SeaWorld San Diego was presented with three Brass Ring Awards by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions during the IAAPA Attractions Expo 2018 held earlier this week in Orlando, Florida.
In the category of Live Entertainment Excellence, SeaWorld San Diego won for Pets Rule!, a popular year-round show featuring shelter-adopted cats and dogs who take charge and show humans who’s the boss; Cirque Electrique, a nighttime show featuring daring aerial performers in advanced LED suits that mesmerize audiences as they bounce and fly in and over the waters of Mission Bay, all as part of SeaWorld’s summer lineup; and Sesame Street Party Parade, a colorful, musical, show-stopping celebration debuting this past summer at SeaWorld San Diego, and featuring 10 larger-than-life themed floats and a host of favorite Sesame Street characters including Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster and more.
IAAPA Attractions Expo is the premier conference and trade show for the global attractions industry, including amusement and theme parks. With its theme “Fun Forward. Build the Future,” this year’s show celebrated IAAPA’s 100th anniversary and provided forward-thinking attractions industry leaders, decision-makers, and visionaries with everything needed to build the future, whether through thousands of innovations, hundreds of expert-led educational opportunities, or engaging networking opportunities. IAAPA Attractions Expo 2018 drew more than 35,000 industry professionals from more than 100 countries. The awards recognize amusement parks, water parks, zoos, aquariums, museums, family entertainment centers (FECs), and suppliers from around the world for excellence in food and beverage, games and retail, human resources, live entertainment, marketing, new products, and exhibits.
The tradition of the brass ring, a term now synonymous with spectacular achievement, dates back to the 1800s. Rings were suspended above carousel riders — low enough for them to grasp, but high enough to pose a challenge. Skilled riders who grabbed a brass ring often earned prizes, including a free ride on the carousel. Most rings were made of iron, but a few were made of brass, so grabbing the brass ring was a valuable treat. IAAPA Brass Ring Awards honor this tradition of reaching up and earning a prize by celebrating achievements of excellence throughout the global attractions industry. The IAAPA Brass Ring Awards are the most prestigious professional honors awarded to companies.