The Themed Entertainment Association’s 2002 Thea Awards Gala, which recognizes excellence in the themed entertainment industry, will take place on Saturday, September 28, 2002 at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, CA. This is the ninth consecutive year for the black-tie event.
Seventeen honorees were selected by the TEA Awards Nominating Committee; each will be presented with a crystal award featuring the etched image of Thea, the Greek goddess of light. Awards will be presented to theme parks, attractions, museums, water parks, touring exhibits, visitor centers, and civic projects with opening dates between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2001.
The theme of the 2002 awards presentation is "The Art of Storytelling" — celebrating how a "story" differentiates a successful themed experience from traditional architecture and other location-based entertainment. Following that theme, the evening’s awards are broken down into four chapters: Culture, Adventure, Discovery, and Fantasy– each hosted by a different "storyteller" played by a recognized industry personality. This year’s honorees include:
Chicano Now: American Expressions, Clear Channel Entertainment/Exhibitions
Schlitterbahn Beach Water Park, South Padre Island, TX
--Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Orlando, FL
For further information about the Themed Entertainment Association, visit their website, www.themeit.com.