We are pleased to announce the appointment of Melissa Oviedo as TEA’s new Chief Executive Officer, effective October 1, 2024. After an extensive recruitment process, Melissa was selected from a pool of over 30 qualified candidates.

With a robust background in TEA leadership, including recently serving as the International Board President since 2023, Melissa is well-equipped to align the strategic goals of the International Board of Directors with the operational initiatives of the TEA staff to continue to expand TEA's presence around the globe.

As TEA continues to expand its membership and presence in adjacent industries as well as serve our over 1,600 current member companies, Melissa's strategic insight and innovative approach are expected to drive transformative changes for the organization.

Through year end, Melissa will be working collaboratively with TEA and B Morrow Productions to close out existing client obligations for BMP, in particular as it relates to their holiday programming, and allowing her to immediately fulfill the role of CEO with TEA to address timely priorities for the association.

Congratulations, Melissa!​

To read the full press release, click here. 

For media inquiries, reach out to Morgan Hoeft, Marketing Manager at [email protected].

TEA is thrilled to unveil our new Wellness Council, dedicated to enhancing both physical and mental wellbeing within the themed entertainment industry. This innovative Council, drawing from TEA’s global divisions, will provide guidance on wellness-focused content and event planning, fostering a supportive environment for our members year-round.

Following impactful discussions at the 2024 INSPIRE Conference about mental health and workplace wellness, TEA recognized the need for a dedicated effort to address these crucial issues. The Wellness Council will work to destigmatize mental health, promote a thriving community, and design events that energize and inspire.
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Highlights of what’s to come:

• Net-Walking Mixers and healthy event alternatives
• Success Guides for major conferences
• Wellness Surveys to tailor initiatives to member needs
  
  

To read the full press release, click here. 

For sponsorship opportunities, reach out to Chloe Hausfeld, Global Director of Strategic Partnerships at [email protected].

For media inquiries, reach out to Morgan Hoeft, Marketing Manager at [email protected].

The TEA Masters of Their Craft program recognizes the achievements of individuals — the artists, writers, producers, engineers and craftspeople with distinguished careers who’ve made significant and enduring contributions to the industry through their expertise, innovation, leadership, and mentorship.  

The TEA Masters program recognizes a small number of individuals each year, whose skills epitomize the highest standards within their disciplines and who have used those skills to advance their field and the themed entertainment industry. Each TEA Master has built a body of work over decades that demonstrates consistent quality and execution. Often unknown except among their peers and collaborators, TEA Masters help create visceral stories, rides, attractions, events, and places that thrill, delight, and educate guests worldwide.
 
Although the TEA Masters, by definition, are well along in their careers and some have even retired, many Masters are actively creating new marvels around the world. Others are pursuing personal creative and education projects. And all of the Masters remain passionate about sharing their well-honed skills and career lessons with those interested in entering the industry or wanting to learn more about its various aspects. 
 
We want to tell those stories.
 
This column contains news of the ongoing activities, achievements and adventures of the TEA Masters around the world. These are the stories of real people who, like all of us, have personal stories to tell: an honor outside of their specialty, an art gallery or technology showcase, enjoying new places and experiences with family and friends or taking a well-deserved retirement trip.
 
This is Keeping up with the Masters!

Our team at Themed Entertainment Association has been working hard behind the scenes to connect all of you artists, visionaries, and dreamers around the globe with the best partnerships we can in the themed entertainment industry. These global events and partnerships are pivotal for your success, allowing us to align you with career goals and expand your knowledge in this coveted industry.

Here’s some of the latest places we have been seen engaging within your communities:

•  InfoComm China | 17-19 April, Beijing, China
• SEA Expo | 7-9 May, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• SINDEPAT Summit | 8-10 May, Iguazu, Brazil
• Asia Amusement & Attractions Expo | 10-12, May, Guangzhou, China 
• AAM | 16-19 May, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
• Licensing Expo | 21-23 May, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
• IAAPA Asia | 27-30 May, Bangkok, Thailand
• TEA EXPLORES Toronto/IAAPA MeetUp @ Canada’s Wonderland | 5-7 June, Toronto, Canada
• InfoComm Las Vegas | 8-14 June, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
  

 
Interested in any new and upcoming sponsorships?
Contact [email protected]

TEA is looking for a talented and innovative production company to provide production, staging, and storytelling expertise for our annual INSPIRE and Thea Awards Gala events.

Interested production partners can submit proposals for one or both programs, with a separate proposal required for each event. Each program needs its production team to handle all the details. Please find the INSPIRE RFP here and the Thea Awards Gala RFP here.

Submissions must be made no later than 19 June 2024 to [email protected].

If you have any questions before submission, please reach out to TEA’s Meetings and Production Manager Christine Rogers at [email protected] or +1(818)861-0025.

Since the summer of 2021, IMN Solutions has been a key partner of TEA and played an integral role in fulfilling the full-time staffing needs of the association. From member services to operations management and nearly every role in between, IMN has filled key roles in the organization during the challenging years following the pandemic. Not only has their talented team helped us keep day-to-day operations of TEA running, but they have helped lead transformational initiatives in the organization such as our comprehensive member database implementation and website relaunch, rebranding of TEA’s signature annual event, INSPIRE, and countless internal processes and procedures that have helped TEA be a more effective and professional organization. Further demonstrating their professionalism, our dedicated IMN Team members have spent the last several weeks documenting their workflows and cross-training with the new TEA staff to ensure a seamless transition as we approach their last day with TEA which will be this Friday, 31 May.

I’d personally like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Laura Singler, Becky Nadora, Allison Winter, and Clara Allen for all of their hard work and dedication to TEA. Ladies, you will truly be missed by the rest of the TEAm and the many members of whom you have helped and befriended over the last year. I’d also like to thank my dear friends and colleagues Barb Myers and Melissa Tighe for their support and adapting to the changing needs of our association over the last several years. Your partnership has meant so much.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank TEA members for their patience, grace, and understanding as we embark on this significant staff transition and officially welcome your new, fully in-house TEA staff! While there are big shoes to fill, I know TEA and our members are in good hands and TEA’s future is bright with Chloe, Karin, Christine, Morgan, Ashley, and Terry on board. On to the next chapter!

Dear TEA Members,

These first several months of 2024 have been full of exciting news and record-breaking events!

This year’s INSPIRE Week marked many significant milestones for us. We moved the event to Hollywood, CA, introduced Pop-Up Production Sessions, and sold out the Leadership Forum and INSPIRE sessions! The week culminated in a very special 30th Annual Thea Awards Gala, and I think everyone would agree that ending the evening with live band karaoke was a true highlight. Thank you to all the volunteers, speakers, staff, and attendees who truly made this year extra memorable.

We've also been actively engaged in various industry events throughout the world. We were proud to represent our members at InfoComm China and the Saudi Entertainment and Amusement Expo. Recently, TEA also had a presence at two new industry events, SINDEPAT in Brazil, and the World Culture & Tourism Expo in Guangzhou China. There are many more events planned for 2024, so make sure to keep checking the website and reading the TEA Tell which hits your inboxes every Thursday.

Looking ahead at the rest of the year, we have no plans to slow down! As you know, the industry landscape is evolving rapidly, and, as an association, we must stay at the forefront of these changes. As we continue to evolve as an association and industry, TEA is continuing to build the structure designed to provide stability and ensure we continue to deliver value to our members.

Confidence, stability, and structure are the cornerstones of our strategy. Every step we take has been carefully planned, and every decision has been made with the future flourishing of TEA in mind.

As we move forward, I encourage each of you to consider how you can contribute to the ongoing success of our association. Later this summer, we'll launch our call for elections to serve in TEA leadership roles, both internationally and within our divisions. Remember, like I always say, if you want change, then be part of that change!

I also want to remind everyone to submit your TEA Masters and 31st Annual Thea Award nominations! Celebrating excellence is one of the core values of TEA, so help us recognize those incredible individuals and innovative projects that are changing the industry as we know it.  
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Thank you for your continued support and dedication to TEA. Together, we will continue to shape the future of themed entertainment.

Sincerely,

​Melissa Oviedo
President, TEA International Board of Directors

Dear Members,

The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA), in line with our mission to support the creators and makers of experience worldwide, is embarking on the search for its next Executive Leader. This individual will play a pivotal role in addressing the evolving challenges and opportunities within the entertainment industry.

Under previous leadership, the TEA has navigated through various challenges successfully. Careful management and strong reserves helped carry TEA through the lean realities of COVID-19, and helped the Association recover as the industry rebounded. Most recently the current TEA Executive Director, Lindsey Nelson, brought strong professionalism to the TEA with her association experience and collaborative leadership style. Her expertise with organizational process and systems, governance, and Board education has positioned the TEA strongly for the future and its next chapter.

With Lindsey’s contract term ending in June, the Board has opened a search for a new Executive leader with strong business growth experience and deep industry knowledge and reputation to lead the association. As we move forward into a period of greater competition and broader growth opportunity, the TEA International Board is looking to continue to implement its ambitious 5-year strategic plan and to drive TEA’s presence and role in current, new, and emerging markets. The ideal candidate can bring a broader perspective of where the entertainment and experience industry is and, more importantly, where it’s going. Lindsey has agreed to remain with the TEA through the summer to assist with the executive transition.

Any interested candidates are invited to review the requirements of the position and can confidentially submit their interest directly to the Executive Search Committee at [email protected].

The application period will close on Friday 24 May.

​We look forward to the future of the TEA,

Originally published on Blooloop
By Clara Rice, Adirondack Studios, and Matthew Cross, OE Experiences

This year’s TEA INSPIRE week was a fresh celebration of the industry in Hollywood, California. The event occurred shortly after the Academy Awards. Fittingly, it began in the Hollywood Roosevelt’s Blossom Ballroom – the site of the first Academy Awards. It then went on to end in the Dolby Ballroom, the host venue for the prestigious Governor’s Ball after the Academy Awards.

This week clearly made the connection between the Theas, and the celebration of excellence Hollywood embodies in entertainment.

To read the full article, please visit Blooloop. 

Thank you to our incredible sponsors. Their support helped make this unforgettable week possible.