TEA's Feature in the April Edition of Amusement Today

The article reads as follows:

TEA celebrates the industry at 31st annual Thea Awards Gala 

AT: Susan Storey

Special to Amusement Today

BURBANK, Calif. - The 31st Annual Thea Awards Gala, hosted by the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) celebrated innovation and design in the themed entertainment industry. More than 700 professionals attended the evening which followed the annual TEA Inspire conference and program. The Thea Awards celebrate the work and sheer audacity of the industry's designers, architects, engineers, technicians and business leaders. The 2025 recipients were the most diverse and global to date. Reflecting on the week of events, TEA President and CEO Melissa Oviedo shared, "The themed entertainment industry creates bold, audacious experiences. This year's Thea Award recipients were diverse and unique. From projects that developed new technology, like the memorable BDX Droids, to the creation of places that entertain guests without the use of technology, like Ghibli Park's Valley of Witches, we continue to see this industry's creators push past boundaries.

"Projects only happen because of the people behind them," Oviedo continued. "This Thea Awards Gala celebrates the collective and collaborative work of the incredible teams and creative individuals who bring each project to life." Unexpected surprises during the gala included a guest appearance from Grammy-nominated, award­winning artist Deborah Cox, who presented the Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement at a Museum to the International African American Museum. Actor and writer Wil Wheaton shared the stage with the delightful Disneyland Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge BDX Droids. Wheaton joked no one was listening to his introduction of the Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement in Technological Innovation to Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development and Disney Research Zurich, noting that instead all were enamored by the little robots. Adding heart to the night, the Los Angeles-based musical duo, Korbee, performed during a "VIP table" raffle fundraiser which supported Californians impacted by this year's wildfires.

This year's Buzz Price Thea Award for a Lifetime of Outstanding Achievement recipient, Rick Rothschild was honored for his commitment to excellence and creativity. His varied career, which included working for more than 40 years with Walt Disney lmagineering, includes work on outstanding rides and attractions around the world. During his acceptance, Rothschild thanked his family and colleagues, reminding everyone that great work comes from teams and that no successful project comes from one person or idea. During the gala, Oviedo also surprised attendees by announcing the 2026 Thea Awards Gala and TEA Inspire program will be held in Orlando, Florida. "Orlando is the center of the themed entertainment industry and many of our members have offices and teams based there," Oviedo stated. "Orlando is welcoming, easily accessible and the perfect place for us to honor our next class of Thea Award recipients." "TEA is a volunteer­driven organization, and this year, our International Board of Directors and regional boards worked together to help us create a powerful event that provided key learnings, sharing opportunities and value to our attendees," Oviedo added. "The thought­provoking Leadership Forum kicked off Inspire week with its focus on issues and topics of concerns facing our industry."

"Associations play a crucial role in ensuring stability in business relationships during times of uncertainty," added Wendy Heimann­Nunes, co-founder and co-managing partner, Nolan Heimann LLP, and member of the TEA International Board of Directors. "They provide a support network for sharing industry insights, best practices and resources that help businesses navigate challenges. TEA is now more important than ever. Through its collective advocacy, collaboration, access to reliable information and the creation and facilitation of events like TEA Inspire, TEA is fostering trust, resilience and adaptability among its members."

The popular Spotlight Stories sessions returned to Inspire week and added presentations from the first­ ever class of Recognition of Merit recipients. The new category honored three distinct projects: Treasure Hunt: The Ride, The DigiWave Experience; and The Time Travel Agency at Electric Forest Festival. The sessions surprised - and delighted - attendees with an attack from a band of pirates and a live electric cello performance from Dolce Wang. Host of the Spotlight Stories, Erik Essig, Vice President of Development, B. Morrow Productions and TEA Board Member shared, "TEA produces outstanding educational conferences that celebrate incredible work and help Inspire tomorrow's outstanding experiences. Attendees will apply the new ways of thinking and takeaways they learned this week to their day-to-day roles."

The highlights of the TEA Inspire program were the focused presentations that peeled back the curtain to reveal the stories behind creating this year's Thea Award winners. Each Award was celebrated as the creator teams told their story. The event ended with a celebratory presentation about the Thea Classic Award recipient, the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man at Universal Orlando Resort's Islands of Adventure. Eric Parr, senior vice president, Creative Studio at Universal Creative and Marc Watson, senior vice president, Real Estate, UDX shared insights about the attraction and its enduring legacy. It earned the Thea Award of Outstanding Achievement for Attraction in 2000, and this year's honor bookended the accolades Spider-Man continues to earn. The 2026 TEA Inspire and 32nd Annual Thea Awards Gala will take place from April 29 to May 2, 2026 at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grand Lakes.