Phil Hettema
PHIL HETTEMA’s career spans 30 years in the worlds of experiential attractions and entertainment. Recognized as an industry leader for creativity in design and production and for innovative use of technology, his credits include the design and creative direction of hundreds of attractions, shows, master planning projects, and environmental experiences. Many of these featured award-winning breakthroughs in technical and creative achievement.
Ten years ago, Phil founded The Hettema Group, which has established itself as an industry leader in the world of destination planning, attraction design and production, immersive media and museum design. Current and recent clients include Caesars Entertainment, MGM Studios, Dreamworks Animation, Elvis Presley Enterprises, Boy Scouts of America, HOK London, Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, the National World War II Museum, Newport Harbor Maritime Museum, Sanrio, and Universal Studios.
Prior to founding The Hettema Group, Phil was Senior Vice President of Attraction Development for Universal Recreation, responsible for the creative development of parks and attractions worldwide for Universal Studio Theme Parks. During his fourteen-year tenure there, Phil oversaw the development of hundreds of cutting edge shows, attractions and destinations, most notably as head of the concept team for Universal’s Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida. Its many state of the art attractions include the Amazing Adventures of Spiderman, considered the benchmark of the “new age” of theme park attractions.
Throughout the last 20 years, through The Hettema Group and as a consultant, Phil has actively participated as the creative member of strategic development teams on large scale projects in the U.S., Asia and the Middle East, balancing economic and urban planning consideration with an innovative approach to design.
Phil started his career at Disneyland and Walt Disney World as a designer for entertainment events, including live shows, parades, and major Disney corporate events with casts of literally thousands of performers. After further study at Art Center College of Design, he continued his career as Project Designer and Project Manager for Robert F. Jani Productions, which included production of SuperBowl halftime shows, major corporate product launches, and the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall.
In 1984 he served as Production Supervisor for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games, and in 1986 was Production Supervisor for the Liberty Weekend Statue of Liberty Centennial Celebration in New York and the Harvard University 350th Anniversary Celebration.
Phil has served on the faculty of Art Center College of Design and served on its Alumni Council. He has been a speaker at SIGGRAPH, IAAPA, American Association of Museums, TEDX, and is currently a member of the Urban Land Institute Entertainment Council and the Producers Guild of America. He holds four patents for original theme park attraction systems and has been honored with numerous THEA awards from the TEA including THEAs for T2:3D (1997), FiestAventura (2000), The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man (2000), Universal’s Islands of Adventure (2000), and Beyond all Boundaries (2011).
