Cool Planet Experience Awarded Top Global Honour in Themed Entertainment Sector

Enniskerry attraction to be awarded for outstanding achievement by international body, the Themed Entertainment Association

Ireland’s Cool Planet Experience has been awarded a ‘TEA Thea Award of Outstanding Achievement’ by the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA). The announcement was made by TEA on 19th November 2019.

The TEA Thea Awards celebrate achievement and excellence within the themed entertainment industry and are internationally recognised as one of the most prestigious awards of the global attractions industry – sometimes referred to as the equivalent of an Academy Award in the sector. Recipients are selected each year from hundreds of nominations submitted to the TEA Thea Awards Committee. Previous recipients in the category include Titanic Belfast, the National September 11 Memorial Museum in New York and the Warner Bros. Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter in London.

“We are delighted and equally overwhelmed that our project will receive such a prestigious international award. The Cool Planet Experience story began because we were frustrated by the negative, disabling narrative that existed around climate change and we wanted to create something exciting, educational but fun that would inspire our visitors to change their behaviour and become ‘agents of change’. This award means experiences can be fun and educational too,” said CEO Vicky Brown upon hearing of the win.

In its official comments, the TEA Thea Awards Committee referred to the project as “a great application of themed entertainment and storytelling.”

The awards will be formally presented at the 26th Annual TEA Thea Awards Gala, a black-tie event held at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California in April 2020.

The world’s first climate action visitor centre, Cool Planet Experience invites visitors of all ages to learn what is making our climate change whilst discovering exciting innovations and solutions being devised to help combat the issue.

The timed experience takes visitors on an interactive journey, allowing them to experience the highs and lows of our changing climate through immersion, gaming and competition.

The Creatives
Cool Planet Experience was designed and produced by Dublin-based DMW Creative and associates, the team behind attractions including the GPO Witness History museum and the upcoming Irish Racehorse Experience at the Irish National Stud.

“We’re extremely proud to have created this experience, and to have had the opportunity to work with Vicky and her team. The objective was to bring home the message that climate change is not “someone else’s problem” – we all have a role to play. The Cool Planet Experience inspires visitors young and old to take action by personalising their journey, and then asking them to Pledge to Change. It equips visitors with the knowledge, skills and tools to respond positively towards the greatest challenge facing mankind. We heartily congratulate Cool Planet Experience on its Thea Award!” said Peter Whittaker of DMW Creative.

The attraction is located in Powerscourt House and was officially opened by Sir Richard Branson in January 2018.

Outreach
In addition to the main experience, a varied and engaging programme of workshops runs throughout the year suitable for school-age children right through to corporate groups.

The Cool Planet Experience outreach programme meanwhile includes sustainability consultancy and sustainability training for businesses, plus an active touring programme.

Find out more at coolplanetexperience.org.