Former Forrec executive, Matt Dawson, Joins JRA as VP of business development
by Tom Walker | 19 Oct 2023
Dawson has joined JRA / Matt Dawson
JRA has appointed Matt Dawson, a former VP at experience design company Forrec, as its new VP of business development.
At Forrec, Dawson – who has a master's degree in architecture – served on the executive team responsible for setting corporate priorities and also set the strategic direction for Forrec's client relations, leading a 12-person team to pursue new business development efforts across North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
Prior to his VP appointment, Dawson served as Forrec's senior director of visitor attractions, managing client relations with cultural institutions, such as Science North, Mandai Singapore Zoo and the Panama Canal Authority.
As a sought-after thought leader, Dawson has been a featured speaker at conferences worldwide and has contributed content to dozens of industry articles.
JRA's executive vice president, Mark Amos, said: "Matt could not be arriving at a more perfect time. With the leisure market hungry for new experiences, we at JRA set a strategic growth plan in motion to expand our reach into new verticals and regions while deepening our relationships in existing ones.
"With his architecture and business development background, Matt is uniquely positioned to execute this plan and position us for global success."
Experience design studio JRA has completed work on multiple cultural and attraction projects in the first three quarters of 2023 – with more 12 others in the pipeline.
Recent openings include the National Corvette Museum's McMichael Family Education Gallery, the complete renovation of Louisville Slugger Museum, ExpERIEnce Children's Museum, The Ozark Mill, Kings Island Adventure Port and the Hasbro City FEC in Mexico City.
JRA was acquired by live entertainment specialist, RWS Entertainment Group, in November 2021.
JRA RWS Entertainment Matt DawsonMore news
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by Megan Whitby | 24 Nov 2023
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by Megan Whitby | 20 Nov 2023
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by Megan Whitby | 15 Nov 2023
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by Tom Walker | 09 Nov 2023
The first ever Siro hotel, marketed as the "ultimate fitness and recovery hotel", is now accepting reservations. Set to open its doors in February 2024 at the One Za'abeel development in Dubai, the property marks the debut for Siro – a new, fitness and recovery brand developed by Kerzner International. Siro One Za'abeel will offer guests experiences built around the brand's five specific "biohacking pillars" – fitness, nutrition, sleep, recovery
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by Tom Walker | 01 Nov 2023
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by Tom Walker | 29 Oct 2023
Virgin Active has opened the doors to its Wimbledon club following a comprehensive redevelopment and refurbishment of the site. The company said the property – described it as an 'all-new club' – has been meticulously planned to the highest standards. Facilities now include a 375sq m gym floor with10 Lifting Stations, Ski-Ergs, Echo Bikes, Eleiko weights and Technogym cardio equipment. A total of 10 personal trainers will also be available.
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by Tom Walker | 24 Oct 2023
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Banyan Tree Group has refreshed its luxury hotel in Mérida, Mexico, with a new Angsana Spa inspired by Asian and Mexican therapies. Located in four acres of lush green tropical gardens, the newly built wellness pavilion is part of Hacienda Xcanatun, Angsana Heritage Collection’s property-wide expansion project. The spa stands above a tranquil pond and blends discreetly into the surrounding natural foliage thanks to a design blending the boundaries between
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by Megan Whitby | 19 Oct 2023
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by Megan Whitby | 22 Sep 2023
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by Megan Whitby | 05 Sep 2023
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by Megan Whitby | 31 Aug 2023
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by Megan Whitby | 29 Aug 2023
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by Tom Walker | 25 Aug 2023
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September reopening for Britain's oldest lido following £9m transformation
by Megan Whitby | 25 Aug 2023
The UK’s oldest outdoor public pool in the city of Bath will reopen to the public on 10 September following a £9m (US$10.7m, €10.1m) restoration project. Located on Hampton Row, Cleveland Pools was designed by John Pinch the Elder, designer of Babbington House in Somerset and Bishopstrow House, as well as parts of the City of Bath, and opened in 1815. It remained a popular open-air bathing spot for more
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by Megan Whitby | 25 Aug 2023
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Rosewood’s second Austrian Asaya spa to open in restored 15th-century castle
by Megan Whitby | 24 Aug 2023
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts will unveil a brand new Asaya wellness spa in 2024 at a lakeside castle in the Austrian countryside. The spa will open at the luxury hotel and spa operator’s upcoming hotel Rosewood Schloss Fuschl, complete with eight treatment rooms, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and a fitness centre. Asaya is Rosewood’s signature wellness concept focused on the intersections between physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. The Asaya
1 Hotel Mayfair launches with Bamford Wellness Spa and biophilic design by GA Group
by Megan Whitby | 17 Aug 2023
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by Tom Walker | 17 Aug 2023
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by Megan Whitby | 16 Aug 2023
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Third Space joins Six Senses at luxury development The Whiteley
by Tom Walker | 09 Aug 2023
Third Space has signed a deal to open a club at The Whiteley, the iconic West London landmark which is undergoing a £1bn transformation into a mixed-use development. The luxury fitness operator will take 34,000sq ft of space across three floors within The Whiteley, directly accessed via Porchester Gardens in Bayswater. Third Space currently operates 10 clubs across London and is rolling out its high-end brand following investment from KSL
GymNation – owned by JD Gyms – opens latest club in Dubai and plans Middle East expansion
by Tom Walker | 09 Aug 2023
GymNation, which was acquired by JD Gyms in 2022, has opened its latest health club in Dubai, bringing the number of sites in its UAE portfolio to 11. GymNation Downtown Dubai features more than 500 pieces of Matrix and Eleiko equipment across a 40,000sq ft space. There are also three group exercise studios, featuring programming from Les Mills and a dedicated combat zone and classes. GymNation has ambitious expansion plans,
Entertainment resort and waterpark planned for Tashkent, Uzbekistan
by Tom Walker | 09 Aug 2023
A world-scale, integrated resort is being planned for Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital city. Feature unique water attractions, a themed hotel, immersive dining, and live entertainment, the development will be located close to urban regeneration district, New Tashkent City and is being designed with both local and international audiences in mind. US-based design firm Legacy Entertainment has been appointed to design and build the resort's waterpark, which will anchor the project. No
Plans revealed for US$2bn Oklahoma theme park
by Tom Walker | 05 Aug 2023
Plans have been tabled for a US$2bn theme park and entertainment destination development in north-east Oklahoma, US. The development would be built in phases, starting with a large-scale caravan/RV park with cabins scheduled to open phase one in spring 2025. The main development called American Heartland Theme Park and Resort, would then follow in 2026. Spreading across 1,000 acres, the resort would be located close to Route 66, the famous
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