33rd Annual Thea Awards Judging Cycle
Submissions Open Soon
The prestigious Thea Awards of the Themed Entertainment Association celebrate excellence in the creation of compelling places and experiences. This page provides support for the 2026–2027 judging cycle.
Each year, hundreds of submissions are received and considered by the TEA Thea Awards Committee for outstanding destination attractions, breakthrough technology, event spectaculars, cultural attractions, guest experiences, and individuals who have made a lasting mark through distinguished achievement.
Tips to Submit Your Nomination
Review the award types, eligibility, required materials, and video submission guidance before preparing your nomination.
Recognition & Award Types
Buzz Price Thea Award
Recognizes lifetime distinguished achievement or outstanding contributions to the compelling places and experiences industry.
Thea Classic Award
Honors an outstanding achievement from the past that set new standards and has operated continuously for at least 20 years.
Thea Catalyst Award
Recognizes an individual, group, or organization for leading beneficial industry change, fresh perspective, and expanded thinking.
Outstanding Achievement
Awarded to achievements that exemplify the highest standards of excellence in creating compelling places and experiences.
Outstanding Achievement on a Limited Budget
Reserved for projects created for budgets totaling less than $10 million USD. A cost summary breakdown is required.
Outstanding Technical Innovation
Recognizes a new idea or technical innovation that broadly improves the industry or advances the art and science of experience design.
Recognition of Merit
Spotlights achievements that demonstrate superior creative or execution merit and deserve industry attention.
Who Can Submit?
Anyone can submit a project or individual for a Thea Award.
- Submissions may be made by the project owner, creative team, production team, vendor team, or individuals with no project affiliation.
- There is no requirement for the project owner or associated project teams to be TEA members.
If you are the project owner:
TEA will require a detailed credits list to be published for the project prior to being publicly announced with a TEA or Thea recognition.
What Materials Are Needed?
Each Thea submission should include three key components for proper evaluation by the Thea Awards Judging Committee.
1. Narrative Submission Description
A clear written overview of the project, achievement, or individual being submitted.
2. Submission Video
A submitter-produced or publicly sourced video that helps judges understand the guest experience.
3. Photos & Supporting Visuals
Images or additional documentation that help illustrate the experience, achievement, or innovation.
Submission Video Tips
Successful Thea submission videos should:
- Be short. Videos should be no shorter than two minutes and no longer than five minutes. Three minutes is a good target length.
- Include a brief overall submission description and context for the achievement.
- Clearly illustrate the typical visitor experience from the guest’s point of view.
- Show the exterior, entrance, guest flow, key spaces, and what audiences see, hear, and experience.
- Tell the story of the experience.
- Illustrate guest engagement.
Submission videos should avoid:
- Using grand opening footage that does not reflect a typical guest experience.
- Focusing on facts and figures over guest experience.
- Using behind-the-scenes or “making of” footage unless it explains a unique part of the guest experience.
- Showing empty spaces without demonstrating how visitors engage with them.
- Excessive use of guest testimonials.