Keynote Speakers
Monday Opening Keynote:
DESIGNING FOR DISNEY: Patterns that Embolden Successful Innovation
TONY BAXTER, Senior Vice President, Creative Development, Walt Disney Imagineering
Tony Baxter’s 40 year career with Imagineering has taken him all over the world in bringing to life successful entertainment projects. They have become a part of life in vastly different marketplaces separated by culture and the passage of years during his career. Tony will shed some light on “patterns” associated with some of the life changing creative advancements he has observed during his career, and how they have influenced Disney’s role as creative leader in the development of themed entertainment.
Tony will illustrate creative patterns he thinks are critical for competitive advantage, using examples of people or companies that have effectively applied these philosophies in vastly different enterprises. Walt Disney was fond of saying “you cant find true happiness without a tear”, so Tony will also weave in examples of industries that have stumbled and fallen after locking in on a “formula” for creative success.
Tony Baxter Biography
Tony Baxter has played a key role in the design and creation of many Disney attractions and theme parks of the last 40 years, including Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Splash Mountain, the Indiana Jones Adventure, and the overall creative role for Disneyland Paris.
Now a senior vice president of Creative Development and creative director of Disneyland Park, Baxter is responsible for providing imaginative ideas and input for Walt Disney’s original theme park. Some of Baxter’s recent projects as creative executive include the refurbishments and re-openings of the 3D space adventure Captain EO (for which he worked as a producer on the original), Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln and the Sleeping Beauty Castle walkthrough attraction.
Baxter began his Disney career in 1965 at Disneyland while completing his education at California State University, Long Beach, graduating in 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in theater design. As part of his student portfolio, he presented a precisely engineered model of a “Marble Maze” to executives at Walt Disney Imagineering, and was hired in 1970 as a dimensional designer. He was sent to Florida to work on the Walt Disney World Resort, which opened in 1971.
In the mid-70’s he developed the concept for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, which opened at Disneyland in 1979 and is now featured at every Disneyland-style park throughout the world.
In 1989, he was appointed senior vice president responsible for the concept development, design and creation of Disneyland Paris (1992). He continued to provide creative direction for new shows and enhancements at Disneyland in California, including the Indiana Jones Adventure, which opened in 1995, and the major redevelopment of Tomorrowland that opened in May 1998.
Baxter is also the recipient of numerous professional awards including the “Distinguished Alumni Award” in fine arts from California State University, Long Beach, the “Over the Years Award” by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), and the “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA).
Walt Disney Imagineering is the unique innovative organization that creates - from concept through construction – all Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions, cruise ships, real estate developments, and regional entertainment venues worldwide. Imagineering’s unique strength comes from the teamwork and syntheses of creative and technical professionals representing more than 140 diverse disciplines.
Master of Creative Ceremony:
Bill Olsen
Bill Olsen, our Master of Creative Ceremonies, will engage CPSI participants from start to finish, weaving together our program of How to Create Innovate and Lead Change.
Past Speakers Include:
