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Operators, individuals and attractions across the industry were recognised for excellence, with prestigious awards handed out during the IAAPA Attractions Expo.
IAAPA’s awards programme recognises individuals and companies from across the globe who stand out as leaders
Applause Award During the event’s opening ceremony, Mexican cultural theme park Xcaret picked up the 2018 Applause Award (see p34).
Joining a prestigious list most recently featuring the likes of Busch Gardens, Puy du Fou and Ocean Park, the biannual award honours an attraction whose management, operations and creative accomplishments have inspired the industry with foresight, originality and sound business development.
“With an original and creative vision, Xcaret has created one of the most unique and authentic park destinations in the world,” said Andreas Andersen, president and CEO of Liseberg and chair of the Applause Award Board of Governors.
Service Awards During the kick off event, four men were honoured with IAAPA’s Service Award, which recognises outstanding contributions to the global attractions industry.
Julio Vanegas, founder and general manager of Carruseles in Bogotá, Colombia, was awarded for his 25 years of service to IAAPA and the wider attractions industry.
Jim Futrell, director at the National Amusement Park Historical Association, was presented with a Service Award in recognition of his work to foster the spirit of goodwill, professionalism, and higher levels of performance within the industry.
The Meritorious Service Award went to Robert Williams, general manager of Calaway Park in Calgary, Canada. The award recognises a member individual’s service to advancing IAAPA’s mission by promoting safe operations, global development, professional growth, and the commercial success of the amusement parks and attractions industry, something Williams has done for more than 25 years.
Finally, Al Weber Jr, who was set to lead IAAPA as its chair in 2019 before his death in 2016, was recognised as a visionary in the global attractions industry, being honoured with the IAAPA Board of Directors Special Service Award.
TEA Thea Awards The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) announced the winners of its annual Thea awards – to be presented later this year – during the IAAPA show. Dollywood took home the Thea Classic Award, with the prestigious Buzz Price Thea Lifetime Award going to Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative and vice chair of Universal Parks and Resorts. The Bjarke Ingels-designed Lego House in Billund, Denmark, picked up the award for best Brand Centre, while Universal’s Volcano Bay in Orlando, Florida, was named best Water Theme Park.
At Six Flags Magic Mountain, Justice League: Battle for Metropolis was named best attraction, with Fantawild in Xiamen, China, chosen as the best theme park.
Brass Ring Awards The annual Brass Ring Awards were also handed out at the expo, with a number of companies recognised for their achievements in excellence across different parts of the industry.
At Hersheypark, The Enchanted Journey was named the Most Creative Christmas Show, while the best at Halloween went to Hell’s Grand Finale at Ocean Park.
SeaWorld San Diego picked up multiple Brass Ring Awards, with the Sesame Street Party Parade winning the Best Atmosphere/Street Show Performance/Act category; its Pet’s Rule event named Most Creative Show Featuring Animals, and Cirque Electrique awarded the title of Most Creative Sports/Stunt Show.
Grabbing the Brass Ring
The Brass Ring awards mark achievements of excellence throughout the attractions industry
The IAAPA Brass Ring Awards are among the most prestigious professional honours awarded to companies. Among the winners of the 2018 IAAPA Brass Rings are:
Food and Beverage Excellence
Best New Menu Item: (Annual Attendance Less than 1 Million) “Poopies and Poopcakes,” Skånes Djurpark, Sweden
Best New Menu Item: (Annual Attendance More than 1 Million) “Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Bowl,” Palace Entertainment, Newport Beach, California, US
Human Resources Excellence
Best Employee Engagement Initiative: (Annual Attendance Less than 1 Million) Great Wolf Lodge - Niagara Falls; Canada
Best Employee Engagement Initiative: (Annual Attendance More than 1 Million) “Dolphin Way at Work,” Grupo Dolphin Discovery, Mexico
Live Entertainment Excellence
Best Atmosphere/Street Show Performance/Act: “Sesame Street Party Parade,” SeaWorld San Diego, San Diego, California, US
Most Creative Christmas Show: “The Enchanted Journey,” Hersheypark, Hershey, Pennsylvania, US
Most Creative Halloween Haunt, Show, or Experience: “Hell’s Grand Finale,” Ocean Park Corporation, Hong Kong, China
Most Creative Show Featuring Animals: “Pets Rule,” SeaWorld San Diego, San Diego, California, US
Most Creative Sports/Stunt Show: “Cirque Electrique,” SeaWorld San Diego, San Diego, California, US
Excellence in Marketing
Best Digital Marketing Campaign: “The Poopie Movie,” Skånes Djurpark, Sweden
Best Public Relations Campaign: “Launch of the Haunted Mine Drop,” Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, Glenwood Springs, Colorado, US
Best new product exhibitor awards
Major Ride/Attraction – Class A: (Product cost of US$3 million or more) SlideWheel, wiegand.maelzer GmbH
Kiddie Ride/Attraction – Class A:(Standard Kiddie Ride/Attraction) Oscar’s Wacky Taxi, The Gravity Group
Water Park Ride/Attraction – Class A: (Product cost of US$2 million or more): FusionFortress 17, WhiteWater West
Best New Product Concept Award: (Major Ride Attraction) Stormforce 20, Ride Engineers Switzerland
Best New Product Concept Award: (Other Products/Services) Diving Theatre, VR Coaster GmbH & Co.KG
Best New Product Concept Award: (Attraction) Dynamic Duel Power Coaster, Dynamic Attractions
Zoomars’ Gillie Guinea Pig Plush picked up a Brass Ring award for merchandise
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Michael Mercadante and Jennie Nevine at the Thea Award announcements
IAAPA recognized the 2018 IAAPA Service Award winners during the annual GM and Owners’ Breakfast, honouring individuals for their outstanding contributions to the global attractions industry
Hersheypark’s winter spectacle
‘The Enchanted Journey’ picked up a Brass Ring Award for Most Creative Christmas Show
In today’s premium spa environment, every detail shapes the guest experience – right down to
the softness of towels and the freshness of linens. [more...]
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Operators, individuals and attractions across the industry were recognised for excellence, with prestigious awards handed out during the IAAPA Attractions Expo.
IAAPA’s awards programme recognises individuals and companies from across the globe who stand out as leaders
Applause Award During the event’s opening ceremony, Mexican cultural theme park Xcaret picked up the 2018 Applause Award (see p34).
Joining a prestigious list most recently featuring the likes of Busch Gardens, Puy du Fou and Ocean Park, the biannual award honours an attraction whose management, operations and creative accomplishments have inspired the industry with foresight, originality and sound business development.
“With an original and creative vision, Xcaret has created one of the most unique and authentic park destinations in the world,” said Andreas Andersen, president and CEO of Liseberg and chair of the Applause Award Board of Governors.
Service Awards During the kick off event, four men were honoured with IAAPA’s Service Award, which recognises outstanding contributions to the global attractions industry.
Julio Vanegas, founder and general manager of Carruseles in Bogotá, Colombia, was awarded for his 25 years of service to IAAPA and the wider attractions industry.
Jim Futrell, director at the National Amusement Park Historical Association, was presented with a Service Award in recognition of his work to foster the spirit of goodwill, professionalism, and higher levels of performance within the industry.
The Meritorious Service Award went to Robert Williams, general manager of Calaway Park in Calgary, Canada. The award recognises a member individual’s service to advancing IAAPA’s mission by promoting safe operations, global development, professional growth, and the commercial success of the amusement parks and attractions industry, something Williams has done for more than 25 years.
Finally, Al Weber Jr, who was set to lead IAAPA as its chair in 2019 before his death in 2016, was recognised as a visionary in the global attractions industry, being honoured with the IAAPA Board of Directors Special Service Award.
TEA Thea Awards The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) announced the winners of its annual Thea awards – to be presented later this year – during the IAAPA show. Dollywood took home the Thea Classic Award, with the prestigious Buzz Price Thea Lifetime Award going to Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative and vice chair of Universal Parks and Resorts. The Bjarke Ingels-designed Lego House in Billund, Denmark, picked up the award for best Brand Centre, while Universal’s Volcano Bay in Orlando, Florida, was named best Water Theme Park.
At Six Flags Magic Mountain, Justice League: Battle for Metropolis was named best attraction, with Fantawild in Xiamen, China, chosen as the best theme park.
Brass Ring Awards The annual Brass Ring Awards were also handed out at the expo, with a number of companies recognised for their achievements in excellence across different parts of the industry.
At Hersheypark, The Enchanted Journey was named the Most Creative Christmas Show, while the best at Halloween went to Hell’s Grand Finale at Ocean Park.
SeaWorld San Diego picked up multiple Brass Ring Awards, with the Sesame Street Party Parade winning the Best Atmosphere/Street Show Performance/Act category; its Pet’s Rule event named Most Creative Show Featuring Animals, and Cirque Electrique awarded the title of Most Creative Sports/Stunt Show.
Grabbing the Brass Ring
The Brass Ring awards mark achievements of excellence throughout the attractions industry
The IAAPA Brass Ring Awards are among the most prestigious professional honours awarded to companies. Among the winners of the 2018 IAAPA Brass Rings are:
Food and Beverage Excellence
Best New Menu Item: (Annual Attendance Less than 1 Million) “Poopies and Poopcakes,” Skånes Djurpark, Sweden
Best New Menu Item: (Annual Attendance More than 1 Million) “Chicken Bacon Ranch Tater Bowl,” Palace Entertainment, Newport Beach, California, US
Human Resources Excellence
Best Employee Engagement Initiative: (Annual Attendance Less than 1 Million) Great Wolf Lodge - Niagara Falls; Canada
Best Employee Engagement Initiative: (Annual Attendance More than 1 Million) “Dolphin Way at Work,” Grupo Dolphin Discovery, Mexico
Live Entertainment Excellence
Best Atmosphere/Street Show Performance/Act: “Sesame Street Party Parade,” SeaWorld San Diego, San Diego, California, US
Most Creative Christmas Show: “The Enchanted Journey,” Hersheypark, Hershey, Pennsylvania, US
Most Creative Halloween Haunt, Show, or Experience: “Hell’s Grand Finale,” Ocean Park Corporation, Hong Kong, China
Most Creative Show Featuring Animals: “Pets Rule,” SeaWorld San Diego, San Diego, California, US
Most Creative Sports/Stunt Show: “Cirque Electrique,” SeaWorld San Diego, San Diego, California, US
Excellence in Marketing
Best Digital Marketing Campaign: “The Poopie Movie,” Skånes Djurpark, Sweden
Best Public Relations Campaign: “Launch of the Haunted Mine Drop,” Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, Glenwood Springs, Colorado, US
Best new product exhibitor awards
Major Ride/Attraction – Class A: (Product cost of US$3 million or more) SlideWheel, wiegand.maelzer GmbH
Kiddie Ride/Attraction – Class A:(Standard Kiddie Ride/Attraction) Oscar’s Wacky Taxi, The Gravity Group
Water Park Ride/Attraction – Class A: (Product cost of US$2 million or more): FusionFortress 17, WhiteWater West
Best New Product Concept Award: (Major Ride Attraction) Stormforce 20, Ride Engineers Switzerland
Best New Product Concept Award: (Other Products/Services) Diving Theatre, VR Coaster GmbH & Co.KG
Best New Product Concept Award: (Attraction) Dynamic Duel Power Coaster, Dynamic Attractions
Zoomars’ Gillie Guinea Pig Plush picked up a Brass Ring award for merchandise
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Michael Mercadante and Jennie Nevine at the Thea Award announcements
IAAPA recognized the 2018 IAAPA Service Award winners during the annual GM and Owners’ Breakfast, honouring individuals for their outstanding contributions to the global attractions industry
Hersheypark’s winter spectacle
‘The Enchanted Journey’ picked up a Brass Ring Award for Most Creative Christmas Show
Global Wellness Day (GWD) will mark its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day
(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
experiences.
Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-
powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver continuous, personalised longevity-
focused care at scale.
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is
expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and
2029.
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care
has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that
cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given
In today’s premium spa environment, every detail shapes the guest experience – right down to
the softness of towels and the freshness of linens. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Aromatherapy Associates Aromatherapy Associates is a world-leading British wellness brand, harnessing the power of essential [more...]
