News Release

release date: November 16, 2005

BRC’s “Showmanship Meets Scholarship” Approach to Experience Design Draws Over 400,000 Visitors in Less Than Six Months; Museum Lauded as Innovative and Amazing

BURBANK, CA -– BRC Imagination Arts, one of the world's leading creators of distinctive experience exhibits for museums, corporate visitor centers and heritage attractions, learned today that their project, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Illinois (www.alplm.org) will receive the National Award of Achievement from the Lincoln Group of New York, a historical society for scholars with nationwide membership dedicated to the study and discussion of the life and times of Abraham Lincoln. The award, bestowed annually to a literary or artistic project, has been given to the Lincoln Museum for its accomplishment in bringing the history of President Lincoln to the American people.

BRC designed and produced all of the permanent exhibits, presentations and guest experiences, including immersive exhibits, special effects theaters and original artifact displays that bring the extraordinary 16th president to life. Since its opening in April, over 400,000 visitors have toured the museum, making it America’s best attended Presidential Library.

Additionally, the Lincoln Museum has also received a 2005 THEA Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Museum category. The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) today announced a total of just 13 winners of the 2005 THEA Awards for excellence in new museums and attractions around the world.

THEA Awards, considered the most prestigious honor within the themed entertainment industry, recognize achievement and excellence in the creation of compelling places and experiences. Each year, hundreds of highly regarded venues from around the world compete for recognition, including the world’s biggest and best theme parks, museums, aquariums, visitor centers, science centers and more. All location-based attractions are eligible, and only approximately a dozen awards are given out annually.

This is the 11th THEA award given to a BRC Imagination Arts production, and one of the over 250 international awards garnered by BRC over 25 years.

Working closely with the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, BRC oversaw every aspect of the interior museum experience, from concept to final production and testing, creating a one-of-kind portrayal of this president’s life that encompassed critical periods of American history. In addition to the displays of original artifacts, the immersive exhibits include: the Whispering Gallery where visitors walk down a twisted hallway as cruel words are said about the Lincolns; Ghosts of the Library where ghosts interact with the museum staff in a Holavision® theater; and Campaign 1860, a contemporary television newscast analyzing 30-second TV campaign commercials promoting each of that year’s four presidential candidates.

“Presidential libraries and museums are often filled with static displays of information, but the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum is the first museum that allows visitors to immerse themselves in the life of Abraham Lincoln,” said Bob Rogers, president and CEO of BRC Imagination Arts. “The combination of these two awards – one from a highly-respected scholarly organization and the other from a leader in the entertainment field - exemplifies the potential impact of a ‘Showmanship Meets Scholarship’ approach to its experience design. For the Lincoln Museum to be recognized by both of these organizations is a wonderful confirmation that we truly achieved that balance.”

About BRC Imagination Arts

Founded in 1981, BRC Imagination Arts is the leader in the design, creation and production of innovative and immersive experience-based attractions for museums, experiential marketing, theme parks and cultural heritage sites worldwide.

BRC projects have consistently exceeded the expectations of clients and visitors, and have a proven track record of economic sustainability and the industry's best record for on time, on budget performance. Clients include Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, NASA, Disney, Warner Brothers and Universal Studios. With offices in California, Amsterdam and the United Kingdom, BRC has been honored with over 250 international awards for creative excellence including two Academy Award nominations and nine THEA Awards for Outstanding Achievement in themed entertainment. The company is currently engaged in major projects in the U.S., China, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, the UK, and Sweden. For more information, visit www.brcweb.com.