TEA Vision

To be a catalyst for enhancing lives through the creation of tomorrow’s compelling places and experiences. 

TEA Mission

TEA brings together the creators of immersive destinations and experiences to share knowledge, collaborate, spark new ideas, celebrate innovation, and cultivate a diverse global membership.

TEA Core Values

Connection - Creativity - Inclusivity- Thought Leadership– Innovation - Celebrating Excellence

The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) is the international non-profit association representing the world’s leading creators, developers, designers and producers of compelling places and experiences - worldwide.

Our members bring specific expertise in a variety of disciplines to a field that is constantly evolving: the creation of successful, highly engaging, out of home visitor attractions and experiences in the leisure and travel sector. These entertaining and educational projects include theme parks, water parks, museums, zoos, corporate visitor centers, casinos, restaurants, branded experiences, multimedia spectaculars, retail spaces, resorts and hospitality, destination attractions and more.

TEA members are innovators and problem solvers whose careers are spent confronting and overcoming unique challenges. They are specialists in realizing one-of-a-kind projects that have never been built before, and opening new frontiers of technical integration, creative storytelling, visitor engagement and brand extension.

TEA was founded in 1991 and now encompasses some 1,600 members and four primary Divisions: Eastern North America, Western North America, Europe & Middle East, and Asia Pacific. In the 25+ years of its existence, TEA has changed the global conversation about how great guest experiences are conceived and realized, and focused international attention on a vital niche of popular culture. TEA's leading contributions include the annual Thea Awards, now recognized worldwide as a top industry honor, the annual SATE conference (Storytelling, Architecture, Technology, Experience), the annual TEA/AECOM Theme Index and Museum Index and the TEA NextGen Initiative to help students and recent grads build careers in the industry.

We provide the proper channels and opportunities to network, educate and help your business or career grow. There are many benefits and advantages to becoming a paid association member and taking your place in the TEA community.

Click here to join the TEA today!

 How TEA serves its members

• You become part of the prestigious global alliance for the Themed Entertainment Industry
• Network and build business relationships around the world through access to TEA mixers, conferences, events, publications, social media, educational gatherings and more
• TEA NextGen helps students and recent graduates connect with member companies looking for fresh talent
• Participate at the member level in TEA’s annual SATE conference, Summit and Thea Awards
• Enjoy VIP access to new projects through TEA behind the scenes tours
• TEA membership directory puts you in front of the global community
• TEA member notifications keep you informed of important events on the industry calendar
• Showcase your company via TEA sponsorship packages
• Add your company to TEA’s own presence at major trade events such as IAAPA
• Gain visibility through TEA online and print publications and TEA media partners
• Acquire information and resources through TEA gatherings and media channels
• Help lead and shape the organization by joining a TEA Board or Committee
• Access to industry job listings

How TEA helps operators, developers or companies seeking creative services, technical specialists, artisans, suppliers, consultants, staff or related providers

The themed events and attractions industry is founded on real world relationships between creative companies, suppliers, technical specialists and owner/operators. It can be a challenge to find and connect with partners, vendors, and clients who may be a continent away.

The information you need to put together the best possible team for a project may not be publicly available, because themed entertainment specialists may be contractually unable to publicize their involvement in high-profile projects. TEA is in a position to help you identify the specialists you need and to verify their expertise and experience. 

As the leading trade association serving the unique visitor attractions sector, TEA can personally connect you and your business to the people and businesses you are searching for. Whether you are looking for an expert in a specific field or trying to find the right employee, the TEA can help.

Click here to join the TEA today!

The TEA story

In 1991, a small group of visionaries led by Monty Lunde of Technifex came together to form the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA). Their goal was to provide a collective voice to the growing number of entrepreneurial companies working in the themed entertainment industry. Over the years, TEA has become an internationally recognized association representing an extraordinary collective of talented companies and individuals dedicated to envisioning, designing, producing and operating the best in compelling places and experiences worldwide. 

TEA was born as a non-profit alliance to deliver continuing benefit to an industry we all love and care about deeply. It has grown from a 40-member regional association of vendors to a globally recognized trade alliance with four Divisions and more than 1,000 member companies representing over 8,000 people worldwide. TEA members have been contributing to visitor attractions since the advent of Disneyland in 1955. 

The TEA is honored to enjoy strong, long-term, worldwide relationships and support from major operators and developers such as Herschend Family Entertainment, The Walt Disney Company, NBC Universal, Merlin Entertainments, Le Grand Parc Puy du Fou, SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, Europa Park, Parc du Futuroscope, and many others.

The fastest growing sector of the themed entertainment industry is the Asia Pacific region, which is booming, with 20 years' of rapid future expansion projected ahead. With representatives all across Asia, TEA membership benefits have never been greater.

TEA’s Asia Pacific Division Board of Directors is actively building valuable networks to provide a forum for owners, operators, manufacturers and suppliers, developers and consultants in the Asia Pacific sector to collectively strive for ever higher quality in entertainment and leisure development.

Members of the TEA include:

• DESIGNERS
• PRODUCERS
• CONSULTANTS
• VENDORS/SUPPLIERS
• DEVELOPERS
• OWNERS/OPERATORS
• ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS
• STUDENTS

Click here to join the TEA today!