Themed entertainment is a playground of possibilities where we craft worlds, spark imaginations, and, above all, evoke emotion. This year's theme explores the world of EMOTION. We invite you to help our audience explore how EMOTION influences our industry via the tenets of SATE – Storytelling, Architecture, Technology and Experience.

What Are We Looking For?

We're searching for dynamic, immersive, and emotionally charged presentations. A screen will be available for slides if required but please bring your creativity, take us beyond the screen. Consider live demonstrations, interactive workshops, or whatever you feel would allow you to best tell your story and bring the experience to life for our SATE audience. If you would like to talk to us about the conference venue to help you consider what your options there may be to consider for your presentation, please reach out to SATEEurope@teaconnect.org

Who Are You?

Tell us a bit about yourself, your expertise, and your public speaking experience, please include links to any videos of previous speaking engagements if applicable.

What's Your Idea?

Share your vision in detail. What will attendees see, hear, and feel? How will your presentation inspire them to think differently about emotion in themed entertainment?

Emotions Explored:

Highlight how your proposal ties in with the conference theme and SATE tenets.

Why It Matters:

Explain how your presentation will help us create richer, deeper, and more meaningful experiences for audiences worldwide.

Format:

The better you can articulate your proposal, the more meaningful it will be to our curation team and the stronger our conference will be as a result. Videos, storyboards, concept diagrams or illustrations are all welcomed and encouraged to enhance any written proposals.

For this year's SATE EME we will be taking a two-step process to select presentations following our call for papers

Step One – Initial Selection:

All proposals will be reviewed and scored by our curation committee* and the top scoring proposals selected for step two.

Step Two – Draft presentation:

Our curation team will ask those with selected papers/proposals to run through their presentation to curation committee members online for final review and selection

* The curation committee is mixed up every year with new members to bring fresh perspective and some members from previous years to bring continuity of process. The committee consists of representatives from the following groups:

• SATE EME Co-chair content subcommittee
• EME Board
• SATE North America Curation committee
• Members at large

Speaker Qualification Criteria:

• We thank those who have presented at 2 or more SATE EME conferences in the last 3 years for their contributions but respectfully ask that they do not submit this year so we can ensure SATE continues to showcase new faces and fresh perspectives.
• Selected speakers must be available to attend speaker rehearsals the day before SATE conference starts
• Selected speakers should be willing to present a draft version of their proposed session to the curation committee online for step two of the selection process.

Deadline for Submissions: 7 February 2025

Please add your name to the file name when uploading your submission.

Conference Date: 6 to 9 May 2025

Location: Blackpool Pleasure Beach, England, UK

Submission Portal: Submit Your Papers Here​

This is your chance to share your brilliance with your colleagues and peers. To inspire and be inspired. To push the boundaries of what our industry can do. Let's explore the infinite ways emotion can be our most powerful tool for storytelling and connection.

All our speaking spots are volunteer-based opportunities. However, we do offer a discounted rate of $550 for you to attend. TEA is a non-profit membership association that exists to support the creators of compelling places and experiences worldwide. Educational programs aim to promote the industry, encourage thought leadership and to provide a forum where TEA members can learn from each other and related industries to the mutual benefit of all attendees.

All rates are inclusive of breakfast and VAT

Supplements apply for room upgrades in both hotels.

Parking is payable separately at £15.00 per vehicle per night at Boulevard Hotel and £10.00 per vehicle per night stay at Big Blue Hotel

(parking validity is 12:00 midday - 12 midday).

Group Rate ends 31 March at midnight.

Contact Central Reservations Daily 8am - 6pm - Tel: +44 1253 336081  |  Quote: TEASATE

• When booking online a mandatory £1.00 authorization is taken for card verification and security - this is then released a few days later.
• All reservations to be guaranteed with a credit / debit card, payment then due at hotel.

Should guests need to amend / cancel they need to do so by 15:00 the day prior to date of arrival (24 hours in advance), amendments / cancellations after this time and non-arrivals will incur a charge equivalent to the first night's room rate.



Reservations are subject to T&C available at www.bigbluehotel.com/reservations-terms-conditions​ or www.boulevardhotel.co.uk/terms-and-conditions​

Travel

The closest airports are Manchester Airport or Liverpool John Lennon Airport. These are both approximately an hour's drive from Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Trains to Blackpool Pleasure Beach station (a 2 minute walk to the Big Blue Hotel or a 5 minute walk to the Boulevard Hotel, both of which are immediately adjacent to Blackpool Pleasure Beach) run via Preston which connects directly to London Euston, Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport

Further details of how to get to Blackpool Pleasure Beach can be found here: https://www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com/getting-here-parking/​

And you can check train routes and tickets here: https://www.thetrainline.com/​e here the content of the page or click on some items in the Common Objects-section to add more images, titles and texts to your page

CODE OF CONDUCT

The Themed Entertainment Association is dedicated to providing a safe, inclusive, and welcoming conference experience for everyone. We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment in any form. By completing your registration, you acknowledge you have read and agree to adhere to TEA's Code of Conduct​​.

PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO DURING EVENT

By registering for and attending TEA events, you grant the Themed Entertainment Association ("TEA"') and its authorized representatives' permission to film, photograph, or otherwise record your participation in the event. You further agree that such images, photographs, and recordings may be used by TEA without your prior approval in any form and for any lawful purpose including, without limitation, promoting TEA. Such use will not entitle you to any credit or compensation. You release TEA, its officers, and employees from any liability connected with the use of any image, photograph, or recording taken during the event.