Themed Entertainment Association Shares Results from First-Ever Member Survey Focused on Wellness
ORLANDO, FL, USA (21 September 2026) – TEA, the Themed Entertainment Association, has released the results from the 2026 TEA Member Wellness Survey.
Coordinated and conducted by TEA’s Wellness Council, the inaugural survey was created to help provide TEA with feedback, insight and baseline data from the association’s global membership related to their personal and overall approach to holistic wellness. The subsequent report, authored by Strategy, Culture, and Leadership Coach Emma Newell of Magnetic Moon Coaching and Nutritional Therapist Laura Watson of Watson Your Plate, will help the Wellness Council recommend programs and initiatives aimed at supporting members in their professional and personal lives.
“The TEA Wellness Council is made up of dedicated and passionate member volunteers who are helping us apply a critical eye to our events and member services so we can help support their individual wellbeing,” said Melissa Ruminot, CEO, TEA. “This first survey is an important part of their work and will help guide their efforts going forward.”
“The survey revealed several concerning trends from participants that indicate they are feeling high levels of burnout such as increased stress, an inability to ‘switch off’ at the end of the day and feeling that they often have insufficient energy and resilience,” said Clara Rice, director of global marketing and growth at Adirondack Studios, and TEA Wellness Council founder and interim chair. “This survey indicates if these issues are left unaddressed, these feelings of burnout could pose a significant risk to our colleagues. Risks include reduced productivity and work quality, increased job turnover and loss of institutional knowledge, and higher healthcare and absenteeism costs. These risks can all have a lasting impact on the themed entertainment industry.”
The data sample for the survey included 91 respondents from TEA’s four global divisions, and responses included over 70 suggestions for potential TEA Wellness Council initiatives. In response to survey feedback and data from additional external studies, the Wellness Council developed three key areas of focus: providing content in a dedicated Wellness section on the TEA website, the creation of virtual wellness programming, and a continued approach to provide the association with suggestions and guidance for incorporating wellness initiatives to in-person events. These pillars support the Wellness Council’s purpose and goal to help support and uplift the wellbeing of TEA members through volunteer leadership, and wellness experiences that reflect global members’ unique regional and cultural needs.
Along with the survey, the TEA Wellness Council’s activities include helping TEA incorporate health and wellness initiatives during in-person events around the world. Steps include ensuring events include healthy menu items for meals, non-alcoholic options during mixers and networking events, and even holding active events such as netwalking and pickle ball. The TEA Wellness Council’s next event, ‘Net-walking at IAAPA Expo Europe’ will take place on Tuesday, 22 September. There is no cost to take part, and anyone interested in joining the casual and informal event should meet at the West Terrace at the ExCel London at 8 a.m.
“We appreciate the TEA Wellness Council’s diligence and hard work creating and conducting this survey,” Ruminot said. “Anecdotally our members have shared they want opportunities to improve their overall wellness at work and at home, and this global survey provides data that will help guide the Council’s plan. We look forward to continuing to support our global members and help drive industry changes that encourage health and wellness.”
The TEA Wellness Council plans to issue the survey on a biannual basis to assess progress gained from its wellness initiatives and the overall impact on members. To view the complete 2026 TEA Wellness Survey report, visit teaconnect.org/wellness-council.
TEA members interested in learning more about the TEA Wellness Council and sponsoring upcoming events and initiatives should contact Chloe Hausfeld, Global Director of Global Strategic Partnerships, at chloe@teaconnect.org.
###
About TEA
The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) brings together the creators and makers of experiences worldwide — from creative storytellers and technical builders to operators, investors, and business leaders. TEA provides tools, education, advocacy, community, and connection to help members grow their businesses and careers.
The international non-profit association’s members focus on creating for and serving the leisure and travel sectors. Their work can be seen in entertaining and educational projects found in theme parks, water parks, museums, zoos, corporate visitor centers, casinos, restaurants, branded experiences, multimedia spectaculars, retail spaces, resorts and hospitality, destination attractions, and more.
TEA encompasses a dynamic community of more than 1,600 member companies in over 40 countries.