2013 Thea Awards Announced by Themed Entertainment Association; Awards Gala April 6 at Disneyland Hotel"The annual Thea Awards, presented by the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA), recognize and honor excellence and breakthrough innovation within our industry, wherever it is to be found," says TEA president Christine Kerr of BaAM Productions. "From Harry Potter to Cars Land, from Transformers to Canadian sports, from the brief run of a world expo to the sustained success of a classic theme park, this year's Thea Awards are helping define the next generation of experience design while staying firmly rooted in the core tradition of storytelling." The awards will be formally presented on April 6, 2013 at the 19th Annual Thea Awards Gala, a ticketed, black-tie dinner affair, open to the public, at the Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, California. Title sponsor of the 19th Thea Awards Gala is AECOM. The Gala producer is Patrick Roberge Productions. TEA events producer is Kathy Oliver. "A Thea Award is recognized as one of the industry's greatest honors," says Kerr. "This year, there are visible trends toward strong cultural components, IP licensing, and transmedia. There are ever more astounding and seamless blends of technology, media, theater, and interactivity. And there is recognition of the people and contributions that laid the foundations of this next evolution of experience. We encourage the media, the industry, and the public to learn more about the 12 honorees, and to make plans to join us at the Thea Awards Gala on 6 April in Anaheim." Kerr adds, "Created by TEA in 1994, the influential and prestigious Thea Awards have dramatically expanded awareness and appreciation of our industry, its place in the entertainment universe, its most resounding accomplishments, and its many talented people. Behind each project is a multidisciplinary creative team that strove to realize a vision for the project owner. We document and celebrate that process, crediting those who make it happen through their dedicated work and investment." The Thea Awards Nominating Committee recommended the current slate of 12 Thea recipients, with final approval by the TEA International Board of Directors. The slate includes: The Buzz Price Award - Recognizing a Lifetime of Distinguished Achievements
Frank Stanek Thea Classic
Europa-Park Theme Park and Resort, Rust, Germany Awards for Outstanding Achievement:
• Radiator Springs Racers, Disney California Adventure Park - Anaheim, USA
• Transformers: The Ride 3D, Universal Studios Singapore and Hollywood
• Cars Land, Disney California Adventure Park - Anaheim, USA
• Canada's Sports Hall of Fame - Calgary, Canada
• Aquanura at Efteling Park - Netherlands
• Big-O Experience, Yeosu 2012 International Expo - South Korea
• Tait Pixel Tablets - London, England
• Warner Bros. Studio Tour - The Making of Harry Potter - London, England
• Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa - Ko Olina, Oahu, Hawaii, USA • Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge, Disney California Adventure Park - Anaheim, USA Thea Awards Nominating Committee included: John Robinett (Economics at AECOM), chair; Phil Hettema (The Hettema Group), vice chair; Steve Thorburn (Thorburn Associates), board liaison; and Karen McGee (BRC Imagination Arts), coordinator. Buzz Price Lifetime Achievement Recipients include:
Marty Sklar (Marty Sklar Creative Inc.)
Monty Lunde (Technifex)
Bob Gurr (GurrDesign)
Tony Baxter (Walt Disney Imagineering)
Barry Upson (Barry Upson Company)
Yves Pépin
Bob Rogers (BRC Imagination Arts)
Bob Ward (Strategic Insights & Creative Imagination)
Kim Irvine (Walt Disney Imagineering)
Mark Fuller (WET)
Jon Jerde (The Jerde Partnership)
Don Iwerks
Jack Rouse (Jack Rouse Associates) Thea committee members: Jeremy Railton (Entertainment Design Corp.); Steve McIntyre (Anitech Systems); Patricia MacKay (Ones and Zeros); Patti Drum (Lexington); Michel den Dulk (Europa-Park); Craig Hanna (Thinkwell Group); and Brad Merriman (Management Resources). 
|
