble wands. Featuring characters from DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls, Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment’s Jurassic World, and Illumination’s Minions, each bubble wand features sounds and lights unique to each character, creating custom interactions for guests to enjoy. The selection of bubble wands is available for purchase now at various retail locations throughout Universal Orlando Resort.

Universal Mega Movie Parade tops off the exciting collection of new experiences that Universal Orlando Resort debuted this summer – offering fun for the whole family from day to night. Other new, “must-see” experiences include:

• DreamWorks Land (located in Universal Studios Florida): an expansive, vibrant themed environment featuring attractions, character meet and greets, interactive play areas and a live show inspired by beloved characters from DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek, Trolls and Kung Fu Panda;
• CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular (located in Universal Studios Florida): a riveting new nighttime lagoon show that takes guests on a cinematic journey through sentimental soundtracks from blockbuster films that have inspired Universal Orlando’s past, present and future attractions;
• Hogwarts Always in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade (located in Universal Islands of Adventure): an all-new castle projection show that takes guests on a journey through iconic moments of a school year at Hogwarts.

Access to all of the incredible new entertainment at Universal Orlando is included with admission to the theme parks. Guests can take advantage of a variety of special offers to plan their visit to enjoy these new experiences and all that the theme park destination has to offer, including:

• the “Get 2 Days Free with a 2-Park, 3-Day Ticket” offer, which allows guests to enjoy five days of theme park fun across Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure for the price of a 3-Day ticket.
• saving 30% off a 3-Park, 5-Night Vacation Package that includes accommodations at Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort or Universal Aventura Hotel. 

CHICAGO, Ill. — The Amusement Expo International #AEI has unveiled its new Show Board for the upcoming March 2025 event.  This group of industry leaders will guide AEI through the next year, leveraging their expertise to enhance the value for exhibitors and attendees in the Out-of-Home #OOH and Family Entertainment Industry #FEC.  Board members include:

• Board Chair: Howard McAuliffe – Pinnacle Entertainment Group.
• Past Chair:  Luke Adams – Pioneer Vending
• Bob Burnham:  Paradise Pinball & Amusements LLC
• Brian Brotsch: Knox Amusements
• Jeff Blair: Sureway Gaming
• Tim Zahn:  American Amusement Arcade
• Joe Camarota: Alpha Omega Sales
• Allen Weisberg: Apple Industries, Inc.
• Pete Gustafson: AAMA
• Lori Schneider: AMOA

AEI has been experiencing consistent growth over the past few years with the 2024 event being described as the largest in history.  This trend underscores the expo’s expanding influence in the industry. Howard McAuliffe, 2025 Show Board Chair, expressed his enthusiasm about the event stating, “It’s an honor for us to be the voice of Amusement Expo International.  The remarkable reception to this event has fueled our commitment to pioneering new initiatives and educational programs that help shape the future of our industry.” 

Amusement Expo International Details:

• Dates:  March 17-20, 2025
• Location:  Las Vegas Convention Center
• Exhibit Registration: Currently open
• Early bird registration deadline:  August 1, 2025

About AEI
Amusement Expo International is recognized as the largest annual conference and trade show for the Out-of-Home, coin-operated #coin-op and revenue-generating amusement, music, and family entertainment industry.  It is uniquely sponsored by both AMOA and AAMA, the leading professional industry associations.  The announcement of this new board and continued growth of AEI highlights the event’s significance in shaping the future of the amusement and entertainment industry.