Members meet in Paris
Around 80 members of the TEA (Themed Entertainment Association) gathered at Disneyland Resort Paris for two days in June (Thursday 5/Friday 6) for the association’s second European members’ meeting.
Chaired by Kevin Murphy, the event took place inside the Newport Bay Club hotel and after an update on various TEA activities, a keynote was offered by the Paris resort’s vice-president of entertainment, Simon Opie. Addressing “the ubiquitous nature of entertainment everywhere,” Simon asked what this could mean for the industry. Later guests were also able to hear some academic findings about story-telling and then debate the subject in a roundtable session.
A fascinating backstage tour of the resort followed, before a drinks mixer and dinner at Billy Bob’s Saloon. Friday was given over to a full day at the two Disney parks (Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios) with VIP seating at the stunt show.
With no main TiLE conference taking place this summer, the meeting also provided a welcome get-together for several European TEA members who usually attend that event anyway, coupled with some first-hand study of a real attraction.
Out thanks to TEA executive director Gene Jeffers for these and other shots included in the JulyA/August issue of Park World.
