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🌐 IAAPA’s BRASS RING Awards BACKGROUND & HISTORY
Join us in exploring the latest winners and highlights from the IAAPA Brass Ring Awards 2023, a prestigious celebration of excellence in the attractions industry. From thrilling rides to cutting-edge marketing, find out who’s making waves in the world of amusements! Check out highlights from the IAAPA Expo including all stories involving the world of #IAAPA!
The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Brass Ring Awards honor the best and the brightest in the attractions industry. They’re a major event that draws professionals, visionaries, and innovators from around the world to celebrate their contributions and achievements.
Much like #IAAPA itself, the Brass Ring Awards have a rich history and tradition. The awards were first established in 1986 to recognize excellence in a wide range of categories within the attractions industry, including live entertainment, marketing, food and beverage, human resources, and more.
2022 marked the first in-person Brass Rings that IAAPA has held since the worldwide spread of COVID caused the postponement.
How did the BRASS RING Awards get its name?
The term “brass ring” has historical roots that harken back to the origins of carousels and amusement parks. The brass ring was originally a part of carousels, which were popular amusement rides in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Carousels featured a rotating platform with various wooden or metal animals for riders to sit on. As the carousel spun, riders could try to grab an iron ring hanging outside the carousel. Among these rings, there was often a special, valuable one or two made of brass.
Winning the brass ring was a coveted achievement for carousel riders. Not only was it an accomplishment but often came with a reward like a free ride or other prizes. The brass ring became a symbol of excellence and distinction within the amusement industry.
The IAAPA Brass Ring Awards adopted this historical reference in their name to symbolize excellence and recognition within the attractions industry. Just as the brass ring was a symbol of success for carousel riders, the Brass Ring Awards celebrate and acknowledge the success and innovation within the attractions industry.
The awards ceremony, held annually, is the highlight of the attractions industry calendar. It’s a holiday of sorts for industry professionals, a time to come together and acknowledge the outstanding work being done in their field. The event is marked by excitement and camaraderie, much like the anticipation of a traditional holiday gathering.
🏆 WHO are the BRASS RING Winners?
The IAAPA Brass Ring Awards stand as the highest professional accolades bestowed upon members of IAAPA, symbolizing excellence across the global attractions industry. These awards acknowledge outstanding achievements in amusement & water parks, zoos & aquariums, museums & science centers, family entertainment centers (FECs), and location-based entertainment & attractions. They also extend to equipment suppliers in a range of sectors spanning food & beverage, games & retail, live entertainment, human resources, marketing, new products, and floor exhibit booths.
Wow, more awards are being given out since we started covering the Brass Ring Awards 24 years ago! Here are some highlights from this year’s award ceremonies …
💙 Best NEW PRODUCT Exhibitor Awards
- Best New Product – Impact Award:
Dome Ride Theater: Hypersphere 360, Intamin Amusement Rides, Schaan, LIECHTENSTEIN - Best New Product Concept – Major Ride or Water Ride:
Wild Moose Family Coaster, RMC Rocky Mountain Construction, Plainview, Texas, USA - Major Ride/Attraction costing more than $3 million USD:
Dome Ride Theater: Hypersphere 360, Intamin Amusement Rides, Schaan, LIECHTENSTEIN - Water Park Ride/Attraction costing more than $2 million USD:
Saifa – Dueling PIPEline Blast Water Coaster, Proslide Technology, Inc., Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA - Family Ride/Attraction:
Vertical Dark Ride, RES GmbH, Ride Engineers Switzerland, Altendorf, SWITZERLAND - Patron Participation Ride/Attraction:
Krazy Darts, Lasertron, Amherst, New York, USA - Services, Equipment, and Supplies:
Easy RFID Pro, Easy RFID Pro, Poughquag, New York, USA - Virtual and Augmented Reality:
cycloBEAT 3.0, CSE Simulation Inc, Kajaani, FINLAND - Games & Devices:
Over the Edge, UNIS Technology Ltd., Markham, Ontario, CANADA - Prizes, Plush, Retail and Food Products:
ICEE Cherry ‘N Blue Razz Dippin’ Dots, Dippin’ Dots, LLC, Mount Laurel, New Jersey, USA - Exhibitions, Thematic Displays and Supplies:
A1 Thanos: Fog Gun, Froggy’s Fog, Columbia, Tennessee, USA
💙 Best EXHIBIT Booths
- Image Award Winner:
Crystal Lagoons, Miami, Florida, USA - Best Exhibit 300 square feet or less:
Immersive Gamebox, London, UK - Best Exhibit 400 – 600 square feet:
HB Leisure, Rhyl, UK - Best Exhibit 700 – 900 square feet:
Crystal Lagoons, Miami, Florida, USA - Best Exhibit 1000 – 1500 square feet:
Wibit Sports GmgH, Bocholt, North Rhine-Westphalia, GERMANY - Best Exhibit 1600 square feet and larger:
Gel Blaster, Inc., Austin, Texas, USA
💙 LIVE Entertainment Excellence
- Most Creative Christmas/Winter Holiday Production:
The NutQuacker, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE - Most Creative Halloween Production:
Halloween Nightmare Fuel Wildfire, Universal Orlando Resort, Orlando, Florida, USA - Most Creative Theatrical Production: Annual Attendance less than 1 Million:
A Pluma y Espada, Puy du Fou España, Tokyo, JAPAN - Most Creative Theatrical Production: Annual Attendance more than 1 Million:
Le Mime et l’Étoil, Puy du Fou France, Toledo, SPAIN - Most Creative Spectacle:
Believe! Sea of Dreams, Tokyo DisneySea, Tokyo, JAPAN - Most Creative Atmosphere Production:
Magical Creatures Encounter, Universal Studios Japan, Osaka, JAPAN
💙 GAMES & MERCHANDISE Superiority
- Best Midway Game Display:
Santa Cruz Boardwalk Midway Games, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz, California, USA - Best Custom Retail Souvenir:
Leviathan Surprise Plush Egg, Village Roadshow Theme Parks, Gold Coast, Queensland, AUSTRALIA - Best Retail Visual Merchandise Display:
Eldar’s Specialty Shoppe, Enchanted Kingdom, Makati City, PHILIPPINES
💙 FOOD & BEVERAGE Distinction
- Best New Menu Item Annual Attendance less than 1 Million:
Clownfish Cones, Vancouver Aquarium, Vancouver, British Columbia, CANADA - Best New Menu Item Annual Attendance more than 1 Million:
Branded Mixology Program, Hershey’s Chocolate World, Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA
💙 MARKETING Mastery
- Best Digital Marketing Campaign:
Passport to Summer, Pyek Group, Katy, Texas, USA - Best Integrated Marketing Campaign:
Uncharted – The Enigma of Penitence, PortAventura World, Vila-seca, SPAIN - Best Outdoor Advertisement:
Our Jobs are the *SPLAT, Morey’s Piers, Wildwood, New Jersey, USA - Best Social Media Campaign:
Deadly Sins, Liseberg AB, Gothenburg, SWEDEN
💙 HUMAN RESOURCES Merit
- Best Innovation in Training:
Lead/Go, Water World & SWCo, Denver, Colorado, USA - Best Health and Well-Being Strategy:
Dolphin Cares, The Dolphin Company, Cancún, Quintana Roo, MEXICO
💙 Top FEC in the World
- Hasbro City, Huixquilucan, MEXICO
Why we L💜VE the IAAPA BRASS RING Awards
The Brass Ring Awards are significant because they spotlight businesses that have excelled in the amusement sector, pioneering remarkable innovations for enhanced public enjoyment. The progress of the companies receiving awards this year, along with their contributions, serves as a beacon, showcasing their success and providing valuable insights for the betterment of the entire industry.
These fresh innovations not only empower others to discover novel methods of improving the amusement industry but also contribute to its collective sector growth. It’s a day that unites the attractions industry, celebrates its achievements, and fosters an atmosphere of continuous improvement and innovation.
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Exciting ANTICIPATION & TRADITION
The anticipation leading up to the awards and the excitement during the ceremony are much like the anticipation and joy of holidays. People love the element of surprise and the celebration of winners.
Over the years, the awards have become a tradition within the industry. People love ’em and it’s good to look back and see how far the industry has come!
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INSPIRATION
The Brass Ring Awards inspire professionals and enthusiasts in the field. They showcase the best practices, cutting-edge innovations, and creative solutions that drive the industry forward. This inspiration fuels further innovation and progress.
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EDUCATION
The awards offer valuable insights and lessons. By learning about the winners and their achievements, those in the industry gain knowledge that can be applied to their own work. This ongoing education keeps the industry vibrant and continually evolving.
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COMMUNITY & NETWORKING
The awards bring together a diverse and passionate community of individuals and organizations from around the world. Attendees and participants can connect, network, and share their love for the industry, fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie.
