From my parents’ garage to Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom | Garner Holt | TEDxRiverside

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Garner Holt has made his dreams and those of thousands of others come true in his “fantasy factory.” Garner Holt makes animatronics that are now at theme parks across the world. He shares his story of how he got there, and how he does what he does.

Garner L. Holt founded and is President of the San Bernardino company that bears his name, Garner Holt Productions, Inc. Garner started animatronics while still in high school and was originally housed in his parent’s garage. Garner Holt Productions, Inc. (GHP) is the internationally recognized leader in the design and manufacture of animatronic figures, show and ride systems, show action equipment, special effects, and sets and scenery. Under Garner’s direction, the company has built 5,000 animatronic characters for clients including The Walt Disney Company, Universal Studios, MGM, Knott’s Berry Farm, NASA, Lockheed Martin, Chuck E. Cheese, Coca-Cola, Mutual
of Omaha, Nike, Mattel, and McDonald’s restaurants, among hundreds of others.
GHP’s awards include the Themed Entertainment Association’s 2013 Buzz Price Award recognizing a Lifetime of Distinguished Achievements; 2011 Inland Empire District Small Business Person of the Year Award; Ernst & Young Technology Entrepreneur Award of 2006; 2000 Cal State University San Bernardino Entrepreneur of the Year; 2001 Leader of Distinction, and eighteen Thea Awards for outstanding theme park attractions, in addition to dozens more for both entrepreneurship and creative achievement.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)