The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) presented the 2018 IAAPA Brass Ring Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 14 during IAAPA Attractions Expo 2018 in Orlando, Florida. The annual awards recognize amusement parks, water parks, zoos, aquariums, museums, family entertainment centers (FECs), and suppliers from around the world for excellence in food and beverage, games and retail, human resources, live entertainment, marketing, new products, and exhibits.
The tradition of the brass ring, a term now synonymous with spectacular achievement, dates back to the 1800s. Rings were suspended above carousel riders — low enough for them to grasp, but high enough to pose a challenge. Skilled riders who grabbed a brass ring often earned prizes, including a free ride on the carousel. Most rings were made of iron, but a few were made of brass, so grabbing the brass ring was a valuable treat.
IAAPA Brass Ring Awards honor this tradition of reaching up and earning a prize by celebrating achievements of excellence throughout the global attractions industry. The IAAPA Brass Ring Awards are the most prestigious professional honors awarded to companies.
The winners of the 2018 IAAPA Brass Ring Awards are:
Top Family Entertainment Center (FEC) of the World
Jake’s Unlimited; Mesa, Arizona, United States
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, United States
Games and Retail Excellence
Best Plush: “Gillie Guinea Pig Plush,” Zoomars Petting Zoo, San Juan Capistrano, California, United States
Best Apparel: “Killer Croc Flat Brim Cap,” Warner Bros. Movie World Gold Coast Australia, Oxenford, Queensland
Best Hard Good Item:
“Light Up Slinky Dog,” Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, Florida, United States
Best Store Visual Merchandising:
“Europa-Park Factory Shop powered by Majorette,” Europa-Park, Germany
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
Best Employee Reward and Recognition Program – Annual Attendance Less than 1 Million:
“Skånes Djurpark,” Skånes Djurpark Resort AB, Sweden
Best Employee Reward and Recognition Program – Annual Attendance More than 1 Million:
Denver Zoo, Denver, Colorado, United States
Best Innovation in a Training Program – Annual Attendance Less than 1 Million:
“Skånes Djurpark,” Skånes Djurpark Resort AB, Sweden
Best Innovation in a Training Program – Annual Attendance More than 1 Million:
Hersheypark, Hershey Entertainment and Resorts, Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States
Live Entertainment Excellence
Best Atmosphere/Street Show Performance/Act: “Sesame Street Party Parade,” SeaWorld San Diego, San Diego, California, United States
Best Performer: Sabrina Marlene, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia, United States
Best Live “Edutainment” Show: “Ocean Resistance,” Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, China
Best Theatrical Production: Annual Attendance Less than 1 Million: “Favola,” Leolandia, Italy
Best Theatrical Production: Annual Attendance More than 1 Million: “Beauty and the Beast,” Disney Parks Live Entertainment, United States
Most Creative Christmas Show: “The Enchanted Journey,” Hersheypark, Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States
Most Creative Halloween Haunt, Show, or Experience: “Hell’s Grand Finale,” Ocean Park Corporation, Hong Kong, China
Most Creative Multimedia Spectacular: “Celebrate! Tokyo Disneyland,” Disney Parks Live Entertainment, Tokyo, Japan
Most Creative Property-wide Event: Annual Attendance Less than 1 Million: “Vivid Festival at Luna Park Sydney,” Luna Park Sydney, Australia
Most Creative Property-wide Event: Annual Attendance More than 1 Million: “Summer Carnimal 2018,” Ocean Park Corporation, Hong Kong, China
Most Creative Show Featuring Animals: “Pets Rule,” SeaWorld San Diego, San Diego, California, United States
Most Creative Sports/Stunt Show: “Cirque Electrique,” SeaWorld San Diego, San Diego, California, United States
Spirit Award:
Ulrich Grawunder, Europa-Park, Germany
The Spirit Award is given to the most outstanding person who works behind-the-scenes to support high-quality entertainment value of the nominating attraction.
Excellence in Marketing
Best Digital Marketing Campaign: “The Poopie Movie,” Skånes Djurpark, Sweden
Best Integrated Marketing Campaign: “Ocean Park Hong Kong Drink’N Music Fest 2018,” Ocean Park Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Best Outdoor Advertisement: “Your Visit Protects Wildlife” Outdoor Campaign (“Tu Visita Protégé La Vida Silvestre”), Africam Safari, Mexico
Best Public Relations Campaign: “Launch of the Haunted Mine Drop,” Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, Glenwood Springs, Colorado, United States
Best Radio or Streaming Audio Commercial: “Silver Dollar City’s Time Traveler Radio Commercial,” Silver Dollar City, Branson, Missouri, United States
Best Social Media Campaign: “The Poopie Movie,” Skånes Djurpark, Sweden
Best Television or Digital Video Commercial – Annual Attendance Less than 250,000:
“Xenotes Live,” Mexico
Best Television or Digital Video Commercial: Annual Attendance 250,000 – 1 Million:“Spökjakten,” Furuvik Djurpark, Sweden
Best Television or Digital Video Commercial – Annual Attendance More than 1 Million:
“Lagoon: Summer Daze,” Lagoon Amusement Park, Farmington, Utah, United States
2018 Expo Awards
IMAGE AWARD
Innovative Concepts in Entertainment, Inc. (ICE), Booth 1106/1306
Booth Size 100 – 199 Square Feet
First Place: YourMapp, Booth E7609
Second Place: VITO Fryfilter, Booth 3858
Booth Size 200 – 399 Square Feet
First Place: Imagination Corporation, Booth 856
Second Place: WIPEOUT, Booth 3610
Booth Size 400 – 499 Square Feet
First Place: Eleventh Hour, Booth 460
Second Place: S4 Lights, Booth 4029
Booth Size 500 – 899 Square Feet
First Place: TAF USA – TRUSS ALUMINUM FACTORY, Booth 1383
Second Place: Weber Group, Inc., Booth 1684
Booth Size 900 – 1,200 Square Feet
First Place: Dynamic Attractions Ltd., Booth 1073
Second Place: Legacy Entertainment, Booth 1062
Booth Size 1,201 and Larger Square Feet
First Place: WhiteWater West Industries Ltd, Booth 2239
Second Place: Polin Waterparks, Booth 846
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