Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex receives THEA Award
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Kerry Hassen, Delaware North Companies
khassen@dncinc.com
(716) 858-5016
Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Receives Thea Award for Shuttle Launch Experience
Company’s shuttle launch simulation attraction honored for outstanding achievement
BUFFALO, N.Y. (March 9, 2008) – Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex received a Thea Award last night for outstanding achievement in regard to the complex’s Shuttle Launch Experience attraction from the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA).
Shuttle Launch Experience was built thanks to a $60 million investment by Delaware North into the visitor center in 2007. The attraction enables guests to undergo a simulated shuttle launch and was designed with insight from former NASA and veteran space shuttle astronauts. TEA has bestowed its 2008 Outstanding Achievement Award for an Attraction upon Shuttle Launch Experience for its “sensory effects and great storytelling to delivering the heart-pounding impression of the journey into space.”
The Shuttle Launch Experience is also recognized for its overall accuracy and storytelling power. The experience climaxes with guests being able to take in an orbital view of Earth. Delaware North opened the attraction on May 25, 2007 after three years of development.
“Operating at the home of our country’s space program and having built the truly unique and award-winning Shuttle Launch Experience is something Delaware North is very proud of,” said Kevin Kelly, president of Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts. “We also operate at such compelling places as Yosemite National Park and The BALSAMS Grand Resort Hotel and take great pride in properly telling the stories of these destinations.”
Delaware North received the award at the 14th annual Thea Awards Gala held last night at the Disneyland Hotel in California. The event was sponsored by TEA, an international non-profit organization representing 6,500 theme park industry creative specialists working in nearly 500 firms in 39 countries. The Thea awards were created in 1994 to recognize achievement, talent and personal excellence within the themed entertainment industry.
“Delaware North is honored to receive this award from TEA for all of our hard work with Shuttle Launch Experience,” said Dan Leblanc, chief operating office and regional vice president for Delaware North Parks & Resorts at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. “TEA is an organization which shares our passion for helping people understand and experience incredible destinations like Kennedy Space Center.”
Since taking over operations at the visitor complex in 1995, Delaware North has invested more than $200 million in enhancements and new attractions at the complex, including the $37 million Apollo/Saturn V Center, Imax®3-D film theaters, and restaurants and retail outlets.
Delaware North Companies also recently received the 2008 Douglas S. Morrow Public Outreach Award for its operation and continuous reinvention of the visitor complex. The Award is named after Douglas S. Morrow, one of the original Space Foundation board members, and given to the organization or individual that most significantly contributes to public awareness and/or support for space programs.
Delaware North Companies is a global leader in food service and hospitality with operations at national and state parks, sports venues, airport and gaming destinations around the world. Some of its most notable properties include The Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park, The Plaza Hotel Grand Ballroom in New York City, The BALSAMS Grand Resort Hotel in New Hampshire and Wembley Stadium in the United Kingdom.
About Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts
Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts is a subsidiary of Delaware North Companies, a leading hospitality provider with significant experience in hotel, retail, food service, recreation and transportation operations. The company’s portfolio includes historic properties in North America, such as Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex; Yosemite, Sequoia, Yellowstone and Grand Canyon national parks; Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds; Tenaya Lodge; Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa; Niagara Falls State Park; Jones Beach; Plaza del Pasado in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park; The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake; The Balsams Grand Resort; and The Gideon Putnam Resort. To learn more about Delaware North Companies’ expertise in the hospitality industry, visit http://www.dnchospitalitymgt.com/.
About Delaware North Companies
Delaware North Companies is one of the world’s leading hospitality and food service providers. Its family of companies includes Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, Delaware North Companies Gaming & Entertainment, Delaware North Companies Travel Hospitality Services, Delaware North Companies Sportservice, Delaware North Companies International and Delaware North Companies Boston, owner of TD Banknorth Garden, Delaware North Companies is one of the largest privately held companies in the United States with revenues exceeding $2 billion annually and 40,000 associates serving half a billion customers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. For more information, visit www.DelawareNorth.com.
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