.png)
About FORGE
.png)
FORGE is a brand-new conference hosted by the Themed Entertainment Association at NC State (TEA @ NC State) on the campus of North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina. Designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry, FORGE brings experienced industry professionals directly to campus to connect with and inspire emerging talent across all disciplines.
Event Highlights
-
Industry Insights & Technical Sessions: Guest speakers will share their real-world career journeys, industry knowledge, and technical insights into the themed entertianment indsutry across multipel disciplines.
-
Young Professionals Panel: Early-career professionals will share recent experiences, entry-level advice, and practical strategies for breaking into the industry.
-
Networking Reception: A dedicated social hour allowing attendees to connect directly with guest speakers, industry mentors, and fellow peers to build valuable professional relationships.
-
Event details may be added or changed in the future.
Who Should Attend
FORGE is open to all students, young professionals, and early-career innovators interested in experience design, ride engineering, architecture, show control, park operations, project management, concept design, storytelling and more.
Additional programming details, full speaker lineups, and schedule announcements are to come and could change.
Call for Presenters & Panelists
Share Your Expertise at FORGE 2026
The Themed Entertainment Association at NC State (TEA @ NC State) is actively seeking industry professionals, technical experts, and leaders to present at FORGE: Shaping the Future of Themed Entertainment on NC State’s campus.
Because creating location-based experiences requires a mix of art, technology, business, human factors, and science, FORGE is open to students of all majors. We are looking for speakers across every facet of the industry to share real-world insights, career advice, and technical knowledge with our multi-disciplinary student audience. If you are passionate about mentoring the next generation and sharing your real-world insights, we would love to have you join us.
Interested in presenting, joining a panel, or attending as an industry mentor? Please complete our brief interest form below, and our planning committee will follow up with you.
