Memphis in May International Festival - 2007 Annual Report

An annual report is commentary on the year’s performance.

In the event and entertainment business, performance is an issue on many levels. From the acts we select at the Beale Street Music Festival to the volunteers that perform innumerable tasks for this massive event, quite a cast is assembled to make this grand event possible. In 2007, Memphis in May International Festival staged many events and exhibits throughout Memphis. We are pleased to present our performance review.

Letter from the Chairman and President 2 Beale Street Music Festival 3 International Salute to Spain 4 World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest 5 Regions Sunset Symphony 6 Education Program 7 Volunteer Program 8 Financial Summary 9 Supporters 10

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

Our 31st year has been a rather significant one for Memphis

culture, architecture, exploration, contributions to music

in May International Festival. Exceptional weather, record

and history were enjoyed all around town.

financials, strong talent, local, national and international acclaim, and new events and programs were just a few of

We enjoyed double digit increases in admissions at all of our

the headlines and highlights of the 2007 Memphis in May

publicly prominent events and instituted new programs and

International Festival. For Memphis

events such as the Air Show at

in May patrons who call Memphis

the Regions Sunset Symphony.

home, and those who traveled in from around the globe, the last

Our AT&T International

twelve months have been a world

Education Program is one of the

class performance.

most important performers of Memphis in May International

Our salute to Spain was one for

Festival. And in 2007, we set

the records. In mid-March, a

the stage and this program really

large contingent of Memphians

performed! We initiated the first

including business, civic and

annual International Teacher’s

government leaders, tourism officials,

Conference to familiarize area

media representatives and educators visited Spain bringing not only the

All the world’s a stage, and we are merely players.

teachers with Spain and its educational opportunities. We

good-will of Memphis, but also two

saw record participation in our

of the heritage staples of Memphis:

international education programs

Barbecue and The Blues. In a special reception in Madrid

with double digit percentage increases in most of our

for Spanish government, business leaders and media, guests

programs and events. We increased the number of high

gorged on Neely’s famous barbecue and Richard Johnston’s

school students in our student exchange.

famous blues tunes. Our cultural programs honoring Spain were some of the best in the history of the Festival

In all, 2007 will be a benchmark for future Festivals. And

including the record attendance at Fiesta! Spain, our

the building blocks will be stacked with this onepremise

primary cultural performance at the Cannon Center for the

in mind: We offer many stages….and one World Class

Performing Arts. Exhibits showcasing the famous Spanish

Performance.

2

Performers and visitors from around the world all assembled

The Beale Street Music Festival has become one of just a few

to pay homage to the birthplace of the blues and the home

destination festivals with guests traveling from all 50 states

of rock and roll. Memphis and its musical significance

and 14 foreign countries (Canada, France, Australia, Germany, New Zealand, United Kingdom,

continues to be the draw and appeal of Memphis in May’s Beale Street Music Festival. And what a year for the Beale Street Music Festival! Lots of young fresh talent, an impressive list of legends, the best of the blues

A live performance to me is exciting because of all the electricity that is generated in the crowd and on stage.

Norway, Sweden, Ireland, Belgium, The Netherlands, Chile, Brazil, and Peru). Of the visitors to the Beale Street Music Festival in 2007, 47% traveled greater than 200

world…and all enjoyed with great

miles to attend. While attending,

weather!

30% traveled to Graceland, 24% visited Sun Studios and 44% used the Downtown Trolley line.

First time performers included legends Iggy Pop and Steely

The visitors fill our hotels, eat in our restaurants, visit our

Dan. And other first-timers offered legendary performances

attractions and fully experience

including DAUGHTRY, Corinne Bailey Rae and John Legend.

Memphis while greatly impacting

Memphis music was well represented by internationally

our economy.

acclaimed greats Eddie

3

Floyd, The Bar-Kays,

Patricia Schulz, author of 1000

Jerry Lee Lewis and

Places to See Before You Die

Ann Peebles just to

refers to the Beale Street Music

name a few. And

Festival in her bestselling book

Wolfmother, The Red

this way…”For pure star power

Jumpsuit Apparatus,

and atmosphere, the Beale Street

Social Distortion, Hinder,

Music Festival – which kicks

Guster, Plain White T’s

off the annual month-long citywide international cultural

and Umphrey’s McGee

extravaganza known as Memphis in May – rivals … as one of

represented the new hip

the best outdoor musical events in the U.S.” We think that

music landscape.

sums it up nicely.

Memphis in May International Festival’s 2007

Fiesta! Spain filled the Cannon Center with

honored country celebration was one of the

traditional flamenco and modern dance and

Festival’s most comprehensive salutes ever. From

Spanish cuisine and wine. In addition to the

art to architecture, flamenco to food, the history

evening performance, we offered free admission

of Spain is as rich, colorful and diverse as any

on two school performances and filled them to

country in the world. Memphis in May’s Salute

capacity with area school students.

to Spain brought beautiful Spanish art, amazing Spanish architecture, the intensity of traditional

Ambassador Carlos Westendorp, ambassador

flamenco, a history lesson on the famous Spanish

to the United States from Spain, visited Memphis for two days attending

explorers, and the rich culture of Spanish cuisine to Memphis in a celebration that will not be easily forgotten.

Venues for the 2007 salute to Spain included: Memphis Brooks Museum, Stax Museum of American Soul

Making art is educating, transforming moments into something visual, or textual, or musical. Art creates a kind of world commentary.

the Economic Club, serving as the keynote speaker at the Memphis Rotary Club and attending the International Gala. He also met with Mayor Herenton and with the International Department at Fed Ex.

Music, National Civil Rights Museum, Joysmith Gallery, Memphis Shelby County Public Library, the

At the meeting with Mayor Herenton, Ambassador

Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, Memphis Botanic

Westendorp indicated that due to the thriving economy

Garden, and The University of Memphis

in Spain, companies were starting to

just to name a few. In all, twenty-four

make significant investment in the U.S.

different venues carried the culture of

Further, because of the relationship

Spain across the Mid-South.

created during the Festival, the Ambassador is interested in naming

Our 2007 cultural performance at the

an Honorary Consulate of Spain in

Cannon Center was our largest attended

Memphis.

cultural program in the past decade.

4

The 2007 World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest

200 miles to attend. 70% of them stayed in a Memphis

really featured a cast of characters! 258 teams from around

area hotel and 60% say they ate at one of Memphis’ great

the world competed for the title this year and represented 22

barbecue restaurants while they were here. And not only did

states and 3 foreign countries.

they find entertainment at the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, but also at our

Globally known as the

area attractions! 51% of the visitors

Granddaddy of Grilling, Memphis

said they visited one of our metro

in May’s World Championship

tourist attractions while in Memphis,

Barbecue Cooking Contest in

another testimony to Memphis

2007 set a new record due in

in May International Festival as a

part to near perfect weather.

destination magnet for Memphis.

Event revenue out-performed the budget by 30% and exceeded

The World Championship

2006 results by 37.5%,

Barbecue Cooking Contest

demonstrating the continued growth in popularity of this event.

Grilling creates an atmosphere that is festive but casual. It’s not just a culinary art, it’s a performing art.

continues to have media suction as well, and 2007 was a shining example. Look for new shows about Memphis barbecue

The Cooker Caravan and

appearing soon on Food Network,

People’s Choice Judging

A&E and the BBC, just to mention

public components were expanded in 2007 and showed

a few of the broadcast outlets covering the 2007 event.

significant growth in public participation. Adding public participation on Saturday of the event proved extremely

Again, referring to Patricia Schultz’s 1,000 Places to See

popular to visitors and gave them a new insight to the

Before You Die book: ”Among the various barbecue capitals

rigorous judging process that is a legendary part of this

in America, Memphis is a standout….For all-around barbecue

contest.

nirvana, show up at the cutthroat World Championship

The economic impact of this event continues to grow and

Barbecue Cooking Contest, part of the city’s annual Memphis

thrive. More than half of the visitors came from beyond

in May bash.” We couldn’t have said it better.

5

No Memphis in May stage is more filled with music than the Sunset Symphony stage. The 2007 Sunset Symphony saw several new acts added to its performance.

First, we added a new title sponsor, Regions Bank. Having Regions on board as the title sponsor gave Memphis in May

There is nothing more musical than a sunset.

their enjoyment with 93% of the respondents saying Memphis in May should offer the air show in subsequent years!

The Memphis Symphony Orchestra is always an audience

the opportunity to add a crowd pleasing program, the first

favorite and their performance was stellar. Their traditional

annual Air Show presented by the Commemorative Air Force.

performance at the Sunset Symphony included all the

Dozens of vintage military and concept airplanes flew in the

favorites and climaxed with the 1812 Overture and a

skies over Tom Lee Park delighting all that watched. In fact,

spectacular fireworks show. Interestingly, 51% of the guests

in a post-event survey, the crowd overwhelmingly showed

attending say the fireworks show is a primary reason they attend.

And then there were The Temptations. And what a show!

The crowd sang and swayed to the familiar songs, danced at all the appropriate opportunities and fully enjoyed an outstanding performance.

Attendance to the event was up significantly from the prior year and event revenue increased 212% from the previous year. No doubt the addition of the air show and The Temptations were critical to the growth of the event.

6

In performing our mission, Memphis in May International

program. This year, the program was expanded to include

Festival works toward creating international awareness

16 Memphis area high school students to travel to Spain in

through education. In the Fall of 2005, the Board of

March. Out of 75 applicants and 26 interviews, 16 students

Directors of Memphis in May agreed upon a strategic plan

were selected representing 12 Memphis area high schools.

This year the students took along video cameras provided

Education brings about opportunity, and in turn inspiration.

by Memphis in May and chronicled their trip and their experiences. Just a couple of weeks after the Memphis area students returned, we received 14 Spanish students in a reciprocal program. Those students attended Houston High School, stayed with host families and got the full Memphis

that focused the strength of the Festival’s significant outreach

experience!

toward international education. Since that time, the international education program has grown exponentially.

We had a 61% increase in participation in our International Children’s Art Competition with 681

In 2007, we saw record growth

students from 17 schools participating.

in participation in our myriad

Our visiting Spanish performing artists

of education programs. We

program in the schools touched 4,500

instituted the first Memphis in May

students from six different schools

International Teacher’s Conference

throughout Memphis – a 70% increase

with the goal of making Mid-

in this program from last year. And

South teachers aware of the various

forty schools from all over the Mid-

curriculum opportunities for teaching

South attended our free Cannon

students about Spain. This first day-long seminar drew 135

Center performance of Fiesta! Spain reaching over 2,800

educators for a special presentation from the Spanish Ministry

students with the history and culture of Spain.

of Education.

In all, over 50,000 students and teachers had a hands-on The International Student Exchange is one of the consistent

learning experience in Spanish culture, history and heritage.

highlights of the Memphis in May international education

This is a true test of performance.

7

Volunteers are vital to the success of Memphis in May

65….and our oldest volunteer is proudly 86 years old!

International Festival. They carry out duties that would be

While many volunteer programs are predominantly female,

impossible to fulfill given the small

Memphis in May continues to draw

size of the full time staff of the

great support from men with 38%

Festival. Their value is proven

of the program being male. Not

time and again, and we were

surprisingly, our program is supported

honored in the Fall of 2006 when

principally by local volunteers. Some

the Memphis in May International

volunteers do travel to participate, but

Festival’s volunteer program was

remarkably volunteers at Memphis in

internationally recognized as the

May in 2007 represented 23 states.

best volunteer program in the Our volunteers’ hearts are in the right

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

We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.

and successful volunteer program.

place and their commitment of time is beyond belief. A 2007 survey of our volunteers found 46% of them volunteer to “be involved in a significant, local event to help Memphis”. The average volunteer for Memphis in May 2007 gave 19.1 hours to the events, a

The direct result of more dynamic recruiting in 2007 was the

testament to the strength of the program and commitment of

registration of 487 new volunteers, or 40% of the volunteers.

the individuals. Finally, success is measured by the desire to

Of the remaining 60%, an astonishing 20% have volunteered

return, and the results of our survey found that a resounding

with Memphis in May for five or more years. Again, dynamic

97% plan to return for Memphis in May 2008.

recruiting in 2007 contributed to an increase in the number of younger volunteers. Nearly one-third of the program

Memphis in May International Festival volunteers are true

members are between the ages of 18-30, a 33% increase from

performers whose roles, while not always celebrity, are always

2006. And in 2007, we still managed to appeal to seniors

in the best supporting category.

through the program with 5% of the volunteers being over

8

The ability to produce an award-winning festival depends largely upon a delicate, but deliberate balance of expenses and revenue. In 2007, we maintained a disciplined expense budget while creating new and exciting programs and events designed to stretch our revenue potential. This tactic proved successful and continues to insure Memphis in May’s financial stability and growth.

The 2007 Memphis in May International Festival was the highest grossing one in the Festival’s thirty-one year history.

An audit of the Festival’s finances will be completed shortly, but current projections indicate the 2007 Memphis in May International Festival produced a record surplus in 2007. As the graphs indicate, Festival admissions overall contributed to the record success, and expenses were held to levels similar to the previous year.

The Festival operates on a zero-based budget with any surplus revenue over expense going towards the contingency fund in the event of inclement weather at future festivals and for the production of international and education events and programs.

Words are words, explanations are explanations, promises are promises, but only performance is reality.

9

2006-2007 Board of Directors Howard Robertson, Chairman Mohamad Hakimian, Chairman-Elect Al Lyons, Vice Chairman John Fowlkes, Treasurer Madeline Phillips, Secretary Ray Pohlman, Past Chairman Calvin Anderson, Susan Arney, Kathy Buckman Gibson, Beth Flanagan, Desi Franklin, Kevin Kane, Pat Kerr Tigrett, Lawrence Madlock, Deidre Malone, John Moore, Elliot Perry, Patrice Robinson, Leigh Shockey, Daphne Thomas. Ex Officio Members – Benny Lendermon, Scott McCormick

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, Program Director Carrie Callens, Moran, Receptionist Jack Daniels, Volunteer Coordinator April Foxx, Graphic Designer Kevin Grothe, Sponsorship Manager Christina Irvin, Executive Assistant Kristin Jones, Program Assistant Kathy Masters, Marketing Assistant Chip Scott, Director of Operations

2007 Volunteer Chairs Madeline Phillips, Cultural Programming Mary Green, Education Demetra Lawrence, P.A.T.H. Espi Ralston, Honored Nationals Mary Horner, Communications Chris Staton, Hospitality Jim Whalen, Logistics Courtney Chambers, Production Paul Koehler, Transportation Dave Wolf, Volunteer Services Gavin Karelitz, Office Resources Yolonda Dozier, Speakers Bureau

Martha Gunter, Festival Services Debbie Poe, Barbecue Steering Committee Chair Sylvia Bradshaw Chairman of the Year Award Winner -Mary Horner Lawrence Blackmon Volunteer of the Year Award Winner – Brad Franks

2007 Sponsors 1910 Frame Works and Gallery; Aaron Rents; Advil; American RV; AT&T; Athens Paper Company; AutoZone; Avon; Back Yard Burgers; Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz; Beaver Productions; Beringer Wine; BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee; Blue Sky Couriers; Bodine; Buckeye Technologies; Buckman Laboratories; Budweiser distributed locally by D. Canale Beverages; Career Builder; Carrier/Bryant; Cattlemen’s Barbecue Sauce; Cellular South; Chinet; Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Memphis; Consulting Services Group; Crystal Light; Dawson’s Printing; FedEx; GEICO; Gibson Guitars; GMC; Gossett Motors; Hard Rock Café; Hnedak Bobo Group; IMEC; J.M. Smucker Company; J.W. Moore Printing; Memphis Area Teachers’ Credit Union; Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau; Mentos; Microsoft; National Ornamental Museum; National Pork Board; Nexium; Norfolk Southern Railroad; On The Run at Exxon; Premier Transportation/Yellow Cab; PricewaterhouseCoopers; Proysis Information Systems; Ravenswood Wine; Real Yellow Pages; Regions Bank; Relay Worldwide; Riceland Rice; Sam’s Club; Sam’s Town; Saturn; Scion; Sharp Electronics; Southern Comfort; Southern Living; Southern Serenity Homes; Sovereign Wealth Management; Street Savvy; SunTrust; TBS Superstation; Tennessee Lottery; Ticketmaster; US Air Force; US Army; US Postal Service; US Smokeless Tobacco; W.J. Deutsch & Sons; Weber Grills; WDIA AM 1070; WEGR Rock 103; WGKX Kix 106; WHBQ Q 107.5; Fox 13 WHBQ-TV; WHRK K97 FM; CW 30 WLMTTV; WMC AM 790; WMC FM 100; NBC 5 WMC-TV; WMFS 93X; ABC 24 WPTY-TV; WRVR 104 The River; WXMX 98.1 FM; WRBO 103.5 FM; Clear Channel Radio; Comcast Cable; The Commercial Appeal; and Memphis Flyer

10

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