The tradition of the Brass ring dates back to the early days of the carousel. In those days, it was made into a game with rings hanging low enough for a rider to grab, but just high enough for it to be a challenge. All of the rings were made of iron, with the exception of one. The Brass Ring was a little harder to reach, and took a little more determination, patience and timing. With luck, a little bit of talent and perfect timing a rider could grab that ring and win a free ride on the carousel. The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) continues that tradition today with The Brass Ring Awards.
IAAPA awards the Brass Ring to companies and individuals for excellence in: marketing, live entertainment, human resources, retail, family entertainment centers, new product development, and trade show exhibits at IAAPA Attractions Expo.
This year’s winners:
MARKETING EXCELLENCE
*Some marketing awards are divided into the following class distinctions:
Class 1: Family Entertainment Centers (FECs) and attractions with annual attendance less than 250,000
Class 2: Zoos and aquariums
Class 3: Amusement parks and attractions—including waterparks—with annual attendance of 250,001-1 million
Class 4: Amusement parks and attractions—including waterparks—with annual attendance of more than 1 millionTelevision Commercial
Class 1: Selvatica, Cancun, Mexico; www.selvatica.com.mx
Class 2: Detroit Zoological Society, Royal Oak, Michigan, United States;www.detroitzoo.org
Class 3: Pacific National Exhibition, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada;www.pne.ca
Class 4: Nickelodeon Universe, Bloomington, Minnesota;www.nickelodeonuniverse.comRadio Commercial
Class 1: Quassy Amusement Park, Middlebury, Connecticut, United States;http://quassy.com
Class 2: Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley, Minnesota, United States; www.mnzoo.orgClass 3: Wet ‘n Wild- Emerald Pointe, Greensboro, North Carolina, United States;www.emeraldpointe.com
Class 4: Liseberg, Gothenburg, Sweden; www.liseberg.comPrint Advertising
Class 1: White Water, Branson, Missouri, United States;www.bransonwhitewater.com
Class 2: Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley, Minnesota, United States; www.mnzoo.orgClass 3: Evergreen Wings and Waves, McMinnville, Oregon, United States;www.evergreenmuseum.org/waterpark
Class 4: Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool, Lancashire, United Kingdom;www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.comOutdoor Advertising
The Florida Aquarium, Tampa, Florida; www.flaquarium.orgIntegrated Marketing
Kidzania de México SA de CV, México City, México; www.kidzania.comDigital Marketing
Luna Park Sydney, Milsons Point, Australia; www.lunaparksydney.comLIVE ENTERTAINMENT EXCELLENCE
Heartbeat Award
The Heartbeat Award recognizes the show that demonstrates superior overall ability in reaching the hearts of its audience.
Tala Takenya & The Legend of the Holy Forest, Fort Fun Abenteurland, Campagnie des Alpes; www.fortfun.de
Spirit Award
The Spirit Award recognizes IAAPA members committed to excellence in training and professional development in the area of entertainment.Kristine Morgan, Busch Gardens Tampa, Tampa, Florida;www.buschgardens.com/bgt
Atmosphere/Street Show
“The Gem Tones,” Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, United States;www.dollywood.comEdutainment
“Mad Marty,” Legoland California, Carlsbad, California, United States;www.california.legoland.comFemale Performer
Lindsay Karchawer, Hersheypark, Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States;www.hersheypark.comMale Performer
Law Ho Tim, Ocean Park, Hong Kong, China; www.oceanpark.com.hkSports Show
“African Acrobats of Kenya,” Fantawild, Orlando, Florida, United States;www.fantawild.comProduction Less Than $25,000
“The Enchanted Treasure,” Legoland California, Carlsbad, California, United States;www.california.legoland.comProduction $25,000-$50,000
“Dr. Fright’s CarnEvil,” Six Flags Over Georgia, Austell, Georgia, United States;www.sixflags.com/overGeorgiaProduction $50,000-$100,000
“Vintervirvlar” Liseberg, Gothenburg, Sweden; www.liseberg.comProduction $100,000-$200,000
“The Majesty of Christmas,” Six Flags Fiesta Texas, San Antonio, Texas, United States; www.sixflags.com/fiestaTexasProduction $200,000-$400,000
“Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy,” Busch Gardens Tampa, Tampa, Florida, United States; www.buschgardens.com/bgtProduction $400,000-$700,000
“Sha-Kon-O-Hey! Land of Blue Smoke,” Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, United States; www.dollywood.comProduction $700,000-$1 Million
“Rockstars- The Battle,” Walibi Rhone-Alpes, Les Avenieres, France;www.walibi.comProduction $1 Million-plus
“The Magic, the Memories, and You!” Walt Disney World / Disneyland ;www.disney.comHUMAN RESOURCES EXCELLENCE
Innovative Training Program (More Than 1 Million in Attendance)
Europa-Park GmbH & Co., Rust, Germany; Europa-Park GmbH & Co., Rust, Germany;www.europapark.de/lang-enInnovative Training Program (Less Than 1 Million in Attendance)
Farah Leisure Excellence Academy, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates;www.farahleisure.com/engReward and Recognition Program (More Than 1 Million Annual Attendance)
Whiting’s Foods, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz, California, United States; www.beachboardwalk.comReward and Recognition Program (Less Than 1 Million Annual Attendance)
Happylon, Saint-Petersburg, Russia; www.happylon.comRETAIL EXCELLENCE
Hard Good (Over 1 Million Annual Attendance)
Xcaret, Cancún, México; www.xcaret.comHard Good (Under 1 Million Annual Attendance)
Luna Park Sydney, Milsons Point, Australia; www.lunaparksydney.comSoft Good (Over 1 Million Annual Attendance)
Millions of Memories/Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz, California, United States; www.beachboardwalk.comSoft Good (Under 1 Million Annual Attendance)
The London Dungeon, London, United Kingdom; www.the-dungeons.co.ukVisual Display
Sea Life, Poole Dorset, United Kingdom; www.visitsealife.comJudge’s Choice
Morey’s Piers & Beachfront Waterpark, Wildwood, New Jersey, United States;www.moreyspiers.comTOP FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT CENTER (FEC)
North America
The Funplex Mount Laurel, Mount Laurel, NJ, USA; www.funplexmountlaurel.comInternational
Infunity, Freeze Club & Bowl Room, Hawalli, Kuwait; www.funat360.comThe Following are announced at the show:
BEST NEW PRODUCT
Impact Award
The Impact Award recognizes the company for its product’s lasting impact in the industry.Empex Watertoys, Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada; www.watertoys.com
Major Theme/Amusement Park Ride/Attraction
Rocky Mountain Construction Group, Hayden, Idaho, USA;www.rockymtnconstruction.comKiddie Ride/Attraction
Spectrum Sports International, Hyde Park, Utah, USA; www.spectrumsports.comWaterpark Ride/Attraction
Empex Watertoys, Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada; www.watertoys.comFamily Entertainment Center Ride/Attraction
Art Attack, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; www.artattackfx.comCoin-Operated Kiddie Ride
Falgas Industries Castelló d’Empúries (Girona), Spain; www.falgas.comTechnology Applied to Amusement
accesso, LLC, Lake Mary, Florida, USA; www.accesso.comCoin-Operated Arcade and Redemption Equipment
Laser Star Amusements, Inc., Davie, Florida, USA; www.lasershootinggalleries.comServices/Equipment and Supplies
Darklight: Precision Lighting System, Santa Clarita, California, USA;www.darklightsystem.comGames and Merchandise
Bob’s Space Racers, Inc., Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; www.bobsspaceracers.comFood Services
State Fair Mini Donuts, Inc., Minnetonka, Minnesota, USA;www.statefairminidonuts.comShow Production & Entertainment/Displays
Jack Rouse Associates, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; www.jackrouse.comBEST EXHIBIT AT IAAPA ATTRACTIONS EXPO 2011
IMAGE AWARDThe Image Award is given for most attractive trade show booth at IAAPA Attractions Expo.
Winner:
Whitewater West Industries Ltd., Richmond, British Columbia, Canada;www.whitewaterwest.com100 – 200 square feet
Action Innovators, Heemstede, The Netherlands; www.actioninnovators.com300 – 500 square feet
American Locker Security Systems, Inc., Coppell, Texas, USA;www.americanlocker.com600 – 1,000 square feet
Theming and Animatronics Industries S.A., Madrid, Spain; www.taaindustries.com1,001+ square feet
Bob’s Space Racers, Inc., Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; www.bobsspaceracers.com
