Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) Forming Asia Pacific Division

	Chris Conte, Electrosonic

"The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) announces the formation of the Asia Pacific Division," said TEA International board president Christine Kerr of BaAM Productions. "With so much industry activity in the region, the association is forming this new division to help organize activities and events, and to help improve our understanding of and dialog with our member companies and their clients throughout the region." The TEA is an international alliance of individuals and companies that design, build, and create compelling places and experiences, from theme parks to museums, from corporate brand centers to live spectacular events.

As a creative community, members of TEA gain opportunities for international and regional networking and collaborating within the themed entertainment and experience design industry. The flow of information helps improve the quality of guest experiences and the success of owner-operators. To best ensure that this interchange occurs at the regional level, the association has divisions that organize and produce social networking mixers, educational events, behind the scenes tours, and other activities of interest and value to TEA members and their clients. The Asia Pacific Division will be the fourth regional division formed by the TEA, joining the Eastern North America, Europe & Middle East, and Western North America Divisions. "An interim Asia Division Board has been appointed to assist with the election and installation of a permanent board, and Chris Conte of Electrosonic has agreed to act as president during this all important formation period," said Kerr.

"The formation of the Asia Division is an incredibly exciting moment for the TEA and the industry," said Conte in accepting the interim presidency. "It recognizes the importance of the many companies and talent working across the region that are creating compelling places and experiences, and the need for the TEA to take a more integrated role in helping to support and organize those firms and their clients as they endeavor to design and build ever successful attractions and projects. Forming a permanent Asia Division Board as quickly as possible is the goal and focus of our interim group."

An election by TEA members based in the region will be held to determine the permanent members of the Asia Division board, with the results to be announced before the Asia Attractions Expo 2013 (IAAPA Asia) in Singapore in June of this year. A call for candidates will be released next, and all TEA members working in the region are encouraged to consider running for the initial TEA Asia Division board of directors.

Also appointed to the interim Asia Division board to assist during the formation period are: Jeff Mayer, Bassenian/Lagoni Architects; Peter McGrath, Walt Disney Imagineering; Steve Birket, Birket Engineering; Louis Allen, Adirondack Studios; and Tommy Bridges, ATI Inc.