The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) has revealed the recipients of the TEA Thea Awards. These will be formally awarded April 7, 2018 at the 24th annual Thea Awards Gala in Anaheim, presented by Chimelong Group.
The themed entertainment industry impacts all manner of visitor attractions across the world. These include amusement parks, water parks, museums, zoos, aquariums and live nighttime spectaculars. The TEA Thea Awards reflect and celebrate this diversity. The TEA Thea Award is regarded one of the themed entertainment industry’s greatest honours. Each year, the TEA community gathers for the annual Thea Awards Gala in California.
Tickets for the TEA Thea Awards will go on sale around the end of 2017.
David Willrich is the TEA International Board President. He said, “We congratulate the new Thea Awards recipients and invite our international community to join us April 7, 2018 for the annual TEA Thea Awards Gala, where we honor and celebrate our industry’s finest achievements and greatest contributors”.
The 24th Annual Thea Awards are dedicated to the Disney Legend Marty Sklar. He received a Thea lifetime achievement award in 1995. He was closely involved with TEA and the Thea Awards until his passing last year.
The Buzz Price Thea Award – Recognizing a Lifetime of Distinguished Achievements
Phil Hettema is President and Creative Executive of The Hettema Group. In his over 40 year career in themed entertainment, Phil has created iconic visitor experiences across the wolrd. These include New York’s One World Observatory, the High Roller Observation Wheel in Las Vegas and Beyond All Boundaries at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. He started his own firm in 2002. Before this he was SVP Attraction Development for Universal Studios Theme Parks Worldwide.
Thea Classic
Cedar Point, with its famous beach and boardwalk dates back to 1870. Today the Sandusky, OH park is a unique mix of high-octane thrill rides, live events and great hospitality.
Thea Awards for Outstanding Achievements
“Sleep No More Shanghai,” McKinnon Hotel, Shanghai, China (Connected Immersion Theater)
Ghost Town Alive! Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park, CA, USA (Connected Immersion Theater, Limited Budget)
Pandora – The World of Avatar, Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, USA (Theme Park Area Development)
Avatar Flight of Passage, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World, Orlando, USA (Attraction)
Derren Brown’s Ghost Train: Rise of the Demon, Thorpe Park Resort, England (Immersive Attraction)
Jameson Distillery Bow St., Dublin, Ireland (Brand Experience)
Chimelong Ocean Kingdom’s Journey of Lights Parade, Zhuhai City, China (Live Show)
Frozen Ever After, Norway Pavilion, Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, USA (Attraction Reimagining)
Symbolica: The Palace of Fantasy, de Efteling, Netherlands (Attraction)
Citadella Visitors Centre, Gozo Island, Malta (Heritage Visitor Center, Limited Budget)
Les Carrières de Lumières, Les Baux de Provence, France (Immersive Event)
“Aura,” Basilica Notre Dame, Montreal, Canada (Immersive Event, Limited Budget)
Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! Disney California Adventure, Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, CA, USA (Attraction Reimagining)
DreamWorks Animation Zone, MOTIONGATE™ Dubai, UAE (Theme Park Land)
Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Washington DC, USA (Museum)
Rainis’ Museum Tadenava, Riga, Latvia (Museum Rehab on a Limited Budget)
Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War, Te Papa Museum, Wellington, NZ (Museum Exhibit, Limited Budget)
3D Live – Holographic 3D LED Display (Innovative Technology)
TEA Peter Chernack Distinguished Service Award (recognizing exceptional volunteer service to the Association)
Joe Fox, Birket Engineering
Annika Oetken, Freelance Project Manager
