Keith James, CEO of Jack Rouse Associates, won a lifetime achievement award from the Themed Entertainments Association (TEA) yesterday.

The annual Thea Awards winners were announced at IAAPA yesterday (17 November). The awards celebrate the best in the themed entertainment and design industries.

James is the recipient of the 2016 Buzz Price Award for a Lifetime of Distinguished Achievements, which will be awarded at a formal presentation next year.

“Finding out I that I was named for the Thea Award was one of the most overwhelming experiences of my life,” said James. It was an unexpected telephone call telling me that I was being recognized for all of the things that so many people, especially my family, have helped me to do in the 44 years that I have had the privilege of being in this business.”

Other Thea Awards winners include the One World Observatory in New York, Les Amoureux de Verdun at Puy du Fou in France, Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, Disney Paint the Night at Hong Kong Disneyland, Hong Kong, and Disneyland in Anaheim, California, and Moments of Happiness at World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta, Georgia.

Lifetime achievement winner James has worked with a diverse and prestigious clientele in his 44-year career, from LEGO Group and Warner Bros to Universal Studios Florida and Six Flags, Ocean Park Hong Kong and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi.

"Keith James is best known for his tireless commitment, dedication and passion to our themed entertainment destination business,” said the TEA’s Thea Awards Committee in a statement. “His leadership and depth of knowledge achieved during his career continue to provide significant added value to his clients, his extended business family and the greater global, themed entertainment destination industry."

For the full list of the winners, see www.teaconnect.org.