Michael Honoured in Blooloop 50 Immersive Influencer List 2024
We’re thrilled to announce that Michael Bennett, our Executive Creative Director, has been honoured in the prestigious global Blooloop 50 Immersive Influencer List 2024. Selected from hundreds of nominations worldwide, this recognition celebrates Michael's extraordinary impact on the visitor attractions industry and his unmatched contribution to immersive design.
With a career spanning over 45 years in visitor attractions design, Michael has been a transformative figure in the immersive experience industry and is widely recognised as one of Europe’s leading designers. His career began in film production, a foundation that profoundly influenced his theatrical approach to visitor attraction design.
It is no exaggeration to say that, thanks to Michael's trailblazing early work, Sarner introduced immersive attractions and dark walks to the UK market. His visionary transformation of Land's End marked the advent of a new genre of fully automated immersive educational attractions, paving the way for landmark projects like the award-winning Valhalla Water Ride at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. With each project, Michael pushed the boundaries of technology and creativity during a period of significant industry innovation, with Valhalla remaining one of the UK's most iconic water rides.
As Creative Director, Michael has guided Sarner to win the industry’s most prestigious awards, including two TEA Thea Awards for Outstanding Achievement, Museums + Heritage Awards, and top AV Awards.
Michael’s extensive experience in designing and delivering both museum exhibitions and theme park projects is unique in the industry and makes Sarner the go-to partner for clients looking to create immersive edutainment attractions that meet the sophisticated expectations of today’s audiences. By combining the substance and values of cultural attractions with the experiential power and latest technology used in themed entertainment, Michael has solidified Sarner’s reputation as a trailblazer.
Michael’s recent work on the multi-award-winning Bodmin Jail Attraction highlights his versatility. Working within the constraints of a complex, listed building, he introduced the first-ever dark walk in Cornwall. The fully automated attraction uses sensational scenic sets, special effects, films, projections, and the latest immersive technology to transport visitors back to Cornwall’s murky past.
In Malta, Michael led the creation of an educational, fully immersive dark walk attraction within the iconic Mercury Towers designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. This project brings Malta's rich history to life through a multisensory journey culminating in a flying theatre ride, where historic storytelling meets state-of-the-art motion and effects. This attraction sets a new benchmark for the heritage sector by delivering a truly distinctive and industry-defying experience that is both educational and thrilling.
At Klimahaus in Germany, Michael is developing an innovative multisensory experience centred around a dynamic ride platform that takes visitors on a journey through extreme weather scenarios across three floors of the museum. Through the integration of special effects - including rain, wind, hail, mist, and fog - combined with stunning film production, lighting, and kinetic effects, visitors are immersed in a dramatic narrative that engages all their senses.
Throughout his career, Michael has been at the forefront of designing many of the world’s most beloved immersive attractions. His creative vision, balanced by a keen understanding of the commercial realities clients face, ensures his designs are both artistically compelling and commercially viable. His work continues to set new industry standards, and we couldn’t be more thrilled that his contributions have been recognised with a place on the Blooloop 50 Immersive Influencer List 2024.
