Winners of the “32nd Thea Awards” Announced
(eap) During IAAPA Expo 2025, which officially opened yesterday with an Opening Ceremony at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, the international association of entertainment creators and designers – the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) – invited guests to its traditional “TEA Mixer”. This time, association members gathered at the new Universal Epic Universe theme park. TEA used its networking event to announce the recipients of the “32nd Thea Awards” for outstanding creative achievements – the official award ceremony is planned for spring 2026.
The “Buzz Price Award” will be presented to Dale Mason, Vice President and Executive Art Director at Universal Destinations & Experiences. The retired creative expert is being honored for his lifetime achievements – he began his professional career at Universal in 1989 and has since played a key role in developing comprehensive design concepts for themed environments, attractions and experiences in the Universal parks.
The “Thea Catalyst Award” goes to Dr. Frederic Bertley, President and CEO of the Center of Science and Industry, based in Columbus, Ohio, while the Mexican leisure park Xcaret in Playa del Carmen will receive the “Thea Classic Award”. The “Peter Chernack Distinguished Service Award” will be presented to Paul Kent, Vice President Technical Design at RWS Global.
Among the “Thea Awards for Outstanding Achievement” are once again some recognitions for European projects and new attractions in the realization of which European manufacturers played a central role (excerpt):
- Attraction: the Dynamic Motion Stage “Danse Macabre” at the Dutch theme park Efteling (manufacturer: Intamin Amusement Rides)
- Historical Experience, Limited Budget: “Secret Laboratory” at Augustusburg Castle, Germany (implemented by Creative Studio Berlin and THE ROOM Laboratories)
- Ride Experience: the dark ride “Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry” at Universal Epic Universe (ride system by Simtec Systems)
- Technical Innovation: the award for the sound-transparent, passive 3D LED screen technology “MAGNOS” goes to the Austrian company Kraftwerk Living Technologies
A complete list of all winners of the 32nd Thea Awards can be found here.
Marc Zachary, Chair of the Thea Awards Committee, explains: “We received nearly 200 impressive and diverse submissions from around the world. These entries demonstrate the imagination, ingenuity, expertise, and passion across the themed entertainment industry. Every year, the Thea Awards Judging Committee spends countless hours reviewing, discussing, and selecting that year’s outstanding and most-deserving projects. Today we celebrate these extraordinary projects and the teams that brought them to life.”
Melissa Oviedo, TEA’s CEO, emphasizes: “Tonight’s announcement is just the beginning for the Thea Award winners and our global members. We are excited to share the stories about the projects and partners behind each winner as we lead up to our incredible 2026 TEA INSPIRE event and the 32nd Annual Thea Awards Gala, which will take place for the first time ever in Orlando, Florida.”
The festive Thea Awards Gala is scheduled to take place on 2 May 2026. ■
