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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 2022, 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. These awards serve as a major event, drawing 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.
This is 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The IAAPA Brass Ring Awards adopted this historical reference in their name to symbolize excellence and recognition within the attractions industry.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 a sense of 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 there’s a tad more awards being given out since we first started covering the Brass Ring Awards 23 years ago! Here are some highlights from this year’s award ceremonies …
💙 Best NEW PRODUCT Exhibitor Awards
- Best New Product Concept – Major Ride or Water Ride:
Parkour Around, Extreme Engineering, El Dorado Hills, California, USA - Major Ride/Attraction costing more than $5 million USD:
VOLKANU – Quest for the Golden Idol, Sally Dark Rides, Jacksonville, Florida, USA - Water Park Ride/Attraction costing more than $2 million USD:
Blasterango Battle, WhiteWater West, Richmond, British Columbia, CANADA - Family Ride/Attraction:
Big WaveZ, Zamperla Group, Vicenza, ITALY - Patron Participation Ride/Attraction:
Game of 1000 Boxes, Game of 1000 Boxes, Brooklyn, New York, USA - Services, Equipment, and Supplies:
Flex Shade System, Extreme Engineering, El Dorado Hills, California, USA - Virtual and Augmented Reality:
ValoArena, Valo Motion, Helsinki, FINLAND - Games & Devices:
Break the Plate, Coastal Amusements Inc, Lakewood, New Jersey, USA - Prizes, Plush, and Retail Products:
NXT PicturePass, NXT Capture, Orlando, Florida, USA
💙 Best EXHIBIT Booths
- Image Award Winner:
accesso, Lake Mary, Florida, USA - Best Exhibit 100 – 399 square feet:
3DXScenic, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA - Best Exhibit 400 – 499 square feet:
Themics Philippines Inc, Angeles City, Pampanga, PHILIPPINES - Best Exhibit 500 – 899 square feet:
VLocker North America LLC, Wilmington, Delaware, USA - Best Exhibit 900 – 1200 square feet:
Wibit Sports GmgH, Bocholt, North Rhine-Westphalia, GERMANY - Best Exhibit 1201 square feet and larger:
Apple Industries, Greenvale, New York, USA
💙 LIVE Entertainment Excellence
- Best Atmosphere/Street Show Performance Act:
Hello Kitty Happiness Brass Band, Universal Studios Japan, Osaka, JAPAN - Most Creative Sports/Stunt Show:
Hydro Power Xtreme FX, SeaWorld San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA - Best Edutainment Performance Act:
Rescue Tails, SeaWorld Orlando, Orlando, Florida, USA - Most Creative Christmas Show:
Mickey’s Dazzling Christmas Parade, Disneyland Paris, Coupvray, FRANCE - Most Creative Halloween Haunt, Show, or Experience:
Let’s Get Wicked, Hong Kong Disney, HONG KONG - Best Theatrical Production Annual Attendance lesss than 1 Million:
El Sueño de Toledo, Puy du Fou España, Toledo, SPAIN - Best Theatrical Production Annual Attendance more than 1 Million:
Tale of the Lion King, Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, California, USA - Most Creative Multimedia Spectacular:
Harmonious, Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA - Most Creative Property-wide Event Annual Attendance more than 1 Million:
Disneyland Paris 30th Anniversary Celebration, Disneyland Paris, Coupvray, FRANCE
💙 GAMES & MERCHANDISE Superiority
- Best Plush:
Groot Scented Plush, The Walt Disney Company, Lake Buena Vista, California, USA - Best Apparel:
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Cassette Player Shoulder Bag, The Walt Disney Company, Lake Buena Vista, California, USA - Best Hard Good Item:
Halcyon Starcruiser Training Lightsaber Hilt, The Walt Disney Company, Lake Buena Vista, California, USA - Best Store Visual Merchandising:
Dollywood Emporium Remodel, Herschend Family Entertainment, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, USA
💙 FOOD & BEVERAGE Distinction
- Best New Menu Item Annual Attendance less than 1 Million:
The James Webb, TELUS Spark Science Centre, Calgary, Alberta, CANADA - Best New Menu Item Annual Attendance more than 1 Million:
Chocolate Mighty Thor’s Hammer, Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA
💙 MARKETING Mastery
- Best Digital Marketing Campaign:
Fantasy Valley Digital Marketing, Xiangyang OCT Cultural Tourism Development Co,
Ltd, Xiangyang City, Hubei, CHINA - Best Integrated Marketing Campaign:
Bugs Exhibit Advertising Campaign, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, California, USA - Best Outdoor Advertisement:
Summer Jobs @ Moreys, Morey’s Piers, Wildwood, New Jersey, USA - Best Public Relations Campaign:
Ripley & Kim Kardashian at Met Gala, Ripley Entertainment Inc, Orlando, Florida, USA - Best Social Media Campaign:
Sharing Dolphin DNA, The Dolphin Company, Cancún, Quintana Roo, MEXICO - Best TV or Video Commercial Annual Attendance less than 250,000:
Water Coaster @ Quassy Amusement & Waterpark, Quassy Amusement & Waterpark, Middlebury, Connecticut, USA - Best TV or Video Commercial Annual Attendance 250,000 – 1 Million:
Where Joy Lives, Liseberg AB, Gothenburg, Västra Götaland, SWEDEN - Best TV or Video Commercial Annual Attendance more than 1 Million:
This is Where We Summer, Morey’s Piers, Wildwood, New Jersey, USA
💙 HUMAN RESOURCES Merit
- Best Employee Engagement Initiative:
SHCWeet Program, The Hershey Company, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA - Best Employee Reward & Recognition Program:
The ‘MORE’ Awards, Doha Quest, Doha, QATAR - Best Innovation in a Training Program:
Universal Way 2.0, Universal Beijing Resort, Beijing, CHINA
💙 Top FEC in the World
- Wild Island Coconut Bowl, Sparks, Nevada, USA
Why we L💜VE the IAAPA BRASS RING Awards
The Brass Ring Awards holds significance as it spotlights 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 the collective growth of the sector. 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 have the opportunity to connect, network, and share their love for the industry, fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie.
