Categories
Category 1: Major Ride/Attraction
This award is for new major rides or attractions in theme parks or amusement parks, mobile shows, and family entertainment centers.
Class A - Product cost of US$3 million or more
Class B - Product cost of less than US$3 million
Category 2: Kiddie Ride/Attraction
This award is for new rides or attractions designed primarily for children up to 12 years of age for use in theme parks, amusement parks, mobile shows, and family entertainment centers.
Class A – Standard Kiddie Ride/Attraction
This award is for new coin-operated rides or attractions where the product collects the fee automatically with no attendant required, designed primarily for children up to 12 years of age for use in theme parks, amusement parks, mobile shows, and family entertainment centers.
Class B – Coin-op Kiddie Ride/Attraction
Category 3: Water Park Ride/Attraction
This award is for new products that are designed primarily for rides or attractions in a water park or water activity areas in theme parks, amusement parks or family entertainment centers.
Class A - Product cost of US$2 million or more
Class B - Product cost of less than US$2 million
Category 4: Patron Participation Ride/Attraction
This award is for new products that are designed to require active patron participation for the ride/attraction to function for use in theme parks, amusement parks, mobile shows, and family entertainment centers. Examples include bumper cars, bumper boats, go-karts, climbing walls, laser tag, escape rooms, and zip lines.
Category 5: Technology Applied to Amusements
This award is for new products that demonstrate the application of a technology that has not previously been used for the same function that the technology accomplishes in the new product. This also includes products related to revenue and admission control products.
Class A - Product or Service used by Consumers
Class B - Product or Service used by Facilities
Category 6: Food Services
This award is for food products, services, food equipment and suppliers.
Category 7: Merchandising and Retail Products
This award is for new products that are designed to be sold in merchandising operations, given away, or used in promotions. This category includes the areas of merchandising, prizes for games, novelties, souvenirs, hats, shirts and balloons.
Category 8: Games and Devices
Class A - Arcade & Video Games and Equipment
This award is for the best new arcade or video game or equipment. Games in this category may be coin-op or other means of payment, and do not require an operator or attendant.
Class B - Midway Games and Equipment
This award is for the best new midway game, including any game that uses an operator/attendant.
Category 9: Shows/Production, Theatrical Equipment and Supplies, Displays and Sets
This award includes products and services related to show production and entertainment related services and suppliers of these services. Show producers, directors, choreographers, costumes, lighting and sound systems, staging, theatrical equipment and supplies, and displays and sets including Halloween and other holiday-related products and displays. Also included in this category are fireworks, flags and banners, signs, scenery/sets, buildings and facades, and theming or design for an exhibit or attraction.
Category 10: Services, Equipment and Supplies
This award is for the best new amusement related services, equipment and suppliers of equipment/services. Included in this category are consultants, amusement park builders/designers, insurance, publications, trade associations, advertising, promotion and public relations. This award encompasses supplies and accessory equipment such as: uniforms, canvas items, strollers, film, computer systems, cables, batteries, lights, and all other supplies and equipment not included in another award category.
Category 11: Best New Product Concept Award
This award is given to a new product that has yet to be sold or installed in a facility, and is debuting at IAAPA Attractions Expo. To be eligible for this award, the exhibitor must display a working prototype, a physical model, or a fully developed video rendering. The committee reserves the right to separate entries into sub-categories if feasible.
Impact Award
The Impact Award is awarded to a winner of one of the Best New Product categories 1-10 in the Best New Product or Service Awards that, in the opinion of the judges, had or will have the most impact on the amusement parks and attractions industry.