New Annual Program Will Enable Industry to Celebrate an Expanded Slate of Projects and Creators.
The goal of the TEA Recognition of Merit is to spotlight achievements that exemplified the superior artistry and/or execution associated with the creation of compelling places and experiences, but which did not receive the required number of votes for a Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement. Similar to comparably sized recognition programs with multiple tiers, this new tier will offer the Thea Awards Judging Committee, TEA membership and the public the ability to celebrate a greater number of projects, and by extension, a greater number of the creative, artistic, architectural, engineering, technical, production and business minds behind them.
The Recognition of Merit will be subject to the same sub-category rules as all other Thea Award tiers, and a credits list will be required of all recipients. While there is no minimum or maximum quantity of Recognitions of Merit awarded in any given year, the TEA anticipates that the addition of this new tier will increase the number of individuals and companies annually credited by as much as 30%.
The Recognition of Merit's will be celebrated during TEA INSPIRE Week each year starting 13-14 March, 2025.
2025 TEA Recognition of Merit Recipients
Attraction, Limited Budget
Treasure Hunt: The Ride
Monterey Bay, California, USA
Connected Immersion Event, Limited Budget
The DigiWave Experience
Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Immersive Gaming, Limited Budget
The Time Travel Agency at Electric Forest Festival
Rothbury, Michigan, USA
TEA Recognition of Merit FAQ
Why were the Recognition of Merit Awards created?
The Recognition of Merit Awards were introduced to recognize outstanding projects that did not meet the criteria for a Thea Award of Outstanding Achievement (AOA), but still demonstrate exceptional execution. These projects deserve recognition for their high level of achievement and stand out within the industry.
Is a Recognition of Merit an honorable mention?
Yes, in a sense. Historically, Thea Awards were given to only a small number of projects from the hundreds of submissions received each year. Projects that did not meet the high standards for an Award of Outstanding Achievement were often left unrecognized. The Recognition of Merit was created to fill this gap, allowing for recognition of these exceptional projects and their creators, and helping to celebrate their work within the TEA community and the broader industry.
Why did my project receive a Recognition of Merit instead of an Award for Outstanding Achievement?
Your project was selected for a Recognition of Merit because it was considered one of the best projects in the industry. While it demonstrated overall excellence, certain areas may not have fully met the specific execution standards required for an Award for Outstanding Achievement. A Recognition of Merit still acknowledges your project’s superior achievements and places it in a distinguished group of industry leaders.
Is the Recognition of Merit awarded to the entire project or just part of it?
The Recognition of Merit recognizes the entire project team. A credits list is required for acceptance to ensure that all contributors to the project are acknowledged for their role in its success.
Who determines which projects receive a Recognition of Merit?
The Recognition of Merit selections are made by the Thea Awards Judging Committee in collaboration with the TEA International Board, who are responsible for all awards and recognitions.
How many Recognition of Merit will be awarded each year? Will this number change?
There is no set number of Recognition of Merit to be awarded each year. Recognitions are based on the quality of the achievements, not a fixed quota. The Judging Committee and TEA International Board decide how many Recognition of Merit will be given based on the projects submitted.
When and where will the Recognition of Merit be presented?
Recognition of Merit Awards will be presented at the Thea Awards Gala, which is part of the overall Thea Awards ceremony. Details on the event format are still under development.
Do Recognition of Merit recipients receive the same benefits as Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement recipients?
Recognition of Merit recipients will receive the same event access benefits as all other Thea Award recipients, including VIP reception invitations, speaking opportunities at INSPIRE, special program advertising rates, and more. The final details and format of the event are currently under development for 2025.
Are Recognition of Merits awarded to the project, the operator, or the creators?
Recognition of Merits are awarded for the achievement itself, not to any specific individual or company. The award is accepted by the project owner on behalf of everyone who contributed to the success of the project, including all team members and collaborators.
Do I have to accept a Recognition of Merit? What happens if I don’t?
Upon receiving notification, the project owner has the option to accept or decline the Recognition of Merit for that year. If the project meets the eligibility criteria, it may be considered for an Award for Outstanding Achievement or another Recognition of Merit in the next judging cycle.
Is there any special programming for ROM recipients?
The final details and format of the event are currently under development for 2025 and will be shared with the recipients shortly.