The Hettema Group to produce 2015 Thea Awards Gala
Design and production firm The Hettema Group (THG) has been confirmed as the producer of the 21st annual Thea Awards Gala, to be held at Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, on 21 March.
Created by the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA), the Theas are among the most prestigious awards in the attractions industry, bringing together a broad cross-section of owners, creatives and suppliers for a black-tie dinner.
Among the 16 Thea honorees for 2015 are Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Studios Florida (Thea Paragon Award); "It's a small world," Disneyland (Thea Classic Award); Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, Zhuhai, China; the National 911 Memorial Museum, New York; and Wings of Time, Sentosa Island.
Led by attractions industry stalwart Phil Hettema (show producer/creative director), the THG production team for the Thea Awards Gala includes Tom Vanucci (show director) and Jeff Kurtti (script writer). The company has built a reputation for innovation through a string of high-profile projects, most recently including the One World Observatory, currently under construction at the new World Trade Center building in New York City. Himself the recipient of five Thea awards, Phil Hettema’s credits include projects for Steven Spielberg, Universal Studios, the Walt Disney Company, Dreamworks SKG, Sid and Marty Krofft, and David L. Wolper.
"We know that we're in good hands and can expect a show of the highest caliber, in keeping with THG and TEA standards of excellence and creativity,” TEA president Steve Birket of Birket Engineering.
“Not only is Phil one of the top creative figures in themed entertainment, he's also been an active and valued leader within the Themed Entertainment Association for many years, including TEA's annual Summit and SATE conference, and service on the Thea Awards Committee. There's no one better to create the themed entertainment industry's most magical night of the year."
To read a report on the TEA’s latest SATE conference, from the Q4 edition of Attractions Management magazine, click here.
IAAPA 2014: TEA honours Disney Electrical Parade creator with Thea award
TEA opens nominations for annual attractions awards
FEATURE: THEA Awards – Thea Awards for Outstanding Achievement
FEATURE: THEA Awards – Thea Awards 2014
BIG unveils Eve Music Hall as Croatia venue nears completion
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Wellness care hospital opens in Vilnius with innovative spa and hospitality concept
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism investment.
For years, the corridor has been associated primarily with science, technology, housing and university-led economic growth. However, the clustering of large-scale visitor attraction projects along the
All-inclusive eco-wellness development Auko to open near Vietnam’s Son Doong caves
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
The attraction has transformed the aquarium’s Phelps Auditorium into a multi-sensory venue combining panoramic projection, environmental effects and interactive technology.
A new pre-show area allows visitors to engage with augmented reality marine animals before entering the
Mandarin Oriental announces standalone Mansions-branded residences for Abu Dhabi
MCR is planning a luxury hotel for London's BT Tower
Joy as a radical act: Yinka Ilori launches solo exhibition celebrating the rebellious power of spreading happiness
Work gets underway on Madrid's €800 million leisure complex
Work is underway in Madrid on one of Europe’s most significant multi-functional complexes, combining sport, entertainment, culture and education.
The €800 million initiative to regenerate the former Olympic Aquatic Centre in the north-east of the city, next to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium, is being led by Barsento – a joint venture between Live Nation Entertainment, Oak View Group and Atlético de Madrid. The project will
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Four Seasons’ Naples Beach Club opens 2,800sq m Sanctuary spa inspired by indigenous Calusa people
Orient Express Corinthian to host Ocean Rebirth wellness retreat in collaboration with Guerlain
Famed London nightclub, Tramp, launches Tramp Health
First look: Miraval opens on the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia
Hainan Science Museum by Ma Yansong, opens in China
A new science museum has opened to the public in Haikou after attracting more than 350,000 visitors during a four-month soft opening period.
Designed by Ma Yansong and his practice MAD Architects, the Hainan Science Museum is located on the edge of Wuyuan River National Wetland Park and has already recorded peak attendance of more than 5,800 visitors in a single day.
Commissioned by
Zannier Île De Bendor launches with design by Hardel Le Bihan Architectes
Sæl Spa readies for launch in London: “a modern British sanctuary”
Immersive art bathhouse Submersive announces debut location in Austin
Construction begins on regenerative wellness destination The Shenandoah Nature Resort
Royal Caribbean reveals record-breaking cruise ship
V&A East opens in London
David Geffen galleries open at LACMA
New venue The Lands by Capella includes a longevity centre to complement sister hotel Capella Sydney
World of Frozen launches at Disneyland Paris
Pical Resort by Valamar reveals first Croatian spa under the ESPA brand
Mandarin Oriental creates end-to-end Egyptian journey with two new hotels and first-ever luxury river cruise
Designers Mendil + Meyer launch new division called Lām Concepts for strategic wellness projects
Wilderness Bisate in Rwanda reveals brand’s second Sanctuary spa
4a Architekten shares details of wellness extension at Salinarium Bad Dürkheim Thermal Spa
Designed to restore neglected land and renew the identity of Iraq’s capital city, Baghdad Sustainable Forests promises a new way of living surrounded by nature. Gensler’s Ian Mulcahay tells us why he thinks the project could become a model for the repair and enhancement of urban centres



















