“TEA Talks: Whoops! Change of plan!”

Topic of the day was why, how and what to do when things go pear shaped - a theme that is not often being discussed out in the open. Tapping into various examples from the field of themed entertainment, we discussed occasions when things did not go to plan, how they were resolved and what was learned from the experience.

With a fantastic line-up of speakers and panel members consisting of Doriane Couhault (TEA@BUas; current student), Max van Dalfsen (TEA@BUas; current student), Björn Heerwagen (Walt Disney Imagineering), Berbel Boymans (Creative Studio Berlin), Laura Marakowits (Creative Studio Berlin), Robert van den Boom (Theming Engineers), Peter van Holsteijn (Attractiepark Toverland; BUas alumnus), Max Reims (Leisure Expert Group; BUas alumnus), Chris Willrich (D J Willrich Ltd.), Eppo Zeegers (P&P Projects; BUas alumnus), David Debouverie (P+A Projects Pte. Ltd.), Victor Schade (Jora Vision) and Hester Kloosterboer (the SMILE of experience) we had an energizing icebreaker session, a fireside chat next to a larger than life campfire, a challenging quiz, a thought-provoking panel session and a series of excellent presentations.

The event was generously sponsored by Petro Art Production, Boymans Rocks & Boulders and MKTengineering GmbH & Co. KG, all of them being acknowledged parties in the themed entertainment industry. All sponsors indicated to belief in the nature of this event as a catalyst for transfer of knowledge from established industry members to the next and upcoming industry generations. With more than 100 attendants consisting of both students and industry, as well as many compliments on the quality of both the content and organization of the event itself, that goal has certainly been achieved.