What do you do in the attractions industry? Birket Engineering designs and builds ride and show control systems for the themed entertainment industry. The company was started by my brother Glenn in 1984 after leaving Walt Disney Imagineering. Glenn was responsible for the electrical systems for Epcot’s American Adventure. Today we have about 60 employees with offices in Orlando, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.
What’s happening at the TEA? TEA is experiencing exciting growth in several areas, including our membership, international reach, and in the quality and quantity of projects. The interest we’re seeing in our association and our industry has never been greater.
Our staff, Board, Committee and Division leadership has never been better in my opinion. We’re benefiting from the economic growth we see internationally. The world is increasingly aware of the possibilities of themed entertainment. Guest expectations continue to rise – and our industry rises to meet them!
What do you hope to bring the TEA table? I would like to see further development of TEA’s SATE conference, SATE Academy Days and everything TEA does that fosters a variety of dialogue and networking around the world.
Within TEA we’re optimising our processes and communications.
With your engineering background, do you bring a different perspective to the TEA? Yes, I think I do. People associate a ride, show or museum project with the things they see and do. The things they see and do are the result of the great efforts of designers, producers, renderers, artists, and storytellers. For every one of those, there is an engineer or technical person who made the project work. You generally don’t hear from the technical people because their personalities often don’t make them very talkative. I can say this coming from a family of engineers.
What do you want to achieve as head of the TEA? I’d like to continue to expand the Asia-Pacific and the Europe & Middle East Divisions, and increase our overall visibility. For educational topics, there are many sectors and areas relevant to the industry that haven’t been explored.
Do you have any concerns about the industry? Our industry is at its most vibrant ever, with exceptional growth globally. Guest expectations have been set and I don’t think the appetite is going away. In the US, the leisure industry is now the number two producer of jobs in the private sector.
What trends are you noticing? The industry continues to extend and integrate with others and we see more well-known IPs and global brands.
We are also seeing see new ideas layered on top of existing facilities.
The globalisation of the industry has brought new energy to storytelling. Out-of-home leisure options are more exciting and varied than ever.
What’s next from the TEA? We’ve planned a fantastic few days for the TEA Summit and the Thea Awards Gala at Disneyland Resort Anaheim in March.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Interview: Dominique Cocquet
Euro Disney’s Villages Nature is
a next-generation approach to
park accommodation with leading
eco credentials. Resort manager
Dominque Cocquet tells all
Rides: The Ride Makers
In the second part of our series,
industry-leading manufacturers tell us
about the latest trends in family-friendly
coasters and child-friendly rides
Workplace Apps: Work Mates
Apps that manage an attraction’s
workforce make life easier for operators.
Could this software help you?
3D/4D/5D: New Dimensions
From zombie-themed dark rides to
3D films about supersonic cars, its the
latest news, products and launches
from the world of 3D/4D/5D
In today’s premium spa environment, every detail shapes the guest experience – right down to
the softness of towels and the freshness of linens. [more...]
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
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Charme d’Orient is a cosmetics and wellness brand deeply inspired by the ancestral beauty and wellne [more...]
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Our mission is to raise awareness of our industry within schools, colleges, society and crucially at [more...]
What do you do in the attractions industry? Birket Engineering designs and builds ride and show control systems for the themed entertainment industry. The company was started by my brother Glenn in 1984 after leaving Walt Disney Imagineering. Glenn was responsible for the electrical systems for Epcot’s American Adventure. Today we have about 60 employees with offices in Orlando, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.
What’s happening at the TEA? TEA is experiencing exciting growth in several areas, including our membership, international reach, and in the quality and quantity of projects. The interest we’re seeing in our association and our industry has never been greater.
Our staff, Board, Committee and Division leadership has never been better in my opinion. We’re benefiting from the economic growth we see internationally. The world is increasingly aware of the possibilities of themed entertainment. Guest expectations continue to rise – and our industry rises to meet them!
What do you hope to bring the TEA table? I would like to see further development of TEA’s SATE conference, SATE Academy Days and everything TEA does that fosters a variety of dialogue and networking around the world.
Within TEA we’re optimising our processes and communications.
With your engineering background, do you bring a different perspective to the TEA? Yes, I think I do. People associate a ride, show or museum project with the things they see and do. The things they see and do are the result of the great efforts of designers, producers, renderers, artists, and storytellers. For every one of those, there is an engineer or technical person who made the project work. You generally don’t hear from the technical people because their personalities often don’t make them very talkative. I can say this coming from a family of engineers.
What do you want to achieve as head of the TEA? I’d like to continue to expand the Asia-Pacific and the Europe & Middle East Divisions, and increase our overall visibility. For educational topics, there are many sectors and areas relevant to the industry that haven’t been explored.
Do you have any concerns about the industry? Our industry is at its most vibrant ever, with exceptional growth globally. Guest expectations have been set and I don’t think the appetite is going away. In the US, the leisure industry is now the number two producer of jobs in the private sector.
What trends are you noticing? The industry continues to extend and integrate with others and we see more well-known IPs and global brands.
We are also seeing see new ideas layered on top of existing facilities.
The globalisation of the industry has brought new energy to storytelling. Out-of-home leisure options are more exciting and varied than ever.
What’s next from the TEA? We’ve planned a fantastic few days for the TEA Summit and the Thea Awards Gala at Disneyland Resort Anaheim in March.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Interview: Dominique Cocquet
Euro Disney’s Villages Nature is
a next-generation approach to
park accommodation with leading
eco credentials. Resort manager
Dominque Cocquet tells all
Rides: The Ride Makers
In the second part of our series,
industry-leading manufacturers tell us
about the latest trends in family-friendly
coasters and child-friendly rides
Workplace Apps: Work Mates
Apps that manage an attraction’s
workforce make life easier for operators.
Could this software help you?
3D/4D/5D: New Dimensions
From zombie-themed dark rides to
3D films about supersonic cars, its the
latest news, products and launches
from the world of 3D/4D/5D
The UK spa review and discovery platform for consumers, the Good Spa Guide, has announced
it will host the Good Spa Guide Awards 2026 during an event on 16 November at Sopwell House
Hotel in St Albans, UK.
Eighty-four per cent of consumers now say wellness is a top priority in their lives, with this
percentage increasing year on year, according to a preview presentation of McKinsey’s Future of
Wellness 2026 research report.
Mass protests have been taking place since Monday 1 June in Albania over the development of
a luxury resort by Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner.
Global Wellness Day (GWD) marked its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day
(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
experiences.
In today’s premium spa environment, every detail shapes the guest experience – right down to
the softness of towels and the freshness of linens. [more...]
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Charme D'Orient Charme d’Orient is a cosmetics and wellness brand deeply inspired by the ancestral beauty and wellne [more...]
