Three Universal Beijing Resort veterans – Tom Mehrmann, Sylvia Hase and Mike Hightower – will join Bob Rodgers for this year's Legends Panel at IAAPA Expo in Orlando, Florida next month.

The panel, moderated and curated by Rodgers, the founder and chair of BRC Imagination Arts, has been a highlight of the event for the past 26 years.

It was set up with the view of sharing the "otherwise-lost wisdom" and methods of the industry’s great achievers, in a way that helps future creative leaders shape the future of the visitor attractions industry.

The 2023 edition – taking place on 15 November – will explore the lessons, tools and strategies that enabled Universal Beijing Resort to open in spite of Covid quarantines, lockdowns and more.

The three "legends" on the panel will share with delegates their insights, strategies and lessons.

Tom Mehrmann is the president and COO of Universal Destinations and Experiences, Pacific Rim. He was the president and general manager for Universal Beijing Resort during its development and worked with Universal Creative, the Chinese government and the Chinese partners to develop the strategies and teams that would operate the park.

Slyvia Hase is the current president of Hasbas Entertainment and has created an impressive body of award-winning, world-class events and live shows across the United States, Asia, Europe and South America.

At Universal Beijing Resort, she was the creative force that adapted How to Train Your Dragon from a film into the Thea-Award Winning stage spectacular, Untrainable – The How to Train Your Dragon Stage Spectacular, including the script, music, choreography and special effects.

She also led the creative development and production of the park's daily Universal on Parade, featuring themed floats, characters, and performers based on Universal's Despicable Me/Minions, Shrek, Madagascar, and Kung Fu Panda franchises.

Mike Hightower is the retired president of Universal Creative, a role which he was given after spending 26 years with Universal Parks & Resorts (UPR.)

During his career, he oversaw all aspects of planning, design, and creation of Universal theme parks, resorts, CityWalk venues, and new ventures worldwide – including the delivery of Universal Beijing Resort.

To find out more about the IAAPA Expo, click here.