The Second Annual Seasonal Attraction Leadership Symposium is going to be on July 30th, 2018, at the Queen Mary in Long Beach and the theme of this year’s event is “First Impressions".

"Crafting memorable first impressions using the key elements of elevation, insight, pride, and
connection is the touchstone for presentations at this year’s event. Added to this year’s
symposium will be discussions following each speaker’s presentation. During these discussions, attendees will meet and share their thoughts about what they just learned and use workbooks to integrate this into their experience and vision for their attractions. Deepening the learning using the discussion and workbook format assures the information goes home with the participant andbecomes part of their reservoir of knowledge."

There will also be a preview of this year's Queen Mary's Dark Harbor. To that end, tickets are limited to 120 seats, so buying tickets as soon as possible is advised. Full press is below with more info.

Gantom-Print CMYK-Transparent Background-Black Font.png

"The Second Annual Seasonal Attraction Leadership
Symposium is July 30th, 2018, hosted by the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California and
produced by Gantom Lighting & Controls. The theme of this year’s event is “First Impressions.”
Besides presentations by leading industry professionals on this theme, the day’s activities will
include a tour of the Queen Mary and an exclusive preview of the upcoming “Dark Harbor”
Halloween event.
Register via Eventbrite here. (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/seasonal-attraction- leadership-
symposium-2018- registration-45141589710?aff=0a3e2d60b4)
Crafting memorable first impressions using the key elements of elevation, insight, pride, and
connection is the touchstone for presentations at this year’s event. Added to this year’s
symposium will be discussions following each speaker’s presentation. During these discussions,
attendees will meet and share their thoughts about what they just learned and use workbooks to
integrate this into their experience and vision for their attractions. Deepening the learning using
the discussion and workbook format assures the information goes home with the participant and
becomes part of their reservoir of knowledge.
For this year’s event, Gantom is seeking speakers on the theme of “First Impressions” as well as
moderators to lead discussions following each presentation; contact Philip (philip@gantom.com)
to apply.
Last year’s Symposium, titled, “Innovation in Interactivity,” was held at Knott’s Berry Farm on
August 1. 2017 Featured keynote talks by Ricky Brigante of Pseudonym Productions, Jon Cooke
and Ken Parks of Knott’s Berry Farm, Quan Gan of Gantom, sociologist and author Margie Kerr,
the Queen Mary’s Brian Luallen, and industry veteran Scott Swenson. To hear speakers’ and
attendees’ comments about last year’s event, watch the trailer here.
Brian Luallen, Director of Entertainment Events at this year’s Symposium venue, the Queen
Mary commented: “The Leadership Symposium is a terrific opportunity to learn from some of
the most inspiring creators in themed entertainment. As a participant in the 2017 Symposium, the
event was incredibly inspirational to me, so the Queen Mary is tremendously excited to host our
peers and showcase the ship’s unique history and attractions.”

Julie Warren of Lightswitch had this to say about the 2017 event: “The Symposium was an
exciting, intimate experience for a diverse collection of leaders in the themed entertainment
industry to get together and learn from each other. It’s an incredible space to engage with and
celebrate the people who work to build new and game-changing experiences.”
"The Haunted Attraction Leadership Symposium creates, engages and inspires. It’s more than
just a day of keynote speakers. I walked away with knowledge while meeting and forming
relationships with some of the most innovative people in the field. I'll be back!" enthused Justin
Fix of JFI Productions—Creep | The Willows | LORE
David Ruzicka, Artistic Director of JFI Productions and Immersive Designer for Weta
Workshop, said, "The Symposium was a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with old friends,
make new ones, and generally nerd out about haunted attraction production in all its wonderful,
terrible forms.”
This was the reaction from the S.T.R.E.A.M. Kids Expo™ Team about last year’s event: “This
symposium was just a taste of the unique atmosphere and work that [Gantom Lighting &
Controls] does to embrace creativity, art, manufacturing, and the vision of individuals within its
company.”
As reflected in these testimonials, the focus of the Symposium is on intimate, one-on- one
interactions with industry movers and shakers. To that end, tickets are limited to 120 seats, so
buying tickets as soon as possible is advised."