The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) is an international non-profit association that represents creators, developers, designers and producers of themed entertainment. Its mission, as stated in its bylaws, is to facilitate dialogue and communication among its members, to stimulate knowledge and professional growth, and to expand the size, diversity and awareness of the themed entertainment industry. Every year since 2007, the TEA hosts SATE, a lecture-based conference about storytelling, architecture, technology, and experience.
The Themed Entertainment Association annually presents the "Thea" award to projects whose achievement has been determined to be of "outstanding" quality. The award is for people or parks in the themed entertainment industry, selected by people from the industry.
In 2016, Theas were awarded to the following:
The Buzz Price Thea Award (recognizing a lifetime of distinguished achievements): Keith James
Thea Classic Award: San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, USA
Attraction: One World Observatory, New York City, USA
Attraction: SpongeBob SubPants Adventure at Moody Gardens, Galveston, USA
Attraction on a Limited Budget: Les Amoureux de Verdun at Puy du Fou, Les Epesses, France
Interactive Attraction on a Limited Budget: Foresta Lumina, Parc de la Gorge de Coaticook, Coaticook, Quebec, Canada
Science/Discovery Garden: Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden, Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, USA
Museum Exhibit: Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty at Victoria and Albert Museum, London, UK
Science/Discovery Experience on a Limited Budget: Inspector Training Course, Discovery Cube Los Angeles, USA
Event Spectacular: Fountain of Dreams at Wuyishan, Fujian, China
Parade Spectacular: Disney Paint the Night, Hong Kong Disneyland and Disneyland (Anaheim), USA
Technology on a Limited Budget: Gantom Torch Technology
Technology Breakthrough: Geppetto Animation Control System
Brand Experience on a Limited Budget: Manufacturing Innovation Ford Rouge Factory Tour, The Henry Ford, Dearborn, USA
Corporate Visitor Center Rehab on a Limited Budget: Moments of Happiness at World of Coca-Cola, Atlanta, USA
Environmental Media Experience: Integrated Environmental Media System at LAX Los Angeles International Airport, USA
TEA Distinguished Service Honoree: John Robinett
In 2015, Theas were awarded to the following:
The Buzz Price Thea Award (recognizing a lifetime of distinguished achievements): Ron Miziker
Thea Classic Award: It's a Small World at Disneyland, Anaheim, USA
Thea Paragon Award: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida, Orlando, USA
Attraction: Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, Universal Studios Florida, Orlando, USA
Technical Excellence: Interactive Wands at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Studios Florida, Orlando, USA
New Theme Park Land: Graatassland ("The Land of the Little Grey Tractor") at Kongeparken, Ålgård, Norway
Live Show on a Limited Budget: The Grand Hall Experience at Union Station, St. Louis, USA
Interactive Park Attraction on a Limited Budget: Wilderness Explorers at Disney's Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World, Orlando, USA
Museum Exhibit on a Limited Budget: Nature Lab, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, USA
Event Spectacular: Wings of Time at Sentosa Island, Singapore
Corporate Brand-Land: The StoryGarden at The Amorepacific Beauty Campus, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
Themed Restaurant: Bistrot Chez Remy at Walt Disney Studios Park, Disneyland Paris, France
Theme Park: Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, Hengqin, Zhuhai, China
Extraordinary Cultural Achievement: National September 11 Memorial Museum, New York City, USA
Museum: Wonderkamers at Gemeentemuseum Den Haag, The Hague, Netherlands
Atrraction: The Time Machine at Parc du Futuroscope, Poiters, France
TEA Distinguished Service Honoree: Pat MacKay
In 2014, Theas were awarded to the following:
The Buzz Price Thea Award (recognizing a lifetime of distinguished achievements): Garner Holt
Thea Classic Award: The Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland, Anaheim, USA
Breakthrough Technology: Revolution Tru-Trackless Ride System by Oceaneering Entertainment Systems
Botanical Garden: Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
Event Spectacular: Michael Jackson: One at Mandalay Bay Hotel, Las Vegas, USA
Participatory Character Greeting: Enchanted Tales with Belle at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, Orlando, USA
Science Museum: The Mind Museum, Taguig City, Philippines
Unique Art Installation: Marine Worlds Carousel at Les Machines de l’ïle, Nantes, France
Attraction Revitalization: Polynesian Cultural Center, Oahu, Hawaii
4D Simulator on a Limited Budget: De Vuurproef, Het Spoorwegmuseum, Utrecht, Netherlands
Attraction: Mystic Manor at Hong Kong Disneyland, Hong Kong
Visitor Center: Titanic Belfast, Northern Ireland
Live Show on a Limited Budget: The Song of an Angel at Universal Studios Japan, Osaka, Japan
TEA Distinguished Service Honoree: Karen McGee
In 2013, Theas were awarded to the following:
The Buzz Price Thea Award (recognizing a lifetime of distinguished achievements): Frank Stanek
Thea Classic Award: Europa-Park, Rust, Germany
Event Spectacular: The Big-O show at Yeosu 2012 International Expo, South Korea
Attraction: Radiator Springs Racers at Disney California Adventure, Anaheim, USA
Attraction: Transformers: The Ride 3D at Universal Studios Singapore and Universal Studios Hollywood
New Theme Park Land: Cars Land at Disney California Adventure, Anaheim, USA
Museum: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, Calgary, Canada
Event Spectacular: Aquanura at Efteling Park, Kaatsheuvel, Netherlands
Breakthrough Technology: Tait Pixel Tablets
Studio Tour: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter, Leavesden, England
Themed Resort Hotel: Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa, Ko Olina Resort, Oahu, Hawaii
Themed Restaurant: Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge at Disney California Adventure, Anaheim, USA
TEA Distinguished Service Honoree: Judith Rubin
In 2012, Theas were awarded to the following:
The Buzz Price Thea Award (formerly the Lifetime Achievement Award): Joe Rohde, Walt Disney Imagineering
Thea Classic Award: Puy du Fou: Le Grand Parc and Cinéscénie, Vendée, France
Attraction: Space Fantasy: The Ride at Universal Studios Japan, Osaka, Japan
Attraction on a Limited Budget: Barnas Brannstasjon (Children’s Fire Station) at Kongeparken, Ålgård, Norway
Attraction: Arthur l'Aventure 4D at Futuroscope, Poitiers, France
Attraction Refresh: Star Tours: The Adventures Continue at Disneyland and Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World, USA
Museum Exhibit: NatureQuest at Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Atlanta, USA
Museum Exhibit: YOU! The Experience at Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, USA
Science Center Attraction on a Limited Budget: The Changing Climate Show at Science North, Greater Sudbury, Canada
Cultural Heritage Attraction on a Limited Budget: Ghost of the Castle at Louisiana’s Old State Capitol, Baton Rouge, USA
Show Spectacular: Crane Dance at Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore
Show Spectacular: The Magic, The Memories and You at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, USA
Live Show Event Spectacular: Yo México, Celebration of the Century of the Mexican Revolution, Mexico City, Mexico
Live Show Spectacular: The House of Dancing Water at City of Dreams, Macau
Themed Restaurant Experience: FoodLoop at Europa-Park, Rust, Germany
Ingenious Use of Technology: Animation Magic in the Animator’s Palate Restaurant aboard Disney Cruise Line’s ship Disney Fantasy
In 2011, Theas were awarded to the following:
The Buzz Price Thea Award (formerly the Lifetime Achievement Award): Kim Irvine, Art Director, Disneyland
Thea Classic Award: The Exploratorium, San Francisco, USA
Expo Pavilion Exhibit: Along the River During the Qingming Festival, China Pavilion, Shanghai Expo 2010, China
Museum: The National Infantry Museum, Columbus, Georgia, USA
Museum: The Walt Disney Family Museum, San Francisco, USA
Museum/Science Center Exhibit: Science Storms, Museum of Science & Industry, Chicago, USA
Museum Attraction: Beyond All Boundaries, Solomon Victory Theater, National World War II Museum, New Orleans, USA
Museum: Glasnevin Museum, Dublin, Ireland
Nighttime Spectacular: World of Color, Disney California Adventure, Anaheim, USA
Integration of Technology and Storytelling: ICT Mobile Device, Information and Communications Pavilion, Shanghai Expo 2010, China
Promotional Event: "Flynn Lives", San Diego Comic-Con 2010, San Diego, USA
New Theme Park Land: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Orlando Resort, Orlando, USA
Thematic Integration of Retail, Food & Beverage Experiences: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Orlando Resort, Orlando, USA
Feature Attraction: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Universal Orlando Resort, Orlando, USA
Technical Achievement: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Universal Orlando Resort, Orlando, USA
In 2010, Theas were awarded to the following:
Lifetime Achievement Award: Mark Fuller, WET Design
Thea Classic Award: Coal Mine, Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, USA
Attraction: Toy Story Midway Mania, Disney's California Adventure and Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World
Attraction: The Dragon’s Treasure, City of Dreams, Macau
Attraction Rehab: Disaster!, Universal Studios Florida, Orlando, USA
Museum: The Museum at Bethel Woods, New York, USA
Museum: Please Touch Museum, Philadelphia, USA
Traveling Exhibition: America I Am: The African American Imprint
Science Center Exhibit: Skyscraper! Achievement & Impact, Liberty Science Center, Liberty State Park, Jersey City, USA
Zoo Attraction on a Limited Budget: McNeil Avian Center, Philadelphia Zoo, USA
Live Show: Tea Show at Overseas Chinese Town East Resort, Shenzhen, China
Brand Experience: Heineken Experience, Amsterdam, Netherlands
In 2009, Theas were awarded to the following:
Lifetime Achievement Award: Robert L. Ward
Thea Classic Award: EPCOT
Museum: National Museum of the Marine Corps
Museum: The Newseum
Museum Exhibit: Operation Spy at the International Spy Museum
Museum Exhibit, Limited Budget: Force of Nature at Arizona Science Center
Learning Experience: Air Force One Discovery Center at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Science Center Audubon Insectarium
Live Show: Finding Nemo - The Musical
Live Show: The Legend of Mythica at Tokyo DisneySea
Event Spectacular: 2008 Summer Olympics opening ceremony
Casino Attraction: Wynn Macau's Tree of Prosperity
Technical: Muppet Mobile Lab at Hong Kong Disneyland
New Theme Park Land: Jungala at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Attraction, Limited Budget: Bewilderwood
Attraction, Limited Budget: The Forgotten Mine at Park Molenheide in Houthalen-Helchteren, Belgium
Attraction: The Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood
In 2008, Thea Awards for Outstanding Achievement were awarded to the following:
Attraction: Shuttle Launch Experience, Kennedy Space Center
Attraction, Limited Budget: Awakening of the Temple, Aztec On The River
Attraction Rehab: Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, Disneyland
Themed Training Experience: Battle Stations 21, U.S. Navy
Interactive Adventure: Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure, Walt Disney World
Technical Achievement: Kà by Cirque du Soleil
Science Center, Limited Budget: Cosmos at the Castle, Blackrock Castle Observatory
Exhibit, Limited Budget: Cleveland Avenue Time Machine, Troy University's Rosa Parks Library and Museum
Traveling Exhibit, Limited Budget: CSI: The Experience
Exhibit: Noah's Ark at the Skirball, Los Angeles
Museum: Discovering the Real George Washington, Mount Vernon
Heritage Center: Chain of Generations Center, Jerusalem
Event Spectacular: Songs of the Sea, Sentosa
Traveling Exhibit, Limited Budget: Walking with Dinosaurs: The Live Experience
Event Spectacular: Peter Pan's Neverland, Universal Studios Japan
Thea Classic Award: SeaWorld San Diego
In 2007, Theas were awarded to the following:
Lifetime Achievement Award: Bob Rogers
Thea Classic Award: Madame Tussauds London
Museum Touring Attraction: Ashes and Snow
Live Show: Believe at SeaWorld
Brand Retail Experience: Boudin at the Wharf
Attraction: Expedition Everest
Aquarium: The Georgia Aquarium
Simulated Experience: The Great Glass Elevator at Alton Towers
Children's Museum: Kidspace Children's Museum
Live Event: "Move, Live" - Toyota Pavilion at Expo 2005
Aquarium Exhibit/Limited Budget: The Real-Cost Cafe at Monterey Bay Aquarium
Museum Touring Exhibition: Robots: The Interactive Exhibition
Attraction: Ski Dubai
Museum Exhibit: U-505 Submarine Exhibit at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry
Zoo Exhibit: Zoomazium at Woodland Park Zoo
