26 March 2012

Themed Entertainment Association reports successful 2012 Summit conference & Thea Awards Gala March 15-17 in Disneyland


Thea Award recipient "Crane Dance" at Resorts World Sentosa
  • Disney sweep: 3 outstanding achievement awards + one lifetime achievement (Joe Rohde)
  • John Lasseter, Anthony Daniels, Nancy Cartwright, Charles Phoenix, Michael Giacchino, Kim Irvine and Dr George Fischbeck among the awards presenters
  • International slate of awards recipients includes projects in France, Japan, China, Singapore, Canada & Mexico (as well as the US)
  • Record attendance numbers for Summit conference
  • Mentoring initiatives top of mind as TEA marks 20th year
  • Herschend's Joel Manby, Disney's Joe Rohde & business coach Phil Glosserman give inspiring & empowering keynotes
Photo Galleries:


Facts:
  • 76 attendees at TEA Summit Day One (March 15) – record attendance
  • 180 attendees at TEA Summit Day Two (March 16) – record attendance
  • 520 attendees at Thea Awards Gala (March 17)
  • Students from 7 colleges were among the 180 attendees at TEA Summit Day Two: Art Institute of California, SCAD (Savannah College of Art & Design), ETC Carnegie Mellon, UC Irvine, UCLA, USC Cornell and Georgia Tech
  • Executive Producer of the 2012 Thea Awards Gala was Ron Miziker.
  • TEA is marking its 20th anniversary. See articles about the 20th anniversary by Peter Chernack and George Walker.

Memorable quotes from TEA Summit Day Two 
(case studies of projects receiving Thea Awards, presented by the clients and the creatives):
Joe Rohde, recipient of the Buzz Price Thea Award for a Lifetime of Distinguished Achievements:

"I am an artist but my strengths have more to do with getting other people to work than working myself"

"Use real materials to take people from reality into fantasy."

"I always have another idea. I think that's a designer's obligation."

"Find smart people & talk to them."

"Stand for an idea."

Jeremy Railton, designer of Crane Dance:
"When I first saw it being built at the shipyard I was horrified at how big it was - 'What have I done?'" 

James T Hays of Fernbank Museum on Fernbank NatureQuest:
"We dont call it an exhibit, we call it an experience"

Matthew Jessner of Dragone Entertainment on The House of Dancing Water:
"We were not just going to replicate another Macau hit tune."


Amelia Anne Gordon of Universal Studios Japan, on Space Fantasy The Ride:
"We went on a journey to save the Sun. We did it on time and on budget because we had a really great team... Bill Mochidome redesigned the queue 783 times. Sometimes 3 times before lunch."  

Lorenz Ruettiman of Europa-Park, on FoodLoop:
"One thing that was not really successful [to serve via FoodLoop] was the hot coffee" 

Martin Arnaud speaking about the design of the historical pageant spectacular, Yo Mexico:
"We started designing the show in 2009 and the contract was signed in 2010... A script that started at 753 pages was boiled down to 26 pages."

Rob Gagne of Science North, discussing The Changing Climate Show:
"Make exhibits modular so they can travel. And walk the walk: Make them green... Build in some adult humor."

Haakon Lund of Kongeparken, Norway, on Barnas Brannstasjon (Children's Fire Station):
"Barnas Brannstasjon targets children as agents of change concerning fire safety awareness in the home. A guest wrote to us, 'My son is now testing the smoke detector every day.'”

Carmel Lewis of BRC Imagination Arts recounts client interaction in creation of The Ghost of the Castle:
"'...and oh, by the way, the budget is cut by almost half but we want the same show...'" 

"There was this gasp that went thru the MEDIA and then we knew we had something." 

Tom Fitzgerald of WDI speaking about Star Tours - The Adventures Continue:
"George Lucas really understood the themepark audience & market."
Thea Award recipient "Star Tours - The Adventures Continue"

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21 March 2012

Ron Miziker, Executive Producer, 2012 Thea Awards Gala

THANK YOU, RON MIZIKER
For an outstanding 2012 Thea Awards Gala!
Creative Director
Miziker Entertainment Group

A foremost showman and a preeminent force in creating major world spectaculars for the mass audience and unique show experiences for attractions worldwide. A conceptualist, staging director and producer of television series and specials, stage shows, theme park entertainment and international world-class show events that have been seen by billions of people around the world.

At the Walt Disney company, as Director of Entertainment and Show Development. Responsible for the planning and production of all shows to open Walt Disney World and then for all the Disney parks including Disneyland, EPCOT Center and Tokyo Disneyland his most acclaimed project was the innovative "Main Street Electrical Parade". He was also responsible for unique Disney shows including Disney’s first theatrical on Broadway, "The Seven Dwarfs" at Radio City Music Hall, and many other gala Disney show spectaculars and events.

For over twenty years, Miziker, through his own company Miziker Entertainment Group, has been responsible for award-winning complete entertainment packages, show design and production for theme parks and other entertainment complexes in seventeen countries including Lotte World in Korea, Port Adventura in Spain, Parque de la Costa in Argentina, Discovery World in Taiwan and various casinos including the Rio and MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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16 March 2012

Who was on stage at the Thea Awards March 17?

Thea Awards Gala - Saturday March 17
Note: Dress code is Black-tie
Disneyland Hotel Grand Ballroom, 1150 Magic Way, Anaheim, CA 92801  

5:00-6:30 pm: Reception & networking
6:30-7:10 pm: Dinner
7:10-10:00 pm: Thea Awards presentations

Click here for list of awards recipients
TEA President Rick Rothschild invites you to the Thea Awards Gala - click here.

Recipient team photos on stage immediately following the awards show.

Dessert & Coffee in the foyer immediately following the awards show. 

 Accepting the awards:

Joe Rohde
Buzz Price Thea Award for Lifetime Achievement
Joe Rohde

Thea Classic Award: Puy du Fou
Nicolas de Villiers, President & Artistic Manager
Laurent Albert, General Manager

Space Fantasy the Ride at Universal Studios Japan
Amelia Gordon, Technical Show Producer
Bill Mochidome, Facility Design Manager

Amelia Gordon
Arthur L'aventure 4D at Futuroscope
Marjorie Scherrier, Assistant to the President
Rodolphe Bovin, Organization & HR Director

NatureQuest at Fernbank Museum
Susan Neugent, Pres & CEO;
James Hays, SVP & Chief Programming Officer

YOU! The Experience at MSI Chicago
Patricia Ward, Director, Science and Technology
Tom Hennes, Founder, Thinc Design

The Changing Climate Show at Science North
Julie Moskalyk, Senior Manager, Int'l Sales
Rob Gagne, Senior Producer

Lt. Governor Dardenne
Ghost of the Castle at the Louisiana Old State Capitol
Louisiana State Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne
Carmel Lewis, Executive Producer, BRC Imagination Arts
Sameer Kawash, Project Manager & Creative Director

Crane Dance at Resorts World Sentosa
Jeremy Railton, President, Entertainment Design Corportion
Richard Wechsler, Writer/Producer, Entertainment Design Corporation

The Magic, the Memories, and You at Disneyland Resort
Alan Bruun, Creative Director, Creative Entertainment Walt Disney Parks & Resorts
Tom Zofrea, Senior Designer Creative Entertainment Walt Disney Parks & Resorts

Jose Manuel Villalpando Cesar
Yo Mexico
Jose Manuel Villalpando Cesar, General Director, National Director of Historical Studies of the Mexican Revolution
Martin Arnaud, Creative Director, Les Petits Francais

The House of Dancing Water at City of Dreams, Macau
Robert Juarez, Chief Marketing Officer, Franco Dragone Entertainment Group
Matthew Jessner, Project Artistic Director, Franco Dragone Entertainment Group

FoodLoop at Europa-Park
Lorenz Ruettimann, Total Quality Manager, Europa-Park

Presenting the awards:
Anthony Daniels
John Lasseter
John Lasseter, Pixar
Joel Manby, Herschend Family Entertainment
Kim Irvine, Disneyland
Dr.George Fischbeck, weathercaster and TV personality 
 
Nancy Cartwright, actor (voice of Bart Simpson)

Charles Phoenix, "Ambassador of Americana"

Pete Docter, Pixar
Nancy Cartwright

Dr George Fischbeck
Jonas Rivera, Pixar
Michael Giacchino, Cars2 Composer

Anthony Daniels, actor (voice of Star Wars' C3PO)

+ Surprise Celebrity Greetings on video (we can't disclose their identities here, but attend the Gala and you'll find out)

Please check back for updates!



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15 March 2012

TEA Summit Day Two: Detailed schedule and speaker list


Thea Award recipient "The House of Dancing Water"
TEA Summit Day Two
March 16, Disneyland Hotel

Note: This is a ticketed event. Click here to purchase tickets.

Jeremy Railton
Schedule and list of showcased projects and speakers
TEA Summit Day Two, March 16, Disneyland Hotel
7:45 am: Continental Breakfast

8:45 am: Group Warm-up: Roberta Perry, VP Business Development Edwards Technologies, Inc.

9:00 am: Lifetime Achievement Recipient – Joe Rohde

9:40 am: Show Spectacular: Crane Dance (Jeremy Railton, EDC)

10:20 am: Museum Exhibit: Fernbank NatureQuest, Fernbank Museum of Natural History (Joe Zenas, James Hays, Matt Brown)

11:00 am: Museum Exhibit: YOU! The Experience, Museum of Science & Industry (Tom Hennes, Thinc Design; Dr Patricia Ward, MSI Chicago)
Bill Mochidome

11:40 am: Live Show Spectacular: The House of Dancing Water, City of Dreams, Macau (Matthew Jessner, Robert Juarez)

12:10pm: Lunch Buffet

1:15 pm: Attraction: Space Fantasy The Ride, Universal Studios Japan (Amelia Anne Gordon; Bill Mochidome)

2:00 pm: Themed Restaurant: FoodLoop at Europa-Park

2:40 pm: Live Show Spectacular: Yo México! (Martin Arnaud)

Carmel Lewis
3:20 pm Limited Budget Panel: Barnas Brannstasjon; The Changing Climate Show (Julie Moskalyk, Rob Gagné); Ghost of the Castle (Carmel Lewis). Moderator: Anthony Esparza.

Tom Fitzgerald
4:25 pm Show Spectacular: Disney – The Magic, The Memories and You! (Greg Atkins; Alan Bruun; Tom Zofrea; Daren Ulmer)


5:00 pm Attraction Refresh: Disney's Star

5:40 pm Attraction: Arthur, L’Aventure 4D, Futuroscope (Marjorie Scherrier)

Followed by the TEA Western Division Mixer from 7:00-9:00 pm
UVA bar at Downtown Disney (right outside the restaurant called Catal)
Anthony Esparza


An invitation from TEA Summit chair Kelly Ryner:
Have you ever wondered what it takes to conceive and produce a Theme Park, Attraction, Exhibit, Themed Restaurant or Show Spectacular worthy of a Thea Award? Then this event is for you!

Kelly Ryner, TEA Summit chair
For one day only – we’re bringing together the international Thea Award recipients to share the insights & issues critical to the success of their projects. This TEA event is dedicated to exploring innovation and excellence in the themed entertainment industry, allowing you an inside peek into the making of this year’s projects being showcased at the Thea Awards Gala March 17.

Join us to learn valuable strategies for successful ideation, execution, production and financial management. Special Keynote introduction by Joe Rohde, recipient of the 2012 Buzz Price Thea Award for Lifetime Achievement, sharing career highlights of his 30 years at Walt Disney Imagineering. -- K.R.

Roberta Perry, TEA Summit co-chair
Message from TEA Summit co-chair and TEA past president Roberta Perry:

My favorite event of this three-day annual TEA gathering (Summit plus Thea Awards Gala) is TEA Summit Day Two – The Thea Case Studies Event! Fourteen nominees showcased in nine hours of fast paced “ edutainment!”

It has been my pleasure to be the co-chair of the TEA Summit along with Kelly Ryner for the past four years. Each year our goal is to bring the best of the best together to share their experiences, their lessons, and their personal reflections on their nominated project. In addition, the three-day event, capped by the Thea Awards Gala on Saturday night, allows all of the attendees to network,  to celebrate, to learn,  to laugh, and to rejoice in what has been accomplished for audiences around the globe plus give voice to the future of our industry.

20 years ago the TEA was founded and as a Past President of the Association I am proud of what our members have accomplished in the global marketplace - and enthusiastically look forward to the next 20 years!

Join us March 16th for at the Disneyland Hotel for Day Two- The Thea Summit Case Studies Event! Bring lots of business cards!  Be prepared to have fun and network! -- R.P.








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Invitation from TEA President Rick Rothschild: Join us at the Thea Awards March 17 in Anaheim


On behalf of the Themed Entertainment Association and the occasion of TEA's 20th anniversary, I would like to encourage you to attend the 2012 Thea Awards Gala - our eighteenth annual awards ceremony.

We are looking forward to a joyous and memorable evening. It will be filled with well-deserved celebration and recognition of extraordinary achievement that simultaneously highlights the breadth of our industry and the extraordinary collaboration amongst such a wide diversity of disciplines, talents and skills. It is also that annual opportunity to re-connect with industry colleagues who have over the past twenty years joined together to form our unique and special worldwide, world-class creative "family" that is the Themed Entertainment Association.

Join us to Honor the Past, Present and Future of TEA
Celebrating 20 years as a Creative Family
 

Thea Award recipient FoodLoop at Europa-Park
It is, finally, an evening that affords us the opportunity of making new acquaintances and connections that may last a lifetime as we ever expand our TEA network of kindred spirits.

This year's collection of recognized individuals, projects, attractions, techniques and special venues is a tribute to just how global the infectious passion and dedication in our industry has become. With the Thea Awards, we are acknowledging extraordinary accomplishment brought about by wondrous acts of creativity, both by individuals and complex teams, from across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Together, all of us who have the desire, tenacity and ability to raise the funds necessary to create the "new", along with all who bring daring creative vision and clarity to breath life into those dreams and all who help collectively bring those dreams to reality, let us stop to appreciate and applaud what
results from genuine collaboration and a collective dedication to excellence as evidenced by our many colleagues who are being honored.

Join us as, in the finest tradition of the TEA, we prepare to raise our glasses in a toast to them all March 17th!
This 20th anniversary year is an exciting one for our association – an opportunity to remember, pay tribute and celebrate the past - and an opportunity to take stock and look forward.

There is much to celebrate – at the Thea Awards Gala and beyond:

  • The Past... as we enjoy a variety of opportunities to look back and remember.
  • The Present... again, congratulations to all of our honored recipients! You're a memorable collection for 2012. Each of you representing the core strength of our association's membership, the ability to create extraordinarily compelling places and experiences. Well done!
  • Thea Award recipient NatureQuest, Fernbank Museum
    And the Future... unknown, but with such opportunity for us all. How exciting our creative "family" will have the chance to discover it together!
Cheers!!! I hope to see you at the Gala.
 
-- TEA President Rick Rothschild, FAR Out! Creative Direction
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Schedule of events - TEA Summit & Thea Awards Gala March 15-17, Anaheim

TEA 2012 Summit & Thea Awards Gala 
Schedule: March 14-17, 2012

Please note: TEA Summit Day One (March 15) is completely sold out. 
Seats for Summit Day Two (March 16) and for the Thea Awards Gala (March 17) are still available; purchase from the TEA Box Office. 


Click here for overview of the TEA Summit and Thea Awards Gala.
Click here for detailed information on Summit Day One. 
Click here for detailed information on Summit Day Two.

Summit Day One - Thursday March 15
Disneyland Hotel 
8:00-9:00 am: Continental breakfast 
9:00 am - 5:00 pm: planned agenda. 
after 5:00 pm: The location of a no-host informal gathering for this evening will be announced that day. Open to all ticketholders and participants in the Summit and Thea Awards Gala - and all TEA association members. (Even if you don't attend Summit Day One, you are invited to join us for the evening.)

Summit Day Two - Friday March 16
Disneyland Hotel
7:45-8:45 am: Continental breakfast 
9:00 am: Case studies presentations begin. 
7:00 - 9:00 pm : TEA Western Division no-host mixer, UVA bar at Downtown Disney (right outside the restaurant called Catal)


Click here for list of confirmed Summit speakers
Click here for detailed schedule of Summit Day Two. 

Thea Awards Gala - Saturday March 17
Note: Dress code is Black-tie
Disneyland Hotel Grand Ballroom, 1150 Magic Way, Anaheim, CA 92801 5:00-6:30 pm: Reception & networking
6:30-7:10 pm: Dinner
7:10-10:00 pm: Thea Awards presentations
Click here for list of awards recipients
TEA President Rick Rothschild invites you to the Thea Awards Gala - click here.

Recipient team photos on stage immediately following the awards show.

Dessert & Coffee in the foyer immediately following the awards show.
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14 February 2012

Three days with the Themed Entertainment Association - celebrating excellence in the creation of compelling places and experiences, 15-17 March 2012 at Disneyland Resort

Thea Award recipient "Crane Dance" at Resorts World Sentosa

TEA president Rick Rothschild
Celebrating 20 Years as a Creative Family


The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) is the international non-profit association representing the world's leading creators, developers, designers and producers of compelling places and experiences. 

TEA Summit speaker Daren Ulmer
Pete Docter of Pixar
At TEA's annual Thea Awards Gala and industry Summit, TEA celebrates the best recent examples of Experience Design – for leisure, entertainment, and education – and takes a look at where the visitor attractions industry is headed. 

This year, both the Summit and the Thea Awards Gala are pumped up in celebration of TEA's 20th anniversary. Several celebrity presenters will take the stage at the Awards Gala on March 17, including Pixar's Pete Docter, Cars2 composer Michael Giacchino and actor Anthony Daniels (C3PO).   


TEA Summit speaker Phil Hettema
Anthony Daniels
Summit Day One (March 15) is a limited attendance event geared to top level executives; Summit Day Two (March 16) is a larger, broader forum that brings together this year's international Thea Award recipients to share the insight & issues critical to the success of their projects. The culminating event is the Thea Awards Gala on March 17 (open to the public) - an elegant, black-tie dinner affair. A Thea Award is considered the highest honor of the themed entertainment industry. All the events take place at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. Tickets may be purchased for individual events or a combination, and are on sale now at this link.

Thea Award recipient "Barnas Brannstasjon" at Kongeparken, Norway
TEA president Rick Rothschild of FAR Out! Creative Direction says, "We are looking forward to a joyous and memorable series of events. They will be filled with well-deserved celebration and recognition of extraordinary achievement that simultaneously highlights the breadth of our industry and the extraordinary collaboration amongst such a wide diversity of disciplines, talents and skills. It is also that annual opportunity to re-connect with industry colleagues who have over the past twenty years joined together to form our unique and special worldwide, world-class creative 'family' that is the Themed Entertainment Association."

TEA Summit: Day One - March 15, 2012
“The Masters Class”
Disneyland Hotel, Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, Calif. USA

Joel Manby, Summit keynote
An intimate gathering of the industry’s best minds. Very limited space and open only to top level executives interested in and committed to ensuring their businesses’ success in a global marketplace. This event has sold out every year since its launch, and promises to provide insider information and critical networking for themed entertainment and experience design professionals at the height of their careers. Keynote: Joel Manby. Book today to be sure you have a seat! You want to be there!




Rob Gagne, Summit speaker
TEA Summit: Day Two - March 16, 2012
Thea Award Projects Case Studies
Disneyland Hotel, Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, Calif. USA
Open to all and presented by the owners and designers, this review of Thea Award-honored projects explores the back-stories of this year’s honorees, from restaurant experiences in Germany to giant mobile structures telling stories in Asia, from theme park attractions to science center exhibits. Join the large and diverse group of industry creatives, from students right through seasoned professionals, as the curtains are pulled back to reveal the owner’s dreams, design strategies, fabrication challenges and the final guest experience. Keynote: Joe Rohde. Click here to see full list of speakers.

Thea Award recipient "Star Tours - The Adventures Continue"
TEA Student Member Scholarships
There are a limited number of scholarships covering the registration fee for Day Two. If you are a TEA Student member in good standing and wish to be considered for a scholarship to the TEA Summit Day Two, please send a copy of your resume or vita to: Gene Jeffers, Gene@TEAConnect.org



Thea Awards Gala: March 17, 2012 
Ron Miziker, executive producer, Thea Awards Gala
Presented by AECOM with support from the Disney Company
Celebrating 20 Years As A Creative Family
Grand Ballroom, Disneyland Hotel, Disneyland Resort


Executive Produced by Ron Miziker, Miziker Entertainment, this year’s Thea Awards Gala promises to be better than ever, bringing together the industry’s top decisionmakers and creatives from around the world. Join us as we celebrate the projects of the past, present and
Kathy Oliver, senior producer, Thea Awards Gala
future and honor outstanding museum, science center, civic, event and theme park projects. The Thea Awards Gala sold out last year, so be sure to book your tickets as soon as possible and be a part of this special 20th anniversary event. Ticket sales are open to the public as well as the industry.




Thea Awards Lifetime Achievement recipients, clockwise from top left: Don Iwerks, Barry Upson, Monty Lunde, Tony Baxter, Harrison "Buzz" Price, Bob Rogers, Marty Sklar


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TEA Summit Day One - March 15 - Detailed schedule & speaker list

TEA Summit 2012, Day One, March 15
Disneyland Hotel
Note: This is a ticketed event with limited attendance. Click here to purchase tickets.

Click here for information on Summit Day Two, March 16

Joel Manby
8:30 - 9:00 am: Continental breakfast
9:00 - 9:30 am: Welcome & group warmup

9:30 - 10:30 am: Opening Keynote: Leadership Strategies for Private Business
Joel Manby, President & CEO of Herschend Family Entertainment

10:30 - 11:00 am: Open discussion/Q&A
11:00 - 11:20 am: Break
11:20 am - 12:15 pm: Peer-to-peer discussion

12:15 - 1:30 pm: Lunch buffet

Ray Braun

Dina Benadon
1:30 - 2:45 pm: Economies & Emerging Markets
Christian Aaen, Ray Braun & Matt Earnest of Entertainment+Culture Advisors

2:45 - 3:45 pm: Break
3:00 - 4:15 pm: Contracts: Lessons Learned around the World and in the Field
Dina Benadon (Super 78), Chris Conte (Electrosonic), Brad Merriman (ProFun), Rick Poulos (Rick Poulos & Associates)


Phil Glosserman
Christian Aaen
4:30 - 5:30 pm: Closing Keynote: The 4 Areas Every Entrepreneur Must Master to Create Greater Business Success
Phil Glosserman

5:30 - 6:00 pm: Group wrapup
6:00 - 7:00 pm: Cocktails (open bar)
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25 January 2012

Confirmed speakers - TEA Summit 2012, March 15-16, Disneyland Hotel, Anaheim

Joel Manby
Phil Glosserman
Speakers at Day One of the 2012 TEA Summit (March 15) in
Anaheim will focus on business executive empowerment in the themed entertainment industry: leadership, entrepreneurship and international markets.


 

Speakers at Day Two of the 2012 TEA Summit (March 16) in Anaheim are connected to projects being honored at the Thea Awards Gala March 17
Dr Patricia Ward
 Download TEA Summit Day One detailed brochure here.  
Download TEA Summit Day Two detailed brochure here.




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