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| Photo: Action Innovators |
Laughter, cheers, and applause filled the Peabody Orlando Windermere ballroom for the prestigious international awards ceremony of the IAAPA Brass Ring Awards on 16 November. Hundreds of finalists from amusement parks, waterparks, zoos, aquariums, museums, and family entertainment centers around the world packed the audience to hear the 2011 winners announced. The top honors are given to companies and individuals for excellence in: marketing, live entertainment, human resources, retail, family entertainment centers, new product development, and trade show exhibits at IAAPA Attractions Expo. More than 600 entries were submitted for this year’s competition.
The tradition of the brass ring in the attractions industry dates back to the carousels of the late 1800s when rings were suspended above riders; low enough to reach, but high enough to pose a challenge. Most rings were made of iron, so grabbing the brass ring was the rare and cherished prize. Skilled riders who grabbed a brass ring earned a second ride on the carousel. Today, the term ‘brass ring’ is synonymous with high achievement in the attractions industry.
The 2011 IAAPA Brass Ring Award winners are:
MARKETING EXCELLENCE
*Some marketing awards are divided into the following class distinctions:
Class 1: Family Entertainment Centers (FECs) and attractions with annual attendance less than 250,000
Class 2: Zoos and aquariums
Class 3: Amusement parks and attractions—including waterparks—with annual attendance of 250,001-1 million
Class 4: Amusement parks and attractions—including waterparks—with annual attendance of more than 1 million
Television Commercial
Class 1: Selvatica, Cancun, Mexico; www.selvatica.com.mx
Class 2: Detroit Zoological Society, Royal Oak, Michigan, United States; www.detroitzoo.org
Class 3: Pacific National Exhibition, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; www.pne.ca
Class 4: Nickelodeon Universe, Bloomington, Minnesota; www.nickelodeonuniverse.com
Radio Commercial
Class 1: Quassy Amusement Park, Middlebury, Connecticut, United States; http://quassy.com
Class 2: Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley, Minnesota, United States; www.mnzoo.org Class 3: Wet ‘n Wild- Emerald Pointe, Greensboro, North Carolina, United States; www.emeraldpointe.com
Class 4: Liseberg, Gothenburg, Sweden; www.liseberg.com
Print Advertising
Class 1: White Water, Branson, Missouri, United States; www.bransonwhitewater.com
Class 2: Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley, Minnesota, United States; www.mnzoo.org Class 3: Evergreen Wings and Waves, McMinnville, Oregon, United States; www.evergreenmuseum.org/waterpark
Class 4: Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool, Lancashire, United Kingdom; www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com
Outdoor Advertising
The Florida Aquarium, Tampa, Florida; www.flaquarium.org
Integrated Marketing
Kidzania de México SA de CV, México City, México; www.kidzania.com
Digital Marketing
Luna Park Sydney, Milsons Point, Australia; www.lunaparksydney.com
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT EXCELLENCE
Heartbeat Award
The Heartbeat Award recognizes the show that demonstrates superior overall ability in reaching the hearts of its audience.
Tala Takenya & The Legend of the Holy Forest, Fort Fun Abenteurland, Campagnie des Alpes; www.fortfun.de
Spirit Award
The Spirit Award recognizes IAAPA members committed to excellence in training and professional development in the area of entertainment.
Kristine Morgan, Busch Gardens Tampa, Tampa, Florida; www.buschgardens.com/bgt
Atmosphere/Street Show
“The Gem Tones,” Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, United States; www.dollywood.com
Edutainment
“Mad Marty,” Legoland California, Carlsbad, California, United States; www.california.legoland.com
Female Performer
Lindsay Karchawer, Hersheypark, Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States; www.hersheypark.com
Male Performer
Law Ho Tim, Ocean Park, Hong Kong, China; www.oceanpark.com.hk
Sports Show
“African Acrobats of Kenya,” Fantawild, Orlando, Florida, United States; www.fantawild.com
Production Less Than $25,000
“The Enchanted Treasure,” Legoland California, Carlsbad, California, United States; www.california.legoland.com
Production $25,000-$50,000
“Dr. Fright’s CarnEvil,” Six Flags Over Georgia, Austell, Georgia, United States; www.sixflags.com/overGeorgia
Production $50,000-$100,000
“Vintervirvlar” Liseberg, Gothenburg, Sweden; www.liseberg.com
Production $100,000-$200,000
“The Majesty of Christmas,” Six Flags Fiesta Texas, San Antonio, Texas, United States; www.sixflags.com/fiestaTexas
Production $200,000-$400,000
“Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy,” Busch Gardens Tampa, Tampa, Florida, United States; www.buschgardens.com/bgt
Production $400,000-$700,000
“Sha-Kon-O-Hey! Land of Blue Smoke,” Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, United States; www.dollywood.com
Production $700,000-$1 Million
“Rockstars- The Battle,” Walibi Rhone-Alpes, Les Avenieres, France; www.walibi.com
Production $1 Million-plus
“The Magic, the Memories, and You!” Walt Disney World / Disneyland ; www.disney.com
HUMAN RESOURCES EXCELLENCE
Innovative Training Program (More Than 1 Million in Attendance)
Europa-Park GmbH & Co., Rust, Germany; Europa-Park GmbH & Co., Rust, Germany; www.europapark.de/lang-en
Innovative Training Program (Less Than 1 Million in Attendance)
Farah Leisure Excellence Academy, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; www.farahleisure.com/eng
Reward and Recognition Program (More Than 1 Million Annual Attendance)
Whiting’s Foods, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz, California, United States; www.beachboardwalk.com
Reward and Recognition Program (Less Than 1 Million Annual Attendance)
Happylon, Saint-Petersburg, Russia; www.happylon.com
RETAIL EXCELLENCE
Hard Good (Over 1 Million Annual Attendance)
Xcaret, Cancún, México; www.xcaret.com
Hard Good (Under 1 Million Annual Attendance)
Luna Park Sydney, Milsons Point, Australia; www.lunaparksydney.com
Soft Good (Over 1 Million Annual Attendance)
Millions of Memories/Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz, California, United States; www.beachboardwalk.com
Soft Good (Under 1 Million Annual Attendance)
The London Dungeon, London, United Kingdom; www.the-dungeons.co.uk
Visual Display
Sea Life, Poole Dorset, United Kingdom; www.visitsealife.com
Judge’s Choice
Morey’s Piers & Beachfront Waterpark, Wildwood, New Jersey, United States; www.moreyspiers.com
TOP FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT CENTER (FEC)
North America
The Funplex Mount Laurel, Mount Laurel, NJ, USA; www.funplexmountlaurel.com
International
Infunity, Freeze Club & Bowl Room, Hawalli, Kuwait; www.funat360.com
The Following are announced at the show:
BEST NEW PRODUCT
Impact Award
The Impact Award recognizes the company for its product’s lasting impact in the industry.
Empex Watertoys, Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada; www.watertoys.com
Major Theme/Amusement Park Ride/Attraction
Rocky Mountain Construction Group, Hayden, Idaho, USA; www.rockymtnconstruction.com
Kiddie Ride/Attraction
Spectrum Sports International, Hyde Park, Utah, USA; www.spectrumsports.com
Waterpark Ride/Attraction
Empex Watertoys, Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada; www.watertoys.com
Family Entertainment Center Ride/Attraction
Art Attack, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; www.artattackfx.com
Coin-Operated Kiddie Ride
Falgas Industries Castelló d’Empúries (Girona), Spain; www.falgas.com
Technology Applied to Amusement
accesso, LLC, Lake Mary, Florida, USA; www.accesso.com
Coin-Operated Arcade and Redemption Equipment
Laser Star Amusements, Inc., Davie, Florida, USA; www.lasershootinggalleries.com
Services/Equipment and Supplies
Darklight: Precision Lighting System, Santa Clarita, California, USA; www.darklightsystem.com
Games and Merchandise
Bob’s Space Racers, Inc., Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; www.bobsspaceracers.com
Food Services
State Fair Mini Donuts, Inc., Minnetonka, Minnesota, USA; www.statefairminidonuts.com
Show Production & Entertainment/Displays
Jack Rouse Associates, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; www.jackrouse.com
BEST EXHIBIT AT IAAPA ATTRACTIONS EXPO 2011
IMAGE AWARD
The Image Award is given for most attractive trade show booth at IAAPA Attractions Expo.
Winner:
Whitewater West Industries Ltd., Richmond, British Columbia, Canada; www.whitewaterwest.com
100 – 200 square feet
Action Innovators, Heemstede, The Netherlands; www.actioninnovators.com
300 – 500 square feet
American Locker Security Systems, Inc., Coppell, Texas, USA; www.americanlocker.com
600 – 1,000 square feet
Theming and Animatronics Industries S.A., Madrid, Spain; www.taaindustries.com
1,001+ square feet
Bob’s Space Racers, Inc., Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; www.bobsspaceracers.com
The IAAPA Brass Ring Awards are presented annually during IAAPA Attractions Expo, the largest worldwide gathering of amusement park and attractions industry professionals. The conference and trade show is produced by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). The Silver sponsor for this year’s event is OmniTicket Network/ Best Union Company Spa, and supporting organizations are Matt Davenport Productions, Inc., RWS and Associates Entertainment, Inc., and Heartbeat Productions, Inc.
Images from the 2011 IAAPA Brass Ring Awards ceremony are available at, www.IAAPA.org/2011AwardPhotos.
About IAAPA
IAAPA is the premier trade association for the attractions industry worldwide. Founded in 1918, IAAPA is the largest international trade association for permanently situated amusement facilities and attractions, and is dedicated to the preservation and prosperity of the attractions industry. The association’s global headquarters is in Alexandria, Virginia, United States and it maintains regional offices in Brussels, Mexico City, and Hong Kong. www.IAAPA.org
