The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) president Christine Kerr will be replaced by director of Birket Engineering Steve Birket when she steps down in November after serving a full term.

BaAM Productions' Kerr will pass the baton to Birket, who has been a longstanding TEA member and is current treasurer. Board members voted unanimously at a 13 May meeting for Birket to take the helm.

Birket boasts more than 35 years’ experience in the attractions industry, having worked for both Universal Studios and Disney before joining Orlando-based control systems designers Birket Engineering.

He brings a strong knowledge of international markets, particularly the thriving Asia-Pacific region where his firm has offices in Shanghai, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Outgoing president Kerr believes Birket’s extensive relationships throughout the TEA and wider industry, as well as his business development expertise, make him an ideal replacement. “His knowledge and experience of visitor attractions is wide-ranging, including the entertainment and cultural sectors, museums, large scale show installations, and theatrical production,” she added.

The new president-elect is hugely upbeat about the industry's prospects over the coming years. “There has never been a more exciting time for TEA,” said Birket. “The number of themed entertainment projects in development has never been greater, and the world looks to our industry for solutions. Growth, technology, and creativity make the possibilities boundless.”