HARRY POTTER: THE EXHIBITION Returns to Discovery Times Square for 2012 Holiday Season

Harry Potter fans in New York City can rejoice, as they will soon have the chance to step inside the famous wizard's magical world with Harry Potter: The Exhibition, which returns to Discovery Times Square this holiday season.

Since its hugely successful run in New York City in 2011, Harry Potter: The Exhibition has been significantly updated with artifacts from the series including the final film, and will include a few select holiday themed surprises. Back by popular demand, this new stop in New York City will serve as the exhibition's return to North America after a year-long international tour. Opening date and ticketing information will be released in the upcoming weeks.

In partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products, Global Experience Specialists, Inc. (GES) created the 14,000-square-foot experiential exhibition, where visitors will be able to visit dramatic displays inspired by the Hogwarts(TM) film sets and see the amazing craftsmanship behind authentic costumes and props from the films. Original artifacts from the series finale, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows(TM) - Part 2, will be on display for the first time along with hundreds of original props and costumes from all of the previous Harry Potter films.

"From the moment visitors step inside Harry Potter: The Exhibition, they are immersed in the incredible world depicted in the blockbuster films," said Brad Globe, president, Warner Bros. Consumer Products. "Returning to New York, the exhibition will give the legions of fans and visitors from around the world yet another special opportunity to experience the magic of Harry Potter this holiday season in Times Square."

Harry Potter: The Exhibition offers fans a firsthand view of hundreds of authentic artifacts displayed in settings inspired by the film sets--including the Great Hall, Hagrid's hut, the Gryffindor(TM) common room--and more.

"We are pleased to offer East coast fans a second opportunity to experience this exhibition, all housed within the perfect venue during the ideal time of year, the holiday season," said Eddie Newquist, chief creative officer for GES. "There is no better way to celebrate the imagination and creativity of the Harry Potter film series than to actually walk among the iconic costumes and props that helped bring the world of the films to life."

"We are excited to present New York residents and visitors with this special presentation of Harry Potter: The Exhibition designed specifically for a venue of this magnitude, especially during the holiday season," said James Sanna, president of Discovery Times Square.

The exhibition made its world premiere in Chicago in April 2009 before traveling on to Boston, Toronto, Seattle, New York, Sydney, and now experiencing a successful run at Singapore's ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands through September 30, 2012. Harry Potter: The Exhibition tours major cultural and entertainment venues, museums and institutions in the U.S. and internationally.

Discovery Times Square (DTS) is New York City's first large-scale exhibition center presenting visitors with limited-run, educational and immersive exhibit experiences while exploring the world's defining cultures, art, history and events. More than a museum, DTS has featured a renowned line-up of exhibitions including Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, Leonardo Da Vinci's Workshop, King Tut, Pompeii The Exhibit, Dead Sea Scrolls: The Exhibition and most recently Terracotta Warriors: Defenders of China's First Emperor. DTS is located at 226 West 44th Street (between Broadway and 8th Avenues).

Global Experience Specialists, Inc. (GES), a Viad Corp (NYSE: VVI) company, is a leading marketing agency that produces exhibitions, events, exhibits and retail environments. GES provides a wide range of services, including turn-key official show services, cutting-edge creative and design, marketing and measurement services--all with an unrivaled global reach. GES partners with leading shows and brands, including the International CES, Spring Fair Birmingham, International Woodworking Fair, CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE, Bell Helicopter, Genzyme, L'Oreal, Warner Bros., and Simon Property Group. GES' National Servicenter® has been recognized with certification under the J.D. Power and Associates Certified Call Center Program? for the past four years, and for the third year in a row Ad Age has named GES as one of the "World's 50 Largest Agency Companies." For more information, visit ges.com or the GES blog at defyingconvention.ges.com.

Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.