2020 GTA Winners – The Golden Ticket Awards | Presented by Amusement Today

The 2020 Golden Ticket Awards were presented online via social media!

2020 Print Issue

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, it was not a year to vote on who was the Best of the Best when so many parks were struggling to even open and find their way in uncharted territory. While our traditional categories may be absent in 2020, Amusement Today has introduced a special selection of Industry Leader Awards to recognize and champion the work and perseverance this industry can exhibit. Paired with the Publisher’s Picks, the 2020 Golden Ticket Awards are pleased to shine a light on the good that is still evident every day.

CATEGORY	WINNER
Industry Leader: Supplier	Gateway Ticketing Systems
Industry Leader: Park	Knott’s Berry Farm
Industry Leader: FEC	Urban Air Adventure Parks
Industry Leader: Outdoor Ent.	Talley Amusements
Industry Leader: Association	Ed Hodgdon, NEAAPA
Innovation of the Year (tie)	Trash Reduction System, Six Flags Over Texas
Innovation of the Year (tie)	Improved Entrance Initiatives, Six Flags Theme Parks

Personally chosen by Gary Slade, publisher and founder of Amusement Today, this year’s Publisher’s Pick Awards were presented in the following categories:

Person of the Year – Gene Staples, for rescuing Indiana Beach from permanent closure through his business expertise;
Supplier of the Year – Great Coasters International, Inc., for evolving the development of the wooden coaster;
Renaissance Award – Europa-Park, for bringing back Pirates in Batavia, a beloved dark ride attraction lost in a horrific 2018 fire, bigger and grander than ever; and
Turnstile Award – Arnolds Park, for investing in its history and using beautification and preservation to keep guests returning year after year.

GTA Legend – Pamela Landwirth of Give Kids The World Village