Memphis in May International Festival - 2008 Annual Report

Many Faces. One Goal.

Bringing the World to Memphis and Memphis to the World.

Memphis in May International Festival 2008 Annual Report

88 Union Avenue, Suite 301 Memphis, TN 38103 901-525-4611 www.memphisinmay.org

2008 Board of Directors

Mohamad Hakimian, Chairman Al Lyons, Chairman-Elect Susan Arney, Vice Chairman Dr. Lawrence Madlock, Treasurer Desi Franklin, Secretary Howard Robertson, Past Chairman Calvin Anderson, Doug Browne, Kathy Buckman Gibson. Beth Flanagan, Bobbi Gillis, Demetra Lawrence, Benny Lendermon, Myron Lowery, John Moore, Steve Pacheco, Trina Poquette, Bill Ray, Patrice Robinson, Leigh Shockey, Daphne Thomas

Memphis in May International Festival Staff

James L. Holt, President and CEO Diane Hampton, Executive Vice President Mack Weaver, Vice President and CFO Randy Blevins, Vice President of Programming Carrie Callens-Moran, Receptionist Jack Daniels, Volunteer Coordinator April Foxx, Graphic Designer Kevin Grothe, Sponsorship Manager Nobie McFarland, Finance Assistant Myra Sellers, Food and Beverage Manager

2008 Volunteer Chairs Danielle Schonbaum, Cultural Programming Mary Green, Education Brigid and Pat Whalen, P.A.T.H. Emre and Gina Baser, Honored Nationals Vicki Buck, Communications Maria Alfred, Hospitality Jim Whalen, Logistics Courtney Chambers, Production Paul Koehler, Transportation Gibby Thomas, Volunteer Services Gavin Karelitz, Office Resources Donna Downen, Speakers Bureau Kristen Pollack, Festival Services Bob Munsell, Barbecue Steering Annette Bickerstaff, Contestants Charlotte Griffin, Judging Jimmy Miller, Entertainment

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2008 Volunteer Award Recipients Sylvia Bradshaw Chairman of the Year Award Winner Jim Whalen Lawrence Blackmon Volunteer of the Year Award Winner Jo Wood President’s Award Winner Neal Masters 2008 Partners 1910 Frame Works and Gallery; Aaron Rents; American RV; Arda Beskardes; AT&T; Athens Paper Company; AutoZone; Back Yard Burgers; Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz; Bartlett Home Theater; Beaver Productions; BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Community Trust; Blue Sky Couriers; Bodine; BP Amoco; Buckeye Technologies, Inc.; Buckman Laboratories; Budweiser, distributed locally by D. Canale, LLC; Burch Group of Northwestern Mutual Financial Network; Cadillac/Saab of Memphis; Career Builder; Cattlemen’s Barbecue Sauce; Cellular South; Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Memphis; Consulting Services Group; Country Music Television; Dawson’s Printing, Inc.; DeVry University; FedEx; GEICO; Gibson Guitars; Gossett Motors; Greased Lightning; Hard Rock Café; Harrah’s Entertainment; IMEC; J.M. Smucker Company; Johnson & Johnson; J.W. Moore Printing Company; Kingsford Charcoal; KPMG; Lowe’s; Memphis Area Teachers’ Credit Union; Memphis Area Transit Authority; Memphis Convention & Visitor’s Bureau; Memphis Grizzlies; Methodist Healthcare; Microsoft; Miles Properties; Morgan Stanley; National Ornamental Museum; National Pork Board; Nicorette; NuVasive; Pigeon Forge Dept. of Tourism; Premier Transportation/Yellow Cab; Rancho Zabaco; Real Yellow Pages; Reynolds; Riceland Rice; Sam’s Club; Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall; Saturn; Sensodyne; Sharp Electronics; Shell; Smoothie King; Southern Comfort; Southern Dodge Dealers; Sovereign Wealth Management; State Farm Insurance; SunTrust; Target; Tennessee Department of Tourism; Tennessee Education Lottery; Ticketmaster; United States Marines; University of Phoenix; Valero Memphis Refinery; W.J. Deutsch & Sons; Weber Grills

Media: WDIA AM 1070; WEGR Rock 103; WGKX Kix 106; WHBQ Q107.5; WHBQ-TV Fox 13; WHRK K97 FM; WLMT CW 30; WMC FM 100; WMC-TV Channel 5; WMFS 93X; WPTY ABC 24; WRVR 104 The River; WXMX 98.1 FM; WRBO 103.5 FM; Comcast Cable; Commercial Appeal; Memphis Flyer

Letter from the Chairman and President

M

emphis in May International Festival entered its 32nd year as strong and vibrant as its honored country for 2008, Turkey. This award winning festival has increased

in its national and international prominence over the three decades of its existence and is now an internationally acclaimed month in an exceptional city.

Through the more than 100 programs we manage, we create opportunities for people to live and learn about other societies and cultures, while creating a celebratory environment.

Developing such international expertise is good for business and good for our community.

But most importantly, we do this work in the passionate belief that people with cultural depth and experience are more likely to work together across not only our neighborhoods, but also across our borders to advocate tolerance and understanding.

With support from our partner corporations, government agencies and generous individuals, Memphis in May International Festival programs are taking aim at some of our most core issues: education and quality

James L. Holt

President and CEO

of life. Our month-long festival is designed to celebrate all of the many cultural amenities of Memphis and the Mid-South, to educate young and old about cultural diversity through a variety of art forms and classroom initiatives, and to communicate to the world that Memphis is vibrant in cultural and commercial exchange.

We extend our thanks to the partners who made the 2008 Memphis in May International Festival possible. We hope you will be inspired by the progress made this year, and that you will join with us to extend its impact in the years ahead.

Mohamad Hakimian

2008 Chairman of the Board

In 2008, Memphis in May welcomed new faces as well as old ones during a month of good weather, great talent, new events and programs, and a dramatic increase in cultural understanding. These pages offer an introduction to just a few of the many faces and friends of the 2008 Memphis in May International Festival, and how we effectively bring the world to Memphis and Memphis to the world.

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Beale Street Music Festival

T

he many faces of the 2008 Beale Street Music Festival included some of the greatest legends in rock ‘n roll. Performers and visitors from around the world came to the

birthplace of the blues and the home of rock ‘n roll to salute Memphis and its musical heritage. The line-up in 2008 included young fresh talent, an impressive list of celebrated musicians, and the best of the blues world.

First time faces included the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin; famed guitarist, Carlos Santana; and a rare performance by Lou Reed. They were joined by some of the hottest names in the music business including Sheryl Crow, Fergie, and My Chemical Romance. Memphis music was well represented by internationally acclaimed greats Jerry Lee Lewis and Billy Lee Riley, plus Amy LaVere, Project Pat, Al Kapone, Robert “Wolfman” Belfour and the hot comic hiphop crew Lord T. & Eloise, just to name a few.

We put our best face forward with new artists as well, represented by performances from The Roots, Ben Folds, Disturbed, Matisyahu, and Finger Eleven.

And the 2008 Beale Street Music Festival offered a fresh face with Blues performances from its new SoCo Blues Shack, designed to give the feel of the old Beale Street facades and impromptu performances.

Even with gas prices soaring and a down economy, the award winning Beale Street Music Festival continued to be one of just a few destination festivals with guests traveling from all 50 states and 15 foreign countries (Canada, France, Australia, Germany, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Ireland, Belgium, The Netherlands, Chile, Japan, Brazil, and Peru). Of the visitors to the Beale Street Music Festival in 2008, 42% traveled greater than 200 miles to attend. While in Memphis, our guests traveled to Graceland, visited Sun Studios and used the Downtown Trolley line just to mention a few of our attractions and amenities. A staggering 52% of the patrons at the Beale Street Music Festival also visited one or more of our other attractions.

Additionally, the guests fill our hotels, eat in our restaurants, and happily leave an impact on our economy.

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International Salute to Turkey

T

urkey is a land with a magnificent past and remarkable future. A land rich in timeless treasures, the remnants of 13 successive civilizations spanning 10,000 years, Turkey

came alive in the Mid-South during Memphis in May 2008.

The international programs of Memphis in May center on one goal: educating our citizens to expand their knowledge and appreciation of diverse cultures. Through art exhibits and building links with business, the international salute channels understanding and enthusiasm.

In 2008, we dressed Turkey with an impressive array of programs and activities including a cultural performance called “Splendors of Turkey” at The Orpheum, and ten fascinating exhibits covering notable periods in Turkish history, modern perspectives on Turkish life, the world’s impact from Turkish architecture and music, and the traditional handicrafts through the centuries. Exhibit venues included Brooks Museum of Art, Memphis Botanic Garden, Jewish Community Center, Central Public Library, STAX Museum of American Soul Music, Memphis Cook Convention Center, Regions Bank Headquarters, National Civil Rights Museum, Dixon Galley and Gardens, and Mud Island River Park.

Our expanded economic development programs, supported by the Turkish Embassy in Washington, included association with the American Institute of Architects to feature acclaimed Turkish architect, Gunhan Danisman. We welcomed Ms. S. Ismet Gurhan, noted Bioengineering professor at Ege University for a Life Science luncheon focused on current research and development trends in Turkey.

Mayor A C Wharton and a delegation of Memphis business, government and community leaders traveled to Turkey for a ten-day exploration and met with Turkish leaders in a diplomatic reception at the home of U.S. Ambassador Ross Wilson in the capital city, Ankara.

The culminating effect of our international salute in 2008 was the introduction and sustaining of new friends and new relationships to build on a better future for Memphis.

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World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest

F

ace it! There are few events in the world as charismatic and charming as the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest. And since we mentioned faces, it’s probably notable to mention that many of the faces at this

outrageous event include snouts!

The largest pork barbecue contest on the planet has both participation and recognition around the globe. 262 teams from around the world competed for the title this year and represented 24 states and 3 foreign countries. This year we welcomed teams from Estonia, Belgium and Norway.

Memphis in May’s World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest is where you can “rub shoulders with the big hogs” and this year we brought the hogs home with another year of great attendance. Event revenue out-performed the budget by 30%, demonstrating the continued growth in popularity of this event.

Sparked by yet another full length special on TV’s Food Network, the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest transcends pop culture and creates its own unique “pig culture” drawing the culinary curious from around the world.

More than half of the visitors to the event in 2008 came from beyond 200 miles to attend.

70% of them stayed in a Memphis area hotel and 60% say they ate of one of Memphis’ great barbecue restaurants while they were here. And not only did they find entertainment at the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, but also at our area attractions!

51% of the visitors said they visited one of our metro tourist attractions while in Memphis, another testimony to Memphis in May International Festival as a destination magnet for Memphis.

With an event this spectacular, media coverage is a naturally occurring phenomenon.

And 2008 was a shining example. The Washington Post sent a photographer and journalist to capture this unique Memphis experience and found it so “rib tickling”, the event “shouldered” its way to the front page of the Post. And that was just one of the many media outlets from around the world reporting on this event in 2008. You’ll likely see the results appearing soon on the Food Network, The Weather Channel and the BBC.

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AutoZone Sunset Symphony

T

he 2008 AutoZone Sunset Symphony was without a doubt, the best program in a decade. In addition to the Memphis Symphony Orchestra performance, United States Senator and accomplished pianist, Lamar Alexander, performed. Along

with an expanded air show and soulful performance by The Four Tops, the AutoZone Sunset Symphony was a jubilant conclusion to another successful year. While a late afternoon thunderstorm hurt the attendance slightly, it helped cool off the temperature and provided a perfect evening for the festival finale.

There was a whole lot of shakin’ going on when Senator Lamar Alexander, reprised a memorable 1982 performance of Memphis favorites on the piano from the stage.

Senator Alexander’s performance included “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Memphis Blues,” “Lawdy, Lawdy, Lawdy, Miss Clawdy,” “Love Me Tender,” “Memphis,” (you know, ‘Hello, Information, Give me Memphis, Tennessee,’) and “A Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.” The Commemorative Air Force returned with dozens of vintage military and concept airplanes flying in the skies over Tom Lee Park delighting all in view. A post-event survey overwhelmingly showed the crowd’s enjoyment with 93% of the respondents saying Memphis in May should continue to offer the air show!

Following the air show, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra provided thunder with works

by Tchaikovsky and other crowd-pleasing selections. And then there were The Four Tops bringing some Motown to Downtown. Backed by a six-member band, the popular soul vocalists, members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, performed several of their big hits -- “Bernadette” and “Baby I Need Your Loving,” for instance -- inspiring many in the audience to swoon and sway.

The traditional close of Memphis in May includes a spectacular fireworks show over Tom Lee Park. Lighting up the skies with enthusiasm and excitement, the show captured and displayed the emotions of another successful May in Memphis.

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Education Program

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pening minds to the world, that’s the strategy of the Memphis in May International Education program. Creating international awareness through

education, the salute to Turkey in 2008 claimed dramatic results from the distribution of 5,500 free Memphis in May Curriculum Guides to 268 Mid-South schools, to the 2,978 student participating in our education competitions.

In 2008, we witnessed passion for and participation in our myriad of education programs.

The second annual Memphis in May International Teacher’s Conference helped Mid-South teachers become familiar with the various curriculum opportunities for teaching students about Turkey. This Saturday seminar drew 121 educators for a special presentation offered by the Turkish Ministry of Education.

There is no better method of opening minds to the world than the International Student Exchange, a staple of the Memphis in May international education program. This year, 71 of the brightness and enthusiastic high school students from around the Memphis area applied. Additionally, 21 teachers interested in the global classroom applied to chaperone the 15 students selected to travel to Turkey. Just a couple of weeks after the Memphis area students returned, we received 15 Turkish students in a reciprocal program. Those students attended Germantown High School, stayed with host families and experienced Memphis from the Grizzlies to Graceland and all points in between!

The International Children’s Art Competition drew 240 students representing 12 schools all vying to have their Turkish-themed artwork selected. Our visiting Turkish performing artists program in the schools touched 3,180 students from six different schools throughout Memphis and Shelby County. Twenty-three schools applied to host the Turkish performance troupes, and it was a difficult task to narrow those requests to six.

Sixty-one schools viewed the fascinating contents of the World Cargo Crate translating into 31,332 student experiences. And 2,516 students representing twenty-four schools from all over the Mid-South attended our free cultural performance at The Orpheum called Splendors of Turkey.

In all, we opened the minds of well over 60,000 students and teachers putting them face first into the culture, history and heritage of Turkey.

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Volunteer Program

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olunteers wear many hats and represent many faces for Memphis in May International Festival. They carry out duties that would be impossible to fulfill given the small size of the full time staff of the Festival. Their value is proven

time and again, and we were honored in the Fall of 2006 when the Memphis in May International Festival’s volunteer program was internationally recognized as the best volunteer program in the world. The distinction, awarded by the International Festival & Events Association twice in the last 10 years, honors our volunteers for being the best in the world, and our Festival for having a comprehensive and successful volunteer program.

The direct result of more dynamic recruiting in 2008 was the registration of 401 new volunteers, or 40% of the volunteers. Of the remaining 60%, an astonishing 20% have volunteered with Memphis in May for five or more years. Again, dynamic recruiting in 2008 contributed to an increase in the number of younger volunteers. Nearly one-third of the program members are between the ages of 18-30, a 33% increase from 2007. While the average age of a Memphis in May volunteer in 2008 was 40, we still managed to appeal to seniors through the program with 5% of the volunteers being over 65….and our oldest volunteer is proudly 87 years old!

While many volunteer programs are predominantly female, Memphis in May continues to draw great support from men with 42% of the program being male. Not surprisingly, our program is supported principally by local volunteers. Some volunteers do travel to participate, but remarkably volunteers at Memphis in May in 2008 represented 22 states.

Our volunteers’ commitment and time is beyond belief. A 2008 survey of our volunteers found 52% of them volunteer to “be involved in a significant, local event to help Memphis”. The average volunteer for Memphis in May 2008 gave 19.1 hours to the events, a testament to the strength of the program and commitment of the individuals.

Finally, success is measured by the desire to return, and the results of our survey found that a resounding 94% plan to return for Memphis in May 2009.

With a small full-time staff, Memphis in May volunteers are not only essential to the operation of the Festival, but they are also the face of the festival. And we are quite proud and overwhelmingly honored that these men and women are the smiling faces of Memphis in May International Festival greeting guests and visitors from just down the street and around the world!

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Financial Summary

The World-Wide Face of Memphis in

W

hile rainfall on all three of our major public events negated the potential of record

May!

crowd, it failed to dampen the Festival’s financial picture. In spite of a declining

Memphis in May International Festival is an award-winning festival; a creative

economy, record partnership and sponsor revenues helped to insure a sunny financial forecast for Memphis in May International Festival 2008.

and inspired organization to make

Memphis In May International Festival, Inc. Statement of Activities Memphis In May International Festival, Inc. Statement of Activities

all of the Mid-South proud. Our recognition extends much beyond this region, and the festival is truly acclaimed globally. Since 1999, Memphis in May has received 62 Pinnacle Awards from the International

*Projected Audited 2007 2008 Audited Audited 2007 2006

Audited 2006

countries in 5 continents. Memphis in Revenues Festival Events May International Festival has been Sponsorships 5,277,199 Contributions regularly recognized for excellence inFestival Events Sponsorships 1,301,308 Other Income programming, promotion, creativity Contributions 59,969 Interest Income and event planning and strategy andOther Income Unrestricted Investments Income 20,721 has achieved distinction in its volunteer Interest Income 36,598 Unrestricted Investments Income 24,580 Total Revenues program, its education program, its

5,277,199 5,774,007 1,301,308 1,143,900 5,774,007 59,969 4,233,151 67,155 1,143,900 20,721 1,084,800 7,367 67,155 36,59864,210 18,920 7,367 24,58014,688 81,039 18,920 6,559 81,039 6,720,37522,181 7,092,388

4,233,151 1,084,800 64,210 14,688 6,559 22,181

international media efforts, its creative Total Revenues designs and its sponsor and partner

7,092,388

Festival & Events Association (IFEA), with 2000 member organizations

Revenues

world-wide stretching across 40

programs.

*Projected 2008

6,720,375

Festival Events Management and General Festival Events 4,429,618 Marketing and Advertising Management and General 1,416,938 Sponsors & Donor Benefits Marketing and Advertising 134,232 International & Educational Programming Sponsors & Donor Benefits 42,698 Miscellaneous Programming International & Educational Programming 283,219 Miscellaneous Programming 6,455 Total Expenses

4,429,618 4,512,953 1,416,938 1,355,730 4,512,953134,232 3,590,892129,802 1,355,730 42,698 1,286,239 32,638 129,802283,219 118,106333,973 32,638 6,45538,594 12,829 333,973 299,639 12,829 6,313,16023,453 6,377,925

3,590,892 1,286,239 118,106 38,594 299,639 23,453

6,313,160 5,356,923714,463 Increase/(Decrease) in unrestricted net Assets6,377,925407,215

68,666

5,356,923

Increase/(Decrease) Net in unrestricted netBeginning Assets of the407,215 Assets at the Year

714,463 2,602,68168,666 1,888,218

1,819,552

Net Assets at the Beginning of the Net Assets at Year the End of the Year2,602,681

1,888,218 1,819,552 3,009,896 2,602,681

1,888,218

Net Assets at the End of the Year

2,602,681

* Festival's Fiscal Year End is July 31st

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5,425,589

Expenses

Expenses

Total Expenses

5,425,589

* Festival's Fiscal Year End is July 31st

3,009,896

1,888,218

Unrestricted Investments Income 0% Interest Income 0%

2006

Other Income 0%

2006 2006 Revenues Revenues

2006 Expenses

2006 Expenses

Marketing and Advertising 2%

Sponsorships 20%

Unrestricted Investments Income 1% Interest Income 0% Other Income 0%

2007 Revenues

2007 Revenues

Contributions 1%

Management and General 24%

Miscellaneous Programming 0% International & Educational Programming 5%

Festival Events 67%

2007 Expenses 2007 Expenses

Sponsors & Donor Benefits 1%

Sponsorships 16%

Marketing and Advertising 2%

Festival Events 82%

Unrestricted Investments Income 0% Interest Income 1% Other Income 0%

2008

International & Educational Programming 6% Sponsors & Donor Benefits 1%

Contributions 1%

Festival Events 79%

2007

Miscellaneous Programming 0%

2008 2008 Projected Projected Revenues Revenues

Contributions 1%

Management and General 21%

International & Educational Programming 4% Sponsors & Donor Benefits 1%

Sponsorships 19%

Marketing and Advertising 2%

Festival Events 79%

Management and General 22%

Festival Events 71%

2008 Projected 2008 Projected Expenses Expenses Miscellaneous Programming 0%

Festival Events 71%

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88 Union Avenue, Suite 301 Memphis, TN 38103 901-525-4611 www.memphisinmay.org