Universal City, Calif. USA, 17 Feb 2010 – “At TEA’s Thea Awards Gala and industry Summit, we celebrate the best recent examples of Experience Design – the creation of compelling places and guest experiences for leisure, entertainment, and education – and we look at where our industry is headed,” says TEA (Themed Entertainment Association) president Steven J Thorburn, PE, LEED AP of Thorburn Associates. “Museums are significant this year – many have seen record breaking attendance. Technology in the service of storytelling is huge, whether it’s 4D theater, sound and lighting, interactive displays, or special effects. Integrating technology, in a way that fulfills the creative vision while simplifying operations, is a critical art in itself. Asia has emerged as an entertainment industry leader and a market that will continue to grow. If you want to be part of the economic recovery for our industry, the Thea Awards Gala and TEA Summit are key information and networking events.”
The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) is the international non-profit association representing the world’s leading creators, developers, designers and producers of compelling places and experiences.
TEA website: www.teaconnect.org.
Tickets for both events: http://www.teaconnect.org/boxoffice_2010_thea.php
16th Annual Thea Awards Gala, Sat. March 6
The Globe Theatre, Universal Studios Hollywood
The 16th Annual Thea Awards Gala, sponsored by Garner Holt Productions, Inc. and Economics at AECOM, will be held at The Globe Theatre, Universal Studios Hollywood. The Gala is a prestigious, black-tie dinner event that is open to the public. Truly international in their recognition of outstanding productions, the Thea Awards focus attention on excellence and innovation in the creation of great guest experiences within the visitor attractions industry. Since their creation in 1994, the Thea Awards have become internationally recognized as a symbol of excellence.
“The Thea Awards shine a light on the process and talent responsible for creating excellence in our industry: Visionary developers or forward-thinking museum curators, outrageous creative directors or hyper-organized project managers, gifted artists or skilled technicians, says TEA Executive Director Gene Jeffers. “We pay tribute to the creative vision and sheer effort that take a wild musing and turn it into a reality.”
Recipients – 16th Annual Thea Awards
Thea Lifetime Achievement Award: Mark Fuller, WET
Thea Classic Award: Coal Mine, MSI Chicago
Thea Awards for Outstanding Achievement (AOA)
Toy Story Midway Mania, Disney’s California Adventure and Walt Disney World (Attraction)
Dragon’s Treasure at City of Dreams, Macau (Attraction)
Disaster! Universal Studios Orlando (Attraction Rehab)
The Museum at Bethel Woods, New York USA (Museum)
Please Touch Museum, Philadelphia USA (Museum)
America I Am: The African American Imprint (Traveling Exhibition)
Skyscraper! Liberty Science Center, Jersey City USA (Science Center Exhibit)
McNeil Avian Center, Philadelphia Zoo (Zoo Exhibit on a Limited Budget)
Tea Show at OCT East Resort, Shenzhen, China (Live Show)
Heineken Experience, Amsterdam (Brand Experience)
Tickets: http://www.teaconnect.org/boxoffice_2010_thea.php
Photos: Mark Fuller works on fountains for EPCOT. The Coal Mine Exhibit as it looked in 1933.
