{{short description|American architect, master planner, construction developer and hospitality professional}} {{Infobox architect |name = Wing Tao Chao |birth_name= 趙永濤 |image = |image_size = |caption = |birth_date = May 1944<ref name="goldsea.com">{{cite web|url=http://goldsea.com/TAAP/A-E/chaow.html|title=Wing T. Chao - Top Asian American Professionals - GOLDSEA|website=goldsea.com}}</ref> |birth_place = Chongqing, Sichuan, China |death_date = |death_place = |alma_mater = University of California, Berkeley<br>Harvard University |practice = Vice Chairman (Walt Disney Parks and Resorts)<br>Executive Vice President (Walt Disney Imagineering) |significant_buildings= |significant_projects = Epcot Center<br>Disneyland Paris<br>Disneyland Hong Kong |significant_design = Disney Wonder<br>Disney Dream |awards = Pioneer Award (ISHC)<br>Committee of 100 member<br>Outstanding Achievement Award (AIA)<br>Legend Award (Contract Magazine) }}
'''Wing Tao Chao''' (born May 1944) is a Chinese-born American architect, master planner, construction developer, hospitality professional, and a former Disney Imagineer.
As an Imagineer, Chao helped with Disney's expansion in markets such as China and Hong Kong, handling businesses worth more than US$12 billion. He was with Disney for over 37 years, from 1972 to 2009, and led over 100 projects including Disneyland resorts, luxury hotels, and cruises.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/1997/scene/vpage/disney-ups-chao-to-exec-vp-1117342041/|title=Disney ups Chao to exec VP|first=Ted|last=Johnson|date=31 March 1997|publisher=}}</ref> In 2009, he retired from Disney and joined Las Vegas Sands Corp. In August 2019, he was named a Disney Legend.
Chao is regarded as a pioneer in the fields of hospitality and construction planning and development. A Committee of 100 member and an AIA fellow, he has received numerous honors throughout his career including the Pioneer Award from the International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) and Outstanding Achievement Award from the American Institute of Architects.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://ishc.com/ishc-honor-wing-t-chao-pioneer-award-alis/|title=ISHC to honor Wing T. Chao with the Pioneer Award at ALIS - ISHC|date=30 October 2017|publisher=}}</ref><ref name="artandliving.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.artandliving.com/wing-chao-2/|title=Wing Chao – RENAISSANCE MAN|publisher=}}</ref> ''Avenue'' magazine has included Chao among the 500 most influential Asians in the United States.<ref name="committee100.org"/>
==Personal life== Chao was born in Chongqing, China in May 1944. He moved to the United States in his teens to pursue education. He lives in Los Angeles, California.<ref name="goldsea.com"/>
==Education== Chao attended the University of California, Berkeley where he received his Bachelor and master's degrees in Architecture. He has a second master's degree in Architecture, majoring in Urban Design, from Harvard University, where he studied under Kenzo Tange, the legendary Japanese architect who predicted the Information Age.
He was conferred an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Business Administration in Hospitality Management by Johnson and Wales University. He also completed post-graduate work in Urban Planning and Real Estate Development at MIT.<ref name="HD Platinum Awards – Wing T. Chao">{{cite web|url=https://www.hdplatinumcircle.com/past-honorees/wing-t-chao/|title=HD Platinum Awards – Wing T. Chao|website=www.hdplatinumcircle.com}}</ref><ref name="artandliving.com"/>
Chao had originally wanted to study medicine and be a doctor.<ref name="goldsea.com"/>
==Career== Chao began his architectural career with William Liskam Architect after completing his education. He joined Disney as an associate soon after.
===Walt Disney Imagineering=== Chao joined Disney in 1972. He had unsuccessfully tried to get a summer job at one of its amusement parks during his Berkeley days.<ref name="artandliving.com"/>
His roles at Disney included: Vice Chairman of Development for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts in the Asia Pacific (1984 to 1997) and Executive Vice President in charge of Master Planning, Architecture and Design at Walt Disney Imagineering (1997 to 2009).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/1997/scene/vpage/disney-ups-chao-to-exec-vp-1117342041/|title=Disney ups Chao to exec VP|first=Ted|last=Johnson|date=31 March 1997|work=Variety}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/markets/stocks|title=Stocks|website=Bloomberg.com}}</ref> He also oversaw the development of Disney's land holdings in California, Florida, Tokyo, Paris and Hong Kong.<ref name="cladglobal.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.cladglobal.com/CLADnews/architecture_design/Wing-T-Chao-Disney-Walt-Disney-Imagineering-International-Society-of-Hospitality-Consultants-Americas-Lodging-Investment-Summit/334912?source=coprofiles|title=Disney architect and designer Wing Chao wins Pioneer Award|work=CLAD}}</ref>
During his time at Disney, Chao led development teams consisting of Disney Imagineers and leading architects and designers on over a hundred projects including Disney theme parks and resort hotel rooms. Chao has also led the design and development of four Disney cruise ships, namely Disney Magic, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, and Disney Wonder.<ref name="committee100.org">{{cite web|url=https://www.committee100.org/member/wing-t-chao/|title=MEMBERS - Committee 100|website=www.committee100.org}}</ref> Chao has handled businesses worth more than USD $12 billion over his term at Disney.<ref name="artandliving.com"/>
Chao is credited with the successful negotiations with French and Hong Kong governments that led to the development of Euro Disneyland and Hong Kong Disneyland respectively.<ref name="HD Platinum Awards – Wing T. Chao"/> He retired from Walt Disney Imagineering on 30 June 2009.<ref name="lasvegassun.com">{{cite web|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2010/jul/29/ex-disney-official-named/|title=Ex-Disney official named to board of Las Vegas Sands Corp.|date=29 July 2010|work=Las Vegas Sun}}</ref>
===Notable works at Disney=== [[File:DCL Disney Wonder at Port Canveral.jpg|250px|thumb|right|''Disney Wonder'' docked at Port Canaveral]] Resorts: *Disneyland Paris *Hong Kong Disneyland Resort *Tokyo Disneyland Cruise ships: *''Disney Magic'' *''Disney Wonder'' *''Disney Dream'' *''Disney Fantasy''
===Las Vegas Sands=== Chao served as a Director for Las Vegas Sands Corp. from July 2010 to November 2010.<ref name="lasvegassun.com"/> He continues to be a part of the advisory board.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.macaubusiness.com/recently-hired-las-vegas-sands-director-leaves-company-to-become-its-advisor-2/ |title=Recently hired Las Vegas Sands' director leaves company to become its advisor |date=October 25, 2010 |work=Macao Business}}</ref>
===Television=== Chao has appeared in three television shows produced by Disney.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wdwnt.com/2020/11/disney-legend-and-former-imagineer-wing-t-chao-appears-in-the-mandalorian/|title=Disney Legend and Former Imagineer Wing Chao Appears In "The Mandalorian"|first1=Shannen|last1=Michaelsen |date=November 28, 2020|website=WDW News Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://chipandco.com/new-the-mandalorian-episode-features-disney-legend-and-imagineer-wing-chao-410570/|title=New 'The Mandalorian' Episode Features Disney Legend and Imagineer Wing Chao|date=November 30, 2020}}</ref>
* ''The Imagineering Story'' as himself (2019) * ''The Mandalorian'' as Governor Wing (2020) * ''Star Wars: Tales of the Empire'' as Governor Wing (2024; voice)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/video/star-wars-tales-of-the-empire-trailer-disney-unveils-trailer-david-filonis-animated-follow-up-tales-of-the-jedi/|title=‘Star Wars: Tales Of The Empire’ Trailer: Disney+ Unveils Dave Filoni’s Animated Follow-Up To ‘Star Wars: Tales Of The Jedi’|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Valerie|last=Complex|date=April 4, 2024|access-date=April 12, 2024|archive-date=April 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412141454/https://deadline.com/video/star-wars-tales-of-the-empire-trailer-disney-unveils-trailer-david-filonis-animated-follow-up-tales-of-the-jedi/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/tales-of-the-empire-trailer|title=Star Wars: Tales of the Empire Trailer Revealed|website=Star Wars|author=StarWars.com Team|date=April 4, 2024|access-date=April 12, 2024|archive-date=April 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412141441/https://www.starwars.com/news/tales-of-the-empire-trailer|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Awards and recognition== thumb|Chao at the D23 Expo Chao has received numerous accolades for his work in the hospitality sector. His works have earned him recognition awards in the architecture and design community.<ref name="artandliving.com"/>
He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects which also honored him with the Outstanding Achievement Award. He has also won the Legend Award by ''Contract'' magazine.<ref name="cladglobal.com"/> In 1992, Chao received the Asian American Architects and Engineers Association's Outstanding Achievement Award.<ref name="goldsea.com"/> ''Hospitality Design'' has named Chao one of the top 20 Hospitality Industry Leaders and Innovators and has also inducted him as a Platinum Circle member. In 2007, Chao was elected into the 'Committee of 100', an organization founded by I. M. Pei to honor American citizens of Chinese descent who have distinguished themselves as leaders in their respective professions. He has also been named one of the 500 most influential Asians in the United States.<ref name="committee100.org"/><ref name="artandliving.com"/>
On January 24, 2018, Chao received the Pioneer Award from the International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) for his services to entertainment design and hospitality.<ref name="cladglobal.com"/><ref name="auto"/>
Chao was named a Disney Legend at the 2019 D23 Expo for his outstanding contributions to the Disney Parks and The Walt Disney Company.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://d23.com/2019-disney-legends/|title=Meet the 2019 Disney Legends to Be Honored at D23 Expo|date=16 May 2019|website=D23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://attractionsmagazine.com/disney-legends-d23-expo-2019/|title=Eleven new Disney Legends to be honored at D23 Expo 2019|date=16 May 2019|website=Attractions Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/eleven-new-disney-legends-to-be-honored-during-d23-expo-2019/|title=Eleven New Disney Legends to Be Honored During D23 Expo 2019|date=May 16, 2019|website=The Walt Disney Company}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== * {{IMDb name|id=nm6943307|name=Wing T. Chao}}
{{Disney Legends Awards 2010s}} {{Walt Disney Parks and Resorts}} {{Disney}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Chao, Wing T.}} Category:UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design alumni Category:Harvard Graduate School of Design alumni Category:Members of the Committee of 100 Category:1944 births Category:Living people Category:Businesspeople from Chongqing Category:Chinese architects Category:American architects of Chinese descent Category:Chinese emigrants to the United States Category:Walt Disney Parks and Resorts people Category:Disney imagineers