The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA), a non-profit representing compelling places and experiences worldwide, has revealed this year’s winners of the annual Thea Awards.
The awards recognise individuals and teams who contribute in a remarkable way towards delivering unique guest experiences around the world. The recipients will be honoured at a banquet on 16 March 2024, at the Dolby Ballroom in Hollywood, California, USA. Their achievements coincide with the Thea Awards Programme and Gala’s 30th anniversary.
Melissa Oviedo, TEA International Board president, says: “Celebrating excellence is core to the TEA mission. These remarkable individuals have demonstrated unparalleled creativity, innovation, and commitment to delivering extraordinary guest experiences on a truly global scale. Their work has not only entertained and inspired millions but also continues to shape the future of our industry.”
Andy Westfall, judging chairman, adds: “Each year, hundreds of exciting and unique submissions from across the globe are received and reviewed by the Thea Awards Judging Committee to arrive at this final list of honorees. This year’s major submission trend included a heavy emphasis on consumer and hospitality-based experiences which personalized guest engagement in new, impactful, and meaningful ways.”
The 30th annual Thea Awards
The recipients of this year’s Thea Awards are:
- The Buzz Price Award – Su Zhigang, chairman and CEO of the Chimelong Group
- The Thea Catalyst Award – Paul C. Hutton, principal and director of Regenerative Design at Cuningham
- Peter Chernack Distinguished Service Award – David Green and Lisa Passamonte Green, Visual Terrain
- The Thea Classic Award – Liseberg, Gothenburg, Sweden
The Thea Awards for Outstanding Achievement honorees are:
- Indoor Marine Park – SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Attraction – Bermuda Storm, Chimelong Spaceship, Zhuhai, China
- Attraction, Limited Budget, Musikkfabrikken Hunderfossen, Hunderfossen Eventyrpark, Lillehammer, Norway
- Attraction – Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, EPCOT, Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA
- Brand Experience – Johnnie Walker Princes Street, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
- Retail Experience, Limited Budget – Disney Encanto x CAMP, New York, New York, USA
- Live Spectacular – Geneva Journey, Geneva, Switzerland
- Visitor Experience Re-envisioned, Limited Budget – Titanic Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
- Immersive Mall Experience – AURA: The Forest at the Edge of the Sky, Haikou International Duty-Free Shopping Complex, Haikou, China
- Live Interactive Experience – Peaky Blinders: The Rise, Camden Stables Market, London, England, United Kingdom
- Museum Attraction, Limited Budget – Deutschlandmuseum, Berlin, Germany
- Live Show – Le Mime et L’Étoile, Puy De Fou, Les Epesses, France
- Extended Reality Exhibit – Colored (Noire), Centre Georges, Pompidou, Paris, France
- Experiential Dining Attraction – Eatrenalin, Europa-Park, Rust, Germany
Earlier this month, The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) announced the appointment of Chloe Hausfeld as global director of strategic partnerships, a newly created position. Hausfeld will lead on the generation and growth of non-dues revenue stream, playing a critical role in helping TEA achieve its strategic, operational and financial objectives.
