New Year Reflections from Matt Barton, TEA International Board President
Dear Members,
As we head into a new year, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on where we’ve been and to share a few thoughts about where we’re going.
As I look back on 2025, I’m reminded how fortunate and honoured I have been to serve as President of this organisation in what has truly been an amazing year. We’ve seen the opening of remarkable new parks and experiences around the world, along with the announcement of many more projects that will shape our future. It’s been a privilege to witness the dedication and collaboration that define our community, and to see the joy our work continues to bring to millions. At the same time, I recognise that it has also been a challenging year for many.
These challenges have touched all corners of our organisation and the communities we serve. Across the globe, many communities are experiencing heightened division and uncertainty. In times like these, it can feel harder to find common ground or shared purpose. But this is when connection, empathy, and collaboration are so important.
Many of our members have also faced financial difficulties, both personally and within their businesses. Rising costs, shifting markets, and unpredictable economic conditions have forced many to make impossible choices — between investing in growth or simply keeping the lights on, between supporting the wellbeing and security of individual team members or making the tough decisions necessary to keep their businesses viable long term. This uncertainty weighs heavily, not only on finances, but on mental wellbeing, confidence, and creativity. When the future feels unclear, it can be difficult to take risks, to dream big, or to pursue ambitious ideas. And yet, it’s precisely in moments like these that our shared resilience and imagination matter most.
Facing these challenges together is why I continue to believe so strongly in the value of the work we do. What we create brings people together. We encourage shared moments, with the power to overcome division. Our work brings joy to millions, offering moments of wonder, laughter, and connection that help people step away from everyday pressures. That ability to lift spirits and create shared experiences is something truly special — and it’s worth protecting.
As we look ahead, I believe it will be important that we think carefully about who gets to experience the things we build. Our strategic choices are key to ensuring that our work remains open and accessible to people from all walks of life. Financial accessibility is a key part of that conversation. If our experiences become the preserve of only a few, we risk losing the diversity and inclusivity that make this industry so vibrant. Keeping our doors open to everyone isn’t just good practice — it’s essential to the long-term health and relevance of what we do.
Over the past few months, I’ve had the humbling pleasure of spending time with several of our lifetime award winners and industry icons. I’ve been grateful to be part of conversations where the affordability of the experiences we create has been raised as a genuine concern. These were thoughtful, values-led discussions about how we balance excellence with access, and how we ensure that the extraordinary work our industry produces can be enjoyed by as many people as possible. My hope is that, as an industry, we continue to work together to deliver excellence in ways that are equitable, ethical, and empathetic.
Many of you will know that accessibility is a subject close to my heart. In August last year, following a sports injury, I attended SATE APAC in New Zealand whilst needing crutches to walk. While my situation was temporary, the experience stayed with me. I was genuinely touched by the kindness and consideration shown by fellow delegates and venue staff throughout that week — from small gestures to practical support that made navigating the event easier. It was a powerful reminder of how much difference awareness and thoughtfulness can make. My hope is that the consideration shown to me in that moment can be reflected as new experiences and technologies are imagined, designed, and built across our industry.
I hope that accessibility — in every sense of the word — can be a defining theme for us as we step into 2026. Not just physical access, but cultural inclusion, financial reach, and mental and emotional wellbeing. True accessibility means creating experiences that welcome everyone, regardless of background or circumstance, and ensuring that our industry and our association reflect the diversity of the audiences we serve.
As an association, we’re looking at how we can play our part. In the year ahead, we will be re-launching the TEA Foundation, the charitable arm of our organisation. Through the Foundation, we hope to raise funds to support grants and scholarships, helping to improve access to the association’s programming and opportunities. It’s one way we can help ensure that participation in our community is not limited by circumstance.
I also want to highlight the outstanding work being carried out across our divisions to diversify our programming. Economic pressures, geographic boundaries and financial realities dictate that not every event we produce can be accessible to all, but thanks to the commitment and creativity of divisional leaders, volunteers, and staff, this association continues to deliver a wide range of exceptional programming around the world in multiple formats to reach and meet more members wherever they are.
On the International Board, we begin the year with an in-person strategic planning meeting in January. This will be an important opportunity to review our strategy for the coming years and to put in place a clear structure for tracking and reporting progress against our strategic goals. We’ll be concentrating on many of the themes I’ve highlighted here, accessibility, long term viability, difficult choices and walking the tightrope of uncertainty. We are looking to establish a plan that will be about focus, accountability, and delivering meaningful value for our members.
In our member meeting in December, I welcomed our new International Board Members, as we step into the year ahead, I’d like to take this opportunity to warmly welcome the new members of the Executive Committee:
- Stephen Cavit – International Board President-Elect
- Matthew Cross – International Board Secretary
I would also like to thank Shannon Martin for her dedicated service on the Executive Committee. While she is stepping down from this committee, I’m pleased to confirm that she remains on the International Board and as such, continues to be an integral part of our strategic leadership team.
Looking ahead, our Executive Committee for 2026 will comprise:
- President – Matt Barton
- President-Elect – Stephen Cavit
- Treasurer – Dan Memis
- Vice President – Evi Sari
- Vice President – Chris Lange
- Secretary – Matthew Cross
- CEO / Immediate Past President – Melissa Oviedo
Thank you all for stepping forward to serve — I’m very much looking forward to working with you.
Finally, I want to say how excited I am about the year ahead. We are incredibly fortunate to be supported by committed volunteers and a dedicated staff team who care deeply about this community and the work we do together. I’m grateful for that support, and optimistic about what we can achieve together in the year to come.
Thank you for being part of this association, and for everything you contribute to our industry. I wish you and your teams a healthy, positive, and successful year ahead.
Warm regards,
