Judith Rubin Named for 2013 TEA Distinguished Service Award

	Judith Rubin

Writer Judith Rubin will be presented with the 2013 Distinguished Service Award at the Thea Awards Gala April 6 at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. The presentation is part of Themed Entertainment Association (TEA)'s annual Weekend of Events to be held April 4 - 6.

The award is given in recognition of a TEA member's outstanding contributions to the association. Rubin has worked as TEA's communications director since 2005. Rubin handles the TEA's signature publications such as the annual directory and Thea Awards program as well as the association's social media presence on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and various blogs. She also contributes to the annual TEA/AECOM Theme Index and handles press releases for the organization.

Rubin began her career as a staff member of World's Fair magazine, published by Alfred Heller in San Francisco in the late 1980s, covering theme parks, museums, AV technology, giant screen cinema, motion simulation, and special effects. In 1991, she began writing articles about the fledgling organization TEA.

Originally from Detroit, she began freelancing in the mid '90s and contributed a monthly column to IAAPA's Funworld. Rubin wrote many articles for At-the-Park and Film Journal International and served as themed entertainment editor for Entertainment Design for several years. Today, she is co-editor of InPark Magazine and writes for Lighting&Sound America and Sound & Communications. She currently lives in St. Louis, Missouri.

"Judy's work has helped to capture and document the art, science, and imagination of our industry for a global community -- and helps to put our work into context so that it can be more fully appreciated by a wider audience. Our association is enhanced by Judy's many contributions and we are grateful for all that she does on our behalf," says Peter Chernack, chair of the TEA past presidents committee.

The process begins for granting the award when nominations are opened to the TEA membership. Final selection of the recipient is made by majority vote of the TEA past presidents committee and approved by the TEA International board of directors.

TEA's annual Weekend of Events will commence April 4 with the master class for themed entertainment executives, followed by Thea case studies day April 5, and culminating with the Thea Awards Gala April 6. All events are organized by the Themed Entertainment Association, and tickets are available now.