Member's Spotlight

Larry & Lucie Mann

Owners
Park Plaza Cinema, Hilton Head Island, SC
Company Screen Count: 
5
Company Location Count: 
Staff Count: 
14
State(s): 
South Carolina,

Member Profile

How has NATO membership been impactful to you and/or your business?

We didn’t know anything or anyone in the movie theater business. Joining NATO and attending events was incredibly exciting, as we met people and found everything we needed for the renovations of our theater. We connected with inspiring individuals and gained invaluable knowledge through the various seminars we attended. Since then, we have regularly participated in CinemaCon and The Fall Summit.

How did you get into the exhibition business?

Both Larry and I built custom homes—he was the builder, and I was the architect. In 2010, during the recession, our friends approached us to purchase their movie theater. At that time, construction had significantly diminished, and this venture became our “Plan B.”

 

Little did we know how much work it would entail or how steep the learning curve would be. However, we’re proud to have created a space where people love to gather during their family vacations on Hilton Head.

Our mission is to inspire new moviegoers to appreciate the art of filmmaking by welcoming them like guests in our home.
-Larry & Lucie Mann
What is your favorite thing about your job?

I (Lucie) manage much of our social media and plan events and private parties. I enjoy collaborating to create something fun and memorable for our guests, their friends, and their families.

 

We also organize many fundraising events for local non-profits, partnering with various organizations over our 15 years of operation.

 

Creating unique menu options has been an enjoyable challenge—trying new ideas based on what our patrons request. Watching our visitors connect with one another and seeing smiles on their faces is immensely rewarding, knowing that we’ve contributed to their joy.

Can you share a particularly memorable moment or event from your time in the industry?

Being a pet-friendly movie theater has been a huge blessing (dogs under 20 lbs are welcome—just bring a blanket!). We’ve had many little pooches visit with their parents, and it’s clear they have a great time.

 

This has been special for us, too, thanks to our resident greeters, Antoinette, and our newest addition, Alistair, who joined our family just a few months ago.

 

Our patrons often bring their friends to say hello to Antoinette and Alistair, and before them, we had Annabelle and Abilene as our beloved greeters. It’s been a joy to share this unique experience.

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Tell us about your favorite moviegoing experience of all time:

My favorite experience is being in my own theater, watching a movie, enjoying a bite from our full menu with a glass of wine, and having Antoinette on my lap.

 

Another standout moment was at CinemaCon at Caesars Palace, watching a full feature in the Colosseum. The sound quality was breathtaking and transported me—it’s an experience I’ll never forget.

Where do you see the future of exhibition heading, and what excites you about it?

We honestly believe the industry can only improve from here. We’re entering a new 30-year cycle of innovation, where things often get shaken up for the better. This is when creativity thrives, and people demand more—so we provide more.

 

Being pioneers in our industry excites and honors us. Our mission is to inspire new moviegoers to appreciate the art of filmmaking by welcoming them like guests in our home. This approach has worked wonders for us, and we couldn’t be happier.

What advice would you give to someone looking to enter the exhibition industry?

Come and see us—we’ll set you up! You won’t have to learn everything from scratch like we did. We’ll share our “recipe book” so you can recreate our concept in your own town.

 

This industry is experiencing a revival, and we know our visitors and friends love what we’ve created. Let us help you build something truly special.

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