Press Releases

IAAPA Presents 2006 Souvenir Awards

 

ATLANTA (Nov. 15, 2006) – The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions ( IAAPA) today announced the winners of the 2006 Souvenir of the Year Awards during the IAAPA Attractions Expo 2006, the annual conference and trade show at the Georgia World Congress Center.

Each gift store souvenir purchase at an amusement park or attraction represents a small piece of that facility to the consumer.   Over time, the souvenir becomes an artifact embodying the happy memories of that day at the park with family and/or friends.   The IAAPA Souvenir of the Year Awards honor excellence in merchandising by recognizing the most creative and innovative items offered at an IAAPA member facility during the 2006 season.

Awards were given in three categories: hard goods (stuffed animals/plush toys, umbrellas, toys, glassware, novelties, etc.), soft goods (T-shirts, golf or sweatshirts, hats, etc.), and merchandise displays supporting new products, attractions or special promotions.   Two classifications were used in each of the first two categories: facilities with attendance in excess of one million visitors per year, and facilities with less than one million visitors per year.   Judging was based on creativity, memory, impact, and theme.

This year’s winners are:

Hard Goods at Facility with Annual Attendance Over One Million

Honorable Mention – Six Flags Fiesta Texas – San Antonio, Tex.

Runner Up – LEGOLAND California – Carlsbad, Calif.

Winner – Mount Faber Leisure Group – Singapore, Singapore

Hard Goods at Facility with Annual Attendance Under One Million

Honorable Mention – Georgia Aquarium – Atlanta, Ga.

Runner Up – X-Caret – Cancun, Mexico

Winner – Dutch Wonderland – Lancaster, Pa.

Soft Goods at Facility with Annual Attendance Over One Million

Honorable Mention – Six Flags Fiesta Texas – San Antonio, Tex.

Runner Up – Busch Gardens Africa – Tampa Bay, Fla.

Winner – LEGOLAND California – Carlsbad, Calif.

Soft Goods at Facility with Annual Attendance Under One Million

Honorable Mention – Ride the Ducks – Norcross, Ga.

Runner Up – Valleyfair! – Shakopee, Minn.

Winner – Ben and Jerry’s – Waterbury, Vt.

Merchandise Display

Honorable Mention – LEGOLAND California – Carlsbad, Calif.

Runner Up – Ramoji Film City – Andhra Pradesh, India

Winner – Six Flags Fiesta Texas – San Antonio, Tex.

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IAAPA is the largest international trade association for permanently situated amusement facilities worldwide. The organization represents over 4,500 facility, supplier, and individual members from more than 90 countries. IAAPA strives to help members improve their safety, efficiency, marketing, and profitability while maintaining the highest possible professional standards in the industry. www.iaapa.org