Welcome to the TEAm, Whitney Hines!
Burbank, Calif. (21 January 2026) - Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) the association for the global community of creators, innovators, and fabricators of themed experiences, is pleased to announce the appointment of Whitney Hines as Director of Operations and Programs. In this role, Hines will oversee the day-to-day operations of the association and member relations. She will also work on product development relating to TEA’s growing portfolio of programs and services that serve its members and the global themed entertainment industry. As a member of TEA’s executive leadership team Hines will focus on the delivery of the association’s strategic goals and objectives.
“TEA has been experiencing tremendous growth as we continue to build new partnerships and alignments across multiple verticals within the themed entertainment industry and with adjacent industries,” said Melissa Oviedo, CEO, TEA. “Whitney understands our needs and is ready to help us move forward on delivering TEA’s world-class programs, services, and knowledge sharing through signature and divisional events, as well as new programs to be introduced. I’m ready to partner with her and the rest of our team to continue to bring value, education and new opportunity to our members.”
Hines brings extensive experience in the themed entertainment industry to her new role and TEA. She most recently served as Senior Director of Operations and Project Management for Luci Creative. She has also held several roles, marketed with increased responsibilities, in museum design and fabrication management. Hines served as the lead project manager on the Thea Award- winning Sazerac House experience in New Orleans, Louisiana.
“I’m excited to bring my experience with live events, operations and team management to the TEA team,” Hines said. “Together we will continue to serve the association’s diverse, creative and dynamic members while working to meet our strategic goals.”
Hines will be at the TEA Eastern North America member mixer at the Tailgate Brewery in Nashville, Tennessee on 22 January 2026 to get to know local members. Registration to attend is still open.
2026 is an exciting one for TEA, and Hines is joining the association during a critical time. Earlier this month, TEA announced its signature global program SATE (Storytelling + Architecture + Technology = Experience) will be hosted in the Middle East for the first time ever, 25–27 March 2026. In addition, the annual 2026 TEA INSPIRE program and Thea Awards Gala will take place for the first time in Orlando, Florida 29 April – 2 May 2026. Registration and partnership opportunities for both events are now open. To learn more visit TEAConnect.org.
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About TEA
The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) brings together the creators and makers of experiences worldwide – from the creative storytellers to the technical builders, from operators to investors, from idea to operation - and provides them with tools, education, advocacy, community, and connection to help 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. TEAConnect.org.