As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end, and so was the case with the 2022 IAAPA Expo in Orlando, FL. As the week of meetings, parties, dinners, announcements, and networking came to an end, we at TEA were reminded of a time not so long ago when all those things were but a memory. A time when sharing space within 6ft of one another was prohibited, and friends' faces were hidden behind masks or computer screens. More than ever, we value the connections that TEA helps to facilitate. Whether it’s the simple handshake of a new acquaintance, the shared laughter among old friends, or the meeting of the minds around the conference table, we do not take for granted the interactions we share with our fellow industry professionals. For those interactions are invaluable; they allow us to grow and thrive as individuals, organizations, and associations. A Week of TEA Connections TEA BOOTH The TEA booth was one happening place! Our members took full advantage of the opportunity to network and catch up with one another. It was the perfect place to have a quick meeting or just swap stories with your friends. No matter the reason, we welcomed the interaction and loved seeing all of the new and familiar faces. 29th ANNUAL THEA AWARD PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT Congratulations to the Thea Award recipients! What an incredible turn out there was for the press announcement. Our booth was packed as family, friends and colleagues gathered around to hear who would receive the prestigious Thea Awards. If you missed the announcement, don’t worry because we have you covered. Click HERE for the full list of recipients and to read the official press release. TEA INTERNATIONAL MIXER Over 800 people joined us at Discovery Cove for the annual TEA International Mixer! The laidback island atmosphere and perfect weather made for excellent party conditions. Attendees had the opportunity to watch dolphins and talk with their trainers all while sipping cocktails with their toes in the sand. Tell me, where else can you network with industry professionals while walking on the beach? The exceptional evening was made possible thanks to our event sponsor PGAV Destinations and our supporting sponsors: Artistic Entertainment Services (AES), Bungalow Scenic Studios, Clair Global, and AV Stumpfl. TEA ANNUAL MEMBER MEETING TEA President, Chuck Fawcett, bid members adieu as he welcomed incoming President, Melissa Ruminot, with the official passing of the gavel. Meeting attendees heard a recap of the year from each of the division leaders, as well as the TEA Executive Director, Lindsey Nelson. Members also learned about TEA’s priorities and goals for 2023; which included community and connection, knowledge and collaboration, leadership and brand influence, and organizational excellence. The full Member Meeting video recording will be available in the coming weeks. Thank you to our meeting sponsors: Barco, Mall of America, and The Shipping Monster! NEXTGEN ICE CREAM SOCIAL Mention free ice cream, and you know our NextGen members are there! NextGen leaders Dustin Stephan and Carson Luter welcomed a large crowd of members to the TEA booth, where the ice cream social was hosted. Members had the opportunity to get their sweet treat fix and network all at the same time, talk about being efficient. Thank you to Blue Telescope for being the event sponsor! We hope you had as great of a time last week as we did. We hope that new connections were made, old relationships were rekindled, and you felt a genuine sense of community. When you think of TEA, it is our goal that you think of us as more than just an association; we are a community; we are a family. So to all of our TEA family, we can’t wait to see you next time!
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