Amusement Park News

Not everyone can grab the proverbial brass ring, but IAAPA has announced the official winners of the 2026 Brass Ring Excellence Awards and the 2025 Regional Individual Achievement Awards. These awards recognize IAAPA member programs, campaigns, products, and professionals, celebrating excellence and creativity throughout the international attractions industry.

Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, IAAPA was founded in 1918. It is the largest international trade association for permanently located attractions and serves as a global community of attractions professionals. The organization is dedicated to unifying the industry and promoting high professional standards in both excellence and safety.

The IAAPA Brass Ring Award draws inspiration from a tradition at early amusement parks, where carousel riders reached for a suspended brass ring. Grabbing the ring symbolized good luck and achievement. Today, IAAPA honors that legacy by recognizing excellence across the attractions industry.

Human Resources Excellence Awards

Beach Park, Taking Care of You

IAAPA recognized excellence in human resources programming with the following awards:

1. Best Talent Acquisition Program: FACE Amusement, Downtown Flavortown Talent Acquisition Program
2. Best Training Program: The Entertainment and Education Group, Guest U Connect Training
3. Best Health and Wellness Program: Beach Park, Taking Care of You
4. Best Reward, Recognition, and Retention Program: Parques Reunidos, WOW Service Program
   
   

Marketing Excellence Awards

Morey's Piers, Jaws Will Drop Advertisement

1. Most Creative Outdoor Advertisement: Morey's Piers, Jaws Will Drop
2. Most Creative Digital Marketing Campaign: Liseberg, The Weather Game
3. Most Creative Social Media Marketing Campaign: Jungle Island, Baby Capybara Yoga Campaign
4. Most Creative Integrated Marketing Campaign: Doha Quest, Discover Your Quest Self
   
   

Food and Beverage Excellence Awards

Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park, Cherry Jubilee

1. Best New Food and Beverage Build: Meow Wolf Grapevine, Prime Materia
2. Best New F&B Special Event or Festival: Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park, Cherry Jubilee
3. Best New Menu Item, Limited Operation: Lagoon Amusement Park, The Peacock Float
4. Best New Menu Item, Year-Round Operation: Hersheypark, All Day Souvenir Cup Vending Machine
   
   

Sustainability Excellence

1. Best Sustainability Program: Efteling, A Sustainable World of Wonders
   
   

Games and Merchandise Excellence Awards

Sky Pirates of Mermaid Bay, Kraken Merchandise Display

1. Best Collective Visual Merchandise Display: Xcaret Park, Main Plaza: Raíces de México
2. Best Individual Visual Merchandise Display: Sky Pirates of Mermaid Bay, Kraken Merchandise Display
3. Best Custom Retail Souvenir: Beach Park, Parque Arvorar, Arvorar Magic T-Shirt
4. Best Customized Game Prize: Dollywood Parks and Resorts, Cinnamon Bread Plush
   
   

Live Entertainment Excellence Awards

Disney Cruise Line's production of The Tale of Moana, onboard the Disney Treasure

1. Most Creative Halloween Production: Universal Studios Singapore, Once Upon A Time… To Die
2. Most Creative Holiday Production: Universal Beijing Resort, Universal Winter Holiday: This Time of Year Is
3. Most Creative Atmosphere Production: Universal Studios Japan, Melting Pot
4. Most Creative Theatrical Production, Limited Operation: Kolmården, The Enchanted Golden Egg
5. Most Creative Theatrical Production, Year-Round Operation: Disney Cruise Line, Disney Treasure: The Tale of Moana
6. Most Creative Spectacle: Disneyland Paris, Disney Tales of Magic
7. The Showstopper: Image Engineering, MLB All-Star Game: Hank Aaron Tribute Home Run Comet
   
   

Family Entertainment and Location-Based Entertainment

HUPALUPA Istanbul

1. FEC of the Year: HUPALUPA Istanbul
2. LBE of the Year: Deutschlandmuseum
   
   

Regional Individual Achievement Awards

All winners will be celebrated at IAAPA Honors 2026, May 12 through 14 in Xcaret, Mexico.