After more than 30 years in the leisure and attractions industry working for Walt Disney Imagineering, Pierre & Vacances-Center Parcs, Grévin & Cie and Compagnie des Alpes, architect, designer and concept innovator Michel Linet-Frion has launched his own global consultancy firm.

Studio Concepts and Innovations provides consultancy and design services for eco friendly and storyline-led family leisure destinations and resorts.

“I’ve been intensively involved in designing world class attractions that create long lasting emotions and memories for many years,” Linet-Frion told Attractions Management. ”My main aim is to trigger imagination – I want to make people happy, to give them the opportunity to disconnect from their daily life and reconnect with those they’ve chosen to visit our destinations with.

“Nature is part of my signature philosophy; we care for her, she cares for us.”

GOING IT ALONE
With his new venture, Linet-Frion says he will use his expertise to help clients create memorable and original experiences.

“From the initial concept to the opening day, I can support developers at each stage of the process, providing the advice and expertise necessary to transform their visions and dreams into destinations,” he said. “I will make it simple for them, allowing them to focus on the big picture while I stay focused on the details.”

“To accomplish this, I’m assembling and partnering up with leading worldwide specialists in all fields to make sure all ‘our’ creations become success stories.”

THE DISNEY YEARS
After training as an architect, Linet-Frion deviated from classic architecture early on in his career when he joined Disney to help translate its concept for the European market. After eight years as a Disney Imagineer, he left for Parc Asterix, where he was in charge of developing concepts and masterplans for newly-acquired family entertainment sites.

A range of other projects followed, including the reinvention of the St Malo Aquarium, the design of the award-winning Nautibus underwater ride and the Grévin wax Museum.

In 2006 he joined Pierre & Vacances-Center Parcs, where he worked as creative director, developing new sites and innovations for the company.

After working for Center Parcs for almost 15 years, Linet-Frion said he’s ready for a change. “I’m not past-orientated; I like the future. I’m ready for the next new adventures and surprising encounters,” he explained.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Studio Concepts and Innovations provides consultancy and design services for eco friendly and storyline-led family leisure destinations and resorts. “Indoor waterparks and wellness centers are among my favourite specialties,” said Linet-Frion. “Family Fun Centers are also what I enjoy putting together because I like to surprise and go beyond the expectations of those that will come and enjoy them.”

LOOKING AHEAD
“My dream project is always the next one,” Linet-Frion said. “I’ve acquired a lot of expertise, allowing me to free up my imagination.

“My international experience and never-ending desire for travel and discovery have given me deep insight into a wide variety of local cultures and atmospheres around the world. This diversity of experiences led me to a very specific, blended approach to the guest experience: staging it based on storytelling and authenticity above all.

“The older I get, the more I hate anything fake. I hate fake people. I hate fake plants. I hate fake political situations,” Linet-Frion concluded.

“My strongest driver in all I do is a quest for authenticity.”