Thursday, March 28, 2024

Polin Wins Four Brass Ring Awards at IAAPA Attractions Expo

 

At this year’s IAAPA Attractions Expo, Polin Waterparks brought home four Brass Ring Awards, recognized as among the most respected honors in the amusement industry.

Last year, Polin was honored with a Brass Ring for Best New Product for its Space Race waterslide, a first-of-its-kind waterslide that allows groups of riders to compete against one another. This year, Polin was recognized with four awards. The four awards bestowed on the company were:

Brass Ring for Best New Product, 1st Place – Category “Technology Applied to Amusements”

This award recognizes new products that demonstrate the application of a technology that has not previously been used for the same function that the technology accomplishes in the new product. The award recognizes Polin’s industry-breaking Splash VR – Virtual Reality Waterslide, a technology that provides a virtual-reality experience for waterpark guests without requiring a park to retrofit any aspect of an existing waterslide. Guests wear the wireless, waterproof VR headsets as they ride a waterslide to experience a unique journey, such as exploring the Lost City of Atlantis.

Brass Ring for Best New Product, 2nd Place – Category “Water Park Ride/Attraction”

This award is for new products that are designed primarily for rides or attractions in a waterpark or water-activity areas in theme parks, amusement parks or family entertainment centers. IAAPA recognizes Polin’s accomplishment in the introduction of its new Splash Cabin, the industry’s first interactive, water-powered game. Designed for two players, the competition is a water-fueled battle using animated players who interact using a 3D screen. Guests enter a beach-style cabin to play and earn points by hitting moving targets.

Brass Ring for Best Exhibit, 1st Place

Winners of this award are exalted for the quality, originality and uniqueness of their booths’ designs, along with branding elements (the use of corporate logo and/or brand within the design of the booth and promotion of product or service). Winners also must meet exceptional levels in regards to staffing (professional appearance, welcoming and friendly demeanor, approachable and knowledgeable) and overall appeal (booth cleanliness, attractive layout, and ease of access to information within the booth).

Sohret Pakis, Director of Marketing and Communications for Polin Waterparks , says that being recognized for having an exceptional booth was not an easy task. “We didn’t rely simply on posters, models or videos,” she explained. “We did have those elements, but we focused on giving an experience to guests who entered our booth. We wanted it to become a miniature amusement park on the IAAPA show floor.” She described the inclusion of simulators that enabled guests to try four of Polin’s most popular rides. “We also offered the first hologram model ever used at IAAPA to showcase our new Mantis attraction,” she said. “And we offered our new Splash Cabin so guests could actually play the game. Each and every detail of our booth was planned with utmost importance down to the last detail. We had 5 stations (Splash VR, SplashWare, Ride’n Splash, Polin Aquariums/Funtastic Aquariums, Polin Wave Parks) with industry experts to fully serve our guests.”

Brass Ring- Image Award

This unique award is restricted to the best exhibit on the entire show floor. Judges choose the winner based on booth design, branding, staffing and overall appeal. Unlike many awards at IAAPA, however, consideration for the Image Award does not require submission of an application, distinguishing it as the absolute most highly recognized award at the show.

Pakis said her company was honored to win the award, “I think one aspect of our booth that set us apart and helped the judges choose us was the emphasis we put on our R&D center. We truly are working hard to elevate our industry’s efforts in this regard, so put a great deal of care into emphasizing this aspect of our business and illustrating our strategic plan. As a marketing director, I feel a great deal of responsibility in helping people to understand our strategy. Our marketing team works hard to integrate it into our brand and convey our message clearly and in a way our guests deserve,” she explained. “It’s an honor to be recognized for our efforts by the number 1 organization in our industry.”

Pakis said Polin is grateful to IAAPA and the judges for recognizing the company’s achievements on so many levels.

Joe Kleiman
Joe Kleimanhttp://wwww.themedreality.com
Raised in San Diego on theme parks, zoos, and IMAX films, InPark's Senior Correspondent Joe Kleiman would expand his childhood loves into two decades as a projectionist and theater director within the giant screen industry. In addition to his work in commercial and museum operations, Joe has volunteered his time to animal husbandry at leading facilities in California and Texas and has played a leading management role for a number of performing arts companies. Joe previously served as News Editor and has remained a contributing author to InPark Magazine since 2011. HIs writing has also appeared in Sound & Communications, LF Examiner, Jim Hill Media, The Planetarian, Behind the Thrills, and MiceChat His blog, ThemedReality.com takes an unconventional look at the attractions industry. Follow on twitter @ThemesRenewed Joe lives in Sacramento, California with his wife, dog, and a ghost.

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