FIRST IMAGES/VIDEO from "Avatar: Discover Pandora" Exhibition

AVATAR: DISCOVER PANDORA, THE NEW INTERACTIVE EXHIBITION INSPIRED BY JAMES CAMERON’S FILM AVATAR,

OPENED YESTERDAY IN TAIPEI, TAIWAN

Tickets on Sale at www.avatardiscoverpandora.com 

Glendale, Calif. [December 2016] -- Opening yesterday, AVATAR fans in Taiwan will be the first to experience the new, interactive exhibition, AVATAR: Discover Pandora, inspired by James Cameron’s blockbuster film. Together with Lightstorm Entertainment and Twentieth Century Fox Location Based Entertainment, GES partnered with Beast Kingdom Co., Ltd. to bring AVATAR: Discover Pandora to Taiwan for its global premiere at Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, Xinyi Place A11 6F, Xinyi Theatre in Taipei for a three-month showcase.

Ribbon Cutting (Courtesy of GES / 20^th Century Fox)

“The premiere of the exhibition marks the culmination of more than two years of work to bring James Cameron’s vision of Pandora to audiences around the world and we are thrilled to make Taiwan the first stop of the exhibition’s five-year global tour,” said Eddie Newquist, chief creative officer and EVP at GES.  “GES is proud to lead the creative efforts of the artists, engineers, designers and craftsmen who infused the entire exhibition with the artistry, innovation and quality of James Cameron’s AVATAR.”

Presenting Pandora as a real place, this unique, hands-on exhibition gives visitors the opportunity to experience the science and the wonder of Pandora right here on earth.  Both entertaining and educational, the exhibition showcases a series of exciting and engaging immersive environments that highlight Pandora’s diverse and exotic flora and fauna, along with the amazing culture and mythology of its indigenous people, the Na’vi.

The exhibition showcases the beauty and mystery of Pandora, bringing it back to Earth for a compelling exploration of how Pandora mirrors our own planet and what we can learn from it.

“So much of what we learn about Pandora can inspire us to be more curious and thoughtful about the world around us,” said Kathy Franklin, President, Franchise Development at Lightstorm Entertainment.  “This exhibition gives us the opportunity to take guests on a fascinating journey that we hope will give them new insights about both the rich and detailed alien world created in AVATAR and the amazing Earth we all share.”

Greg Lombardo, SVP of Global Live and Location Based Entertainment, 20^th Century Fox Location Based Entertainment added: “With great attention to detail, highly-interactive touch points, and a strong foundation in science, this exhibition delivers a truly memorable experience inspired by James Cameron’s remarkable film. We are thrilled to launch AVATAR: Discover Pandora in Taiwan followed by a rollout across additional worldwide cities -- leading up to the highly-anticipated sequels of AVATAR.”

“GES is thrilled to launch this spectacular touring exhibition,” said Steve Moster, President of GES, and President and Chief Executive Officer of Viad Corp.  “From concept to creation, GES’ visionary team designed an experience that will amaze visitors. The wonders of Pandora come to life through immersive, interactive displays that are true to the blockbuster AVATAR brand, and we are proud to premiere this interactive exhibition in the Asia-Pacific market.” 

Visitors will embark on an exploration highlighting Pandora’s stunning landscape and its exotic wildlife and engage with more than a dozen multi-sensory interactives which will allow them to see, feel, hear and even smell the wonders of Pandora. 

Featuring captivating settings such as the Hallelujah Mountains and Tree of Souls, as well as life-sized recreations of creatures including the Banshee, Direhorse, and Viperwolf, visitors to AVATAR: Discover Pandora will be able to experience the science and wonder of Pandora firsthand.  The dynamic guest experience will allow visitors to:

·         Enter an exhibition curated by the Pandoran Research Foundation where they will leave the 21^st century behind and step into the 22^nd century world of the AVATAR franchise;

·         Learn about space travel and the history behind the discovery of Pandora in the Alpha Centauri solar system;

·         Explore recreations of Pandora’s most compelling environments showcasing its unique plants and animals and what they can teach us about our own planet;

·         Engage in interactive activities based on the culture, language and music of the Na’vi, the nine-foot-plus-tall humanoids who are the indigenous people of Pandora;

·         Experience the jewel-like glow of Pandora’s bioluminescent plants and animals;

·         Interact with banshees, learn to operate an AMP suit, picture themselves as part of the Avatar Program;

·         And more!

Released in 2009, James Cameron’s AVATAR is the highest-grossing film in motion-picture history, with a box-office gross of nearly $2.8 billion.  Mesmerizing all ages across the globe with its otherworldly visuals and groundbreaking special effects, the film quickly became a worldwide phenomenon so popular it will be followed by four sequels, with the first sequel due for release in late 2018.  AVATAR was named best picture at the Golden Globe Awards and won numerous Academy Awards®.

Direhorse (Courtesy of GES / 20^th Century Fox)

Handprint (Courtesy of GES / 20^th Century Fox)

Interactive Screen (Courtesy of GES / 20^th Century Fox)

J Landau & JD Moore (Courtesy of GES / 20^th Century Fox)

Joel David Moore (Courtesy of GES / 20^th Century Fox)

About GES

GES, a Viad Corp (NYSE: VVI) company, is a global, full-service provider for live events, producing exhibitions, conferences, congresses, corporate events, exhibits and entertainment experiences. GES provides a wide range of services, including official show services, audio visual, cutting-edge creative and design, marketing and measurement services, and event accommodations – all with an unrivaled global reach. GES partners with leading shows and brands, including Spring Fair Birmingham, MAGIC, CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE, Bell Helicopter, and L'Oreal. GES' National Servicenter® has been recognized with certification under the J.D. Power and Associates Certified Call Center Program℠ for the past seven years, and for the seventh year in a row Ad Age has named GES as one of the "World's 50 Largest Agency Companies." For more information, visit www.ges.com.

About Viad

Viad (NYSE: VVI) generates revenue and shareholder value through two distinct business groups: the Marketing & Events Group (GES) and the Travel & Recreation Group. Viad is an S&P SmallCap 600 company. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.viad.com.

About Beast Kingdom

Beast Kingdom is a leading developer of European/U.S. comic and movie peripheral products in Taiwan, offering premium collectable products for consumers. Beast Kingdom has applied its development and manufacturing expertise to market a series of top quality, true-scale collectable statues, high-end action figures, playable and collectable action figures as well as accessories.

Beast Kingdom was founded in 2009. The company’s business scope encompasses: brand agency, product development and sales, organizing themed exhibitions, and own-brand store locations. The company’s products are sold to internationally renowned retailers and distributors under brands such as Beast Kingdom_®, Egg Attack_®, Egg Attack Action_®, and Egg Attack Floating_®. For more information, visit the company's web site at www.beast-kingdom.com.tw.