INSPIRE Week | March 14-16, 2024
Application Deadline | January 31, 2024
About
2024 applications are now closed
The TEA INSPIRE Talent program provides emerging professionals within the Location-Based Experience industry with access to the Themed Entertainment Association's (TEA) INSPIRE Week events (award details below). Emerging talent who are experiencing barriers and are aligned with our mission to promote inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility are encouraged to apply.
In addition to attending INSPIRE Week events, program awardees will gain access to Big Break's professional development opportunities leading up to, during, and after INSPIRE. This includes:
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Office Hours for personalized support
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INSPIRE prep calls
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Resume/portfolio reviews
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Trailblazer Chats (conversations with industry leaders)
Travel assistance and annual TEA memberships are also available as opt-ins for award recipients.
What is TEA INSPIRE?
TEA INSPIRE (formerly Summit and Case Studies) ushers in a revitalized focus on celebrating excellence in themed entertainment across the globe, offering attendees a fully immersive networking and educational experience and lasting inspiration.
This signature event draws themed entertainment professionals at all levels and disciplines within the industry, from emerging leaders to the most senior executives and carries on the tradition of case studies but with a deeper dive in direct response to attendee feedback.
To learn more, visit www.teaconnect.org/tea-inspire
What Are Location-Based Experiences?
The industry at large has various names, including Themed Entertainment, Location-Based Entertainment, Attractions, and Travel & Leisure. Big Break Foundation identifies amusement and theme parks, museums, water parks, zoos, aquariums, science centers, family entertainment centers, live events, performing arts, immersive experiences, and industry vendors/suppliers as the Location-Based Experience Industry.
What Is an Emerging Professional?
Big Break Foundation defines "emerging professionals" as students, early career professionals, and those who are pivoting from another career or re-entering the workforce after a long absence.
Award Includes...
Award Opt-Ins
Travel Assistance
Applicants may opt-in to receive a travel reimbursement as part of the INSPIRE Talent award, which can be applied towards transportation, accommodation, meals, and parking.
To opt-in, check 'Yes, I would like to be considered' when prompted in the application.
How Travel Assistance Works
Award recipients travelling to INSPIRE from The Greater Los Angeles Area are eligible for a $100 reimbursement upon submission of receipts, following INSPIRE.
Awardees travelling from outside the Greater Los Angeles Area are eligible for a $500 reimbursement upon submission of receipts, following INSPIRE.
TEA Membership
Applicants may opt-in to receive a TEA membership, valid for the length of one year. Learn about member benefits here.
To be considered, check 'Yes' when prompted in the application. Note that a TEA membership is required to participate in the program.
TEA Membership Eligibility
Award recipients who do not have an active TEA membership or their membership is expiring within 60 days of INSPIRE (on or before May 15, 2024) are eligible to receive a TEA membership as part of INSPIRE Talent program award.
Program Eligibility
Any person—regardless of gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, disability, faith or other identity or characteristic—is welcome to apply.
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Applicants must be able to attend TEA INSPIRE in person, every day from March 14 through March 16, 2024, at the Loews Hollywood Hotel in Hollywood, California.
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Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
Selection Process
Big Break Foundation is committed to creating a transparent and fair selection process that aligns with our values of inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility.
Anonymized applications are used whenever possible to ensure an unbiased assessment.
Outlined here are key considerations of our award selection process:
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Priority will be given to first-year attendees.
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As part of our mission to amplify and foster diverse talent, we consider an applicant's background/identities as part of our evaluation criteria.
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Additional factors considered include: academic and or/work accomplishments, financial need, extracurricular activities, transferable experiences/skills, community involvement/volunteerism, and commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility.
We are continuously reviewing and updating our processes to ensure fairness, equity and inclusiveness for all.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact nicolle@bigbreakfoundation.org.
Important Dates
Application Opens
Friday, January 19, 2024
Deadline
Wednesday, January 31, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time
Award Notification Period
Week of February 12, 2024
Accessibility
We strive to make our opportunities and experiences accessible to all. For questions, requests for accommodation, or suggestions on how to make our application process more accessible, please contact nicolle@bigbreakfoundation.org.