TEA Announces 30th Annual Thea Award Recipients

From an indoor marine park in Abu Dhabi to a spaceship park in China to extended reality in France, these international awards recognize achievement, talent and personal excellence from those who bring incredible experiences to life for people around the world.

TEA proudly announces this year’s award-winning Thea recipients, honoring teams and individuals who contribute in a brilliant way toward creating unique guest experiences around the globe. These magic makers will be celebrated at a special gala on 16 March 2024 at the Dolby Ballroom in Hollywood, California. Their accomplishments coincide with the 30th Anniversary of the Thea Awards Program and Gala.

“Celebrating excellence is core to the TEA mission”, said Melissa Oviedo, TEA International Board President.  “These remarkable individuals have demonstrated unparalleled creativity, innovation, and commitment to delivering extraordinary guest experiences on a truly global scale. Their work has not only entertained and inspired millions but also continues to shape the future of our industry.”

Here are the honorees:​

The Buzz Price Thea Award
Recognizing a lifetime of distinguished achievements

• Su Zhigang, Chairman and CEO of the Chimelong Group

The Thea Catalyst Award
Recognizing individuals for making real and positive impact in the creation of compelling places & in the expansion of collective thinking

• Paul C. Hutton, Principal and Director of Regenerative Design at Cuningham

The Thea Classic Award
Celebrating a beloved guest experience which has stood the test of time

• Liseberg in Gothenburg, Sweden: Celebrating their 100th year as the heart and soul of their community

Thea Awards for Outstanding Achievement

• Indoor Marine Park: SeaWorld® Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
• Attraction: Bermuda Storm, Chimelong Spaceship, Zhuhai, China
• Attraction, Limited Budget: Musikkfabrikken Hunderfossen, Hunderfossen Eventyrpark, Lillehammer, Norway
• Attraction: Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, EPCOT, Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA
• Brand Experience: Johnnie Walker Princes Street, Edinburgh, Scotland
• Retail Experience, Limited Budget: Disney Encanto x CAMP, New York, New York, USA
• Live Spectacular: Geneva Journey, Geneva, Switzerland
• Visitor Experience Re-envisioned, Limited Budget: Titanic Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
• Immersive Mall Experience: AURA: The Forest at the Edge of the Sky, Haikou International Duty-Free Shopping Complex, Haikou, China
• Live Interactive Experience: Peaky Blinders: The Rise, Camden Stables Market, London, United Kingdom
• Museum Attraction, Limited Budget: Deutschlandmuseum, Berlin, Germany
• Live Show: Le Mime et L’Étoile, Puy De Fou, Les Epesses, France
• Extended Reality Exhibit: Colored (Noire), Centre Georges, Pompidou, Paris, France
• Experiential Dining Attraction: Eatrenalin, Europa-Park, Rust, Germany

“Each year, hundreds of exciting and unique submissions from across the globe are received and reviewed by the Thea Awards Judging Committee to arrive at this final list of honorees,” said Judging Chairman Andy Westfall. “This year’s major submission trend included a heavy emphasis on consumer and hospitality-based experiences which personalized guest engagement in new, impactful, and meaningful ways.”

TEA also congratulates the outstanding contributions of two very special volunteers who have demonstrated enormous support to propel the industry. Please join us in applauding David Green and Lisa Passamonte Green for receiving the 2024 Peter Chernack Distinguished Service Award. For decades this power couple have supported TEA through not only their own time and talent, but that of their company Visual Terrain, in the form of direct financial and in-kind support.

​Register for TEA INSPIRE and the 30th Annual Thea Awards Gala to learn from these amazing recipients and to celebrate them.