iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Michael Andersen @mjandersen.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Went to attend the showcase of an immersive hackathon last week, and wrote up some thoughts on the event. Also mentioned: Lost Horizon Night Market, Boxaroo's Four Doors, Night Mind's Candy Bowl, and the narrative hackathon I participated in almost 15 years ago.

mjandersen.substack.com

Reflections on an Immersive Hackathon

Impressions on the New York Immersive Invitational, and the broader immersive hackathon landscape

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The Immersive Experience Institute @immersiveexperience.org · 24/08/2026

Thank you to all who participated in the New York Immersive Invitational this past weekend! Extra special thanks to Culture Lab LIC for hosting us all weekend long. A huge round of applause to all of our hardworking staff and volunteers, as well as our fabulously talented docents.

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The Immersive Experience Institute @immersiveexperience.org · 07/07/2026

Join us on July 28th for our first Next Stage Salon in Brooklyn. The topic: Finding Your Audience. Join the peer-to-peer discussion lead by those who have cracked the code to marketing immersive work in the modern era. The amazing Dead Letter No. 9. will be open exclusively for us that night.

eventbrite.com

Next Stage Salon: Finding Your Audience

The Immersive Experience Institute presents an evening long event exploring the issues around marketing immersive art & entertainment.

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The Immersive Experience Institute @immersiveexperience.org · 10/06/2026

Our summer series Understanding The Immersive Audience launches today Come along as @kathrynyu.com dives into some of the latest research on the audience for immersive experiences, including a fresh study of immersive enthusiasts, how the classic Conversion Funnel maps to immersive... 1/2

immersiveexperience.org

Understanding the Immersive Audience (2026) — The Immersive Experience Institute

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Noah J. Nelson, Immersonaut Prime @noahjnelson.com · 27/05/2026

Going to be on an Instagram Live in just a few minutes talking Miami Immersive Summit. www.instagram.com/juggerknot_t...

instagram.com

Instagram

Create an account or log in to Instagram - Share what you're into with the people who get you.

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The Immersive Experience Institute @immersiveexperience.org · 02/05/2026

Due to incredible demand The L.A. Immersive Invitational has added an 8:15pm show on Sunday May 3rd! The teams are devising their pieces RIGHT NOW. www.eventbrite.com/e/los-angele...

eventbrite.com

Los Angeles Immersive Invitational

Journey through four immersive pieces created by LA's top immersive storytellers, challenged to innovate in 48 hours.

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The Immersive Experience Institute @immersiveexperience.org · 08/04/2026

It’s Back! Faster & More Intense! The 2026 Los Angeles Immersive Invitational is less than a month away! Journey through four immersive pieces created by LA's top immersive storytellers, challenged to innovate in 48 hours. Co-presented with After Hours Theatre Company on May 3rd.

eventbrite.com

Los Angeles Immersive Invitational

Journey through four immersive pieces created by LA's top immersive storytellers, challenged to innovate in 48 hours.

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The Immersive Experience Institute @immersiveexperience.org · 02/03/2026

We're kicking off our NYC programming with a Meetup in Brooklyn on 3/17. Come connect with other professionals in New York's immersive & experiential performing arts, marketing, XR, nightlife, and location based entertainment fields. www.eventbrite.com/e/nyc-immers...

eventbrite.com

NYC Immersive Industry Meetup

Connect with other producers, performers, and experience designers across the breadth of immersive arts & entertainment.

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The Immersive Experience Institute @immersiveexperience.org · 07/02/2026

Monday’s event is now SOLD OUT. The wait list is active and there will be NO SALES AT THE DOOR. We are at capacity. It isn’t happening. Attendee arrival info and survey has gone out via email.

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The Immersive Experience Institute @immersiveexperience.org · 29/01/2026

Kicking Off The Immersive Experience Institute's Spotlight Series Yannick Trapman-O'Brien (Undersigned, The Telelibrary) joins us for a unique format that puts him in conversation with some of the most dynamic figures in the LA immersive scene.

eventbrite.com

Spotlight Series: Yannick Trapman-O'Brien

Join us for a dynamic conversation between the artist behind Undersigned & The Telelibrary and LA's immersive luminaries.

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The Immersive Experience Institute @immersiveexperience.org · 15/12/2025

We have a handful of tickets left for tonight's Salon on "Immersive @ Play" at the Pasadena Playhouse and there will be NO SALES AT THE DOOR. Ticket sales END AT 6PM. Doors at 6:30. $35 and comes with two complimentary drinks (beer, wine, soda).

everythingimmersive.com

The Next Stage Immersive Salon: Immersive @ Play

A standalone edition of The Next Stage Summit's signature event: expanded and upgraded!

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The Immersive Experience Institute @immersiveexperience.org · 01/12/2025

Spinning out of The Next Stage Immersive Summit: an ongoing series of stand alone salons. This month the theme is “Immersive @ Play” and we’ve got guests from The 20-Sided Tavern, Hasbro, and more to help us kick things off. Two very special editions in LA & Pasadena. Learn more at the link!

immersiveexperience.org

The Next Stage Salon Series Kicks Off This December — The Immersive Experience Institute

Our Signature Salons are the most memorable part of The Next Stage Immersive Summit , a place where real peer-to-peer connections are forged in the immersive & experiential arts. Now, we’re excit...

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The Immersive Experience Institute @immersiveexperience.org · 10/10/2025

The latest edition of our LinkedIn Newsletter is live with some not-great-news, Bob, out of Denver along with a fresh report from Immersive Arts UK, a LARP exploring a new financial model, and experiential building its own stage at Advertising Week in NYC. www.linkedin.com/pulse/good-b...

linkedin.com

The Good, The Bad, and The Experiential: The Next Stage of Immersive

And we’re back tapping into the conversations shaping the professional world of immersive and experiential art & entertainment..

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Kathryn Yu #OpenToWork @kathrynyu.com · 08/04/2025

For more insights into the immersive art and entertainment industry, download this free report from the Gensler Research Institute and the The Immersive Experience Institute: www.gensler.com/gri/immersiv...

gensler.com

Evolving Immersive: The 2025 Immersive Entertainment & Culture Industry Report

Explore the most comprehensive evaluation of the state of Immersive Experience available today, published in partnership by Gensler and the Immersive Experience Institute.

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Kathryn Yu #OpenToWork @kathrynyu.com · 08/04/2025

Thus making it easy for consumers to identify the "wish" being fulfilled and what the experience is going to be like.

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Kathryn Yu #OpenToWork @kathrynyu.com · 08/04/2025

So an immersive experience like Bridge Command can use the phrase "Ever wanted to fly a starship?" on their posters in the London tube while Phantom Peak entices customers with the tagline "step into a real life video game."

Poster image advertising the immersive experience Phantom Peak displaying several of the characters, an illustration of the town, and the tag line "Step into a real life video game"

Photograph of a poster on the London tube advertising the immersive experience Bridge Command, showing a person in a uniform sitting at a console of a spaceship with the tag line "Ever Wanted to Fly A Starship?"

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Kathryn Yu #OpenToWork @kathrynyu.com · 08/04/2025

When I was taking classes from former Imagineers Joe Garlington and Larry Gertz, we often discussed the concept of "wish fulfillment": what is the promise you're making to your guests and how are you going to deliver on that promise?

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Kathryn Yu #OpenToWork @kathrynyu.com · 08/04/2025

And some survey respondents also mentioned their projects being audience-driven or described an experience which was happening “all around you.”

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Kathryn Yu #OpenToWork @kathrynyu.com · 08/04/2025

Some practitioners said they use phrases like “your chance to be the hero” and “be part of the story,” while other focused on the appeals of immersion itself with phrases like “it’s a movie you can walk around inside of.”

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Kathryn Yu #OpenToWork @kathrynyu.com · 08/04/2025

However, our survey respondents cautioned against using the word in isolation, without additional details. Additional specifics are needed, as just saying a project is “immersive” is too vague on its own.

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Kathryn Yu #OpenToWork @kathrynyu.com · 08/04/2025

Prospective audience members in the know will have their interest piqued when they see these phrases being used in marketing for immersive projects.

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Kathryn Yu #OpenToWork @kathrynyu.com · 08/04/2025

Why? The terms "immersive," "immersive experience," and "immersive theatre" — while being open to interpretation — remain effective because they are familiar to the intended audience.

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Kathryn Yu #OpenToWork @kathrynyu.com · 08/04/2025

Even if you believe the term "immersive" to be overused, the most common response from immersive art and entertainment professionals was that the word continues to be useful in marketing materials, with caveats.

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Kathryn Yu #OpenToWork @kathrynyu.com · 08/04/2025

In our survey of #immersive practitioners, we asked what “What words have you found to be *most* effective in marketing your work?” and “What words have you found to be *least* effective in marketing your work?” Link: www.gensler.com/gri/immersiv...

Cover of Evolving Immersive: The 2025 Immersive Entertainment & Culture Industry Report

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The Immersive Experience Institute @immersiveexperience.org · 08/08/2025

Immersive Experience Institute co-founder Noah Nelson (@noahjnelson.com) was recently on USA TODAY’s The Excerpt podcast, talking about the rise of immersive entertainment. Available now wherever you get your podcasts from and also on their YouTube channel! youtu.be/SBCZN5-Ecmc

youtu.be

Escape rooms to theme parks: immersive entertainment is booming | The Excerpt

YouTube video by USA TODAY

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Kevin Parnell @kidspy.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

#NextStage25 is so inspiring and it’s only the first day. Phenomenal insights into all aspects of immersive experience design, production, operation. And so many awesome sounding experiences I’d love to see one day!

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markcmarino.bsky.social @markcmarino.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

Escape rooming in a box at Hatch Escapes in #NextStage25 @immersiveexperience.org @noproscenium.com

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Kelly Sue DeConnick @kellysue.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

See you there?

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Kevin Parnell @kidspy.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

First time in LA and having a blast checking out the local immersive experience & escape room scene! Here all weekend for #NextStage25.

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Jedidjah Julia Noomen @jedidjah.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

In LA for The Next Stage @immersiveexperience.org. Two years ago I attended the first edition on a scholarship, which propelled my work and introduced me to so many amazing other people in the immersive realm. Glad to be back and hopefully pay it forward - plase come say hi if you’re here too!

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Kathryn Yu #OpenToWork @kathrynyu.com · 25/07/2025

In ONE WEEK, we'll be gathering 70+ leaders in the immersive entertainment industry at the Next Stage Immersive Summit. Folks from Disney, Gensler, Meow Wolf, Netflix, Niantic Spatial, Secret Cinema, Wasteland Weekend, and more. 2- and 3-Day badges on sale now:

Graphic of companies including Albany Park Theater Project, Cosm, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Disney Live Entertainment, Gensler, Little Cinema, Mighty Coconut, Meow Wolf, Netflix, Niantic Spatial, Phantom Peak, PHI, Secret Cinema, Third Rail Projects, and Wasteland Weekend

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The Immersive Experience Institute @immersiveexperience.org · 24/07/2025

INTENSIVE badge holders: Make sure you turn in your workshop preference surveys by 5pm Pacific today (July 24)!

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The Immersive Experience Institute @immersiveexperience.org · 17/07/2025

👀 Wondering just what the schedule looks like for The Next Stage Immersive Summit? Well… wonder no more! Dates and times for sessions on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are now available on our site! 👀 www.immersiveexperience.org/the-next-sta...

immersiveexperience.org

The Next Stage Immersive Summit — August 1-3, 2025 — Pasadena, CA — The Immersive Experience Institute

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Kathryn Yu #OpenToWork @kathrynyu.com · 17/07/2025

Happy 70th birthday, Disneyland! Anybody else always take a photo of this plaque when entering? "Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy"

A photograph of a plaque that reads:

Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy

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Kathryn Yu #OpenToWork @kathrynyu.com · 12/07/2025

Just added to the Next Stage Immersive Summit: a session with Stephen Smith of Meow Wolf and Mike Stein of Niantic Spatial to talk about the newly announced collab between the two companies! It's happening August 1-3 in Pasadena & badges are on sale now: www.immersiveexperience.org/the-next-sta...

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Ferryman Collective @ferrymanvr.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

Two of our co-founders will be Host Team members at The Next Stage, Aug 1–3 in Pasadena! We’ll talk immersive VR theatre, help with intros, and share tips. New to Next Stage? Come find us—you’ll have friends in no time. Details: www.immersiveexperience.org/the-next-sta... #NextStage25

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Kathryn Yu #OpenToWork @kathrynyu.com · 02/07/2025

Jay and Alexis will be on the main stage to discuss the ground-breaking new cinematic experience, The Matrix in Shared Reality. Badges on sale now: www.immersiveexperience.org

immersiveexperience.org

The Immersive Experience Institute

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Kathryn Yu #OpenToWork @kathrynyu.com · 02/07/2025

We've added Alexis Scalice, VP of Business Development & Entertainment at Cosm, and Jay Rinsky, Founder & Creative Director of Little Cinema, to the Next Stage Immersive Summit lineup!

Photograph of Alexis Scalice of Cosm, with text around it that reads:
The Next Stage 2025
Aug 1-3
Pasadena, CA
immersiveexperience.org

Photograph of Jay Rinsky of Little Cinema, with text around it that reads:
The Next Stage 2025
Aug 1-3
Pasadena, CA
immersiveexperience.org

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Kathryn Yu #OpenToWork @kathrynyu.com · 27/06/2025

They will join speakers from Disney Live Entertainment, Meow Wolf, PHI, Third Rail Projects, Albany Theater Project, Mighty Coconut, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Wasteland Weekend, Secret City Studio, Phantom Peak, and more TBA. Hope to see you there!

immersiveexperience.org

The Next Stage Immersive Summit — August 1-3, 2025 — Pasadena, CA — The Immersive Experience Institute

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Kathryn Yu #OpenToWork @kathrynyu.com · 27/06/2025

Just announced: Mallory Gracenin (John Wick Experience, The Burnt City, Sleep No More) & Jack Aldisert (The Manikins) will join the speaker lineup at the 2025 Next Stage Immersive Summit taking place August 1-3 in Pasadena, CA. 2- and 3-Day badges are on sale now.

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April Soetarman @aprilsoetarman.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

I’m excited to be speaking at the (now rescheduled) Next Stage Immersive Summit, Aug 1-3, 2025 in Pasadena, CA! 🌟 I'll be on a panel with other independent creators on how to create meaningful audience experiences. 👋 immersiveexperience.org/the-next-stage-2025 @immersiveexperience.org #NextStage25

An Asian woman with dark curly hair, with text that reads "I'm Speaking, The Next Stage, August 1-3, 2025 Pasadena, CA, ImmersiveExperience.org"

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TC Conway @impossibleworks.com · 17/06/2025

Who’s coming to Next Stage 2025? www.immersiveexperience.org/the-next-sta...

immersiveexperience.org

The Next Stage Immersive Summit — August 1-3, 2025 — Pasadena, CA — The Immersive Experience Institute

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Kathryn Yu #OpenToWork @kathrynyu.com · 13/05/2025

Badges on sale NOW! Join us. August 1-3, 2025 in Pasadena. www.immersiveexperience.org/the-next-sta...

immersiveexperience.org

The Next Stage 2025 — The Immersive Experience Institute

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