Operators and suppliers from around the world received recognition for their commitment to the attractions industry during IAAPA’s annual Brass Ring Awards last week.

The awards ceremony, which took place during this year’s record-breaking IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando, Florida, acknowledged excellence across the amusement parks, waterparks, zoos, aquariums, museums and family entertainment centre sectors.

The tradition of the brass ring, a term now synonymous with spectacular achievement, dates back to the 1800s, where rings were suspended above carousel riders – low enough for them to grasp, but high enough to pose a challenge.

Most rings were made of iron, but a few were made of brass, so grabbing the brass ring was a valuable treat. Skilled riders who grabbed a brass ring often earned prizes, including a free ride on the carousel.

The winners of the 2016 IAAPA Brass Ring Awards included:

Top Family Entertainment Centres

International: Dreamland, La Libertad, El Salvador

North America: Scene75 Entertainment Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, US

Best New Product

Major Ride/Attraction – Class A ($3m or more)

First Place: Mack Rides, PowerSplash

Second Place: Intamin, Taron

Major Ride/Attraction – Class B (less than $3m)

First Place: DOF Robotics, Hurricane VR 360

Second Place: ABC Engineering, Tourbillon

Kiddie Ride/Attraction

First Place: Skyline Attractions, Crazy Couch

Second Place: The Gravity Group, Timber!

Waterpark Ride/Attraction – Class A ($2m or more)

First Place: Aquatic Development Group, Breaker Beach

Second Place: Polin Waterparks, Space Race

Waterpark Ride/Attraction – Class B (less than $2m)

First Place: WhiteWater, Mat Blaster

Second Place: ProSlide Technology, FlyingSaucer 30

Technology Applied to Amusements – Class A (Product or service used by consumers)

First Place: Holovis Attractions, Battle for Cedar Point: The Augmented Reality Experience

Second Place: Team Lab Kids, Sketch Aquarium

Technology Applied to Amusements – Class B (Product or service used by facilities)

First Place: WhiteWater, Smart Blast

Second Place: Gateway Ticketing Systems, Galaxy Connect

Best New Product Concept Award

First Place: Dynamic Attractions, Dynamic Motion Theater

Second Place: Mack Rides, X-treme Spinning Coaster              

Most Creative Multimedia Spectacular

Ignite the Dream: A Nighttime Spectacular of Magic & Light, Shanghai Disney Resort, Shanghai, China

Excellence in Marketing

Best Digital Marketing Campaign: Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta, Georgia, US

Best Integrated Marketing Campaign: Liseberg, Gothenburg, Sweden

Applause Award

During the opening ceremony of the 2016 IAAPA Attractions Expo, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay received the prestigious Liseberg Applause Award.

Since 1980, the Applause Award has been presented by an international committee of theme park and amusement industry professionals, honouring an amusement park whose management, operations and creative accomplishments have inspired the industry with their foresight, originality and sound business development.

“We are honoured to be recognised by the Liseberg board of governors and by the members of IAAPA for the prestigious Applause Award,” said Jim Dean, president and general manager of Busch Gardens.

“The unique and unparalleled combination of world-class thrill rides and impressive animal collection continues to position Busch Gardens Tampa Bay as a leading family destination.”