“The world wide Themed Entertainment Association Announces Robert Ward as the 2009 recipient of the Thea Lifetime Achievement Award”
The prestigious Thea Awards recognize and honor excellence in the creation of outstanding productions, the Thea Awards focus international attention on innovation within the Themed Entertainment and Experience Design Industry. The Awards will be formally presented March 7, 2009 at the 15th annual Thea Awards Gals, a lavish, black-tie dinner event at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, California.

Press Release

Orlando, Florida Nov. 18, 2008 – “The prestigious Thea Awards recognize and honor excellence in the creation of outstanding visitor experiences, attractions, exhibits and places,” said Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) President Nick Farmer of Farmer Attraction Development, Leicester, UK. “Truly international in their recognition of outstanding productions, the Thea Awards focus international attention on innovation within the Themed Entertainment and Experience Design Industry.” The Awards will be formally presented March 7, 2009 at the 15th Annual Thea Awards Gala sponsored by Economics Research Associates, a lavish, black-tie dinner event at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, CA.

As TEA continues to rise in stature – the association is an increasingly valuable resource to the entertainment development community and its many intersecting lines of business – the Thea Award becomes more prestigious. The Thea Awards Nominating Committee evaluated more than 120 nominations in order to recommend the current slate of 17 Thea recipients, with final approval by the TEA International Board of Directors.

Recipients – 15th Annual Thea Awards
Thea Lifetime Achievement Award: Robert L. Ward
Thea Classic Award: EPCOT, Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL
Thea Awards for Outstanding Achievement (AOA)
Attraction: The Simpsons Ride, Universal Studios Hollywood CA & Orlando, FL
Attraction Limited Budget: BeWILDerwood, Norwich, Norfolk, UK
Attraction Limited Budget: The Forgotten Mine, Molenheide, Belgium
Museum: The Newseum, Washington DC, USA
Museum: National Museum of the Marine Corps, Quantico, VA, USA
Museum Exhibit: Operation Spy, International Spy Museum, Washington DC, USA
Museum Exhibit, Limited Budget: Forces of Nature, Arizona Science Center, Phoenix AZ, USA
Learning Experience: Air Force One Discovery Center, Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum, Simi Valley CA, USA
Technical: Muppet Mobile Lab, Hong Kong Disneyland, China
Science Center: Audubon Insectarium, New Orleans LA, USA
New Theme Park Land: Jungala, Busch Gardens, Tampa FL, USA
Event Spectacular: 2008 Summer Olympics, Opening Ceremonies, Beijing, Chiina
Live Show: Finding Nemo, The Musical, Walt Disney World, FL, USA
Live Show: Legend of Mythica, Tokyo DisneySeas, Japan
Casino Attraction: Tree of Prosperity, Wynn Macau, Macau, SAR, China


Details – 15th Annual Thea Awards Recipients

THEA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Robert L. Ward
Robert Ward’s 38-year career in the leisure time, resort destination and entertainment industries worldwide includes 20+ years with Universal Studios Parks & Resorts. He was a founding member and key executive of the creative think tank that conceptualized, designed and implemented Universal’s global entertainment projects.

After gaining an art degree at Florida State, Robert Ward’s career began with Walt Disney Imagineering in Orlando in 1971. During the late ‘70s, he formed a consulting company to provide planning, design and creative services for developers. In 1980, he joined the fledging Universal Studios Planning and Development team, where he participated in Universal’s initial exploration of expansion opportunities in the US. For Universal Studios Hollywood, he was the creative leader in developing new, state-of-the-art attractions that would become the foundation for a unique, cutting-edge entertainment product and business model for the company.

During the mid-‘80s and early ‘90s, Bob led the conceptualization and master planning of the Universal Orlando Resort, Universal’s $3 billion premier entertainment destination including Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure Theme Park, CityWalk Orlando and Universal’s hotels Portofino Bay, Hard Rock Hotel and Royal Pacific.

As Senior VP of International Development for Universal Parks and Resorts, Bob was responsible for all design and planning aspects of overseas new business opportunities. He participated in the creation of Universal Studios Japan, Universal’s Mediterranean Resort and numerous concepts for entertainment-based destination businesses in Europe and Asia. His work with the Chinese Government and private entities resulted in the proposed $1 billion Universal Studios Shanghai project.

In 2005, Bob established his consulting practice which focuses on bringing his unique brand of world-class “signature placemaking” for clients in the areas of large, mixed-use, leisure and resort destination developments. He also remains very active in the promotional and educational aspects of our industry through his regular participation in conferences, seminars and school presentations.