The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA), a non-profit representing compelling places and experiences worldwide, has been making final preparations for its annual summit which takes place next month.
The event will be held at the Magic Kingdom Ballroom of the Disneyland Resort & Hotel, in Anaheim, US from 21-22 April.
Celebrating industry talents
Day One will feature a discussion with Buzz Price award winner Doris Hardoon, a key speaker for the event. Attendees will also be provided with an outlook on the global market courtesy of economics specialist AECOM, as well as additional curated sessions which address timely and relevant industry topics.
The following day of the TEA Summit will focus on Thea Case Studies, looking closer at the stories behind Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement winners through presentations made by the owners and their creative partners. Industry leaders will share insights and in-depth views on the development and implementation of their projects.
Thea Award winners will be formally acknowledged at the Thea Awards Gala on 23 April, after being announced at Orlando’s IAAPA Expo in November 2021.
The Thea Award winners being celebrated are:
- Indigenous Peoples Experience, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (Heritage Center)
- The Roads to Freedom, Bastogne, Belgium (Live Show Spectacular on a Limited Budget)
- Mario Kart Augmented Reality Themed Ride Technology, Osaka, Japan (Technical Innovation)
- Elephant Springs, Fort Worth Zoo, Texas, USA (Zoo Expansion)
- Symphony: A Virtual Journey Into The Heart Of Music, Barcelona, Spain (Immersive Experience, Limited Budget)
- Gideon’s Bakehouse, Disney Springs, Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, USA (Themed Retail, Limited Budget)
- AniMakerspace, USA (Inspirational Learning Experience, Limited Budget)
- BOOM! Britannia Mine Museum, Britannia Beach, British Columbia, Canada (Museum Experience, Limited Budget)
- Stuntronics – Aerial Robotics Technology, Anaheim, California, USA (Technical Innovation)
- Wētā Workshop Unleashed, Auckland, New Zealand (Brand Experience)
- Level99, Natick, Massachusetts, USA (Attraction)
- Super Nintendo World, Universal Studios Japan, Osaka (Theme Park Land)
- The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash! Universal Studios Hollywood, USA (Attraction)
- Reodor Felgen’s Hyperakselerator, Hunderfossen Adventure Park, Faberg, Norway (Attraction on a Limited Budget)
Resort renovations
Disneyland Resort has seen a number of new additions in recent years, including the critically-acclaimed Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park and Avengers Campus themed land at Disney California Adventure.
The Californian park is currently renovating its Toontown area, which will feature new attractions including Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Chairman of Disney parks, experiences and products, Josh D’Amaro, says: “The newly reimagined Mickey’s Toontown will be a welcoming place where families and younger guests can connect and play together in fun new ways”.
For more event information on the TEA Summit and Thea Awards Gala, as well ticket purchase details, visit the TEA website.
The TEA has also announced details for its upcoming SATE event to be held at Liseberg in Sweden, which will take place in Gothenburg between 4 – 7 May 2022.
