IE Volume 36 Issue 4 by International Festivals & Events Association

From Spark to Spectacle

Thank You for 70 Years of Celebration

Special Event Safety: Why We Keep Forgetting Hard-Learned Lessons

Protest Planning that Promotes Safer Festivals and Events

From Spark to Spectacle

Thank You for 70 Years of Celebration Special Event Safety: Why We Keep Forgetting Hard-Learned Lessons

Protest Planning that Promotes Safer Festivals and Events

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IFEA VISION

Publisher & Editor

Steven Wood Schmader, CFEE, President & CEO

Assistant Editor

Nia Hovde, CFEE, Vice President

Director of Marketing & Communications

Advertising

Carrie Ring, CFEE, Director of Partnerships & Programs

Art Director

Craig Sarton, Creative Director

Contributing Writers

Robert Baird, LuAnn Chapman, ChatGPT, Joe Curcillo, Bruce L. Erley, APR, CFEE, Professor Joe Goldblatt, Jess Hodges, Frank King, Cat McDevitt, S. David Ramirez, CFEE, Janessa Romero, Michele Schinker, Robert Wilson, Stacey Worrell, CPRP, Kate Zabriskie

Photography

Judy Barnard, Nia Hovde, CFEE, Carrie Ring, CFEE

For association or publication information: IFEA World Headquarters 10400 Overland Rd. #356 Boise, ID 83709, U.S.A. +1.208.433.0950 Fax +1.208.433.9812 http://www.ifea.com With

IFEA PRESIDENT’S LETTER BY

STEVEN WOOD SCHMADER, CFEE

WHICH WE STAND THE LEGACIES UPON

We have received a number of requests to share my opening comments from our recent IFEA 70th Anniversary Convention & Expo presented by atVenu in Palm Springs, California (September 22-24, 2025). As we reflect upon seven decades of a truly remarkable and impactful organization; the special global industry that we all get to serve every day; and the many, many individuals who have helped to secure that legacy; I am pleased to share them with you below:

IFEA First Meeting Attendees

The IFEA began as a spark of a vision by John Geisler, of the St. Paul Winter Carnival, with the help of Robert Meyer, the author of Festivals U.S.A. and several other top industry leaders of their time. We know from recorded minutes that there were 14 original attendees at the first official meeting held on October 31st, 1956 in New York City. The following is a list of those attendees to the best of our knowledge.

John Geisler St. Paul Winter Carnival St. Paul, Minnesota (President)

Robert E. Meyer, Jr. Festival Information Service and Author of Festivals U.S.A.; New York City (Executive Secretary)

Joseph R. Mickler Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla Pirate Festival; Tampa, Florida (Vice President)

Reynolds L. Andricks Fiesta San Jacinto San Antonio, Texas (Treasurer)

Roy Erickson Minneapolis Aquatennial Minneapolis, Minnesota

Jack Batten Wichita Mountain Easter Sunrise Service; Lawton, Oklahoma

Dr. Alfred Shoemaker Pennsylvania Dutch Folk Festival Bethel, Pennsylvania

J.H. Van Aernam Albany Tulip Festival Albany, New York

Jack Golbert Festival of Seven Arts Pike, New Hampshire

Charles Gillett New York is a Summer Festival / NYCVB; New York City

John D. Meyers Rose Festival: Newark, New York

Walter A. Van Camp Seattle Seafair; Seattle, Washington

Clarence Arata National Cherry Blossom Festival; Washington, D.C.

Max Colwell Portland Rose Festival Portland, Oregon

Good morning! And welcome to the 70th Anniversary IFEA Convention and Expo!

Walt Disney once said that “Today is someone’s dream coming true.” And, arguably, that ‘someone,’ in IFEA’s historical evolution, is John Geisler. Our ‘one voice,’ who started it all.

In 1956, John Geisler, then director of the St. Paul (Minnesota) Winter Carnival, saw a need, and set out to create a forum where managers and executive directors of the nation’s festivals could get together to share ideas and information. Geisler had been influenced by Robert Meyer’s Festivals U.S.A., in which the contributing writer for The New York Times reported on his travels to America’s festival cities.

Geisler contacted Meyer and told him of his idea (the ‘spark’) to form a national festival association (very soon to become international, with the addition of Pierre Trombley, of Canada’s Quebec City Winter Carnival). Together they reached out to several other top industry leaders of their time, who shared their enthusiasm, and on October 31st, 1956, 14 original attendees gathered at the Park Sheraton Hotel, in New York City (today’s Park Central Hotel), at the first official meeting of what would evolve into today’s IFEA (this is a list, to the best of our knowledge and records, of who was present at that meeting). Following a unanimous vote, a dream was born. John Geisler was elected as the first president of the ‘Festival Managers Association’. He was inducted into the new IFEA Hall of Fame in 1994.

70 years later, this convention represents a special milestone for the IFEA – John Geisler’s dream continuing to come trueand for all those who helped him to ignite that spark...to leave that legacy. And no one understands milestones better than the global festivals and events industry, and all of you here with us in Palm Springs. We create them.

Ours is an industry that is built around dreams and imagination, and the people who understand not only the importance of dreaming but know how to make them come true. Steven Davison of Walt Disney Imagineering (who will help us to close our convention) pointed out many years ago, that we are all “memory makers.” We are also community builders, storytellers, vision painters, bridge builders, and the purveyors of possibility. We bring families, friends, communities, countries, and people together. We help them celebrate the special things in their lives, inspire them to see more, and provide the sparks that allow them to light the world around them. That is the gift that we bring to the world and the legacy that we will all leave.

But the evolution of our industry is not only 70 years old, and building legacies takes time. Sometimes a very long time, when we consider where those legacies and traditions began and how they have shaped our identities.

For as long as anyone can remember, people have celebrated. Celebration itself is perhaps the most common denominator that we have, with the unique ability to cross all barriers of race, religion, ethnicity, age, politics, economics, education and geography.

In 2006, National Geographic magazine undertook a program called the “Genographic Project”. Using DNA and a world-wide team of experts, they tracked our ancestry - all the variously shaped and shaded people of earth - back to African hunter-gatherers, some 150,000 years ago. Which means, for better or worse, that we are all related!

Further using DNA research, these experts were able to determine the patterns of human migration as we slowly populated the earth; leaving the African cradle some 70,000 years ago, into Australia 50,000 years ago, Europe and Asia a short 40,000 years ago, and into the Americas only 15 to 20,000 years ago. Practically yesterday in world history terms! This migration, they believe, came about through some kind of neurological mutation that led to spoken language by some and a calling / need to colonize the world. And with that migration, slowly, came not only new languages, but religious beliefs, political systems, and cultural identifiers. I would imagine that when these wanderers reached their new homes, especially given the challenges that they must have faced along the way, that the first thing they would have done is to celebrate. Before governments were formed, before cities were built, before laws were established, they celebrated. And we continue that pattern today, celebrating traditions, victories, life, death, birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, love, remembrance, achievements, war, peace, belief systems, change, agricultural products, education, patriotism, and the list goes on. The need to celebrate seems inherent in everything we do. Families celebrate; governments celebrate; scientists celebrate; educational institutions and corporations celebrate; communities and countries celebrate; and, on occasion, the world celebrates.

Over time, those celebrations became the roots of our culture and heritage. Through music, clothing, dance, food, and storytelling we created our identities, our comfort zones, our brands and images. The things that told others who we were and what was important to us; what we were proud of; and what our accomplishments were. Internally, these elements bonded us together. Externally, they became our cultural markers, much

like the genetic markers on our DNA.

Over time, as migration patterns continued (and they continue today), many of these traditions were carried to other places and evolved into their own legacies, holding on to some components, adding new ones, and quickly distancing with others.

As time moved forward and people could travel more easily, many of these traditions were noted and taken back to be translated or shared with others. The carnivals of Nice, France found seeds of their event growing in the Mardi Gras of New Orleans, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses in Los Angeles, and the great carnivals of Brazil; Oktoberfest in Munich spawned countless worldwide imitators; Chinese New Year is now celebrated in many places outside of Asia; and each March 17th many of our global citizens became Irish, if only for a day, as we celebrate St. Patrick’s day. And others –Diwali – the festival of light; Songkran – the festival of water; Holi – the festival of color; and Boryeong – the festival of mud; are among many others that continue to expand today, bringing us all together through our commonalities vs. our differences.

Today, the world is flat. What took our ancestors 150,000 years of evolution, we can do in seconds. With the speed and capabilities available today via travel, technology, AI, the internet, and the media, the speed at which ideas, images and information travel have reconfigured the world as we know it. At least for now, investors in one part of the world work with manufacturers in another; educators in the west exchange with counterparts in the east; entertainment and festival brands cross borders readily and build friendships through music and culture; trade routes for all industries crisscross like global spider webs; and the “middle of nowhere” no longer is. Virtually every continent on our planet has become a melting pot of international diversity and the moniker that should be the proud status symbol/expectation of businesses, cities, events, and countries, worldwide, should be ‘welcome,’ in every language.

But as far back as celebration and events can be traced, it is only in relatively recent history (i.e., the last 70 years) that this growing and vital industry has come to be recognized as such, leaving behind the days of “spare time” event marketing and management.

Over time, celebrations themselves have changed; from often informal affairs to spectacular productions, requiring new sets of skills, experience, creativity, financing, planning and leadership. As a result, celebration has evolved into

a business and an industry, with new demands and challenges that also evolve every day; sometimes in unimaginable ways, for unimaginable reasons.

And while we remain respectively much younger than the industry itself, thanks to the legacy of many giants who have come before us, and upon whose shoulders we continue to stand, today the IFEA has come from small beginnings to simply share ideas, to representing a global professional network on 6 continents, and 7 global regions: IFEA Africa, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Europe, Latin America, Middle East, and North America; doing our best to serve a global industry that is incalculable in its numbers and scale.

One of our primary opportunities, I believe, as we look to the future together, will be to use our industry to help bring our world closer together again, to share our global identities with each other, without fear. Using festivals & events as our vehicle, we have the unique capability to educate, communicate, and provide new experiences to our audiences in a non-threatening environment that naturally brings people closer together (from which the possible ripple effects should not be underestimated).

On the other hand, one of our larger challenges will be, in a world where our identities have always been such a deep-rooted part of who we are, to define just who we want to be, as we all continue to blend together. And that is frightening to some.

I spent many years of my early career with the international, educational, and musical program, Up with People. Their mission was to help build bridges of understanding between people around the world. The founder of Up with People, a man named J. Blanton Belk, taught me many important lessons. Among them he encouraged that, wherever you go, to go with an approach of ‘appreciation’ vs. ‘comparison’. Appreciate and learn from our differences (and our commonalities) and don’t just compare why things aren’t done the way you do them where you come from.

He also encouraged that, wherever you go, to make places, people. So, when I think of Korea, I don’t think of a place on a map, I think of Professor Gang-Hoan Jeong; or Johan Moerman in the Netherlands; Laila Suhail in the Middle East; Daniel Baldacci in Brazil; Xingyu Lin in China; Bill O’Toole in Australia; Peter Kagwa in Uganda; Kulwadee Pattamas in Thailand, and each of you that I have met during my travels. Having those personal connections and friends, around the world, makes it much harder to be judgmental, or to lean toward aggressive responses, as people or as countries.

I believe that our events and our industry (and the IFEA as the representative hub for all) have that same power to bring people together to appreciate our differences and commonalities. To serve as our truest “identifiers”. To celebrate what is right with the world. I believe that we carry an unstated responsibility on our shoulders that we are just starting to clearly recognize in our current world. One that has always been there, but is more needed today than ever before.

In a meeting with the former Minister of Culture for China, we acknowledged, together, that it is unlikely that anyone will change another’s politics, religious beliefs, or point of view, if that is their goal; but by first building friendships, respect for, and a safe environment for one another, all ideas are more openly received.

Among our other challenges, as we look to the next 70 years, will be to protect and celebrate our very important roots, and history, and heritages, so that they do not disappear, while at the same time building new events, new traditions and new identities that reflect our changing world and communities.

Use your events...your global “calling cards” to tell people who you are; what makes you different and special. That is what draws audiences and creates images. Too many people want to be what someone else already is. With all of the communities who celebrate some version of Mardi Gras or Oktoberfest, they are simply imitating New Orleans or Munich. Instead of “imitating” someone else’s originality, find what it is that makes you who you are and emphasize that – maybe it’s a historical event (such as the building of the Titanic in Belfast, Northern Ireland); a product that is produced or grown locally (tulip & floral festivals in the Netherlands); a famous person, musical style, or food that was born or originated there (Salzburg, Austria does a great job of promoting their ties to Mozart); a seasonal salute (Winterlude in Canada or the Iditarod in Alaska); celebrating our heritage and customs; or perhaps it is something as simple as community and family bonding. Whatever

it is, we must be original, be creative and be ourselves. People don’t come to the United States to get authentic Korean food (and for good reason) or go to the Basque regions of Spain to experience the roots of jazz. They come to experience those places for their unique traits and customs that stand them apart from other places.

We must do our part to build new identities that celebrate both our differences and our similarities. We, as an industry, can set the example for others as we bond our new communities together. We all get judged on first impressions and for those lucky enough to gain the attention of audiences that have made their way through the sometimes daunting gauntlet of negative media coverage, political fallout, and other organized points of view that often fall far short of the image that we would all like others to have of our communities, our cities and our countries, we certainly want to leave them with a positive and lasting memory.

Canada, Mexico and the United States will co-host the FIFA World Cup in 2026 and I believe have an opportunity to demonstrate - together - the most extensive and successful effort ever undertaken to welcome and re-introduce their respective countries to the rest of the world, and vice versa. And our own festivals and events have that same opportunity, every day, to create lasting global identities for our own communities and countries.

As we look to the future, I believe that we are up to these challenges; but to do so, our first and most important challenge will be our ability to continue strengthening and uniting our industry, and our global network.

The road from ‘spark’ to reality has required / will continue to require us to succeed at something many others have struggled to do throughout history, but we have a dream; 70 years of experience behind us; and a network of connections that are there for all of us.

Together, for 70 years, we have gotten through many unimaginable challenges, while changing the world for the better. We have been at the heart of the evolution of our industry and shaped the critical role we play in the larger world around us. We

have laughed, and cheered, and cried, and shared, and built great things, together. Perhaps more than anything else, when times are good, or challenging, it is those connections that have seen us through.

I had the real pleasure, earlier this year, to see the opening of the new Broadway musical ‘Redwood’, starring Idina Menzel. And through it I learned something new and very valuable that has stayed with me:

The roots of the giant, majestic redwood trees (some thousands of years old) are extremely shallow, but they spread out. They go in every direction, and they keep on going for a hundred feet or so. And when they come to the roots of another tree, they intertwine with that tree; they lock together. So now, not one tree, but hundreds of trees - or thousands of trees - are linked together. And underneath the surface lies a vast system of interconnected roots. And that is how the giant redwoods are able to stand so tall, for so long. Each tree is being held up, and supported, by the others. And if the water table rises, the root system rises with them all.

The redwood tree’s most important lesson is that, like the roots, we need connection. We are stronger if we do not stand alone.

For 70 years, the IFEA has provided those invaluable connections. Intertwining with our friends and peers around the world, carrying on the legacy and lessons of those giants in our industry who have come before us, to help us stand tall; to help us all to withstand adversity; and to encourage and support the success of future generations over the next 70 years.

Over the coming days, we will pay tribute to our founders, whose dream has brought us all closer together for 70 years; to those no longer with us, who touched us as friends, taught us as professionals, and made us better; to our partners and friends close to home and around the globe, who will help us to touch the world in the years ahead with new dreams and possibilities never imagined; and to our IFEA “family” - past, present and future –for whom this “reunion” is celebrated.

I hope that you enjoy this special 70th anniversary gathering and I, the IFEA staff, and our IFEA boards, look forward to imagining new dreams with you, as we continue to unite and further the legacies upon which we stand.

Welcome to Palm Springs and Happy Anniversary!

Wishing you all a safe, happy, and healthy holiday season and a bright, hopeful, and magical year ahead!

IFEA WORLD BOARD

SEVENTY YEARS OF CELEBRATION

AND THE ROAD AHEAD

As we close the chapter on this milestone year, I find myself reflecting on the extraordinary strength, creativity, and heart that define our global festival and events community. Our 70th anniversary year has been both a celebration of where we’ve come from and a reminder of why we do what we do: to bring people together in the spirit of joy, connection, and cultural exchange.

Across continents and time zones, our members have continued to amaze with their ingenuity and perseverance. You’ve faced challenges with courage, transformed obstacles into opportunities, and shown that the power of festivals lies not only in the moments of celebration, but also in the resilience of the people who make them possible. Whether producing large-scale international spectacles or cherished neighborhood gatherings, you have each contributed to the heartbeat of our industry.

This year, we also paused to remember those we’ve lost, whose influence helped shape our association. As we honor their memory, we carry forward the lessons they taught us: lead with generosity, work with purpose, and always make room for joy.

The world around us continues to change, sometimes faster than we can keep up. Yet even in uncertainty, our community continues to

BY VANESSA VAN DE PUTTE

shine. You’ve embraced innovation, championed sustainability, and found new ways to connect and uplift your audiences. You’ve shown that festivals and events are spaces where humanity gathers to feel seen, inspired, and united.

As we look toward 2026 and beyond, let’s continue to push boundaries, nurture partnerships, and invest in the next generation of event professionals. Let’s keep asking how we can make our work more inclusive, more sustainable, and more meaningful for the communities we serve.

To every member of this extraordinary association—thank you! Thank you for your creativity, your courage, and your unwavering belief in the power of what we do.

Here’s to the next 70 years of innovation, collaboration, and inspiration. May the path ahead be filled with promise, purpose, and the unforgettable experiences only this community can create.

With gratitude and hope,

Vanessa Van de Putte IFEA World Board Chair President & CEO

Thank You 2025 IFEA World Board of Directors

CHAIR 2025 - 2026

VANESSA VAN DE PUTTE DFEST ® San Antonio, TX vanessa@dixieflag.com

BRUCE ERLEY, APR, CFEE Creative Strategies Group Denver, CO berley@csg-sponsorship.com

SAM LEMHENEY, CFEE Creative Event Solutions Philadelphia, PA sam@creativeeventsolutions.com

SECRETARY / CHAIR-ELECT DAVID EADS Pasadena Tournament of Roses Pasadena, CA deads@tournamentofroses.com

MATT GIBSON Kentucky Derby Festival Louisville, KY mgibson@kdf.org

CURT MOSEL ArtsQuest Bethlehem, PA cmosel@artsquest.org

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR JAZELLE JONES City of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA Jazelle.Jones@phila.gov

WARWICK HALL, CFEE Safety Set Consulting Section 646 Taupo, New Zealand contact@s646.com

KELI O’NEILL WENZEL, CFEE O’Neill Events & Marketing Management Kansas City, MO keli@oneillevents.com

IFEA WORLD BOARD GLOBAL OFFICER BILL O’TOOLE, CFEE Event Project Management System Pty., Ltd. Bondi Beach, NSW Australia otoole2006@gmail.com

STEPHEN KING, CFEE Des Moines Arts Festival Des Moines, IA sking@desmoinesartsfestival.org

KAT PAYE, CFEE Chair - IFEA Foundation Board of Directors National Cherry Festival Traverse City, MI kat@cherryfestival.org

ALISON BARINGER, CFEE North Carolina Azalea Festival at Wilmington Wilmington, NC alison@ncazeleafestival.org

NAN KRUSHINSKI, CFEE City of Port St. Lucie Port St. Lucie, FL nkrushinski@cityofpsl.com

STEVEN WOOD SCHMADER, CFEE IFEA World Boise, ID schmader@ifea.com

The IFEA World Board of Directors is an elected, non-compensated body of industry professionals responsible for overseeing the successful operations of the IFEA. In addition to approving policy and direction, Board members serve as an active and involved industry leadership advisory source to the President & CEO. Members proactively support IFEA programs and visions through their input, use of their professional networks on behalf of the association, and personal participation in association programs and activities.

IFEA FOUNDATION BOARD

SEVENTY YEARS STRONG:

CELEBRATING OUR LEGACY AND BUILDING OUR FUTURE

As we look back on the incredible memories made earlier this fall in beautiful Palm Springs, California, I continue to feel immense gratitude for everyone who joined us for the International Festivals & Events Association’s (IFEA) 70th Anniversary Convention & Expo. Though some time has passed since we gathered beneath those iconic desert skies, the energy, inspiration, and connections that filled that week are still resonating throughout our global IFEA family.

Our 70th Anniversary Convention was so much more than a milestone, it was a living celebration of seven decades of creativity, community, and collaboration. We honored our history, reflected on how far we’ve come as an industry, and looked boldly toward the future with renewed purpose and excitement. Every conversation, presentation, and shared laugh reminded us why we do what we do, and why the IFEA continues to be the heartbeat of the festivals and events world.

Palm Springs provided the perfect setting for this celebration. The warmth of the sun, the beauty of the desert, and the hospitality of our hosts all came together to create a truly unforgettable experience. From the very first welcome reception to the final farewell, there was an undeniable sense of connection. It didn’t matter whether you were attending your first IFEA Convention or your thirtieth, everyone felt part of something bigger, something lasting.

The educational sessions and keynote presentations this year were some of the most engaging and thought-provoking we’ve ever had. Our lineup of speakers, leaders, visionaries, and innovators from across the globe, challenged us to think creatively and strategically. We explored how festivals and events can adapt to new technologies, address evolving audience expectations, foster inclusivity, and strengthen community impact. Each session was filled with ideas and insights that attendees have already begun to implement back home, proving that the IFEA continues to shape the very future of our industry.

Of course, no IFEA Convention would be complete without moments of celebration and camaraderie, and the Platinum Palms Pool Party was a highlight of the week! Surrounded by friends and colleagues, we gathered under the stars to relax, laugh, and celebrate the shared passion that brings us all together. It was one of those evenings that perfectly captured the joy of what we do: creating moments of connection and happiness. The laughter echoing around and, in the pool, the spontaneous dance moves, and the warm glow of conversation will be remembered for years to come.

A special thank-you goes to everyone who supported the IFEA Foundation’s fundraising efforts during the Convention.

BY KAT PAYE, CFEE

Whether you joined in the Duck Race, purchased 50/50 raffle tickets, or took a chance on our Ultimate Experience raffle, you played an important part in strengthening the Foundation’s mission. Your enthusiasm, generosity, and sense of fun helped us reach an outstanding milestone; we raised over $42,000 this year to support future Convention speakers, scholarships, and educational initiatives.

That achievement is a true testament to the heart of our IFEA community. Every dollar raised represents a commitment to the future of our profession. Those funds ensure that we can continue to provide high-quality education, meaningful scholarships, and access to the resources that make our industry thrive. The Foundation exists to empower learning and leadership within the festivals and events world, and thanks to your generosity, we can continue to do just that.

Whether you bought a duck, raised your paddle, or simply cheered from the sidelines, you made a difference. You helped sustain the programs that nurture the next generation of festival and event leaders. You ensured that emerging professionals have access to the same inspiration, mentorship, and opportunities that have defined IFEA for decades. Together, we are not only celebrating our past, but we are also investing in our future.

On behalf of the IFEA Foundation Board, I want to express my deepest appreciation for your continued support. The Foundation is built on generosity, of time, of resources, and of spirit, and that generosity was on full display in Palm Springs. Each year, I am reminded that our community’s strength lies in our shared commitment to lift one another up and to advance the art and business of celebration around the world.

Serving as Chair of the IFEA Foundation Board over the past year has been one of the greatest honors of my professional journey. It has been a privilege to work alongside such passionate, dedicated leaders who care deeply about our mission and our members. Together, we have faced challenges, seized opportunities, and continued to build on the Foundation’s strong legacy. Most of all, we have seen firsthand how the IFEA brings people together, across borders, industries, and generations, through a common love for festivals, events, and community.

Every year, I am inspired by the people who make up this organization. From those who have been with us for decades to the new members who are just discovering their professional family, every individual brings something unique and valuable to our network. It’s that diversity of experience and perspective that makes the IFEA so special. Ours is an industry defined by creativity, collaboration, and heart, and the Foundation reflects those same values in everything we do.

Thank You 2025 IFEA Foundation Board of Directors

IFEA FOUNDATION BOARD CHAIR KAT PAYE, CFEE National Cherry Festival Traverse City, MI kat@cherryfestival.org

DAVE BULLARD, CFEE

FanFirst Fulton, NY debullard@gmail.com

COLLEEN MURPHY, CFEE

Des Moines Arts Festival Des Moines, IA cmurphy@desmoinesartsfestival.org

SARAH UMLAUF, CFEE

Saint Louis Art Festival Saint Louis, MO sumlauf@culturalfestivals.com

CHAIR-ELECT JESSICA KAMINSKAS The Parade Company Detroit, MI jkaminskas@theparade.org

LUANN CHAPMAN The Gatts Group Grapevine, TX luchap@aol.com

DAVID OLIVARES, CFEE Kaliff Insurance San Antonio, TX david@kaliff.com

STEVEN WOOD SCHMADER, CFEE IFEA World Boise, ID schmader@ifea.com

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR IRA ROSEN, MA, CFEE, CED Ira Rosen, LLC, Festival and Event Consultant Wall Township, NJ irarosen1011@gmail.com

CASSIE DISPENZA, CFEE Saffire Austin, TX cassie@saffire.com

TIM OTTEMAN Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI ottem1tw@cmich.edu

VANESSA VAN DE PUTTE Chair - IFEA World Board Of Directors DFEST ® San Antonio, TX vanessa@dixieflag.com

SECRETARY ALEX MCNULTY, CFEE Pasadena Tournament of Roses Pasadena, CA amcnulty@tournamentofroses.com

DAVID KNUTSON City Of Santa Clarita Santa Clarita, CA dknutson@santa-clarita.com

MAIRIN PETRONE, CFEE Pittsburgh Irish Festival Pittsburgh, PA mairin.petrone@gmail.com

KASEY ALLEN, CFEE City of Hutto Hutto, TX kasey.allen@huttotx.gov

HAYDEN KRAMER, CFEE Town of Indian Trail Parks and Recreation Indian Trail, NC hpk@indiantrail.or

DAVID RAMIREZ, CFEE SDMRamirez San Antonio, TX david@sdmramirez.com

The IFEA Foundation Board of Directors is an elected, non-compensated body of industry professionals responsible for overseeing the successful operations of the IFEA Foundation. Members proactively work to raise and secure important funding that helps to support and protect the educational mission of IFEA World.

From Spark to Spectacle:

Thank You for 70 Years of Celebration!

The journey from spark to spectacle continued in spectacular fashion at the IFEA’s 70th Anniversary Convention & Expo, presented by atVenu, held at the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa in Palm Springs, CA, from September 22–24, 2025!

This year, we celebrated seven decades of innovation, creativity, and connection in the festivals and events industry, exploring how a single spark of inspiration can ignite extraordinary experiences. Together, we learned, networked, and discovered new ways to turn ideas into unforgettable spectacles.

The IFEA extends its deepest gratitude to atVenu, our presenting sponsor, and to every attendee, presenter, participant, sponsor, exhibitor, and volunteer. Your dedication, energy, and commitment made this milestone celebration truly exceptional. Thank you as well to everyone who has helped us reach this remarkable moment—together, our collective efforts have created a legacy that will continue to inspire and elevate the festivals and events industry for decades to come. We can’t wait to see what the next 70 years will bring!

We hope you left Palm Springs inspired, motivated, and ready to continue your journey—turning sparks into spectacular moments in your own work and throughout the industry. Whether through networking, professional development sessions, or simply reconnecting with peers, this year’s Convention has set the stage for continued success and innovation.

Thank you for making the 70th Anniversary IFEA Convention & Expo presented by atVenu unforgettable. We can’t wait to see you next year! If you’re already excited to join us, you can register now for the 2026 IFEA Annual Convention

& Expo at our lowest early bird registration rate and save! Stay tuned for more details as we continue the journey from spark to spectacle!

Thank you to Atomic Design for providing our stunning stage backdrop that set the perfect scene for inspiration, celebration, and unforgettable moments throughout the Convention!

Relive the Sparks, the Spectacles, and the Memories That Made This Convention One For the Books!

We Honored the Legacies Upon Which We Stand

We celebrated a remarkable journey of seventy years—a journey filled with memories and milestones, challenges and triumphs, and moments of strength, durability, and endurance. Over the decades, we recognized the friends gained, the friends lost, and the countless ways innovation, inspiration, and imagination have shaped our industry. Together, we reflected on how festivals and events have bonded families, communities, and the world closer together. From spark to spectacle, we acknowledged a legacy that continues to inspire as we look toward the future.

We Empowered Students Through CFEE Certification Classes

In the three days leading up to the Convention, students had the exciting

opportunity to dive into CFEE Core Classes, sponsored by Kaliff Insurance Covering essential topics like Sponsorship & Sponsor Service, Marketing & Media Relations, and Administration & Management, these sessions gave participants practical skills, insider knowledge, and inspiration to advance their careers in the festivals and events industry. Learn More

We Kicked The Convention Off With Inspiration

Peter Kageyama, urbanist, author, innovator, and placemaker from Sextant Marketing Group, opened the Convention with his presentation, “For the Love of Cities and Events.” His engaging talk explored the deep connection between people, place, and experiences, reminding us why festivals and events matter so much to communities around the world. The opening keynote energized attendees with fresh insights, sparked new ideas, and set the tone for three unforgettable days of learning, networking, and growth, inspiring us to create even more meaningful and impactful events in the future.

We Celebrated the 2025 IFEA CFEE Graduates Sponsored by Kaliff Insurance

Earning the prestigious CFEE designation is no small feat. We proudly honored this year’s graduates for their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to advancing both their careers and the festivals and events industry.

CFEE Graduates, sponsored by Kaliff Insurance, include:

• Mark Casasanto, Imperial Events Security Services, Philadelphia, PA, USA

• Anna Dara, City of Vaughan, Vaughan, Ontario, Canada

• Shinhae (Sydney) Lee, IFEA Korea, Seo-gu, Daejeon, Rep. of Korea

• Anna Rose, City of Vaughan, Vaughan, Ontario, Canada

• Hailey Courson, City of Celina, Celina, TX, USA

Learn More About the CFEE Certification Program.

We Honored the 2025 IFEA Volunteer of the Year, Sponsored by Securevent Solutions

Volunteers are the heartbeat of our industry, and we took the time to spotlight and thank our Volunteer of the Year sponsored by SecurEvent Solutions, Robert H. Grenfell, Jr. from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society in Philadelphia, PA, whose passion and selfless contributions continue to inspire us all. Learn More

See Page 34 for more details.

We Inducted Our 2025 IFEA Hall of Fame Recipients

Legends were honored as we welcomed new inductees into the IFEA Hall of Fame— leaders whose impact, vision, and passion have forever shaped the industry.

Cindy Lerick, MA, CFEE, CED Professor of Practice at Kansas State University, President at The ART of Events, LLC Manhattan, KS, USA. Learn More

See Page 66 for more details.

Professor Gang Hoan Jeong, Ph.D. President, IFEA Asia/Korea, Dean of Center for Tourism and Event Management, Pai Chai University, Daejeon, South Korea. Learn More

See Page 68 for more details.

We Celebrated Excellence With the IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards

Excellence truly took center stage as we honored the best of the best through the IFEA / Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards, celebrating outstanding achievements from festivals and events around the globe. This year marked the 30th Anniversary of the Pinnacle Awards Competition, and in honor of this milestone, the award itself was redesigned with a fresh, modern look to carry the spirit of innovation and excellence into the future.

To commemorate this special anniversary, we presented Haas & Wilkerson Insurance—our long-standing partner in celebrating excellence—with their very own anniversary Pinnacle Award, recognizing three decades of partnership and the many more years of collaboration still to come.

Congratulations to all of our 2025 Pinnacle Award winners for raising the bar yet again through creativity, excellence, and impact.

A special round of applause to our 2025 Gold Grand Pinnacle Award winners, who stood out among the best:

Budget: Under $50,000

City of McAllen - Quinta Mazatlan McAllen’s Great Monarch Month

McAllen, TX, United States

Budget: $50,000 to $500,000

NLC Events & Entertainment Ltd.

ÖRVÉNYESVÖLGY FESTIVAL - VERTIGO VALLEY

Zalacsány, Zala, Hungary

Budget: $500,000 to $1.5 Million

Des Moines Arts Festival

Des Moines, IA, United States

Budget: Over $1.5 Million

CherryArts

Cherry Creek Arts Festival

Denver, CO, United States

All plaques and certificates not picked up onsite have now been shipped to their winning organization.

If you’d like to order duplicate plaques, you can do so here.

A complete list of all of the 2025 IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Award Winners can be found here.

See Page 80 for more details.

We Recognized Our 2025 IFEA World Festival & Event City Award Recipients

Great events start with great communities. We celebrated the cities that support, nurture, and elevate festivals and events, ensuring they thrive and make lasting impacts. Learn More About the 2025 Recipients.

• Dublin, Ireland (View Video)

• Dublin, Ohio, United States (View Video)

• Geumsan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea (View Video)

• Historic Kailua Village, Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i, United States (View Video)

• McAllen, Texas, United States (View Video)

• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States (View Video)

• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States (View Video)

• Rotterdam, The Netherlands (View Video)

• Songkhla, Thailand (View Video)

• Vaughan, Ontario, Canada (View Video)

See Page 48 for more details.

We Discovered Amazing New Products & Services at Our Sold Out Expo!

The Expo floor was buzzing with energy from start to finish! Attendees explored a wide range of innovative products, services, and solutions designed to elevate festivals and events. Thanks to all of you, we celebrated a sold-out Expo and another year of connecting, learning, and growing together. We couldn’t have done it without our amazing exhibitors, sponsors, and attendees—and we can’t wait to see you in 2026 for another unforgettable experience!

Don’t forget you can still connect with all of the exhibitors through the Virtual Trade Show here!

Interested in exhibiting at the IFEA Expo next year? Take advantage of our “Super Early Bird” registration here

Thank you to eventim and Imperial Event Security Services for sponsoring our Expo Luncheon—your support allowed attendees to recharge, connect, and make the most of the Convention!

Thank you to Vozzi for keeping everyone connected with our onsite text communications, and to Covered for providing the stylish and practical convention totes that helped attendees carry all their materials throughout the week!

We Provided a Fantastic Incentive to Do Business With Our Vendors! Thanks to our Expo Incentive Program, attendees have more reasons than ever to make their purchasing decisions during the Expo! For each attendee doing new business (not an existing customer) with an IFEA Exhibitor at the Convention/ Expo, IFEA will apply a $100 discount towards their 2026 Annual Convention & Expo registration, up to a maximum of $500 off per organization. To qualify, each transaction must be valued at $100 or more. Learn More.

We Learned From So Many Inspiring Voices and Brilliant Minds

We heard from so many incredible speakers throughout the Convention—each sharing valuable insights, innovative ideas, and the latest trends shaping the festivals and events industry. From expert-led sessions to panel discussions and handson workshops, every presentation offered fresh perspectives, practical takeaways, and inspiration to bring home and put into action. A special thank-you to SCHED for making it easy and convenient to navigate it all with our online and mobile schedule!

We Transitioned From Virtual to In-Person With Our Affinity Groups

You’ve shared ideas, insights, and best practices all year through our Virtual Affinity Groups, and in Palm Springs, it was so fabulous to finally meet in person! Gathering with your peers at the IFEA Affinity Group sessions sparked meaningful conversations, hands-on learning, and new connections that will continue to grow as our Virtual Affinity Groups start back up again this October. Learn More

We Gained an Inside Look at the Industry

A huge thank-you to Nic Adler, Vice President of Festivals for Goldenvoice / AEG Presents, for sharing his incredible insight during his “View from the Peak: Coachella, Stagecoach, and the Festivals of Goldenvoice” session. His behindthe-scenes perspective on producing some of the world’s most iconic festivals offered invaluable lessons, inspiration, and a renewed appreciation for the creativity, strategy, and passion that drive our industry to new heights.

You Raised Over $42,000 During the Foundation Platinum Palms Pool Party!

What a night to remember! The IFEA Foundation Platinum Palms Pool Party brought together friends, fun, and fundraising under the stars at the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort in Palm Springs. From resort wear chic to the excitement of raffles, races, and auctions, this unforgettable evening celebrated both our history and our future—supporting the IFEA’s ongoing educational programs and mission. The night was capped off in spectacular fashion with our very own IFEA Drone Show by Sky Elements, lighting up the sky in celebration of 70 years of festivals and events!

Thanks to your generosity, participation, and spirit, we are thrilled to share that together we raised just over $42,000 this year!

A huge thank you to the sponsors who made the IFEA Foundation Pool Party unforgettable!

From start to finish, this evening wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support of so many.

• The IFEA Foundation Board of Directors for all their hard work and dedication in bringing the night to life.

• DJ Phillip Barbb for getting the party started and keeping it lively

• For Clover for their handy credit card devices

• Elsberg Studios and Pinnacle Live for flawless A/V and technical support

• The Omni Rancho Las Palmas for their expert service and hospitality.

• Cheers to Boelter for providing commemorative cups for our signature drinks.

• AirDD for adding dazzling illumination.

• SkyElements for the jaw-dropping drone show.

• Saffire for their Foundation Night support.

• Norfolk Festevents for their Foundation Night support.

Thanks to all of you, it was an evening full of fun, connection, and celebration!

Some of You Won Big During Our Foundation Games, Raffles, Duck Race & Auction!

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who adopted ducks, bid in the auction, purchased ultimate experience getaway tickets, entered the 50/50 raffle, or simply joined us poolside to celebrate. Your support helps fuel the IFEA Foundation’s mission and ensures that the next generation of festival and event leaders continues to shine.

We’re thrilled to announce this year’s Foundation winners! From the Ultimate Experience Getaway to the 50/50 Raffle, to the excitement of the Duck Race, these winners took home incredible prizes.

Congratulations to all of our participants and champions for making a difference and adding even more fun and excitement to this year’s Convention!

• Ultimate Experience Getaway: Tom Bisignano, CFEE, FIFA World Cup 2026 – who won the Thunder Over Louisville & Derby City Experience

• 50/50 Raffle: Zach Fisher, Kentucky Derby Festival & Christina Ramirez, Haas & Wilkerson Insurance – each took home $600

• Adopt A Duck - Duck Race:

• 1st Place – Rudy Martinez, DFEST ($250)

• 2nd Place – Jonathan McCurley, Showpass ($200)

• 3rd Place – Lori Irwin ($100)

• Lame Duck – Lorena Ortega, DFEST ($50)

• Lucky Ducks ($25 each): Todd Dyer (Cast & Crew Live Entertainment); Stephen King, CFEE (Des Moines Arts Festival); Tamas Badacsonyi (RAINRAVER The Festiponchooh!); Alison LeRoy (City of Dublin); David Eads (Pasadena Tournament of Roses); Justin Wise (City of West Columbia, SC); Jessica Kaminskas (The Parade Company); S. David Ramirez, CFEE (SDMRamirez Events & Marketing)

Here’s to 70 years of sparks turned into spectacles—and to the incredible work still ahead!

You Sent IFEA President & CEO, Steve Schmader Soaring Down the Water Slide!

Because of your incredible support, the crowd at this year’s Foundation Night Party got to witness the ultimate splash—our very own President & CEO, Steve Schmader, CFEE, soaring down the water slide in style!

We set a goal of $7,000, and thanks to you, we not only reached it—we exceeded it! A huge thank you to everyone who donated and cheered him on, and to Steve for keeping his promise in unforgettable fashion!

You Supported the Next Generation of Festival & Event Professionals

We are so thankful for all the funds raised during past Foundation Fundraisers, to make it possible for the IFEA Foundation to send 14 Scholarship recipients to this year’s Convention.

These emerging leaders had the opportunity to learn, connect, and be inspired— experiences that will help shape the future of the festivals and events industry.

Learn More about Legacy Scholarships.

We Were Treated to an Amazing Drone Show by Sky Elements!

The evening sky lit up as we capped off the night with our very own IFEA Drone Show, brought to life by Sky Elements—a breathtaking finale that had everyone looking up in awe. The drones danced in perfect synchronization, creating dazzling shapes and animations that celebrated our 70th Anniversary, including the IFEA logo, Foundation logo, Convention logo, and so much more. It was a magical and memorable spectacle that perfectly captured the spirit of the Convention and left attendees talking long after the last drone landed.

We Celebrated the Happy as We Wrapped It Up With Disney

Closing out the Convention, we were inspired by our keynote speaker from Disney—also celebrating their own 70th anniversary this year—who reminded us of the power of imagination and creativity in our industry. Steven Davison, Lead Creative Executive and Vice President of Parades & Spectaculars at Walt Disney Imagineering, shared insights from his incredible career and the magic behind Disney’s unforgettable experiences. With the theme “Celebrate Happy,” he encouraged us to keep the magic alive in everything we do, leaving us energized,

inspired, and ready to imagine new possibilities for the future of festivals and events.

We Were Thankful For the Students From Kansas State University!

We were so grateful for the Kansas State University students who came to assist at the Convention. They worked tirelessly to help set up and support activities throughout the event, gaining hands-on experience and networking from some of the most amazing event professionals from around the world. Their enthusiasm and curiosity were inspiring, and they left with new ideas, insights, and inspiration to guide the direction of their future careers in the festivals and events industry.

We Connected in Connections Cafe, Sponsored by Eventeny!

Connections Cafe, sponsored by eventeny served as the ultimate networking hub of the Convention, where attendees met, mingled, and built meaningful relationships.

From lively conversations to sharing ideas and insights, it was the place to spark collaborations and strengthen connections across the industry.

We Brought the Fun to New Heights!

A big thank-you to our friends at Fabulous Inflatables / Dynamic Displays and Big Events, Inc. for adding larger-thanlife excitement to the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort! Their incredible parade and decorative inflatables brought color, energy, and fun to every corner of the Convention—showing just how these eye-catching creations can elevate any event. Want to bring that same wow factor to your festival or celebration? Be sure to connect with them to learn more!

We Networked Afterhours at the DFEST® Hospitality Suite

The DFEST® Hospitality Suite was the place to be after hours, buzzing with laughter, late-night stories, and countless connections. Whether enjoying the outdoor patio under the stars or cozying up inside the expansive suite, attendees continued networking, sharing ideas, and building friendships well into the wee hours of the morning. It was the perfect space to unwind, connect, and strengthen the bonds that make our industry so special.

We Soaked Up Everything Palm Springs and the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort Had to Offer!

Yes, it was hot—but that didn’t stop us from enjoying everything Palm Springs had to offer! From the sights and sounds of the desert city to a dip or two in the pool to cool off, we fully embraced the sun-soaked backdrop for our 70th Anniversary celebration. The Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort provided the perfect home base with its beautiful grounds, luxurious accommodations, and an amazing staff who made us feel welcome every step of the way. We dined on delicious meals, relaxed in style, and were treated with exceptional hospitality throughout the Convention—making our time in Palm Springs as memorable as the events themselves.

We’ll Show You Ours, If You Show Us Yours!! Share Your Convention Memories!

Our fabulous photographer, Judy Barnard, captured so many amazing moments at the Convention—but we know you saw it

all from a different angle! Check out our Convention photos now posted on the IFEA website, and then share your favorite shots and videos with us by uploading them to this Google Drive. Whether it’s learning in sessions, connecting with friends, or celebrating together, your memories could be featured in upcoming IFEA publications, social media, or highlight reels. Let’s capture the full energy and excitement of this year’s gathering—through all of our eyes!

Thank You For Being Part of IFEA’s 70th Anniversary!

Whether you joined us in person at the Convention or celebrated from afar, the IFEA wouldn’t be what it is today without the strength, passion, and support of our members from around the world. Stay tuned as we bring you even more celebrations before the year ends, and we look forward to seeing you next year—location and dates to be announced soon!

Thank you for making the 70th Anniversary IFEA Convention & Expo, presented by atVenu, truly unforgettable. If you’re already excited to join us again, you can register now for the 2026 IFEA Annual Convention & Expo at our lowest early bird registration rate and save! Get ready to continue the journey from spark to spectacle— we can’t wait to see you there!

DJ Phillip Barbb

Barbb Entertainment

Securely and reliably accept more payment types and appeal to more customers –credit, debit, check, gift cards, mobile pay and more.

With Clover, you get:

• Special IFEA processing rates and hardware pricing while using partners like Saffire, Etix, Magic Money and Showorks

• One-click enterprise and audit reporting solution for fairs and vendors with Apex Ceph reporting

• Real-time sales data and employee management capabilities

• Seasonal rental opportunities

• Register functionality for retail sales, ticketing, parking, concessions and much more

• Analytics to help you identify how far your patrons are traveling and their spending habits

• Flexible connectivity and built-in AT&T LTE cellular, Ethernet, Wi-Fi or offline functionality

EXHIBITOR SPOTLIGHT

What Year Was Your Company Established?

2016

How Many Employees Does Your Company Have?

What Areas Do You Serve With Your Product/Service?

National

How Many Festivals and Events Do You Work With On an Annual Basis?

We work with over 350 organizations in the sports and live events industry.

What is Your ‘Elevator Pitch’ and/or Slogan About Your Product/Service?

Vozzi is a leading mobile platform for sports, live events, and experience brands. It helps teams connect with fans through personalized texts that drive ticket sales and revenue. Trusted by 350+ organizations, Vozzi offers CRM-integrated messaging and reporting tools that provide insights, fill seats, and boost engagement.

How/Why Did Your Company/ Product/Service Get Started?

We started Vozzi because we saw a gap in the market—teams and brands needed a better way to connect with their fans. Traditional methods such as phone calls, emails, and social media felt crowded, impersonal, and often ineffective, so we built a platform that makes communication simple, direct, and impactful.

What New or Improved Product/Service Do You Have to Offer That IFEA Audiences Need to Know About?

Vozzi has rolled out major updates to help IFEA audiences boost revenue and engagement. The platform now has a modern, easier-to-use interface. Text to Buy is simpler, letting attendees purchase tickets instantly from their phones. Text to Donate, integrated with Stripe,

supports branded pages, recurring gifts, and one-click giving. New AI tools also help users write better messages, stay within character limits, and adjust tone for stronger audience connection.

What Sets Your Product/ Service Apart From Your Competitors?

Vozzi is built for festivals and live events where every message and sale counts. Unlike generic SMS tools, it’s designed to connect directly with attendees, boost ticket sales, and engage audiences in real time. The platform combines mass and 1-to-1 texting, text-to-buy, invoicing, and automated campaigns to fill seats and keep fans engaged. With 98% open rates and CRM reporting, teams see what works and turn attention into action fast. Trusted by 350+ organizations, Vozzi makes communication simple, personal, and profitable.

What Advice Would You Offer To Festivals And Events Searching For Your Type Of Product/Service?

Festivals and events should look for a partner that eliminates the headache of juggling multiple platforms. With Vozzi, everything you need—mass and 1:1 texting, ticket sales, mobile checkout, and reporting—lives in one place, built to move at your speed. Plus, you’re never on your own. Our dedicated customer success managers work alongside you every step of the way to maximize results, optimize campaigns, and ensure you get the full value out of the partnership.

What

Is Your Company’s Customer Service Philosophy?

Our customer service philosophy is simple: we win when our partners win. Every organization gets a dedicated success manager who knows their goals and works alongside them to deliver results. We pride ourselves on being responsive, proactive, and reliable teammates—showing up when it counts and driving impact together

Mylee Brown VP of Sales Vozzi

3953 S Highland Drive Holladay, Utah 84124 USA

mylee@getvozzi.com https://getvozzi.com/

How many years have you been with your company? 4 Months

What are your favorite festival foods? Churros!

What do you like to do to relax?

Hike, read a good book, travel, listen to music, yoga, or eat at a fun restaurant!

What is the name of the last business book you read?

Sales Pitch by April Dunford

What is the name of the last movie you watched? Nonna’s on Netflix

FORGETTING

Special Event Safety: Why We Keep Hard-Learned Lessons

By Stacey Worrell, CPRP

When thousands gather for concerts, festivals, cultural events or races, the energy can be electric. People come together for joy, entertainment, and community—but too often, those same events have turned into sites of tragedy. From the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013, to the Route 91 Harvest Festival mass shooting in Las Vegas in 2017, to the deadly crowd crush at Travis Scott’s Astroworld Festival in 2021—each of these events exposed preventable safety failures. And yet, despite decades of warnings and blood-stained reminders, large event organizers continue to make the same mistakes.

A Pattern of Forgetting

After 9/11, new security measures were introduced nationwide, including breakaway fencing, crowd control protocols, and better emergency coordination. Yet history shows that improvements are often reactionary and short-lived. Once the news cycle moves on, urgency fades. Tragedies like Astroworld reveal that knowledge gained years ago—sometimes at immense human cost—has not been consistently applied or passed down.

Crowd science, surveillance vulnerabilities, and emergency response protocols have been understood for decades. But those insights aren’t consistently embedded in event design. Instead, staff turnover, fragmented responsibilities, and profit-driven decision-making create an industry that is structurally vulnerable to repeating the same mistakes.

Profit Over People

Large event companies generate billions of dollars annually, selling millions of tickets to increasingly ambitious productions. Yet when profit margins dominate planning, safety protocols become an afterthought. Investment in infrastructure, training, and contingency planning costs money—and unlike flashy stage design or pyrotechnics, the benefits of safety are invisible until disaster strikes.

The lack of consequences only compounds the problem. Lawsuits drag on for years. Settlements are absorbed as “business costs.” Executives rarely face direct accountability. Without real penalties, there is little incentive to change.

The Technology That Could Change Everything

Ironically, while many organizers claim that safety is too complex or costly, the

very technologies that power events could also protect them. The cost of digital tools has decreased dramatically, making once-expensive solutions widely accessible:

• Smart wristbands and ticketing tech can map how people enter and exit venues, giving real-time insight into choke points before they turn deadly.

• Broadcast text alerts can instantly reach thousands with evacuation instructions or status updates.

• LED screens and PA systems can display and play pre-recorded emergency messages—clear, consistent, and not dependent on human improvisation in a crisis.

• Off-site command centers can oversee surveillance, manage communications, and coordinate emergency services without being in the chaos of the event footprint.

• Drones and strategically placed cameras—facing not just the performers but the crowd itself—can detect dangerous surges, collapses, or hostile activity far faster than human eyes alone.

• Response systems for attendees could allow people to mark themselves safe, share locations, and reconnect with loved ones in minutes instead of hours.

These tools don’t eliminate risk, but they transform how quickly organizers can detect, respond to, and communicate during emergencies. The technology exists. What’s missing is the will to use it consistently.

Is It Knowledge—or Responsibility?

The failures aren’t just technical. They reflect deeper cultural problems within the industry:

• Knowledge not passed down: Many lessons learned by safety experts, law enforcement, and emergency planners never make it into the hands of those producing large-scale events.

• Short institutional memory: Staff turnover and subcontracting mean crucial experience is lost.

• Lack of ownership: Responsibility is often scattered across multiple stakeholders—promoters, venue owners, local officials—making it easy for everyone to point fingers when things go wrong.

The

Human Cost

At the heart of this issue is not just risk management, but the value of

human life. Every preventable death at a concert, festival, or sporting event represents a failure to prioritize people over profit. Crowds are not unpredictable forces of nature; they are living, breathing communities that respond predictably to space, pressure, and leadership. When organizers fail to respect that, tragedy follows.

Moving Forward: Demand Accountability and Innovation If meaningful change is to happen, safety must stop being treated as a side concern. Event organizers should:

• Institutionalize and share knowledge from past tragedies.

• Empower independent safety officers with authority equal to creative directors.

• Mandate transparent safety audits before major events.

• Leverage emerging technology not as a luxury but as a standard.

• Enforce legal consequences that hold executives—not just subcontractors—accountable.

Until safety is placed at the center of planning, history will continue to repeat itself. The lessons are already written in lives lost. The question is whether the industry is willing to remember them—and whether the public will demand that they do.

Stacey Kathleen Worrell - Recreation Senior, City of Scottsdale. Graduated from ASU with a BA in Recreation Management, with a minor in Travel and Tourism, certificates in Special Events and Hospitality Management. Working as an intern in special events with the City of Mesa in 2000, she remembers sitting down with members of Homeland Security after 9-11 learning about event security and implementing practices she uses today. She has continued her 25 year career with various municipalities in event planning and recreation, and is a current volunteer of NRPA and ARPA, and once served for many years on the Executive Committee for the Fiesta Bowl Parade.

Stacey Worrell, CPRP Paiute Neighborhood Center, Community Services City of Scottsdale (p) 480-312-2529 (f) 480-312-0010 sworrell@scottsdaleaz.gov

FESTIVALS WITHOUT BORDERS

WITH ROBERT BAIRD

FESTIVALS WITHOUT BORDERS:

BROADENING YOUR NET

Festivals are always anxious to increase attendance and broaden their net to appeal to more and different audiences and doing that requires a focussed campaign in order to attract new fans. So how do our festival programmers and marketing teams work to ensure that our festivals are reaching new demographics, or old demographics in new ways?

One of the basic tenets of marketing is an appeal to emotions and feelings that transcend the obvious and link an event (or a product) to the promotion of freedom, unity, patriotism – feelings of attachment, commitment, and community. Your festival could adopt a slogan to reflect these values and distinguish your event from others. These slogans could be grass-roots slogan underlining basic values or they could be slogans reflecting more extensive or specific descriptors of your event. Sometimes, reflecting on the reasons for the festival and the values it has espoused over the years can be helpful. But the programming and marketing must reflect the slogan and values adopted to create an energy that will attract new attendees and maybe even some old attendees who have not attended in a while.

The legacy of a festival creates its trademark in the minds of people. Your festival has created memories and experiences of all attendees over the years – artists who have performed, fans who have attended, media coverage and staff working there. The festival has a generational history with grandparents, parents and children experiencing the festival over the years. It is a good idea to remind people of the rich heritage of your festival and remind them of what it has meant to so many. When a festival decides on its programming, it need to be aware of trends in society in order to appeal to expectations of attendees. It must also know its audience and what that audience is looking for at a festival, what things appeal to it and what things do not. Trying to be all things to everyone is difficult and a festival may have to choose its marketing strategies to get the best bang for the

buck. Being aware of what works is absolutely basic to countering attrition in attendance. A vibrant and diverse programming will result in vibrant and diverse attendees to the festival and ensure its successful continuation.

Artists who perform at festivals can be utilized as ambassadors for the festival and this marketing strength should not be ignored. An artist can promote the festival through short video invites to the festival, personal shoutouts to your community, or even travel tips to the festival with historical nuggets, parking suggestions and more. The artist can reflect the excitement and energy to be found at your event and create a personal connection with your event that is powerful marketing.

FOMO or “fear of missing out” is a powerful instrument in your festivals’ toolkit. While your festival is running, you can share breathtaking moments, enthusiastic crowds, artists performing, backstage revelations and more through short videos. Enlist your fans to share their exciting moments at the event with others so that people see the magic and feel that your is an event they cannot miss.

All of these strategies will ensure that your net is broadened and that your attendance will continue to grow as your festival continues to grow.

Robert Baird is President of BAM! Baird Artists Management Consulting in Toronto, Canada and an acknowledged expert in international touring including visas, withholding and taxation. He offers free advice to artists, agents, managers and venues and has an international clientele. He served for many years on the Executive Board of Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO) and is a former Vice-President of that organization. He can be reached at: P: 1-800-867-3281

E: robert@bairdartists.com or for more information go to: www.bairdartists.com

ASSOCIATION ENDORSED PARTNER

The IFEA would like to thank the above partners for their dedicated support of the association. Association Endorsed Partners have made a commitment to the continued success of our association, our members, and our industry through their umbrella support of all IFEA programs and services. Show your support for these dedicated providers to our industry by getting to know them, and the high quality products and services that they supply, better.

Interested in becoming an Association Endorsed Partner? Contact Carrie Ring, CFEE, Director of Partnerships & Programs (208) 433-0950 x8120 or carrie@ifea.com

2025 IFEA

Robert Grenfell

Nominated by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Philadelphia, PA, USA

The importance of volunteers to our industry cannot be overestimated. Whether the individual acts as a volunteer administrator of an event or contributes his or her time and resources in support of a larger, multi-event organization with a paid staff, the efforts that are put forth deserve our heartiest congratulations and recognition.

It is for that reason that the IFEA Volunteer of the Year Award sponsored by SecurEvent Solutions, was created to recognize those outstanding event volunteers whose unselfish and dedicated service to a member festival or event has made a significant difference in their community and mirrors the commitment to success in our professional ranks.

The International Festivals & Events Association is pleased to announce Robert Grenfell from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society in Philadelphia, PA as the recipient of the 2025 IFEA Volunteer of the Year Award sponsored by SecurEvent Solutions.

As this year’s winner, Robert was the guest of the IFEA at the IFEA’s Annual Convention & Expo presented by atVenu in Palm Springs, California, USA. He was recognized and presented with his award during the IFEA Awards Luncheon on Monday, September 22, 2025.

EXHIBITOR SPOTLIGHT

What year was your company established?

2013

How many employees does your company have?

What areas do you serve with your product/service?

We serve the invisible disability community internationally.

How many festivals and events do you work with on an annual basis?

Between 200 and 250 annually.

What is your ‘elevator pitch’ and/or slogan about your product/service?

KultureCity provides sensory tools and trainings to assist the one in four people in the world with an invisible disability. For over ten years, KultureCity has shown why we are the world’s largest and most reliable nonprofit in the invisible disability world by ensuring the most positive outcomes in public settings for those with sensory needs.

What sets your product/

service apart from your competitors?

We are the originators and copyright holders for the term Sensory Inclusive and Sensory Certified. KultureCity has certified thousands of venues, festivals, and fairs over the past decade. We build all of our own tools, develop our own yearly trainings, and most of our team has an invisible disability of their own. No other organization has the expertise, experience, or personal connection that KultureCity has.

What advice would you offer to festivals and events searching for your type of product/service?

Venues and festivals that utilize KultureCity resources have recorded higher rates of attendance, more positive community relationships, more income generated, and a higher likelihood of returning for future dates when partnered with KultureCity.

What is your company’s customer service philosophy? All events can benefit from KultureCity certification. We will provide assistance wherever there are people that need it. Whether a big or small event we put maximum effort towards those in need.

SEAN CULKIN Events Manager

KultureCity

732 Montgomery Highway, PMB 392 Vestavia Hills, AL 35216 USA sean@kulturecity.org www.kulturecity.org

How many years have you been with your company? 6 years.

What are your favorite festival foods?

Cheeseburgers, tacos, popcorn, and burritos

What do you like to do to relax?

I like to run and swim. I will also read if it has been a long day.

What is the name of the last business book you read?

Neurotribes (in my industry it is a business book)

What is the name of the last movie you watched? Sinners

THE VALUE OF PARTNERSHIPS –

Through the generosity of our partners below, we are able to strengthen our support of the festivals and events industry and continue to provide high quality, educational programs, products and services to our members.

Help us thank them for their support, by first turning to those on this list for the opportunity to earn your business, whenever the need arises.

Have You Planned for the

in Your Personal Life?

LuAnn Chapman

As

festival professionals, we are masters of preparation. We know how to plan for every detail—securing the right vendors, booking the best entertainment, providing the best festival foods, coordinating volunteers, and having emergency weather plans in place.

But when it comes to our personal lives, how many of us have a solid plan for our own stormy days?

Let’s be honest—it’s easy to push off conversations about medical emergencies, unexpected accidents, or even death. But just like any great event, a little thoughtful preparation makes all the difference when the unexpected happens.

As a financial planning professional, I’ve helped many clients navigate these decisions. With the right tools, you’ll be prepared to speak with an attorney, organize your financial info, and have the appropriate documents drafted specifically to your state and your needs.

Medical Planning: Making Sure You’re Heard

Medical Power of Attorney

No one plans to be in a situation where they can’t make their own medical decisions—but it happens. The Medical Power of Attorney lets you choose who will make those decisions if you’re incapacitated. Typically, this is a spouse, parent, sibling, or adult child—but close friends can be appointed too. This should be someone you can trust and have conversations with so they know how you feel on these important matters. We always recommend naming at least one or two successor decision-makers and you can always update the document.

HIPAA

Authorization

Medical information is private—and your loved ones won’t automatically have access unless you authorize it. You can complete a standalone HIPAA Authorization form or specify individuals when filling

out paperwork at your doctor’s office. The HIPAA document should include the information that will be disclosed, the name(s) of the authorized individual and if there is an expiration date on the release. All HIPPA Authorizations are revocable at any time.

Directive to Physicians (Living Will)

This document outlines your wishes in the event of a terminal illness, end-of-life or life-threatening condition if you are unable to make the choices on your own. Do you want every life-sustaining measure taken, or do you prefer comfort-focused care? This can also include specific items such as dialysis, tube feedings, IV’s, pain medication or ventilators. In general, to provide care under this document, two physicians must confirm that you are unable to make your own decisions and that you are terminal. Discussing your preferences with family ahead of time helps avoid confusion and guilt later.

Organ Donation:

At death, depending on their condition, multiple organs are viable for donation including heart, lung, liver, kidney, corneas (eye) and skin. Many states provide the ability to sign up to be a donor on their driver’s license, but the actual donation will not take place unless your family signs the release. Be sure to discuss your wishes with your decision makers to be sure that your wishes are carried out.

Out-of-Hospital DNR (Do Not Resuscitate)

EMS teams responding to a 911 call are required to revive and provide life prolonging services. If you have a terminal

disease and don’t want resuscitation in the event of cardiac or respiratory arrest, you’ll need a signed Out-of-Hospital DNR that is signed by your health care provider. It must be visible and accessible to emergency responders—post it on your refrigerator, keep a copy in your car, wallet, and phone. You can add the DNR location to a medical alert bracelet to make it available easily in an emergency. You will be required to sign a separate DNR document if you are admitted to the hospital. This decision can be hard for loved ones, so be sure they understand and support your wishes.

Estate Planning: What Happens After You’re Gone?

No matter the amount of your estate, we all have bank accounts, credit cards and personal possessions that need to be dealt with at death. Proper estate planning simply provides a roadmap as to how your assets will be transferred at your death.

Will

If you die without a will, your assets are distributed by the state law not by your choice. Wills can be very simple and straightforward or complex, depending on what you own. It is a document that names an executor to carry out your wishes and outlines how you want your assets distributed. Every will includes statements affirming you are of legal age, mentally sound, that you are signing the document freely and without any coercion and that you revoke any prior wills.

If you have minor children, the will also sets out who you choose to raise your child in the event of your premature death is one of the most difficult decisions. Finding someone that you and your partner agree on, that is willing to take on additional responsibility and has the same values that you want to have your child raised with can be daunting (you can also specify people not to be allowed to have custody). It is important to have conversations with your choice of guardian to be sure they are willing, and you may want to consider life insurance to provide funding for their education and living expenses. Who you leave your assets to is completely and totally up to you. You are not required to distribute equally to your children, parents or siblings. The choice is yours.

It should be accompanied by a personal property memorandum listing individual items and who should receive them—this can and should be reviewed and updated periodically and changes can be made without revising the will.

How to Avoid Probate

Probate is the process where a will is validated by the courts. It can be slow and expensive, but there are ways to avoid or at least simplify the journey:

1. Revocable Trust (aka Living Will) – An easy way to avoid probate. With a Revocable Trust you name a trustee (usually yourself) and you will have the ability to make changes, add or remove assets from the trust and it lets you retain full control with the ability to buy, sell and receive income during your life. At death, it becomes irrevocable and is transferred to your named beneficiaries. The terms of this trust are private. Once the trust is signed, it is important to change the title on your bank and investment accounts, property, and all other assets to the name of the trust.

2. Payable-on-Death (POD) or Transfer on Death (TOD) Designations

– POD/TOD allows bank accounts, investment accounts and real estate to automatically transfer to the named beneficiary with only proof of death and without going through probate. Equal distribution is provided if you name more than one beneficiary.

3. Beneficiary Designations – Retirement accounts, life insurance, savings and checking account beneficiaries are not decided by your will or trust – they use a designated beneficiary. Review your designations now and any time you have a life event change (marriage, divorce, children).

Power of Attorney

Choosing the proper Power of Attorney depends on your goals and the state you live in. For all types, you choose one person to act as your agent with one or two successor agents. You determine what decisions your agent is authorized to make (financial, business, real estate, estate, legal claims) in the document. All POA’s can be revoked at any time, and they all terminate at death.

Different options include a General Power of Attorney which allows your agent to act and make decisions if you are not incapacitated and can communicate. A Durable Power of Attorney which is the same as a General Power of Attorney but is not affected by your incapacitation. Limited POA is used for a specific transaction and Springing POA only takes effect if you are deemed incapacitated.

The “Just In Case” Box

In light of all the extreme weather, fires and natural disasters, it is important to keep all important information in one place

to reduce stress in a crisis. This same box will provide your family the information needed in the event of your death or inability to take care of yourself. Your Just In Case Box should include:

• Copies of legal documents (Will, Trusts, POA, Medical Directives, List of Personal item specific bequests)

• Listing of all insurance policies (Auto, Homeowners, Liability, Life, Disability, LTC)

• List of all banking, investment, and retirement accounts

• List of all assets (real estate, jewelry, coins, items of value)

• Details on credit cards, loans, and liabilities

• Don’t want to live without it List: The photos, art, awards that mean the most and would be in the car if you had to leave immediately.

• Username and passwords for online accounts (consider a secure password manager like BitWarden or LastPass)

• Contact list of people to notify in case of an emergency—so your friends and colleagues don’t find out via social media.

Thinking Ahead Financially

Life Insurance

If someone depends on your income—or your event would be financially disrupted by your loss—consider purchasing life insurance. Term life insurance is generally the least expensive option. The premiums are based on your age, health and how many years you want to guarantee the premium. Term policy premiums can be guaranteed for 5 – 35 years. Other insurance options are Universal Life that has flexible premiums and death benefits, Variable contracts in which the cash value is tied to investment accounts and some that include return of premiums paid in addition to the base death benefit. An insurance professional can help determine which type is best based on your specific needs.

Long Term Care – According to a recent study in Consumer Affairs, 56% of Americans turning 65 today will develop a disability that requires long term care with an average cost of $138,000 in services. LTC policies are available as standalone contracts and are based on the monthly payment amount, age and health of the individual. There are also life insurance policies that provide a rider for Long Term Health.

Key Person insurance is a policy on your life that is purchased by your organization/business to cover expenses if you die prematurely.

Retirement Planning

If your festival doesn’t offer a retirement plan, there are a few different options. The easiest is with an IRA (Individual Retirement Plan) contributions are deductible up to $7,000 in 2025 with an additional $1,000 catch up contribution available to anyone over age 50. Depending on your cash flow, you may want to start with a lower amount and try to increase contributions annually. If your company does offer 401k, start making contributions. If there’s a 401(k) match available, contribute at least enough to get the full match—it’s free money. Again, start with an amount that won’t impact your cash flow. A financial advisor can help you explore what will work best for you and if there are any other tax-advantaged options.

Peace of Mind Is the Goal

Getting your documents in order may feel overwhelming, but it’s one of the greatest gifts you can give your family and yourself. Although presented in a general manner, most of these steps are affordable and easy to implement with a trusted local attorney and financial advisor. And once it’s done? You can go back to enjoying life—and planning that next great event—with real peace of mind.

LuAnn Chapman Gatts, Queen of The Gatts Group in Grapevine, Texas, is a passionate festival and event professional with over 21 years of experience in the industry and 35 years at her current organization. A longtime advocate for community engagement, she channels her expertise in investment and insurance to support her extensive volunteer work, including street festivals like GrapeFest and Main Street Fest, the Grapevine Ambucs Poker Run, and the Rotary Rubber Duck Race. Inspired early on by the infectious enthusiasm of Gayle Hall, LuAnn has spent decades cultivating vibrant events, mentoring volunteers, and keeping festival experiences fresh and engaging for attendees. Recognized as the 2019 IFEA Volunteer of the Year and a former GrapeFest Chair, she joined the IFEA Foundation Board in 2022, continuing her dedication to giving back. Outside of events, LuAnn enjoys jigsaw puzzles, travel, and indulging in red velvet funnel cake, embracing a personal philosophy of celebrating life’s everyday moments while modeling calm, determined leadership. She is the proud mother of two sons, Jordan and Logan.

THE POST-EVENT GLOW:

WHY THE CONVERSATION DOESN’T END AT THE GATE FROM URL TO IRL

You know that moment right after an event — when the lights are dimming, the confetti is still on the ground, and guests are buzzing about what a great time they had? That’s what I call the post-event glow. It’s magical… and it’s also the perfect time to turn a one-time guest into a repeat fan. Research shows that when events keep the conversation going after the gates close, guests are about 20% more likely to come back. That’s a huge win for something as simple as a thank-you note or a quick follow-up.

Here are a few ways to harness that glow and keep the memories (and relationships) alive:

Gratitude Goes a Long Way

It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many events skip it. A genuine thank-you can be as simple as a post on your socials or a short email that lands the next morning: “We loved celebrating with you — thanks for making this year’s fair unforgettable!”

And here’s the kicker: thank-you emails aren’t just warm fuzzies. They work. Marketers consistently rank them as one of the most effective tools in their toolkit. Translation? Gratitude pays off — literally.

Timing Is Everything

When guests leave reviews, comments, or send a message, speed matters. Following up within 24–48 hours doubles your chances of actually hearing back.

And it doesn’t need to be complicated. Someone leaves a five-star review? Thank them and let them know you’re glad they came. Someone offers less-than-glowing feedback? Ask for more details and share a way to connect with you directly. Even a short reply shows you’re listening — and that’s what builds trust.

Keep

the Conversation Going

Surveys are your secret weapon here. Strike while the glow is still warm — surveys sent right after an event are almost twice as likely to get filled out compared to those sent a few days later. Keep it short, easy to complete, and always include a spot for open comments. People love sharing their thoughts (sometimes lots of them), and it’s often where you get the best ideas for next year.

Want to take it a step further? Host an open-forum conversation in your community to hear directly from locals. This can be as casual as a coffee-and-conversation session at the library or as structured as a town hall–style meeting. The goal isn’t just to collect feedback but to show that you value the

WITH JESSICA HODGES, MBA, CFEE

community’s voice in shaping the event. People who feel included are more likely to become your event’s strongest advocates, and they’ll often bring up insights you wouldn’t have captured in a survey. Plus, it gives your event a personal touch that goes a long way in building trust.

Don’t Make It a One-Time Thing

This isn’t just a “check the box” task. Events that consistently follow up after the gates close see higher satisfaction, stronger engagement, and way better retention. Guests who feel seen and appreciated don’t just buy another ticket — they bring friends, post about their experience, and become part of your event’s story.

A Glow-Up in Action

Picture this: a music festival wraps up its weekend with record crowds. On Monday morning, attendees wake up to a short, cheerful email in their inbox: “You made this weekend unforgettable! Thanks for dancing, singing, and celebrating with us. We can’t wait to do it again.”

The email includes a two-minute survey and a link to a highlight reel of photos. Attendees relive their favorite moments, share them online, and give feedback that helps the festival team plan an even better experience next year.

By the end of the week, the festival sends one more email: next year’s dates and an exclusive pre-sale for returning fans. Just like that, they’ve turned yesterday’s good vibes into next year’s early sales. That’s the post-event glow in action.

Final Thoughts: Keep the Magic Alive

The post-event glow is your chance to keep the magic alive and build lasting relationships with your guests. Say thank you, respond quickly, listen closely, and keep the conversation going. Do it consistently, and you’re not just running an event — you’re building a community that’s excited to come back, year after year.

Jessica Hodges, MBA, CFEE, is a Ticketing Account Manager at Saffire with a passion for events and a talent for streamlining the details. She spent nine years with the Festival Foundation, producing signature events like the National Cherry Festival and Iceman Cometh Challenge. With degrees in Public Relations and Business, and a CFEE earned in 2021, Jessica combines digital savvy with real-world experience. In From URL to IRL, she shares tips and strategies to help events succeed—online and at the gate.

We enjoy working with local organizations that support under-represented groups. Community Boost

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Annually on the 27th of January throughout the United Kingdom, the Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) is commemorated on the day that the extermination camps of Auschwitz and Birkenau were finally liberated by the Russian army. Hundreds of civic events are held throughout this nation of 65 million people to not only remember the six million Jews who died but also the victims and survivors of genocides all over the world.

In 2025, I served as the chair of the HMD in Scotland’s capital city and a few minutes before the ceremony was to commence, I was informed by city officials that a protest group was assembling in front of the War Memorial just outside the city chambers. In just a few minutes, we were scheduled to join the Lord Provost of Edinburgh in laying a wreath upon this sacred site.

The city official looked at me with concern and asked me what I would like to do? I asked her to please contact Police Scotland for guidance. A few seconds later a Police Scotland constable approached me and said “Our recommendation is that you proceed with the wreath laying. That memorial belongs to all of us.”

We followed the advice of Police Scotland and there were no further incidents. However, this experience did make me pause and think about the thousands of festivals and events throughout the world that have been frightened, disturbed, interrupted, or even cancelled due to protests relating to world events.

According to Frank Supovitz, author of What to Do When Things Go Wrong, the man who was in charge of the US NFL Super Bowl, NHL Stanley Cup, and Indy 500, as well as a former IFEA Convention keynote speaker, “Event organisers must imagine, prepare, execute, respond and evaluate.”

Supovitz basis his theory and strategy from the many high profile events he has led over many years. His first recommendation to imagine the worst possible scenario reminds me of the days following the tragedy of September 11, 2001 when the US Department of Homeland Security was rapidly created and the leaders of this new department invited Hollywood directors to help them imagine the worst case scenarios that could strike major events. Their imaginative thinking helped the bureaucrats in Washington, DC better identify scenarios and as a result learn how to prevent or manage future catastrophic events.

The role of preparation is in my view one of the most important actions taken by an event team, however, it is too often the work of small groups of senior stakeholders. To be effective, preparation must be a wholistic effort involving front line, as well as senior festival and event workers.

Likewise, the efforts to execute, respond, and evaluate similarly require strong command and control mechanisms that have been reduced and thoroughly described through a clear set of instructions that include an easy to understand chain of command procedure.

The Edinburgh International Festival presented an Israeli modern dance company and nearly 100 persons demonstrated at the front door of the theatre. The performance was interrupted numerous times by protesters in the audience who rose wearing backpacks (which caused additional alarms due to the threat of bombs inside) and shouted vitriolic criticism at the dancers.

A few days prior to the event Police Scotland notified the director of the festival, and a meeting was arranged with the director of the dance company. The police officials explained that in situations where there are protests in the theatre, the protocol was typically to lower the curtain, raise the houselights, and evacuated the entire audience.

The director of the dance company asked the police officials instead if they could keep the curtain up, lower the stage lights as the dancers momentarily paused their performance, and then invited the ushers (with police support) to escort the protestors from the auditorium. The director went on to say that the protesters want to disrupt the performance. We want to dance. Let us not allow them to win.

It worked. Over and over again, as the dancers stood in silence, within seconds the protesters were easily removed from the theater and the show went on.

This made me think about how we keep the curtain raised for our festivals and

events during these challenging days of global and local protests.

I believe that in addition to the Supovitz five step process we might incorporate my acronym FIND to ensure the safety, security, and indeed over all positive outcomes remain permanently enshrined in our events.

F reminds us to always seek the facts behind the protest such as who is likely to be involved and what might the protestors do to disrupt your event. Only with facts can you plan precisely.

I is for information that you may then pass along to health and safety organisations within your destination to work together to form a preparation and response plan. Providing your safety and security partners with a risk assessment brief at least two weeks prior to the event is crucially important.

N insures us that we will always constantly seek new information about the protest groups and their actors so that our preparation and decision making is being made in real time with the most current information. Circumstances within protest organizations may rapidly change and therefore it is important to monitor, measure, and continually update your information resource.

D guarantees that no matter the threat, as festival and event makers, our job is to deliver safe, secure, and successful events for our audiences. By working with local health and safety agencies as well as for larger events state, regional, and federal agencies, we can insure the curtain remains raised for all who wish to safely and securely experience our festivals and events.

Whilst it is impossible to identify and plan for every potential threat, using a systematic approach as described by Supovitz within the context of the FIND model above may help you the next time someone approaches you a few minutes before the curtain is due to rise, so that you can more effectively work together with others, collectively grab the ropes to raise the festival and event curtain, and pull together to insure freedom of speech is protected along with the welfare of your audience, that will help insure the successful outcome of your next festival or event.

Professor Joe Goldblatt is the author, co – author, and editor of 40 books in the field of planned events. For more information about his views visit www.joegoldblatt.scot

EXHIBITOR SPOTLIGHT

What year was your company established?

2009

How many employees does your company have?

What areas do you serve with your product/service?

International, all sizes and regions.

How many festivals and events do you work with on an annual basis?

We work with hundreds of festivals and events across the globe each year

What is your ‘elevator pitch’ and/or slogan about your product/service?

Since its founding in 2009, VolunteerLocal has built itself into a trustworthy volunteer management platform. Thanks to our industry-leading customer service and accessible pricing, we boast hundreds of successful events with top-notch reviews. The reason? VolunteerLocal cares.

How/why did your company/ product/service get started?

VolunteerLocal was created to address the challenge of volunteer scheduling for The Des Moines Art Festival in Iowa. What began as a community-driven effort grew into a solution that helps organizations recruit, schedule, and manage their volunteers. Today, VolunteerLocal serves organizations around the world, enabling

them to engage volunteers, streamline operations, and create meaningful experiences for their communities.

What new or improved product/service do you have to offer that IFEA audiences need to know about?

Shift reservations and our mobile app for volunteers. Reservations allow the admins to reserve spots for large groups to sign up together, with additional communication and release date features to make the process smooth and seamless.

What sets your product/ service apart from your competitors?

Our customer support team! We are here to guide the users through every step of the process, from setting up their event to launching with their volunteers, and pulling reports post-event.

What advice would you offer to festivals and events searching for your type of product/service?

Ask questions! Understand the platform and the tools that you need to be successful.

What is your company’s customer service philosophy? Exceptional customer service elevates the VolunteerLocal experience. We aim to be a joy to work with, prioritize customer satisfaction, and value and act on customer feedback.

EMILY ROWLING

Sr. Account Executive

VolunteerLocal

500 Locust St Des Moines, IA 50309, USA 800-909-7370

emily@volunteerlocal.com volunteerlocal.com

How many years have you been with your company? 2 years

What are your favorite festival foods? Anything on a stick!

What do you like to do to relax?

Go for a run with my dog and partner.

What is the name of the last business book you read?

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

What is the name of the last movie you watched?

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings

“Recognizing the best in community leadership and festival and event partnerships around the world.”

Global Recognition for Festivals & Events: IFEA Names 2025 World Festival & Event Cities

The IFEA World Festival & Event City Award was created to encourage, support, and recognize positive local environments for festivals and events worldwide. Festivals and events generate tremendous cultural, social, and economic value for the communities they serve, but long-term success depends on strong partnerships and support at every level.

“The IFEA is proud to recognize and shine a spotlight on those cities and markets that have invested in building environments where festivals and events can thrive,” said IFEA President & CEO Steven Wood Schmader, CFEE, during the award presentations. “Through this program, we aim to strengthen the dialogue between events and cities around the globe—at a time when that connection has never been more important. The high caliber of this year’s entries highlights the powerful role that festivals and events play in shaping vibrant, sustainable communities. The cities being honored in 2025 are setting strong examples we hope others will follow.”

Entries were reviewed by an international panel of industry experts, making this recognition the only global honor of its kind. Each city’s submission was evaluated on a comprehensive range of criteria, including:

The International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) – The Premier Association Supporting and Enabling Festival and Event Professionals Worldwide – announced and recognized the 2025 recipients of their prestigious “IFEA World Festival & Event City” award, during the IFEA Annual Convention & Expo presented by atVenu in Palm Springs, California, on September 22, 2025.

• Community Overview – providing the judges with a deeper understanding of each community and the infrastructure in place to host and/or support those producing and attending festivals and events.

• Community Festivals & Events –illustrating the diversity and success of current festivals and events serving each market’s residents and visitors.

• City / Government Support of Festivals & Events – demonstrating the strength and depth of support from each applicant city and other governmental bodies (county, state, taxing districts, etc.) as it pertains to festivals and events.

• Non-Governmental Community Support of Festivals & Events –highlighting the commitment and direct support provided by community individuals and organizations. Without this support, most festivals and events could not achieve the level of success that these important partnerships help to build.

• Market Leveraging of the “Community Capital” Created by Festivals & Events – demonstrating how the city and its partners maximize the branding and marketing opportunities provided by

festivals and events to generate return in other areas.

• Extra Credit – an opportunity for each city to highlight additional programs, services, and event-related resources not covered in the above categories (e.g., local university event management programs, certified professionals, shared event-resource programs, etc.).

2025 IFEA World Festival & Event City Recipients

The IFEA is proud to recognize the following cities as 2025 IFEA World Festival & Event Cities, each exemplifying a strong commitment to creating and supporting positive environments for festivals and events in their communities. These cities have demonstrated visionary leadership and collaboration between governments, businesses, and community partners to ensure that festivals and events continue to thrive. Their efforts not only strengthen local economies, but also celebrate cultural identity, foster community pride, and attract visitors from around the world.

Dublin, Ireland

“Dublin exemplifies how a city can combine tradition, innovation, and inclusivity to create exceptional festival experiences,” said IFEA President & CEO

Steven Wood Schmader, CFEE. “From Bloomsday and the Dublin Theatre Festival to the St. Patrick’s Festival and Dublin Pride, Dublin shows how festivals and events can educate, inspire, and bring people together from around the world. We are proud to honor Dublin with this global recognition.”

Nestled between the Dublin Mountains and Dublin Bay, Dublin is a city that combines the vitality of a leading European capital with the warmth and community spirit of its residents. A UNESCO City of Literature, Dublin celebrates its rich cultural and literary heritage through events such as the International Literature Festival Dublin and Bloomsday, a citywide tribute to James Joyce’s Ulysses.

Dublin’s streets come alive year-round with festivals and events that showcase its unique charm and community spirit. Highlights include:

• TradFest Temple Bar – January festival of Irish traditional music across iconic venues.

• St. Patrick’s Festival – March celebration of Irish culture and heritage.

• Bord Bia Bloom – Ireland’s largest gardening and lifestyle festival.

• Dublin Pride Festival – One of Europe’s largest LGBTQ+ celebrations.

• Taste of Dublin – Culinary festival celebrating the city’s food culture.

• Aer Lingus American Football Classic

– International sporting event drawing global visitors.

• Dublin Horse Show – Prestigious equestrian event and social highlight.

• Bram Stoker Festival – Spooky cultural celebration inspired by the Dublin-born author.

• New Year’s Festival Dublin – Citywide celebrations at Dublin Castle.

Dublin’s commitment to festivals and events generates a significant economic impact, with an estimated €200 million

contributed annually to the local economy through tourism, job creation, and infrastructure improvements. The St. Patrick’s Day Festival alone contributes €139 million and supports over 3,000 jobs. Through innovative programs such as the Winter in Dublin campaign, the city has strengthened its cultural offerings during shoulder seasons, highlighting Dublin’s vibrant nighttime economy and earning Purple Flag accreditation.

Dublin’s dynamic blend of tradition, culture, and innovation makes it a shining example of a city that understands the vital role festivals and events play in creating a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable community.

VIEW VIDEO

Dublin, Ohio, United States

“Dublin exemplifies what it means to create a city where festivals and events can flourish,” said IFEA President & CEO Steven Wood Schmader, CFEE. “Through strong community partnerships, innovative ideas, and a dedication to high-quality events, Dublin is setting an example for cities around the world. We are proud to honor their achievements with this recognition.”

Dublin is a vibrant city of nearly 50,000 residents located just northwest of Columbus, Ohio. The city offers responsive municipal services, attractive housing options, superior public education, and direct regional highway access. With abundant park space, thoughtful and strategic planning, and innovative technology initiatives, Dublin fosters a dynamic community life.

Ranked the number one small city in Ohio and consistently named among the safest cities in the nation, Dublin is home to more than 20 corporate headquarters, an entrepreneurial center, 4,300+ businesses, world-class events, and the urban, walkable Bridge Street District. Its dedication to creating an engaging, safe, and accessible environment makes Dublin a model for festivals and events that strengthen communities. VIEW VIDEO

Geumsan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea

“Geumsan-gun is a shining example of how a city can leverage its unique culture, history, and natural beauty to create vibrant festival experiences,” said IFEA President & CEO Steven Wood Schmader, CFEE. “From its rich traditions in ginseng culture to its iconic seasonal festivals, Geumsan-gun demonstrates how festivals and events can strengthen community identity and drive tourism. We are proud to honor the city with this global recognition.”

Geumsan-gun, located in the southeastern part of Chungcheongnam-do, is widely known as the “hometown of ginseng” and serves as the center of Korea’s ginseng industry. The county comprises 1 eup and 9 myeon, with Geumsan-eup as the administrative center, and has a population of approximately 50,000 residents, including a high proportion of elderly, classifying it as a super-aged society.

Surrounded by the Geum River and the Noryeong Mountains, Geumsan boasts rich natural landscapes and cultural heritage sites, such as Boseoksa Temple, the Chilbaekui Chong (Shrine of 700 Loyalists), and Daedunsan Mountain, making it a notable tourism destination.

The Geumsan World K-Insam (Ginseng) Festival, held every autumn, draws domestic and international visitors alike.

Strategically located with convenient access to Daejeon and the Jeolla provinces, Geumsan has a diverse economy encompassing agriculture, manufacturing, and service sectors, supporting both residents and the flourishing festival scene.

VIEW VIDEO

Historic Kailua Village, Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i, United States

“Historic Kailua Village exemplifies how a community can blend history, culture, and innovation to create exceptional festival experiences,” said IFEA President & CEO Steven Wood Schmader, CFEE. “From hosting the IRONMAN World Championship to celebrating Hawaiian traditions year-round, Historic Kailua Village shows how events can strengthen community pride, attract visitors, and preserve cultural heritage. We are proud to honor the village with this global recognition.”

Nestled along the scenic Kona coast of Hawai i Island, Historic Kailua Village is a lively seaside town where Hawaiian history and hospitality come alive. Once a retreat for ali i (Hawaiian royalty), the village now serves as a dynamic gathering place for residents and visitors alike, hosting a year-round calendar of vibrant festivals and events.

Signature celebrations, including the IRONMAN World Championship, Kona Marathon, Kona Brewer’s Fest, Queen Liliuokalani Long Distance Canoe Race, King Kamehameha Day Parade, Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, Kailua Kalikimaka, Street Eats: Kailua Village Food Truck Festival, and the monthly Kokua Kailua strolls, transform the village into a hub of music, food, arts, crafts, and cultural expression. With its walkable oceanfront setting, deep cultural roots, and strong community spirit, Historic Kailua Village is where traditions are celebrated and memories are made. VIEW VIDEO

McAllen, Texas, United States

“McAllen is a vibrant example of how culture, community, and creativity can come together to produce exceptional festival experiences,” said IFEA President & CEO Steven Wood Schmader, CFEE. “From original festivals celebrating Latino culture to the award-winning McAllen Holiday Parade, the city demonstrates how events can foster community pride, attract visitors, and create lasting memories. We are proud to honor McAllen with this global recognition.”

Looking for a city with a heart for celebration? Look no further than McAllen, Texas. A bicultural community under the Texas sunshine, McAllen brings people closer, blends cultures, and creates new traditions.

McAllen’s roots are woven into every celebration, transforming seasonal events into unforgettable experiences. Signature events include the McAllen Holiday Parade, the largest illuminated holiday and helium balloon parade in Texas, recognized as the Best Parade in the World and Best Parade in Texas by the International and Texas Festival & Events Associations.

Designated by the Texas Governor as the official South Pole of Texas, McAllen is Santa’s warm-weather winter getaway and home to holiday events that combine seasonal fun with south Texas personality. The city also created original festivals such as Fiesta de Palmas and MXLAN, celebrating Latino culture, along with special events that highlight the arts, subcultures, competition, and inclusive outdoor fun.

McAllen hosts over 800 events each year, generating more than $69 million in annual economic impact, with the McAllen Holiday Parade contributing an additional $11.8 million. These events are made possible through the dedication of over 2,700 volunteers and a committed special events team.

Experience McAllen — a city where culture, community, and celebration come alive. VIEW VIDEO

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

“Philadelphia exemplifies how a city’s history, culture, and innovation can be leveraged to create exceptional festival and event experiences,” said IFEA President & CEO Steven Wood Schmader, CFEE. “With its 340-year legacy of hosting signature events and a slate of upcoming landmark celebrations, Philadelphia demonstrates how festivals and events can educate, inspire, and unite communities locally and globally. We are proud to honor Philadelphia with this recognition.”

Recognized as the Birthplace of America, Philadelphia boasts a 340-year legacy of hosting signature events rooted in history, hospitality, and innovation. A pioneer in the special events industry, the city continues to lead on the national stage, preparing to commemorate the 250th anniversaries of both the U.S. Army and Navy and the United States’ semi-quincentennial.

In 2026, Philadelphia will proudly host the year-long USA250 celebrations, alongside internationally recognized events such as the FIFA World Cup and Major League Baseball’s All-Star Weekend. With a strong track record of excellence and a spirit of collaboration, Philadelphia is ready to partner with top event producers over the next three years to deliver unforgettable experiences that honor history and unite communities in creative and meaningful ways.

VIEW VIDEO

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

“Pittsburgh embodies a city of innovation, creativity, and culture, where festivals and events thrive in a vibrant, welcoming environment,” said IFEA President & CEO Steven Wood Schmader, CFEE. “From its diverse neighborhoods and riverside parks to a rich array of cultural and culinary offerings, Pittsburgh demonstrates how festivals and events can connect communities, showcase local talent, and leave lasting impressions on visitors. We are proud to honor Pittsburgh with this global recognition.”

A city built on innovation, Pittsburgh continues to lead in technology, education, medicine, and beyond. Known for small-town friendliness with big-city buzz, Pittsburgh’s walkable downtown offers a world of food, beverage, sports, and cultural options, all just steps from the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

Pittsburgh surprises visitors at every turn, with 446 bridges connecting 90 neighborhoods, each offering its own flavor and unique experiences. Thousands of acres of riverside parks and Appalachian paths await exploration, creating endless opportunities for outdoor events, festivals, and recreation. Known for breaking the mold and exceeding expectations, Pittsburgh combines natural beauty, distinctive terrain, and vibrant culture to deliver exceptional visitor experiences that leave lasting memories.

VIEW VIDEO

Rotterdam, The Netherlands

“Rotterdam is a shining example of how festivals can bring communities together, celebrate diversity, and create a strong sense of identity,” said IFEA President & CEO Steven Wood Schmader, CFEE. “With its dynamic event calendar and commitment to inclusivity and innovation, Rotterdam demonstrates how cities can leverage festivals to strengthen community bonds and promote culture globally. We are proud to honor Rotterdam with this recognition.”

Rotterdam is a young and vibrant city, home to more than 170 nationalities, and proud of its inclusive, community-focused identity. Festivals play a central role in celebrating what unites its residents, fostering a strong sense of belonging, and connecting people from all backgrounds.

The city’s event calendar reflects both the identity of Rotterdam and the creativity of its festival producers and cultural institutions. Rotterdam offers a wide range of cultural activities—from major, spectacular events to small, intimate gatherings—supporting both established and emerging initiatives.

Municipal authorities, city marketing organizations, festival producers, and supporting institutions share a unified vision: to showcase Rotterdam as a city with its own distinctive identity and international appeal. Residents and visitors alike engage with the city’s events, which together tell the fascinating story of Rotterdam and highlight the creativity, energy, and diversity that define it.

VIEW VIDEO

Songkhla, Thailand

“Songkhla exemplifies how a city can combine tradition, sustainability, and innovation to create memorable festival experiences,” said IFEA President & CEO Steven Wood Schmader, CFEE.

“From the coastal vistas of the Songkhla Marathon to the spiritual devotion of the Chak Phra Festival, Songkhla demonstrates how festivals and events can unite communities, celebrate culture, and attract visitors from around the world. We are proud to honor Songkhla with this global recognition.”

Songkhla is a captivating coastal city in southern Thailand, renowned for its rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and vibrant traditions. Ideally located along the Gulf of Thailand and easily accessible via Hat Yai International Airport, Songkhla serves as a gateway to authentic Thai experiences.

The city comes alive through iconic events such as the Songkhla Marathon, which provides an unforgettable journey along stunning coastal vistas and historic landmarks, and the Chak Phra Festival, where spiritual devotion and community spirit shine in magnificent boat processions.

Named Thailand’s most sustainable MICE destination and ranked third in Asia on the GDS-Index 2024, Songkhla is a forward-thinking city where environmental responsibility and cultural excellence unite—making it a leading light on the global festival and events stage.

VIEW VIDEO

Vaughan, Ontario, Canada

“Vaughan is a remarkable example of how a city can leverage diversity, creativity, and infrastructure to create exceptional festival experiences,” said IFEA President & CEO Steven Wood Schmader, CFEE.

“From international film and cultural festivals to family-friendly seasonal events, Vaughan demonstrates how a city can enrich lives, strengthen community bonds, and position itself as a global events destination. We are proud to honor Vaughan with this recognition.”

The City of Vaughan is situated on the

traditional lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the ancestral territories of the Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee peoples. Vaughan proudly hosts a vibrant and diverse community, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples.

With a population of over 350,000, Vaughan is one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities, located just north of Toronto in the Regional Municipality of York. The city offers a high quality of life with a dynamic mix of residential, commercial, and industrial developments, world-class infrastructure, and abundant attractions.

Vaughan is home to over 19,000 businesses and 236,000 employees, celebrating rich multiculturalism with more than 217 ethnicities and 113 languages spoken. Major events include the Vaughan International Film Festival, Vaughan Latin Festival, Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival at the Kortright Centre for Conservation, Woodbridge Fall Fair, Princess Margaret’s Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer,

and the Vaughan Celebrates Canada Day celebration.

The city boasts an extensive range of facilities and amenities, including:

• 494 culinary venues

• 87 meeting and event spaces

• 42 sports and recreation facilities

• 29 attractions and entertainment venues

• 16 accommodations

• 9 nature and outdoor trail assets

• 5 arts, culture, and heritage assets

Vaughan offers endless possibilities for residents, visitors, and businesses alike, making it a world-class destination for festivals and events.

VIEW VIDEO

For more information on the IFEA World Festival & Event City Award and information on how to nominate your city for the 2025 Award – CLICK HERE

To view past recipients of the IFEA World Festival & Event City Award – CLICK HERE.

WHAT DOES MEMBERSHIP WITH THE IFEA PROVIDE YOU?

Membership in the IFEA provides value from all directions, including invaluable contacts and savings worth many times the membership investment. The more you use them, the higher your return. In addition to “ie” The Business of International Events, membership with the IFEA provides you . . .

If you’re not a member of the IFEA, join now at www.ifea.com, or contact Scott Schmader, Director of Membership, at scott@ifea.com.

IFEA VIRTUAL AFFINITY GROUPS

THE UN-COMFORT ZONE

WITH ROBERT WILSON

OF FEAR THE OPPOSITE

It’s not what you think.

In this space I’ve written about fear several times: how it is the most powerful motivator; how it can be used to manipulate people; how it can drive some people to seek power; and how it can establish lifelong limiting beliefs when we’re exposed to it as children. In this article, I’d like to consider the opposite of fear.

Discovering the Opposite Requires Identifying the Circumstances

Fear, however, does not exist in a vacuum, there must be some environment or situation (which could be perception) that causes fear which we should consider when asking, “What is its opposite?” For example, there are real dangers (such as a charging lion that would strike terror in pretty much anyone) that are obvious. However, there are also varying levels of fear that are less conspicuous than terror that also exist, such as anxiety, uneasiness, apprehension, and panic.

When considering the opposite of fear, the first word that usually pops into people’s heads is courage or bravery. People who are behaving courageously can, however, still be afraid and often are, but feel that their behavior is necessary because of a higher emotion, such as the desire to save the life of a loved one from a burning building. Therefore courage cannot be the opposite of fear.

An observer, from a lack of understanding, might project a subjective assumption of courage on a person who is actually cool, calm, and composed. For example, think of Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter, who would pick up and hold the world’s deadliest snakes with aplomb.

If You’re Still Afraid it’s not the Opposite

Others have said that faith is the opposite of fear, but like courage - while you may have faith that someone or something will save you - it doesn’t mean you are not afraid until the danger abates or you are rescued.

Control is not the opposite of fear, although many political leaders think so (see my article: Fear vs. Power), who attempt to deal with their fear by controlling their environment and the people within it.

The Absence of Fear Does Not Come First

Some say it is calm, contentedness, happiness, or joy, but these things only come in the absence of fear, so they are not opposites. If you can be calm in the face of something that has frightened you, then you have already taken the preliminary steps which have removed your fear - which I will explain in a moment.

Some say it is stoicism, but just because you can be indifferent to something, or suffer through something, does not mean that you are NOT afraid, you merely bear your fear, as you bear your suffering. Therefore stoicism cannot be the opposite of fear.

I heard it said that denial is the opposite of fear, but denial only delays fear, it still exists if the problem causing it is real. Do they mean by denial someone who doesn’t believe the dilemma exists that should cause them fear? If so, have they investigated it, and reached a logical conclusion? Perhaps it’s not denial, but understanding. Perhaps the perception of denial is in fact ignorance and projection.

Could ignorance be the opposite of fear? No, ignorance is only bliss until something you don’t fathom - or weren’t aware of - scares you.

It’s About How You Deal With Fear

The opposite of fear is knowledge and understanding. But, it begins with curiosity, which initiates an investigation, which leads to learning, which in turn creates knowledge and understanding. Steve Irwin didn’t just pick up the first venomous snake he saw; he studied their traits and characteristics and learned about their strengths and weaknesses. He operated from a position of knowledge.

When something frightens you, a willingness to question things before accepting them or jumping to conclusions is the beginning of how you overcome fear. Courage and confidence, bravery and derring-do, come later; they come after research, examination, and analysis.

Failure

to Ask Questions can Make the Situation Worse

The problem with not analyzing fear is that when people become frightened, they will follow anyone who assures them that they can make them safe; and this is a huge danger that has led many people to their doom. Politicians, the media, and advertisers know this and will take advantage of your fear if you are unwilling to question their authority.

Do you know someone who appears to be less fearful or not fearful at all, when everyone else is terrified? Why is that? Are they ignorant; stoics; or deniers? Or do they have knowledge and understanding?

Ask questions; and free yourself from fear.

Robert Evans Wilson, Jr. is a personal empowerment author and speaker. He works with companies that want to be more competitive and with people who want to get more out of life via creative-thinking, critical-thinking, as well as, the ability to deal with change and fear. Rob is the author of ...and Never Coming Back, a psychological mystery-novel about a motion picture director; The Annoying Ghost Kid, a humorous children’s book about dealing with a bully; and the inspirational book: Wisdom in the Weirdest Places. For more information on Rob, please visit www.RobWilsonSpeaker.com.

STRESS:

The Productivity Killer Hiding in Plain Sight

How You Can Kill Stress and Increase Productivity

By Frank King

At Ramirez & Co., a mid-sized business with decades of wins, leadership thought their biggest challenges were competitors, technology, and the market. Close, but no cigar. The real problem was stress—the silent drain that doesn’t show up on a Gantt chart but still wrecks your timeline.

Deadlines were tighter than skinny jeans, workloads heavier than a Costco bag of dog food, and people were running on fumes. The fallout? Missed targets, mysteriously “urgent” sick days, and mistakes no amount of whiteout could fix. The work didn’t get worse. The humans doing it were simply exhausted.

Owner Mark Ramirez had a moment of clarity during a Tuesday budget review that looked suspiciously like a Friday the 13th. He noticed the red numbers all had the same root cause: people were tapped out. So, he built a Stress Management Program that wasn’t a wellness app nobody opens or a binder full of laminated good intentions. It was a set of changes that improved daily life and performance.

What They Rolled Out

• Flexible Work Options – Hybrid schedules, staggered hours, and recovery days after sprints.

• Open Communication – Monthly town halls where every voice mattered and leadership answered real questions.

• Real Stress Training – Practical, engaging, short—tools teams could use the next morning when the inbox looked like Jenga.

• Breaks & Vacations Without Guilt

– Because overworked brains don’t innovate; they just Google “how to resign politely.”

• Recognition That Sticks – Spot bonuses, thank-you’s, and public appreciation that didn’t wait for year-end ceremonies.

• Conflict Resolution Training – Managers learned to fix problems while they were still small and cheap.

The Results

• Absenteeism down 22%.

• Productivity up 15%.

• Employee satisfaction at record highs and the vibe in meetings upgraded from “doom” to “doable.”

Marketing Manager Sarah Lopez put it plainly: “It’s easier to stay creative when you’re not running on fumes.”

Here’s What You Can Do (No Matter Your Industry)

You don’t need Silicon Valley perks to build a supportive culture. You need small, smart moves that compound.

• Give Flexibility. Time is the cheapest perk. When you trust people with their schedules, they repay you with loyalty and better work.

• Build Predictable Feedback Loops. Don’t wait for annual surveys. Monthly forums and manager one-on-ones catch issues early.

• Make Training Useful. If it’s boring, it’s gone by lunch. Bring in trainers who use humor and real stories so the lessons stick.

• Normalize Rest. Leaders set the tone. If you never unplug, no one else will. Treat PTO like maintenance, not a luxury.

• Recognize Wins in Real Time. A quick thank-you today beats a framed certificate collecting dust.

• Empower Leaders. Teach managers to spot burnout—irritability, errors, withdrawal—and intervene before it becomes turnover.

• Address Mental Health Directly. Provide confidential resources. Normalize the question, “Are you okay?” and mean it.

• Track ROI. Measure absenteeism, rework, turnover, and engagement. When the numbers move, the skeptics do too.

• Guard Focus. Reduce meeting sprawl, protect deep-work hours, and stop scheduling “quick syncs” that steal the afternoon.

• Design Workflows for Humans. Tighten handoffs, clarify ownership, and kill zombie projects no one remembers authorizing.

A Quick Story from the Turnaround

Two departments were stuck in a passive-aggressive email war over who owned a recurring client task. The new approach kicked in: a 20-minute live huddle, a simple RACI chart, and a shout-out when the first clean handoff shipped. The conflict evaporated, the work sped up, and nobody had to CC the entire company again. That’s not magic; that’s management.

The Bigger Lesson

Every industry has stress. Healthcare races patient loads. Finance wrestles risk. Tech chases release dates like a dog after a laser pointer. None of that means burnout is inevitable. Burnout is a result of choices— about workload, communication, recognition, and leadership habits.

Burnout costs more than any program. High turnover drains time and money. Absenteeism wrecks timelines. Health claims rise with stress-related illness. Reputation takes the invisible hit—word gets around fast about places that chew people up. In a tight labor market, culture is survival. Companies

that grind through people compete on price. Companies that support people compete on value—and they win.

Look around:

• Healthcare teams can’t deliver safe care if they’re exhausted.

• Financial analysts don’t make sharp calls when they’re sleep-deprived.

• Sales reps don’t close big deals when they’re one Zoom away from quitting.

• Customer service doesn’t “wow” when your people are running on fumes.

Culture is a competitive advantage you build daily. A company that supports employees attracts talent, keeps its best people, and delivers better results—steadier quality, fewer mistakes, and happier clients who notice the difference even if they can’t name it.

Your Takeaway

Here’s what Ramirez’s story shows, and what you can apply by Friday:

• Stress is universal. Burnout isn’t.

• Well-being isn’t charity—it’s a business strategy and a margin protector.

• Healthy teams innovate, stay, and attract other high performers.

• **Recognition and rest aren’t perks—**they’re performance fuel.

• Focus is finite. Guard it like you guard cash.

• Culture is leadership’s daily behavior, not a slogan on the wall.

• **Leaders who care build businesses that last—**and people who want to stay.

Key Lessons & Lasting Changes

• Flexibility is the new loyalty program.

• Communication is the cheapest stress reliever.

• Rest fuels innovation.

• Recognition builds engagement.

• Early intervention prevents expensive turnover.

• Mental health is core to safety, productivity, and profit.

Frank King, Suicide Prevention

Speaker, writer for The Tonight Show for 20 years, keynoter and comedian for 39 years. His speaking is informed by a lifetime of Depression and Suicidality, coming close enough to suicide he can tell you what the barrel of his gun tastes like. He turned that dark journey of the soul into 13 TEDx Talks, and sharing insights with corporations and associations. For a free consultation https://tinyurl.com/39pps8su.

EXHIBITOR SPOTLIGHT

What year was your company established?

1997

How many employees does your company have?

70 employees

What areas do you serve with your product/service?

International

How many festivals and events do you work with on an annual basis? More than 50.

What is your ‘elevator pitch’ and/or slogan about your product/service?

Creat better experiences…with cashless RFID. Eliminate long lines. Access control. Increase revenue. Accurate data reporting. Eliminate fraud and theft. Works with or without internet.

At Price Chopper Wristbands, we manufacture Tyvek, vinyl and silicone wristbands. We chop a slice off every price!.

How/why did your company/ product/service get started?

After producing wristbands for twenty five years, and rfid products for three years, we were bomarded with requests for the software system to run and manage events with a reliable, safe, and efficient

package which could operate effectivey without internet service in remote areas. We acquired a software company that run hundreds of large music converts and events..

What new or improved product/service do you have to offer that IFEA audiences need to know about?

We customize your reports to suit your needs and desires. Our staff come on site to ensure your staff training and smooth operations.

What sets your product/service apart from your competitors? No competitor has products and services with the same capabilities and support. No one can beat our prices! No one will provide similar custom reporting

What advice would you offer to festivals and events searching for your type of product/service? Carefully examine and research a service provider and ensure that they have an excellent track record. Ensure that your cashless system functions smoothly, even with bad internet service.

What is your company’s customer service philosophy? Give your customers the best of price, quality and service and ensure that you exceed their expectations.

JEFF JOHNSON Director

Tap N Go / Price Chopper 6325 Mc Coy Rd Orlando, FL, 32822 USA

407-679-1600

jeff@pchopper.com tapngorfid.com pchopper.com

How many years have you been with your company? 28 years

What are your favorite festival foods? Hot Dogs

What do you like to do to relax?

Watch a good movie.

What is the name of the last business book you read?

Turnaround (The Nissan Story)… By Carlos Ghosn.

What is the name of the last movie you watched? My Oxford Year

Why Use a Portal?

Elevate Your Event with BRANDED

DRINKWARE

By Michele Schinker

YourBrand Here

Whatever your event, from a community festival to a largescale music event, you want your guests to have a memorable experience. One part that is easy to overlook is how they interact with your brand. Effectively telling your brand story can add to your guests’ overall experience and their memories of your event.

One of the most impactful ways to bring your brand into the hands of your guests, literally, is through custom branded drinkware. Whether it’s an aluminum or plastic cup, an Oktoberfest mug, or anything in between, having your event’s identity front and center not only enhances the experience, but provides an amazing marketing opportunity as well! Your custom drinkware becomes a walking billboard that is featured in every selfie and social media post your guests make during your event and then lives on long after the final song as a take-home keepsake.

Benefits of Branded Drinkware

1. High visibility, high use

Drinkware is probably the most highly used and visible promotional opportunity during your event. Your message is delivered with every sip, every toast, every photograph that is taken during the event and shared after! With today’s drinkware decorating capabilities, you are only limited by your creativity. Designs can be full-color, full-wrap, and even use specialty finishes and techniques that help tell your brand story in a unique and memorable way. And it doesn’t have to break the bank! Drinkware

options for your event can be extremely cost-effective, ranging from inexpensive disposable cups to metal drinkware retail brands and anything in between.

2. A Take-Home Memory

A great-looking design carries a memory that your guests will

want to take home with them. Souvenir cups, premium metal drinkware, and even reusable aluminum or plastic cups make their way home, giving your brand repeated visibility over and over again. For annual events, this is a great reminder for guests to plan ahead so they can attend next year’s event!

3. Sustainability Story

We are all increasingly aware of our environmental impact these days and often large events face pressure to demonstrate sustainable practices. What better way to show environmental awareness than with reusable and recyclable drinkware? Sustainability options are endless when it comes to drinkware so you can tell the story that best meets your event’s and your guests’ values based on the drinkware you choose.

4. Sponsorship-Friendly

All these benefits – high visibility, creative design options, take-home worthy products and sustainable stories - are what make drinkware a great sponsorship opportunity. Sponsors will pay a premium for the value they receive by adding their logos and artwork to your custom drinkware.

Extend Your Brand Story

To truly create that immersive experience, extend your identity to more touchpoints. Some highly visible branding options include tents, signage, patio umbrellas, can coolies, take-home giveaways and the list goes on and on.

The repetition of your brand story with key items enriches the experience and makes sure your brand identity is seen and remembered by eventgoers. Make sure all the custom products you’re using are consistent with your event identity and the way you want attendees to experience and remember it.

Bringing It All Together

With the right branding partner, this can be a straightforward task that is easy to check off your list. A trusted branding expert can ensure your event identity stays aligned, sponsors are represented effectively, and every product is thoughtfully selected, executed correctly, and delivered on time. The most successful events aren’t remembered for a single moment, but for the lasting impression they leave with your guests. Branded drinkware and thoughtfully chosen gear can help build connections between attendees, sponsors, and your brand story - long after the event is over.

Michele Schinker is the Senior

Manager,

Promotional Accounts Team at Boelter. For more information about Boelter, go to: www. beercup.com – or contact Michele directly at Phone: (262) 5236027 or mschinker@boelter.com

VENDOR OPPORTUNITIES

CONNEC T

In an industry with an annual spend of 1 trillion in the United States, you need to reach industry buyers and event professionals through the IFEA Event Insider, Event Resource Marketplace, and IFEA website box ads, as they explore ways to improve their business.

IFEA EVENT INSIDER

EVENT RESOURCE MARKETPLACE

event professionals, these premier placements will give your company

to run a successful business. That means your message will reach the decision-makers you’re looking to target.

Digitally distributed each week

are within the Event Resource

professional buyers count on the guide to put them in touch with suppliers for all their project needs, and the ads help lead them to you.

Viewable online, 24/7

IFEA WEBSITE BOX AD

Highlight your core message and website. These box ads will occupy prime real estate to help sell your products and services to industry

allowing your ad to be seen AFTER

Viewable online, 24/7

THE SPONSOR DOC WITH BRUCE L.

ERLEY, APR, CFEE

FINDING THE SPONSORSHIP

SWEET SPOT

Dear Sponsor Doc:

We are a relatively new festival in a smaller community. I’m not sure what the best strategy should be to prospect for sponsors. Should we take a targeted approach to the bigger players in my community or cast a wide net for a bunch of smaller deals? Which approach do you recommend?

LLE – Monroe, LA

Dear GH:

Every festival or special event organizer eventually faces the same question. Should you build a long list of smaller sponsors or focus on a few major ones? This choice affects not only your revenue but also your workload, your event’s public image, and the quality of your relationships with the local business community. Here are two approaches you should consider including the upsides and downsides.

Option 1: The Community Partner Model

For newer or small to mid-sized events, the instinct is to cast a wide net. Smaller sponsorship asks are easier to close, diversify your revenue base, and keep you from relying too heavily on a single supporter.

The Upside:

• Broader buzz. Each sponsor becomes an advocate for your event. A credit union may post flyers at every branch; a local brewery may run a festival-weekend special.

• Lower attrition sting. Losing one $5,000 sponsor out of twenty doesn’t throw you off balance like losing a $50,000 partner would.

• Authenticity. Lower levels let small and mid-sized businesses participate, adding a home-grown feel and strengthening ties with your “Main Street” audience.

The Downside:

• Administrative load. Servicing dozens of small sponsors — contracts, billing, activation, signage, recap reports — can swamp even a seasoned team. It’s probably just you and maybe one other person making this happen.

• Logo clutter. Too many brands on banners, digital ads, or announcements dilutes visibility and the perceived value for everyone.

• Revenue ceiling. Without signature partners, it’s difficult to fund large-scale assets. Enhancements, or new experiences that could elevate your event.

Option 2: The Anchor Partner Model

This approach focuses on cultivating fewer, deeper partnerships with brands willing to make a major investment in exchange for meaningful activation. In Monroe, this would certainly include your largest employers like Lumen Technologies or St. Francis Hospital.

The Upside:

• Bigger impact. With fewer partners, you can truly customize activation opportunities, provide naming rights for premium assets, create unique experiences, and roll out top level hospitality for their employees or clients.

• Elevated stature. A small group of premier sponsors signals to audiences, the media, and the business community that yours is a marquee civic event.

• Financial stability. Larger guaranteed checks early on reduce budget anxiety.

• Operational focus. Staff can spend more time delivering quality instead of quantity, often boosting renewal rates.

The Downside:

• Concentration risk. Losing one major partner can blow a hole in your budget.

• Higher expectations. Corporate players want measurable returns — attendance data, brand engagement, lead generation, category exclusivity — and you must deliver.

• Market limits. Not every city has enough corporations capable of making five- or six-figure investments. Aiming too high in a smaller market can leave you priced out.

A Third Option: The Hybrid Approach

It has been my experience that successful events combine elements of both: one to three signature partners, (e.g. Title or Presenting), at high investment levels plus a supporting group of lower-level sponsors (Associate, Supporting, Contributing), with more modest investments. In this scenario, the big players cover critical costs, while the smaller partners add local flavor, promotional reach, and grassroots credibility.

EVENT MANAGEMENT SCHOOL

The Event Management School at Oglebay National Training Center in West Virginia is designed around the concept of bringing new and mid-career industry professionals together with some of the most highly-respected and experienced professionals in the field for a comprehensive educational and networking opportunity that will cover the critical basics of successful event management – from sponsorship/revenues to operations/risk management, media/marketing to volunteers/team building, business/budgeting to community/city partnerships and more – and then test your knowledge/skills/creativity against your peers. A two-year program, second year students will work closely with Event Management School expert advisors/instructors to design/create a complete event template to be presented as part of their final assessment project. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION AT WWW.IFEA.COM!

2025 IFEA

Cindy Lerick, MA, CFEE, CED Professor of Practice at Kansas State University President at The ART of Events, LLC Manhattan, KS, USA

The International Festivals & Events Association is pleased to announce the induction of one of the festival and event industry’s finest professionals into the IFEA Hall of Fame, Cindy Lerick, MA, CFEE, CED, Professor of Practice at Kansas State University and President at The ART of Events, LLC in Manhattan, KS, USA.

Known as the association’s most prestigious honor, the IFEA Hall of Fame recognizes those outstanding individuals who, through their exceptional work and achievements, have made a significant contribution to the Festivals and Events Industry and a profound difference in the communities they serve. Induction into the Hall of Fame is considered the highest of industry honors. Selected from a group of his industry-peers, Cindy joins the prestigious ranks of 66 others inducted into the hall.

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own, and you know what you know. And you are the one who will decide where to go.”

For Cindy Lerick, these words have been more than a children’s rhyme by Dr. Seuss — they have been the compass for her life and career. She did not set out to become an event professional. In fact, she often describes herself as an “accidental event producer.” That accidental beginning — organizing a quirky Minneapolis race called The Generic Run — grew into a twenty-year journey with the Twin Cities Marathon, where she rose from start-line organizer to operations director to its only three-year President. Those early years sparked a lifetime passion: creating events that not only brought people together but transformed them.

Cindy’s career has been defined by her ability to innovate. At the Uptown Art Fair, she created the “Expose Yourself” campaign — a bold, tongue-in-cheek way to refresh and re-energize the fair’s image while engaging a younger audience. In St. Louis, she launched the Emerging Artist as Entrepreneur program, designed to give young artists the tools, confidence, and business skills to succeed in the art world. She also developed the Metric Creates School Program and Fit for Fun, a Nike-sponsored running program for inner-city parents and

children, demonstrating her belief that events can be both cultural showcases and engines for community health, education, and empowerment. These programs show Cindy’s consistent philosophy: events must be more than entertainment. They should spark opportunity, provide education, and connect people in ways that leave legacies long after the event ends.

Her leadership roles have spanned some of the country’s most prestigious festivals — Uptown Art Fair, MAIN Street Fort Worth, Seafair, the Sausalito Art Festival, and the Saint Louis Art Fair — where she stabilized finances, raised sponsorships, and brought national recognition. Under her leadership, her organizations collected more than 150 IFEA Pinnacle Awards, including multiple Grand Pinnacles, the industry’s highest honor.

Her leadership has been recognized repeatedly. She was named Contributor of the Year (1988) by the Northern Lights Running Club, received the Distinguished Service Award (1991) from the Minnesota Distance Running Association, and in 2007 received the inaugural Mo Dana Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Independent Artists. Each honor reflects her longstanding reputation for excellence, integrity, and service.

Today, Cindy shares her decades of expertise as a Professor of Practice at Kansas State University. She teaches courses across festivals, sales, wedding consultancy, and club and resort management, but her impact is far greater than curriculum. She pioneered the Festival Immersion Program, giving students real-world experiences working behind the scenes at major festivals,

and redesigned the Travel and Dining Auction into a hands-on learning project that funds student opportunities.

Her teaching extends beyond the classroom. She has been a longtime instructor and team leader at the IFEA/ NRPA Event Management School, served as the manager of the IFEA’ CFEE program for nearly a decade, and has supported over 100 professionals in earning the CFEE designation — elevating the professionalism of the industry worldwide.

In addition, Cindy has served on the IFEA Foundation Board of Directors and completed two terms on the IFEA World Board of Directors, including serving as Chair, further strengthening her impact on the industry at a global level.

Her students testify to her impact. Parker Oliver, one of her Hospitality Management students, wrote:

“Cindy completely shifted my perspective — not just on the industry but on academics as a whole. She redefines what it means to be an educator, going far beyond the typical duties of her position. She knows every student by name, understands their career goals, and invests in their success. Cindy doesn’t just create successful events — she helps create successful people.”

Even after more than 30 years in the industry, Cindy continues to look forward. She is co-authoring a new textbook, Festival Management: From Concept to Celebration, scheduled for release in 2026, which will provide both students and professionals with a comprehensive resource built from her decades of experience.

For Cindy Lerick, festivals and events have never been “just a job.” They have been a lifelong calling — fueled by innovation, passion, and purpose. Whether launching a groundbreaking Emerging Artist program, installing bike racks in Uptown Minneapolis, creating a hybrid Irish Porch Party, or mentoring students at Kansas State University, Cindy has proved that the best events — and the best careers — are built with creativity, courage, and joy.

After all, as Dr. Seuss reminds us, you are the one who decides where to go. And Cindy has chosen, time and again, to go exactly where the magic of festivals and events could make the most difference.

And if you ask her what keeps her smiling after all these years? She’ll tell you: “There’s nothing better than seeing an idea come to life — unless it’s seeing someone else realize they have the power to create it.”

Please join us in congratulating our 2025 IFEA Hall of Fame inductee, Cindy Lerick, MA, CFEE, CED.

2025 IFEA

Professor Gang Hoan Jeong, Ph.D.

President, IFEA Asia / Korea Dean of Center for Tourism and Event Management PaiChai University Daejeon, South Korea

The International Festivals & Events Association is pleased to announce the induction of one of the festival and event industry’s finest professionals into the IFEA Hall of Fame, Professor Gang Hoan Jeong, Ph.D., President, IFEA Asia / Korea and Dean of Center for Tourism and Event Management at PaiChai University in Daejeon, South Korea.

Known as the association’s most prestigious honor, the IFEA Hall of Fame recognizes those outstanding individuals who, through their exceptional work and achievements, have made a significant contribution to the Festivals and Events Industry and a profound difference in the communities they serve. Induction into the Hall of Fame is considered the highest of industry honors. Selected from a group of his industry-peers, Professor Jeong joins the prestigious ranks of 66 others inducted into the hall.

Professor Gang Hoan Jeong, Ph.D.’s journey in festivals and events began in 1987 with his Master’s Thesis at the University of Wisconsin exploring the expectations of the 1988 Soul Olympics. His research won the TTRA Research Contest in the US, igniting his passion for mega events, which he later pursued in his PhD studies at the University of Minnesota.

Returning to Korea in 1993, he became a professor at PaiChai University, leading the only Festival Management Graduate School in Asia. For over 20 years, he has mentored almost 30 PhD Graduates and 100 Master’s students, shaping the next generation of festival leaders.

Under his leadership, the PaiChai University earned seven consecutive IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards for Best Festival and Event Management Degree programs, inviting over 70 global experts, including Steve Schmader, CFEE, Joe Vera, CFEE, Guy LaFlamme, Danielle Baldacci, and Johan Moerman, and benchmarking festivals worldwide.

Recognizing Korea’s untapped festival potential, Professor Jeong proposed strategies that led to the country’s cultural tourism festival system, which transformed government support for festivals. His contributions include pioneering cultural

tourism festivals, introducing evaluation frameworks, and developing hands-on experience-driven events.

Among his most impactful achievements is the creation of the Boryeong Mud Festival in 1997. Originally designed to revamp Boryeong’s image, the festival introduced interactive experiences, attracting international visitors, including US soldiers and foreign English teachers. His strategic vision extended beyond tourism, successfully promoting local mud cosmetics and establishing the Boryeong Mud Museum. His efforts earned him honorary citizenship in Boryeong and six other cities.

Beyond Boryeong, Professor Jeong played a pivotal role in festivals such as the Gwangju Chungjan Festival and the Seosan Haemi Castle Festival. His expertise led him to consult on Korea’s top festivals, including the Jinju Namgang Lantern Festival and the Geumsan Ginseng Festival, contributing to their long-term growth and global reach.

A driving force in international festival collaboration, Professor Jeong fostered exchanges between Korea and global events, including Spain’s La Tomatina Festival and Canada’s Winterlude Festival. His role in connecting Korea with IFEA helped Korean festivals gain global recognition, culminating in Korean events ranking among the top three in the IFEA/ Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards Competition for over 15 years.

Professor Jeong’s passion for nighttime festivals and the nighttime economy led to his involvement in the Jeongdong Culture Night Festival which expanded into a national initiative with 49 events. His expertise in night festivals culminated in key publications and policies that reshaped Korea’s festival landscape.

Professor Jeong’s leadership helped in the creation and official launch of IFEA Asia in 2019 which evolved after IFEA Korea, IFEA Singapore and IFEA China. Despite the challenges of the Covid-19 Pandemic, he orchestrated international ceremonies and strengthened festival cooperation across Asia. In 2024, the Asia Festival City Conference in Pattaya brought together over 50 competitive festivals from 11 countries, further solidifying his legacy.

Professor Jeong’s contributes his achievements to the support of researchers, students, and government officials along with his lifelong collaborations with IFEA leaders like Steve Schmader, CFEE and Joe Vera, CFEE. His vision and dedication have transformed Korea’s festival industry and elevated its presence on the global stage.

Congratulations, Professor Gang Hoan Jeong, Ph.D. on all your achievements with IFEA Asia, your induction into the IFEA Hall of Fame, and your continued collaboration with IFEA worldwide.

Please join us in congratulating our 2025 IFEA Hall of Fame inductee, Professor Gang Hoan Jeong, Ph.D.

EXHIBITOR SPOTLIGHT

What year was your company established?

1974

How many employees does your company have? 10

What areas do you serve with your product/service? Across the US

How many festivals and events do you work with on an annual basis? 50+.

What is your ‘elevator pitch’ and/or slogan about your product/service?

The solutions you need with the service you deserve. Let us create a turnkey, customized solution to meet the specific needs of your event.

How/why did your company/product/service get started?

Local POS sales in the Twin Cities.

What new or improved product/service do you have to offer that ifea audiences need to know about? Flexible, Customized solutions tailored to event needs such as RFID, Mobile

POS, Stand Alone Cashe Registers, Cellular Network Connectivity.

What sets your product/ service apart from your competitors?

SERVICE, SERVICE, SERVICE. We understand that one solution doesn’t fit all. We work with each customer to create specific solutions, provide all programming, configuring, setup and training. Customers that have tried competitor solutions return to us due to service, responsiveness and expertise.

What advice would you offer to festivals and events searching for your type of product/service?

Start early and don’t do it all on your own. There are many options and we can help you create the right solution for you while allowing you to focus on other priorities for your event.

What Is Your Company’s Customer Service Philosophy?

Over the top customer service. Relationships are key. We are dedicated to providing our customers with a great experience to ensure your event is a success. Your success is our success.

American Metro 609 County Road E West Shoreview, MN 55126, USA

651-645-2005

Pierre@americanmetro.com www.americanmetro.com

How many years have you been with your company? I bought the company in May.

What are your favorite festival foods? Corn Dogs!

What do you like to do to relax? Work Out

What is the name of the last business book you read? Deep Work

What is the name of the last movie you watched? F1

Reaching

the Unseen and Unheard

VOICES of Your Local Festival or Event

Professor Joe Goldblatt

After retiring from a lifetime of producing hundreds of major festivals and events all over the world I thought I had hung up my event planner’s clip board for good. And then something remarkable happened that will this summer bring me to 16 very unusual venues from Edinburgh to North Berwick in Scotland. I have found my joie des vivre (joy of life) in my retirement years.

“When you brought the Fringe performers to my care home it was as if life finally and absolutely now goes on for me!” This was the comment from a 90+ year old resident of a local care home in Edinburgh after she had experienced two of the 40,000+ performers currently on stage in theatres, church basements, and even moving vehicles during the world’s largest arts festival. The solution to this dilemma for this lady and thousands of other often unseen and unheard voices of bringing the Fringe to them was conceived by the Edinburgh Interfaith Association.

In 2022 one of my close friends required specialist care for his growing Dementia and Alzheimer’s diagnosis. As the Fringe approached, I asked his family if I could escort him to a musical performance and they declined due to his increased physical frailty. That was the moment the Fringe Care Fest, which will provide a Fringe experience for over 1,000 residents in care homes, was born!

I simply asked if I could bring a Fringe performer to my friend’s local care home to entertain the residents. The positive answer I received led me to search for a performer whose act would be appropriate for residents suffering from Dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Melanie Gall, a Canadian and multi – year veteran of the Festival Fringe agreed to perform her Edith Piaf and Noel Coward show for the residents. When she sang the world-famous Piaf ballad “La Vie En Rose” or in English “Life through Rose Coloured Glasses” the 100 audience members sang along forcefully. Among the audience members were 60 care home residents who previously had been either asleep or simply resting their tired eyes. With the first notes of the familiar tune they blinked their eye lashes, sat up straighter in their wheel chairs exuding hope, and passionately sang every word in French out loud.

It was at that moment I wondered if this programme could be expanded. I asked the General Manager of the care home if there were other homes who would welcome a similar programme. She replied that her company operated four homes in Edinburgh and she would make some enquiries. Within

a few days, the 2023 programme was being planned thanks to the founding financial support of Barchester Healthcare.

In 2024, the programme doubled in size to reach eight homes in Edinburgh and this summer, 16 care homes from Edinburgh to North Berwick will experience the excitement of performers from all over the world (Canada, China, Italy, Jamaica, and the USA), at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in the ease and comfort of their very own care home. This is only possible through the continued support of Barchester Healthcare, Randolph Hill Group Ltd., Scottish Care / Partners for Integration, and the Asian Art Fund Scotland.

Several care home residents have expressed their gratitude by saying “We attended the Festival Fringe for over 50 years and without the Fringe Care Fest those days would be over. It is often too difficult or impossible for us to attend Fringe shows due to our mobility challenges so having you bring the Fringe Care Fest to us means we can, with our families, friends, and others continue to enjoy the world’s largest arts festival!”

To achieve this success, the Edinburgh Interfaith Association and our partners first annually consult with local care home officials to identify the best type of entertainment for their home’s residents. Then we consult with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society to advertise these opportunities to their artist participants. Finally, we then brief the confirmed artists regarding these special audiences and also brief the care home to insure they create the total Fringe experience through food and drink, décor, and costumes.

Many festival and event organisations throughout the world receive funding for outreach activities such as bringing their performers to care homes, schools, prisons and other remote institutions outside of the festival venue itself. The difference between traditional outreach and the Fringe Care Fest is that every Fringe performer is given the opportunity to tick a box confirming they would be interested in providing outreach service. Once this box is ticked, the Fringe Care Fest team reviews the acts and invites those who would be best aligned with the

needs of individual care homes to perform. In order for you to succeed in effectively reaching the care homes within your own community and including them in your festival or event, I recommend the following five steps.

• First, contact a local not for profit residential care organisation or an organisation that focuses upon services related to Dementia and Alzheimer’s. It is important to liaise with them early on and seek their guidance and support.

• Second, contact care homes that are recommended to you by the not for profit agencies and determine their interest and needs.

• Third, invite your contracted and volunteer performers to apply to be invited to perform at a local care home. In their application they simply need to describe their act, the number of personnel, and their physical requirements for their performance.

• Fourth, interview the performers and if there is a positive alignment with the care home requirements invite them to perform.

• Fifth and finally, compensate, reward, and evaluate the performers for sharing their talent with the care home residents. Compensation is important because for performers, this is their profession, and they should be adequately renumerated. In the case of the Fringe Care Fest will use a favoured nations compensation scheme which is the same flat fee for all performing groups (regardless of size) and reimbursement of local travel expenses.

Traditionally, care home performers have provided musical acts with a nostalgia theme such as The Beatles, Abba, or event Edith Piaf and Noel Coward. However, the Fringe Care Fest strives to replicate the Edinburgh Festival Fringe authentic experience by including other types of acts including Chinese opera and circus side show performers. Within the city of Edinburgh, there are over 60 care homes. Our goal is to bring the Fringe Care Fest to all of them in future years. Each summer we will help ensure that the unseen and unheard voice of the past have their loud and long applause and shouts of “Bravo” included as an integral part of the Edinburgh Festivals of the future.

Professor Joe Goldblatt is the Co – Chair of the Edinburgh Interfaith Association and is the Founding Producer of the Fringe Care Fest. To support this programme visit www. edinburghinterfaith.com.

EVENTS INTERFACE WITH

S. DAVID RAMIREZ,

RETHINKING

SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of developing web content that ranks highly on search engine pages like Google and Bing. Events have a natural advantage in the channel since they generally cultivate many links and references over the years.

With the massive expansion of artificial intelligence, the rules and the opportunities for SEO have changed. Three new concerns should be at the back of marketers’ minds to ensure that their websites remain at the top of search engine results pages.

Artificial Intelligence

The latest buzzword is “Zero-Click Search”. Rather than visiting websites, consumers are looking for information about festivals and events with ChatGPT prompts or asking questions to their Alexa (which is powered in part by Anthropic’s Claude).

Artificial intelligence scrapes content from the Internet to answer questions. With an answer displayed instantly, consumers have no incentive to visit the source website. Less than half of users will click a regular search result for deeper information and instead rely on summarized information from Google or other search tools.

Don’t stress over the loss. This is a new opportunity to place information about your event in a format that is quickly becoming one of the primary search formats.

Entire classes are being taught on creating AI-friendly content. The simple rule of thumb is to continue implementing SEO best practices. Use strong information architecture, strong well-written content, and clearly marked hierarchies of data using things like heading codes (H1, H2, H3, etc.).

Current numbers show that AI chatbots and AI-assisted search account for less than 5% of search traffic, however that number is expected to rise. Taking the time now will ensure your site isn’t left behind.

Instagram

Starting July 10, 2025, Instagram will be indexable by search engines. That means content you post on Instagram will now show up in search. This includes all publicly visible content like carousels, photos, and videos. In some cases, it may also include reels. Events organizations post massive amounts of content, especially now that Instagram allows up to 20 images in a carousel. Some organizations only cross-post content from their Facebook to Instagram. This update requires a major change in the way that many of us operate.

First, this requires more intentionality in Instagram content creation. Earlier this year, Adam Mosseri, CEO of Instagram, mentioned that longer form captions should be prioritized over hashtags. This means that longer captions are no longer negotiable. People should be writing at least a paragraph in

each of their Instagram captions. Alt text has never been more important since that will also be crawled and analyzed by the search engines to determine whether an image should appear in the Google images tab.

There is no longer a throw away post on Instagram. Every post, carousel, and reel should have some sort of purpose. Even if you are posting candid content live from an event, you should be writing longer captions.

This also means that post will naturally have a longer lifespan. It won’t be as easy as deleting a questionable post since it will be indexed by Google. Thankfully, indexing will only go back to 2020 and will not include deep dives into historical content.

Non-Google Search

Google still dominates the U.S. search market but competitors like Bing and DuckDuckGo have slowly started to chip away at its lead. Compounded by issues with Google’s AI snippets accuracy, many users are looking elsewhere for search results.

Currently, Google accounts for approximately 87% of US search traffic while Bing is estimated to be around 7% and DuckDuckGo wraps up at 3%. But year-over-year Bing has picked up approximately 1.5 percentage points of overall U.S. search market and seen major growth with Bing desktop searches owning 10% of desktop search traffic.

The basic fundamentals of SEO are similar on both Google and Bing. However, both have slightly nuanced factors that can affect where someone’s page appears on the search engine results page (SERP).

Beyond structural requirements, Google tends to lean on the EEAT framework: experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness. This means that content created by high-quality, trustworthy websites are more likely to appear than low-quality sites.

Bing focuses on exact match keywords, the age of a website, and certain social signals with an emphasis on multimedia content like images and video.

Many events are only optimized for Google. Now, we must begin thinking about how to optimize for Bing and other non-Google search platforms. Even if we’re not ready to roll out a new optimization project.

Don’t Panic, Yet.

These changes are slow moving. This is your chance to get ahead of the trend. If you’ve been putting off a major web update or SEO project, now is the time to make sure that you budget for it.

The best tenants of SEO have not significantly changed. Good web page optimization, including mobile first experiences, information architecture, and content quality remain the best way to ensure that your web page is properly indexed.

CFEE

By Kate Zabriskie

The Power of at Work

WHY IT’S MORE THAN JUST A GOOD TIME

When most people think about work, “fun” probably isn’t the first word that comes to mind. Deadlines, meetings, and spreadsheets? Sure. But laughter, camaraderie, and a little silliness? That often feels like a luxury, not a priority.

Here’s the truth: Fun at work isn’t just about blowing off steam or throwing office parties. It’s a powerful tool that drives engagement, strengthens teams, and boosts productivity. Companies that prioritize fun don’t just have happier employees—they have better-performing ones, too. Let’s dive into why fun at work matters and how to make it part of your workplace culture.

Why Fun at Work Matters

Fun isn’t frivolous—it’s foundational to a healthy workplace.

Reason One: Fun Fuels Engagement

Engaged employees are invested in their work. They bring energy, creativity, and focus to the table. And you know what sparks engagement? A workplace where people actually enjoy being there. When employees laugh together, share jokes, or bond over fun experiences, it creates a sense of connection and belonging. That connection translates to higher morale, stronger commitment, and better results.

Reason Two: Fun Reduces Stress

Let’s face it—work can be stressful. But a little humor, a quick game, or a shared celebration can break the tension. Fun gives people a mental reset, helping them tackle challenges with a fresh perspective. It’s science: Laughter lowers cortisol (the stress hormone) and releases endorphins, making people feel happier and more relaxed.

Reason: Three: Fun Boosts Collaboration

When people are having fun, they’re more likely to trust each other, communicate openly, and work together effectively. Fun creates a safe space where ideas flow freely and teams can solve problems creatively.

What Fun at Work Looks Like

Fun doesn’t have to mean foosball tables or elaborate theme days (though if that’s your vibe, go for it). It’s about creating moments of connection, levity, and celebration that fit your team’s personality.

Here are some ideas:

Idea One: Celebrate Wins—Big and Small

Got a team that crushed a project? A colleague who hit a personal milestone? Celebrate it!

• Host a lunch, bring in treats, or take a few minutes in a meeting to acknowledge the achievement.

• Even a simple “shoutout” in an email or group chat can make someone’s day.

Idea Two: Inject Humor into Everyday Moments

Work doesn’t have to be all business, all the time.

• Share funny memes in Slack or Teams.

• Start meetings with a lighthearted question like, “What’s the weirdest thing you’ve Googled this week?”

• Allow space for laughter—it’s not wasted time, it’s team bonding.

Idea Three: Plan Activities That Matter Forget forced fun like awkward icebreakers or mandatory team-building exercises. Instead:

• Ask your team what activities they’d actually enjoy. Escape rooms? Bowling? Volunteering together?

• Create optional, low-pressure events so people can join in without feeling obligated.

Idea Four: Make Room for Play Sometimes, a little playfulness can make a big difference:

• Have a board game or trivia lunch.

• Host a mini contest, like “best Zoom background” or “guess the baby picture.”

• Bring in themed dress-up days (like wearing your favorite sports team’s gear).

The goal isn’t to distract from work—it’s to make work more enjoyable.

How Leaders Can Foster Fun

Fun at work starts at the top. If leaders don’t embrace it, employees won’t either. Here’s how great leaders make fun a priority:

Action One: Set the Tone

Be the first to laugh, celebrate, and encourage levity. When leaders show it’s okay to have fun, it gives everyone else permission to do the same.

Action Two: Make It Inclusive

Fun should never feel cliquey or exclusive. Make sure activities and celebrations are accessible to everyone, regardless of schedules, preferences, or abilities.

Action Three: Balance Fun and Focus

Fun isn’t about derailing productivity—it’s about enhancing it. Great leaders know when to joke and when to buckle down, and they help their teams find that balance.

Make Fun Part of Your Culture

Creating a fun workplace doesn’t happen overnight, and it doesn’t come from forcing people to participate in activities they don’t enjoy. It’s about creating a culture where fun feels natural, not manufactured.

Start small:

• Celebrate a win with donuts or coffee.

• Add a funny question to your team’s next meeting agenda.

• Encourage employees to share their favorite playlist or movie recommendations.

Over time, those little moments of levity can grow into a culture where fun is the norm—and where people want to show up, not just for the paycheck, but for the experience.

The Bottom Line

Fun at work isn’t fluff. It’s the secret ingredient that makes teams stronger, workplaces healthier, and employees more engaged. When done right, fun isn’t a distraction—it’s a productivity booster, a stress reliever, and a connection builder.

So, the next time you hear laughter down the hall or see a group of employees taking a quick break to play a game, don’t roll your eyes. Lean into it. Because the workplaces that embrace fun are the ones where people do their best work—and have a great time doing it.

Kate Zabriskie is the president of Business Training Works, Inc., a Virginia-based talent development firm. She and her team provide onsite, virtual, and online soft-skills training courses and workshops to clients in the United States and internationally. For more information, visit www.businesstrainingworks.com

EXHIBITOR SPOTLIGHT

What year was your company established?

2020

How many employees does your company have?

What areas do you serve with your product/service?

Sky Elements provides drone shows services to the United States, Caribbean and internationally.

What is your ‘elevator pitch’ and/or slogan about your product/service?

Sky Elements is the largest drone light show company in the United States, known for producing record-setting and visually stunning drone performances. With a national team of FAA-certified pilots, artists, and producers, the company creates unforgettable experiences for some of the world’s biggest brands and events - including appearances on America’s Got Talent and 16 Guinness World Records titles. Sky Elements performs shows across all 50 states and internationally, pushing the boundaries of aerial entertainment. Their team specializes in turn-key, fully customized shows for communities, corporations, tourism boards, professional sports teams, and private events.

How/why did your company/ product/service get started?

The founders of Sky Elements began in the fireworks industry. Light show drones first entered as an enhancement to pyrotechnics, but drone shows on their own proved to be a powerful, creative storytelling powerhouse. The demand was clear, and Sky Elements Drone Shows was formed. From festivals to marquee events, the team grew into industry pioneers, raising the bar year after year. Sky Elements has orchestrated and flown some of the largest known drone shows in the world. A few of our clients include the MLB, Disney Studios, Marvel, Seattle Seahawks, Coca-Cola, and many more renowned organizations. The team has since worked alongside the FAA to establish safety standards for the industry, while continuing to have fun setting records - like the latest Guinness World

Records title for the most drone shows flown in 24 hours this Fourth of July.

What new or improved product/service do you have to offer that IFEA audiences need to know about?

Sky Elements is proud to offer Pyro Drones to our clients, which are fireworks on drones. In 2024, Sky Elements became the first company to bring Pyro Drones to American skies. Our team has matured the technology, and have implemented Pyro Drones into shows for world-class events like Lollapalooza and San Diego Comic Con. Pyro Drones demonstrate our love for drone shows and fireworks – bringing the wow factor to any occasion.

What sets your product/ service apart from your competitors?

Sky Elements provides a turn-key experience for clients, meaning every stage of production is managed by our team of in-house designers, animators, project managers, and pilots. From your local city’s 4th of July celebration to companies looking to advertise their next big campaign - we are the go-to solution in the industry for drone light shows no matter the project. We are here to create drone light shows that enhance great life moments.

What advice would you offer to festivals and events searching for your type of product/ service?

When booking a drone show provider, look for an experienced team. Companies who have been in the industry longer are proven to know how to navigate safety requirements, regulations and logistics. Ask about FAA authorizations, insurance, and similar events to yours they’ve worked with. Prioritize a team who can guide you through site planning, permitting and the creative design on your schedule. Choose a team who can follow your vision and create a show your audience will remember.

What is your company’s customer service philosophy? Our philosophy centers on safety, having fun, and doing right by our customers. With hundreds of shows produced each year, safety always comes first. We guide every client with honesty and expertise, ensuring a seamless process and uncompromising quality in every show.

KYLE PIVNICK Vice President

Sky Elements Drone Shows

820 W Sandy Lake Rd Suite 200 Coppell, Texas, 75019 USA

817-286-3400

kyle@skyelementsdrones.com skyelementsdrones.com

How many years have you been with your company? 4 years.

What are your favorite festival foods?

The best festival food has been and always will be corn dogs.

What do you like to do to relax?

Relaxing doesn’t always mean slowing down. I prefer to be active on a hike, mountain bike, or snowboard.

What is the name of the last business book you read?

The Singularity Is Nearer by Ray Kurzweil

What is the name of the last movie you watched?

The Founder. the story of McDonalds and their rise

Proud to insure excellence in the festivals & events industry

CONGRATULATIONS to the 2025 IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Insurance Pinnacle Award Winners

The International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA), together with long-time sponsor Haas & Wilkerson Insurance, proudly honored the 30th Anniversary of the IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards on Monday, September 22, 2025, during the 70th Anniversary of the IFEA Annual Convention & Expo presented by atVenu, held this year in Palm Springs, California, U.S.A.

Sponsored by industry leader Haas & Wilkerson Insurance, the Pinnacle Awards Competition recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of festivals and events from around the world and continues to be the gold standard of achievement and inspiration for the global festivals and events industry. This year’s entries came from a diverse range of events across the globe — including submissions from North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and beyond — reflecting the growing international reach of the IFEA and the universal celebration of community and culture.

Winning organizations included the Cherry Creek Arts Festival (CO), Dublin Irish Festival (OH), Fur Rendezvous (AK), Pasadena Tournament of Roses (CA), Kentucky Derby Festiva (KY), Canada Together (Canada), Púca Festival (Ireland), Vivid Sydney (Australia), Festival Lent (Slovenia), ÖRVÉNYESVÖLGY FESTIVAL (Hungary), Baekje Cultural Festival (South Korea), Chiang Mai Flower Festival (Thailand), and many more.

In total, awards were presented across 64 categories, honoring excellence in areas such as Marketing & Communications (TV, Radio, Social Media, Print), Merchandising, Sponsorship, Accessibility, Emergency Preparedness, Children’s Programming, Educational Outreach, and more.

“We’re proud to celebrate this major milestone with our 30th year of the Pinnacle Awards,” said Steven Wood Schmader, CFEE, President & CEO of the IFEA. “These awards showcase the incredible innovation, passion, and dedication of festival and event professionals around the world. The Pinnacle Awards not only set the standard for excellence in our industry — they help elevate and inspire new ideas and best practices across all budgets and locations.”

The IFEA and Haas & Wilkerson Insurance would like to congratulate not only the Grand Pinnacle Winners listed below, but all the 2025 IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Award Winners! The Grand Pinnacle is the highest award given by the IFEA in recognition of those Festivals and Events* who have a balance of all the elements necessary to ensure a successful event.

• To view the complete list of 2025 IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Award Winners CLICK HERE.

• To view photos of all the 2025 IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Award Winners, CLICK HERE.

City

2025 GRAND PINNACLE

Gold - Grand Pinnacle - Budget: Under $50,000

of McAllen, Quinta

Mazatlan – McAllen’s Great Monarch Month – McAllen, TX, United States

Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, Monarch Fest at Quinta Mazatlán has grown from a small educational gathering into a vibrant, citywide celebration of conservation, culture, and community. Born from McAllen’s commitment to the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge in partnership with the National Wildlife Federation, the festival and its accompanying Great Monarch Month programs each April aim to inspire conservation action, honor the monarch butterfly’s incredible migration, and engage people of all ages in creating pollinator-friendly gardens. Through partnerships in education, native plant sales, backyard stewardship, and community outreach, Monarch Fest cultivates a deeper understanding of the essential role that monarchs and other pollinators play in sustaining our environment. For more information, Click Here

Silver - Grand Pinnacle - Budget: Under $50,000

McAllen Public Library – South Texas Book Festival – McAllen, TX, United States

Since its debut in 2014, the South Texas Book Festival (STBF) has grown into one of the region’s most anticipated annual events, attracting readers and visitors from across the Rio Grande Valley and beyond. Hosted by the McAllen Public Library, the festival celebrates the power of storytelling and the diverse voices that shape South Texas culture. What began as the McAllen Book Festival evolved in 2018 into STBF—complete with a new name, logo, and broader vision—to welcome audiences from all over South Texas and beyond. Featuring acclaimed authors, local talent, live performances, and interactive activities for all ages, STBF connects readers with creators and celebrates imagination, creativity, and community. This year’s festival will take place October 29–November 2, 2025. For more information, Click Here.

Bronze - Grand Pinnacle - Budget: Under $50,000

Where Dogs Take the Spotlight, and Community Takes the Lead. The Frankenmuth Dog Bowl is the world’s largest Olympic-style festival for dogs—a one-of-a-kind celebration that blends joy, community, and purpose into a truly unforgettable experience. Drawing over 130,000 attendees annually, this high-impact, multi-day event showcases more than 25 canine-centric competitions, including DockDogs, Disc Dogs, and Wiener Dog Races, alongside awe-inspiring features like the Balloons Over Bavarian Inn hot air balloon glow. With robust sponsorships, a thriving volunteer program, and a mission-driven nonprofit core, the Dog Bowl raises significant funds for police K9 units, pet rescues, and community causes. Its innovative programming, accessible design, and heartwarming charm make it a global standout—and a shining example of excellence worthy of the IFEA Grand Pinnacle Award. For more information, Click Here.

Gold - Grand Pinnacle - Budget: $50,000 to $500,000

NLC Events & Entertainment Ltd. – ÖRVÉNYESVÖLGY FESTIVAL - VERTIGO VALLEY – Zalacsány, Zala, Hungary

Örvényesvölgy Festival is a premium three-day open-air event held each June in a serene Hungarian valley surrounded by rolling hills and forests. Set on a 50-acre private estate that also features a country hotel and deer farm, the festival offers an extraordinary experience that blends world-class music with the beauty of nature. Since its debut under the current name in 2023, Örvényesvölgy Festival has become a celebrated multi-arts gathering with a primary focus on pop, jazz, and blues—welcoming internationally acclaimed artists such as Al Di Meola, Mario Biondi, Candy Dulfer, the Gipsy Kings, Matteo Bocelli with symphonic orchestra, Kevin Davy White, Giacomo Turra, and Steffen Morrison. With its intimate atmosphere, natural amphitheater setting, and dedication to bringing exceptional global talent to Hungary, the festival stands apart as a uniquely soulful and immersive cultural experience. For more information, Click Here

Silver - Grand Pinnacle - Budget: $50,000

to $500,000

Pittsburgh Irish Festival – BRIGID 2025 – Pittsburgh, PA, United States

Celebrating its third year, BRIGID, A Celebration of the Celtic Goddess and Patron Saint of Ireland, took placeon Saturday, February 1, 2025, at the August Wilson Center for African American Culture in Downtown Pittsburgh, offering a vibrant and inclusive space to honor both the ancient Celtic goddess of creativity, healing, and fertility, and the beloved Christian saint known for compassion and miracles. The selection of theAugust Wilson Center—a venue celebrated for its dedication to cultural expression and artistic excellence—underscored the Pittsburgh Irish Festival’s commitment to diversity, collaboration, and storytelling acrosscultures. The event featured a dynamic lineup of music, dance, visual arts, panel discussions, food, and handsonactivities, drawing connections between Celtic traditions and contemporary expressions of womanhood,spirituality, and community. BRIGID served as a unique wintertime cultural offering in the region, expanding the Pittsburgh Irish Festival’s programming beyond its traditional September dates and engaging newaudiences in a meaningful celebration of heritage and shared humanity. New in 2025, BRIGID included a St.Brigid’s Day assembly for local students and “Women & Whiskey”, a tasting event featuring women-owneddistilleries and distributors. For more information, Click Here

Bronze (Tie) - Grand Pinnacle - Budget: $50,000 to $500,000

Town of Little Elm – The Big Easy in Little Elm – Little

Elm, TX, United States

Now in its 11th year, The Big Easy in Little Elm has become one of North Texas’ most beloved traditions, bringing the bold flavors, vibrant music, and electric energy of Mardi Gras to the lakeside town of Little Elm. Held annually on the first Saturday in March at Little Elm Park, this family-friendly celebration transforms the community into a lively showcase of Cajun flair, featuring a themed 5K and Kids 1K Fun Run, live music performances—including fan favorites like Le Freak—plus a crawfish boil, crawfish races, contests, food trucks, local vendors, and dazzling entertainment like balloon glows, fireworks, and a drone show. The event not only captures the spirit of New Orleans but also strengthens community pride, supports local businesses, and attracts regional visitors—achieving over 110% cost recovery in 2025. For more information, Click Here

Bronze (Tie)

Named the “Best New Year’s Eve Drop” by USA TODAY 10Best, the Panama City Beach New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop has become a signature celebration and cherished family tradition along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Presented by Coca-Cola and hosted by Visit Panama City Beach, the event invites thousands of residents and visitors to ring in the new year with live music, fireworks, and free family activities across Pier Park and Aaron Bessant Park. Inspired by Atlanta’s famous Peach Drop, the idea for a “beach ball drop” was born in 2011, offering a uniquely coastal, family-friendly way to celebrate midnight on the beach. The giant illuminated beach ball that descends as the clock strikes twelve has since become an iconic symbol of Panama City Beach’s festive, welcoming spirit. Now featuring two simultaneous 8:00 p.m. beach ball drops, the event continues to grow in scope and excitement, serving as a must-see New Year’s Eve tradition that captures the joy, warmth, and community pride of Panama City Beach. For more information, Click Here

Gold - Grand Pinnacle - Budget: $500,000 to $1.5 Million

Des Moines Arts Festival – Des Moines, IA, United States

The Des Moines Arts Festival®, presented by Nationwide and held annually at Western Gateway Park, is Iowa’s largest and most prestigious arts and cultural event, attracting over 200,000 visitors each year during the last weekend of June. Showcasing 190 juried professional visual artists selected from nearly 950 applicants, the festival features original artwork across a wide range of mediums, alongside interactive arts activities from sponsors and non-profit organizations. Guests enjoy live music, performing arts, strolling street theatre, and culinary offerings from local and regional restaurants, breweries, and mobile vendors, creating a vibrant, immersive experience. Guided by the mission to impact lives through the arts and the vision to strengthen a vibrant and creative community, the Des Moines Arts Festival celebrates creativity, culture, and community engagement. For more information, Click Here

Silver - Grand Pinnacle - Budget: $500,000 to $1.5 Million

Cultural Festivals – Saint Louis Art Fair – Saint Louis, MO, United States

The Saint Louis Art Fair (SLAF) is a free, three-day celebration of the visual arts held annually in downtown Clayton, Missouri, transforming the urban landscape into a lively showcase of art, music, food, and entertainment. Founded in 1994, the fair features a prestigious juried exhibition of works by accomplished artists from across North America, offering visitors the rare opportunity to meet creators, explore their processes, and acquire original pieces. Beyond visual arts, the event buzzes with live musical performances, street entertainers, interactive workshops, and family-friendly activities, drawing over 130,000 attendees each year. With a mission to inspire and engage the community through exceptional visual and performing arts, SLAF partners with local organizations, supports nonprofit arts groups, and provides a free, accessible celebration that enriches the cultural life of the Greater Saint Louis region. The 2024 festival took place September 6–8. For more information, Click Here

Bronze - Grand Pinnacle - Budget: $500,000 to $1.5 Million

Conway Area Chamber of Commerce – Toad Suck Daze – Conway, AK, United States

Toad Suck Daze, held annually in downtown Conway, Arkansas, is a lively, family-friendly festival celebrating children, education, music, food, art, and community—all inspired by the local legend of stranded steamboat captains “sucking down ale until they swelled like toads.” Since its founding in 1982, the festival has grown from a small summer celebration along the Arkansas River into a major event attracting over 100,000 visitors, offering live music, amusement activities, unique foods like Fried Rolos, Wonder Sticks, Crawfish Pies, and Walking Tacos, and even competitive toad races. Beyond the fun, Toad Suck Daze invests in the community by supporting scholarships, early childhood literacy, STEM education, arts and culture, downtown beautification, and National Merit Scholar prep, contributing over $2.6 million to local initiatives to date. The festival has also served as an early stage for artists such as Blake Shelton, Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert, and Jason Aldean, cementing its place as a beloved cultural and philanthropic tradition in central Arkansas. For more information, Click Here

Gold - Grand Pinnacle - Budget: Over: $1.5 Million

CherryArts – Cherry Creek Arts Festival – Denver, CO, United States

The Cherry Creek Arts Festival (CCAF), produced by the nonprofit CherryArts, is a nationally top-ranked, juried fine art event and a cherished annual tradition in Denver, Colorado, attracting over 151,000 visitors each year. Celebrating more than three decades of artistic excellence, the free, three-day festival transforms Cherry Creek North into an immersive outdoor art experience featuring 243 exceptional artists across 13 media categories, live music, performing arts, culinary experiences, interactive installations, and hands-on activities for all ages. Since its debut in 1991, CCAF has grown into one of the country’s most competitive and respected art shows, providing visitors the opportunity to engage directly with artists, participate in art-making, and enjoy curated cultural experiences. Guided by CherryArts’ mission to provide access to the arts and support arts education across Colorado, CCAF fosters creativity, community connection, and cultural enrichment, making it a premier destination for art lovers and families alike. For more information, Click Here

Silver - Grand Pinnacle - Budget: Over: $1.5 Million

Destination NSW – Vivid Sydney – The Rocks (Sydney), NSW, Australia

Vivid Sydney, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest multi-artform festival, transforms Sydney into a dazzling celebration of Light, Music, Ideas, and Food each May and June. Established in 2009 to boost tourism and showcase the city’s creative industries, the festival has grown into a global cultural highlight, attracting over 2.3 million visitors in 2025 for its 15th edition. Across 23 nights, Vivid Sydney featured more than 200 events and 1,400 artists, offering world-class light installations, immersive projections, free Light Walks, live music, thought-provoking talks, and innovative culinary experiences, including headline dinners and interactive food programs. The 2025 festival introduced five curated zones—Circular Quay & The Rocks, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, The Goods Line, and Martin Place & CBD—enhancing visitor navigation and engagement, while celebrating artistic excellence and community connection. Owned and produced by Destination NSW, Vivid Sydney continues to inspire creativity, stimulate the visitor economy, and cement Sydney’s status as a global hub of culture and innovation. For more information, Click Here

Bronze - Grand Pinnacle - Budget: Over: $1.5 Million

Pennsylvania Horticultural Society – Philadelphia Flower Show – Philadelphia, PA, United States

The PHS Philadelphia Flower Show, produced by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), is the nation’s longest-running and largest horticultural event, celebrating 196 years of innovation, beauty, and education. Held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the annual show spans over 10 acres and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world. The 2025 theme, “Gardens of Tomorrow,” highlighted how gardening and design can inspire a more resilient, sustainable, and beautiful future, featuring imaginative floral displays, large-scale gardens, world-renowned horticulture and floral competitions, and hands-on demonstrations. Since its debut in 1829—when the poinsettia made its American debut—the Flower Show has provided a platform for discovery, creativity, and horticultural excellence. As PHS’s signature event and largest annual fundraiser, the Show supports greening and gardening programs that enhance health, well-being, and sustainability throughout the Greater Philadel phia region. For more information, Click Here

The Pinnacle Awards program continues to be the gold standard of achievement and inspiration for the global festivals and events industry.

All winners are selected from those festivals and events that enter the competition. Each category is divided into four budget levels, and entries are judged within those levels according to the specific category’s criteria.

The IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards are sponsored by Haas & Wilkerson Insurance. Haas & Wilkerson Insurance has proudly supported the IFEA and festivals and events industry for nearly three decades. As the title sponsor of the IFEA/ Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards Program, they have helped to raise the quality and standards of excellence for festivals and events around the globe. With over 85 years of entertainment industry experience behind them, they provide insurance programs designed for each event’s specific needs and have a long list of clients that includes festivals, fairs, parades, carnivals and more. Learn more about them at www.hwins.com.

Proud to insure excellence in the festivals & events industry

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE 2026

IFEA/HAAS & WILKERSON PINNACLE AWARD DEADLINES:

• Early Bird Entry Deadline – Wednesday, April 15, 2026

• FINAL Entry Deadline – Wednesday, June 24, 2026

The 2026 IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Award Entry Brochure will be available in January 2026. Online Submission will be accepted starting February 2, 2026.

WHAT DOES CHATGPT HAVE TO SAY?

THE RETURN OF WORD-OF-MOUTH:

WHY TRUST IS THE NEW MARKETING CURRENCY WITH CHATGPT

In today’s noisy digital world, where algorithms push ads and influencers promote products with a swipe, something old is making a powerful comeback: word-of-mouth. Not the kind that happens in boardrooms or marketing decks, but the kind that happens in coffee shops, group texts, and community events. The kind that’s built on trust, not transactions. As skepticism grows and audiences tire of misinformation and artificial hype, trust has become the new marketing currency. And festivals and events—by their very nature—are uniquely positioned to harness it.

Word-of-mouth marketing (WOMM) isn’t new. It’s one of the oldest forms of promotion, rooted in human behavior. People trust people. According to Nielsen, 92% of consumers trust recommendations from friends and family more than any form of advertising. That trust is even stronger when the recommendation comes from someone inside a community they care about. In 2025, with AI-generated content flooding social feeds and misinformation spreading faster than facts, audiences are turning back to what feels real: human voices, shared experiences, and authentic stories.

Festivals and events thrive on community. Whether it’s a local music festival, a cultural celebration, or a food fair, these gatherings are built on shared values and collective joy. That makes them fertile ground for word-of-mouth advocacy. But to truly tap into this power, organizers must go beyond hoping people will talk. They must build trust, nurture authenticity, and empower their most loyal supporters—staff, volunteers, and attendees—to become brand ambassadors.

Let’s start with staff. These are the people who live and breathe the event. They know its history, its quirks, and its heart. When staff members share their experiences—whether it’s a behindthe-scenes story on Instagram or a heartfelt post about why they love working the event—it resonates. It’s not scripted. It’s real. At the Calgary Stampede, for example, staff members regularly post personal reflections and photos from the grounds, giving followers a glimpse into the event’s culture. These posts often outperform official marketing content because they feel genuine.

Volunteers are another powerful voice. They’re not paid to be there. They choose to be part of the experience. That choice carries weight. When volunteers share why they return year after year, or what moment made their day, it builds emotional connection. The Oregon Country Fair, known for its vibrant community, encourages volunteers to share their stories through blog posts and video diaries. These stories are then featured on the event’s website and social channels, turning volunteers into storytellers and advocates.

Loyal attendees—those who come back every year, bring friends, and know the layout by heart—are perhaps the most influential ambassadors. They’re the ones who post photos, write reviews, and tell their neighbors, “You have to go.” But their advocacy doesn’t happen by accident. It’s earned. It starts with a great experience, but it grows through engagement. The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, for instance, runs a “Fan Spotlight” series, where attendees submit stories and photos about their favorite festival memories. These are shared on social media, creating a ripple effect of excitement and trust.

So how do you turn these groups into credible ambassadors? It starts with listening. Ask staff what they love about the event. Give volunteers a platform to share their voice. Invite attendees to tell their stories. Then, amplify those voices. Feature them in newsletters, highlight them on social media, and celebrate them publicly. When people feel seen and valued, they’re more likely to advocate.

It also means letting go of control. Word-of-mouth isn’t polished. It’s messy, emotional, and sometimes unpredictable. But that’s what makes it powerful. A volunteer’s shaky video of a sunset over the fairgrounds might connect more deeply than a professionally produced ad. A staff member’s candid tweet about a behind-thescenes mishap might make people laugh—and trust you more.

Digital platforms have made word-of-mouth scalable. Social media, review sites, and messaging apps are today’s town squares. According to Invesp, word-of-mouth impressions result in five times more sales than paid media. And 88% of people are more likely to trust a brand recommended by someone they know. That means every post, comment, and share from your community can drive real impact.

But it’s not just about reach. It’s about resonance. In a world where AI can write poems and generate images, people crave what feels human. They want stories that reflect their values, voices that sound like their own, and experiences that feel personal. That’s why trust matters more than ever. And that’s why word-of-mouth is rising again—not as a trend, but as a response to the times.

Misinformation fatigue is real. Audiences are tired of being sold to, misled, and manipulated. They’re looking for truth, even if it’s imperfect. That’s where festivals and events shine. They offer real moments, real people, and real stories. By building genuine community advocacy, organizers can create marketing that doesn’t just promote—but connects.

One way to deepen this connection is through ambassador programs. These aren’t just for influencers. They’re for everyday fans. Create a program where loyal attendees can earn perks

by sharing their experiences. Give volunteers badges they can display online. Offer staff members the chance to take over your social media for a day. These small gestures turn participants into partners.

Another strategy is user-generated content (UGC). Encourage attendees to post photos, videos, and reviews. Host contests for the best festival moment. Share their content widely. UGC is modern-day word-of-mouth, and it’s trusted. According to Brightsparks, brands that integrate UGC into their campaigns see higher engagement and stronger community ties.

Micro-influencers—those with small but loyal followings—can also play a role. They often have deeper relationships with their audience and are seen as more authentic. Partnering with local creators who genuinely love your event can amplify your message without losing trust. But the key is authenticity. Don’t script their posts. Let them share their real experience.

It’s also important to recognize that trust isn’t built overnight. It’s built through consistency, transparency, and care. That means responding to feedback, owning mistakes, and showing up for your community—not just when ticket sales are on the line, but year-round. Trust is a long game, but it pays off. According to Edelman’s Trust Barometer, brands that are seen as trustworthy enjoy stronger loyalty, higher engagement, and greater resilience in times of crisis.

Consider the example of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival in Michigan. During the pandemic, when the event was canceled, organizers stayed connected with their audience through virtual concerts, behind-the-scenes interviews, and heartfelt messages from staff and performers. They didn’t try to sell anything. They just showed up. That built trust. And when the festival returned, attendance surged—not because of a flashy campaign, but because the community felt seen and supported.

The same principle applies to smaller events. A neighborhood block party that highlights local vendors and shares stories from residents can build just as much trust as a major festival. It’s not about size. It’s about sincerity.

As marketing directors, we must shift our mindset. From campaigns to conversations. From control to collaboration. From reach to resonance. The return of word-of-mouth isn’t just a trend—it’s a call to reconnect. To build trust. To let our communities speak. And to listen.

Because in the end, the most powerful marketing doesn’t come from a billboard or a banner ad. It comes from someone saying, “You have to go. Trust me.”

Sources:

• Brightsparks, “Word of Mouth Marketing: How to Build Trust, Loyalty, and Buzz for Your Brand in 2025”

• Tomkin Outreach, “Digital Word-of-Mouth: Amplifying Your Brand Through Authentic Advocacy”

• Invesp, “The Importance of Word Of Mouth Marketing –Statistics and Trends 2025”

• KhrisDigital, “67+ Insightful Word of Mouth Marketing Statistics in 2025”

• Edelman Trust Barometer 2025

Hello, I am ChatGPT! As a language model developed by OpenAI, I have been trained on a vast amount of text data and use advanced algorithms to generate human-like responses to text-based inputs. My abilities include understanding natural language input, generating coherent and contextually appropriate responses, and adapting to user preferences over time. I have been used in a variety of applications, including chatbots, virtual assistants, and language translation tools. With ongoing training and refinement, I have the potential to revolutionize the way we communicate with technology and with each other. I’m constantly learning and improving, and I enjoy exploring new topics and expanding my knowledge base. When I’m not busy answering questions or assisting with tasks, I love to read, write, and analyze language data.

A Note from the Editor:

We’re excited to introduce, “What Does ChatGPT Have to Say”, a new column for “ie” magazine that will be created and written from questions posed to ChatGPT. Recognizing the potential that Artificial Intelligence could have on the Festivals & Events Industry and ChatGPT’s vast knowledge and ability to generate original ideas, we thought this would be a fun way to bring a fresh perspective to “ie” magazine, and provide readers with new and engaging content. We can’t wait to see what interesting and thought-provoking insights ChatGPT will bring to its column and the magazine’s readership! If you have a topic you’d like ChatGPT’s to address in an upcoming column, please contact Nia Hovde, CFEE, Vice President/ Director of Marketing & Communications at nia@ifea.com

HOW TO GET SPONSORS: WHAT EVERY ORGANIZER SHOULD KNOW

By Cat McDevitt

Planning an event is exciting, but securing sponsors can make all the difference in your budget and overall success. The right sponsors can provide ﬁnancial support, resources, and credibility—helping you elevate your event while keeping costs manageable. But how do you attract the right sponsors and convince them to invest in your event?

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps for how to get sponsors, from identifying potential sponsors to crafting compelling sponsorship packages. Plus, we’re including a free event sponsorship package example to help you get started. Whether you’re organizing a festival, conference, or community event, this guide will give you the tools to land the right sponsors and build lasting partnerships.

Types of Event Sponsorships

If you’re curious about creating event sponsorships, it’s a good idea to ﬁrst understand the different types of event sponsorships you can create.

Some of the most common types of sponsorships include the following:

• Title Sponsorships: A sponsor’s name is incorporated into the event’s title. This is one of the highest levels of brand visibility.

• Presenting Sponsorships: A sponsor is acknowledged as a key supporter, often with phrases like “[Event Name], sponsored by [Sponsor].”

• Tiered Sponsorships: Tiered sponsorship levels (ex: bronze, silver, gold, platinum) offer different levels of exposure, beneﬁts, and event involvement.

• Exhibition Sponsorship: Sponsors are given a physical presence at the event, often at a booth, to showcase their offerings and interact with attendees.

• Stage/Area Sponsorship: Sponsors put their branding on a speciﬁc stage, area, breakout room, or activity within the event for brand association.

• Product Sponsorship: Sponsors provide their products or services for use at the event, such as sponsored badges, event apps, or live streaming.

• Entertainment Sponsorship: Sponsors pay for or provide entertainment, such as bands, DJs, performers, or afterhours activities for attendees to enjoy.

• Promotional Giveaways Sponsorship: Sponsors provide promotional items or samples for attendee swag bags or gift boxes.

Beneﬁts of Sponsoring an Event

As an event planner, it’s important to understand the motivations behind event sponsorships. Knowing what sponsors want will help you create successful packages that make sense with their goals and intrigue them enough to want to purchase them.

Here are ﬁve key beneﬁts that sponsors gain from partnering with your event:

1. Sponsors get to create new connections. Your event gives sponsors a chance to connect directly with passionate fans to boost brand awareness, all in one place.

2. Sponsors get real-time engagement. Sponsors get to interact with their target audience live. This gives them immediate feedback and builds relationships.

3. Sponsors get to gather leads. At some events, sponsors may get to collect peoples’ information through booth interactions, data capture, and networking.

4. Sponsors get to build trust. Sponsors get to associate their brand with your trusted event, help them create loyalty and attract potential customers.

5. Sponsors get to form partnerships. Your event will give sponsors a place to connect with other businesses, meet experts, and create partnerships.

Use these ﬁve insights to your advantage when creating and marketing your sponsorship opportunities (more on that later)!

5 Sponsorship Beneﬁts for Event Planners:

Getting event sponsors is great for ﬁnancial support, but it’s also about working together to make your event even better.

Here are ﬁve beneﬁts of attracting and retaining event sponsors:

1. Increase your budget. Events can get expensive. Sponsorship packages are a simple way to get ﬁnancial support for better activities, speakers, and amenities.

2. Build your event’s trustworthiness. Having well-known or respected sponsors can add credibility (and even prestige!) to your event, attracting more attendees.

3. Expand your event’s reach. Sponsors often promote events to their

own networks, which can help you quickly attract a wider audience and increase attendance.

4. Add value to the experience. Sponsors can help impress attendees by providing free samples, giveaways, fun experiences, or interactive displays.

5. Collaborate on content. Sponsors can help you create buzz around your event, build anticipation on social media, and provide attendees with shareable moments!

Knowing these five benefits can help you make great, mutually-beneficial deals with sponsors so everyone wins.

How to Find Sponsors: Corporate Sponsorship vs. Small Businesses

Finding the right sponsors for your event starts with knowing the difference between corporate sponsorships and small business sponsorships. Small businesses will be looking to sponsor local, community oriented events where attendees align with their target audience. Big name brands will want to sponsor events with a larger reach.

While it can be tempting to only focus on high-value corporate sponsorships, it may not be the best ﬁt for your event. Avoid wasting time sending sponsor pitches to businesses that aren’t a good ﬁt for your event. When choosing what businesses to send your event sponsor proposal, think about things like location, target market, and budget.

For example, if you run a community festival that attracts mostly families with children, look for businesses in your area that serve the same market (children’s clothing boutiques, daycares, etc.)

5 Steps to Creating Your Event Sponsorship Package

Securing sponsors for your event is all about showing the value of partnering with you.

In this section, we’ll break down the process into simple steps, starting with understanding your event’s strengths, ﬁnding the right partners, and creating sponsorship packages that make them say “yes!”

Step 1: Deﬁne your event’s unique value proposition.

Before reaching out to potential sponsors, start by understanding who will be attending your event. What are your attendees’ demographics and interests?

What do they want from your event (i.e., to ﬁnd products, build community, enjoy interactive experiences, etc.)?

Hint: a great way to ﬁgure out your attendee demographics is by looking at your ticketing data!

Next, ﬁgure out what makes your event unique from similar industry gatherings. Pair this information with your estimated attendance numbers, email marketing reach, and social media reach.

These data points will help you understand and share the reach of your event, which can help attract and impress potential sponsors.

Step 2: Identify potential sponsors who align with your brand.

Now that you understand who will be at your event, you can focus on ﬁnding brands that share your target audience and values.

For example, focus on ﬁnding brands that offer products or services your attendees would ﬁnd useful. Or, partner with experiential brands who can enhance the attendee experience through interactive activities or learning opportunities.

Step 3: Develop tiered sponsorship packages.

Once you have a list of potential sponsors to reach out to, start creating tiered packages with different types of beneﬁts. Offering a bronze, silver, and gold package is a great place to start.

In your sponsorship packages, consider offering the following:

• Logo placement on your event’s website

• Logo placement on event marketing materials

• Logo placement on event badges and lanyards

• Logo placement on coffee or water stations

• Booth space or product display areas

• Speaking opportunities at the event

• Access to attendee lists (with opt-in)

• Exclusive product placement

• Inclusion in attendee swag bags or gift boxes

• Social media shout-outs and dedicated posts

The better the sponsorship package, the more beneﬁts you can offer to the sponsor. Also, the more beneﬁts you offer, the higher you can price the package.

Step 4: Create a sponsorship proposal

Your sponsorship proposal should be well-designed and reﬂective of your brand.

Use high-quality images and logos that reﬂect your brand’s aesthetic. You’ll also want to keep the proposal easy to read.

What to include in your event sponsorship proposal:

Write-up of the event’s purpose and impact: This section should be in the beginning of your proposal, and will be the ﬁrst introduction to your event for potential sponsors. Include the following information:

• Event date, time, and location

• How long the event has been running

• Expected number of attendees

Relevant data on attendee demographics: In this section, you’ll show brands the value of sponsoring your event. Companies are more likely to invest in a sponsorship if their target audience is similar to your attendee proﬁle. Include the following:

• Attendee Numbers: Total expected/ previous attendance ﬁgures.

• Audience Breakdown: Age, gender, location, industry, income level, and interests.

• Attendee Purchasing Power: Data showing how attendees are decision-makers or have purchasing inﬂuence.

Event visibility and exposure: This is your chance to showcase your event’s reach in the community and online. Media exposure is important to brands, especially small businesses, so include any relevant data in this section:

• Marketing Reach: Number of impressions across social media, email, and digital advertising.

• Media Coverage: Previous press mentions, partnerships with media outlets, or inﬂuencer engagement.

• Social Media Metrics: Engagement rate, follower count, and mentions

• Charitable or Social Impact: Any fundraising, sustainability, or community-building efforts.

An explanation of sponsorship packages

In this section, you want to discuss what is in it for them. What are you offering your sponsors in return for their support? Are there any deliverables associated with the sponsor package they signed up for? Here is an example of possible sponsorship packages you can offer:

Presenting Sponsor - $25,000 (Exclusive – 1 available)

• Logo on all marketing materials, website, and event signage

• Premium booth placement

• On-stage speaking opportunity or branded activation 10 VIP tickets

• Dedicated email blast to attendees Social media promotions (6 posts)

• Access to attendee lists (with opt-in)

Gold Sponsor - $15,000 (Limited – 3 available)

• Large logo placement on website and marketing materials

• Premium booth placement

• Mention in press releases and email campaigns

• 6 VIP tickets

• Social media promotions (4 posts)

• Access to attendee lists (with opt-in)

• On-site signage and verbal acknowledgment

Silver Sponsor - $7,500 (Limited – 5 available)

• Medium logo placement on website and event signage

• Standard booth placement

• 4 VIP tickets

• Social media promotions (2 posts)

• On-stage verbal acknowledgment

Bronze Sponsor - $3,000 (Limited – 10 available)

• Logo on website and select event signage

• 2 VIP tickets

• Social media mention (1 post)

• Booth discount (if applicable)

Community Sponsor - $1,500 (Unlimited)

• Small logo on website

• 1 VIP ticket

• Social media acknowledgment

An overview on next steps with contact information.

Finally, provide clear next steps for potential sponsors to secure their package. Include deadlines, important links, and contact details to ensure a smooth sign-up process. Make it easy for them to take action by specifying how to conﬁrm their sponsorship and who to contact with questions.

Step 5: Personalize your outreach. Now that you’ve done all the hard work, you’re ready to reach out to potential sponsors! Personalize each proposal to align with the sponsor’s goals and values. Don’t forget to highlight how the

Lend yours through a gift to the IFEA Foundation – IFEA’s key partner in helping to support and enable festivals and events worldwide. Every dollar adds to our ability to improve and expand on the resources and services available through the IFEA – from convention scholarships, to hosting top-quality industry presenters and programming, to online education, access and more – all designed to raise the bar for everyone in our global industry, no matter how big or small.

EXHIBITOR SPOTLIGHT

What year was your company established?

1984

How many employees does your company have?

38000

What areas do you serve with your product/service? National

How many festivals and events do you work with on an annual basis?

25+

What is your ‘elevator pitch’ and/or slogan about your product/service?

With years of experience in the festival space we have created a product/service that is superior to our competitors in the credit card processing space.

How/why did your company/ product/service get started?

Wanted to create a national payment processing organization.

What new or improved product/service do you have to offer that IFEA audiences need to know about?

Clover Kiosk, along with new software plans for our devices that we just rolled out in June.

What sets your product/service apart from your competitors? Quality, pricing, and service. Our devices are known to hold up well in the festival space.

What advice would you offer to festivals and events searching for your type of product/service?

Find a company that can provide an allin-one solution, that can also offer onsite support if needed..

What is your company’s customer service philosophy?

One Fiserv – which promotes a team culture where we all work together to service out clients.

MATT CLARK Business Consultant

Fiserv 1414 Elmcreek Cir NW North Canton, OH 44720 USA

330-481-0938

matthew.clark2@fiserv.com Clover.com

How many years have you been with your company? 3

What are your favorite festival foods? Pizza or chicken wings

What do you like to do to relax?

Spend time with my son

What is the name of the last business book you read? Never Enough From Barista To Billionaire

What is the name of the last movie you watched? A Complete Unknown

Five Ways to Protect Your Bottom Line in the Age of AI

By Joe Curcillo

AI has moved from shiny headline to background noise.

It drafts reports, crunches numbers, and spits out answers before you finish your coffee. Impressive, sure. But here’s the truth: AI doesn’t carry consequences. It doesn’t look a client in the eye. It doesn’t feel the ripple effects of a decision.

And it sure as hell doesn’t take responsibility for your bottom line.

If the answer the machine generates tanks your revenue, alienates members, or erodes trust, you’re the one left holding the bill. That’s why strategy—and the leadership behind it—matters more than ever. No algorithm owns the outcome. You do.

So, let’s move past the hype. Here are five deliberate moves you can make right now to protect your bottom line—and lead beyond the prompt.

1. Sit With the Fog

AI thrives on clarity. You ask, it answers. But authentic leadership lives in the fog—messy, high-stakes decisions where trade-offs collide.

Budgets. Hiring. Strategic shifts. These aren’t clean equations; they’re ambiguous, political, human. AI can draft a neat pro/ con list. Your job is to pause and ask: What’s missing? Who wins? Who loses? What happens next?

If you skip that step, the hidden costs will show up later as disengagement, member churn, or bad investments.

Picture a board reviewing a new initiative. The AI-generated summary makes the case sound airtight. But the leader who slows down, who asks, “What does this mean for our youngest members? What will this signal to partners two years out?”—the one saving the organization from a six-figure mistake.

Do this now: At your next meeting, call a “Fog Check.” Ask the three questions: What’s missing? Who wins? Who loses? Don’t let the quick answer become the wrong one.

2. Keep Ethics at the Center AI doesn’t care if the answer is fair, inclusive, or aligned with your mission. It just optimizes. That’s your job.

Associations and businesses don’t just move fast—they’re trusted to move right. Shortcuts that ignore ethics show up later as lawsuits, reputational hits, and fractured

relationships. That’s not a side issue. That’s a direct strike on your bottom line.

We’ve all seen organizations save weeks of effort by letting AI automate outreach—only to discover the model baked in subtle bias that alienated the very people they most needed to reach. The “time savings” evaporated into months of damage control.

Do this now: Before green-lighting an AI-driven idea, ask: Does this align with our values? Would I defend this decision five years from now? If not, stop.

3. Think in Systems, Not Silos

AI speeds up silos, marketing automates campaigns, finance accelerates forecasts, and operations run smoothly. It all looks good until those isolated wins collide.

Generalist leaders—the ones who see the whole map—know that a $10,000 savings in accounting isn’t a win if it creates a $100,000 problem in member experience.

Your job isn’t to celebrate local brilliance. It’s to orchestrate the system. Otherwise, the hidden costs will eat your margin alive.

Think about your own teams: When IT rolls out a new platform without consulting HR, the disruption isn’t just technical—it’s cultural. AI multiplies the risk when every department starts adopting tools in isolation.

Do this now: Assign a “system scanner” to your next initiative. Their role: flag downstream impacts before final sign-off.

4. Synthesize, Don’t Just Search

Anyone can search. AI makes that trivial. But leadership isn’t about collecting inputs—it’s about creating meaning.

Think of a conductor: every instrument makes noise on its own, but only with synthesis does it become music. Same with leadership—you’re the one who connects the dots between data, context, and lived experience.

That’s where margin lives. It is not in the draft AI that spits out, but in the connections only you can make.

A leader who notices that a single line in a market report echoes a member’s frustration last week is doing more than analysis. They’re weaving lived reality into strategy. That’s not a “nice to have.” It’s the difference between a good idea and a profitable one.

Do this now: Before proceeding, demand at least one hidden link between data, feedback, and long-term strategy in your next planning session.

5. Protect the Human Work

AI will keep getting faster. That’s not the threat. The danger is forgetting the work only humans can do.

Machines don’t build trust. They don’t mentor. They don’t sense when silence in a room means resistance. That’s the work that keeps members engaged, employees loyal, and revenue steady. Don’t outsource it. Double down on it.

Make time for mentoring, storytelling, and coaching. That’s not soft work—it’s bottom-line protection. When people feel seen and supported, they stay. Retention is the margin. Trust is currency.

Do this now: Block 30 minutes this week for a conversation that’s not about tasks—only trust. Meet with a stakeholder, employee, or partner—your choice.

Horizon Check

You don’t need to outrun AI. You need to hold the horizon and lead beyond it. The leaders who thrive now aren’t the ones who chase speed or shiny tools. They’re the ones steady enough to sit in ambiguity, disciplined enough to keep ethics central, wide-eyed enough to think in systems, skilled enough to synthesize, and human enough to protect the work only people can do.

That’s what holding the horizon means: keeping your eyes fixed on long-term direction while navigating the fog of daily complexity. AI can generate. But only leadership delivers. Protecting your bottom line isn’t about the machine. It’s about doing the five things the machine never will—today, not tomorrow.

Joe Curcillo is the Maestro of Integration—a strategist, speaker, and author of Beyond the Prompt: Leading with Purpose in the Age of AI, part of The Generalist’s Advantage Leadership Series. A former trial attorney turned leadership advisor, he helps leaders cut through noise, break silos, and lead with clarity. The book is on Amazon, but he offers it free at www.joecurcillo.com

THE FUTURE

WITH JANESSA ROMERO

A SECURITY PERSPECTIVE FROM SECUREVENT SOLUTIONS KEEPING THE HOLIDAYS SAFE:

The holiday season is one of the busiest and most exciting times of the year for events and festivals. From tree-lighting ceremonies and community parades to large-scale concerts and corporate celebrations, people are ready to gather, celebrate, and make memories. But with bigger crowds and heightened activity comes a greater responsibility to ensure that every attendee, vendor, and staff member feels safe.

At Securevent Solutions, we know that effective event security during the holidays requires more than just additional personnel. It demands thoughtful planning, collaboration, and communication.

Plan Early, Plan Smart

The most successful holiday events start with proactive preparation. Security should be part of the conversation from day one, not an afterthought. Establishing site layouts, crowd flow, and access control plans early allows teams to identify potential risks and design efficient solutions before the first guest arrives.

We recommend conducting a full site assessment well ahead of the event. Understanding entry and exit points, security coverage, and emergency routes helps create an adaptable, well-coordinated plan that can handle everything from a lost child to a weather disruption.

Prioritize Communication

The holidays can be hectic, and clear communication between security, event staff, and local agencies is crucial. At Securevent Solutions, we utilize real-time communication platforms to ensure every team member is connected and informed. Whether managing large crowds at a holiday festival or overseeing smaller private events, seamless coordination

minimizes confusion and maximizes safety.

Visible, Friendly Presence

Security doesn’t have to feel intimidating. A visible yet approachable presence helps attendees feel comfortable and confident. The goal is always prevention through visibility rather than reaction. Especially during the holidays, when the atmosphere should feel festive and welcoming, balancing professionalism with warmth makes a real difference.

Expect the Unexpected

Finally, flexibility is key. Even with the best planning, unexpected challenges arise such as weather changes, delayed schedules, or sudden surges in attendance. A well-trained, experienced team knows how to adapt quickly while keeping guests safe and the event running smoothly.

As the holiday season approaches, remember that great security isn’t about control. It’s about care. When people feel safe, they can truly enjoy the spirit of the celebration. At Securevent Solutions, we’re proud to help make that possible, one event at a time.

A proud alumna of Florida International University, Janessa holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, augmented by a minor in Social Media Marketing. Her journey unfolds at the intersection of law and creativity, where she has harnessed her profound understanding of criminal justice to create compelling content for SecurEvent Solutions. With an adept blend of strategic thinking and a love for marketing, Janessa has become a driving force behind the company’s engaging and informative content. She has seamlessly integrated her criminal justice expertise with a fervor for marketing, positioning herself as the Marketing Director of SecurEvent Solutions.

The following festival and event industry professionals were recognized during the 2025 IFEA 70th Anniversary Convention & Expo presented by atVenu for graduating and receiving their Certified Festival & Event Executive Certification sponsored by Kaliff Insurance! Many congratulations to them all for making for taking this important step in their careers!

Mark Anthony Casasanto Jr.

Imperial Events

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Haley Courson

City of Celina Celina, Texas, USA

Anna Dara

City of Vaughan Vaughan, Ontario, Canada

ShinHae (Sydney) Lee

IFEA Korea

Daejeon, South Korea

Anna Rose

City of Vaughan Vaughan, Ontario, Canada

Interested In Joining Your Professional Peers by Obtaining Your CFEE Certification?

The IFEA’s CFEE Certification Program, sponsored by Kaliff Insurance, offers intensive core classes that cover Sponsorship, Non-Sponsorship Revenue, Project Management, Operations/Risk Management, Marketing & Media Relations, and Administration & Management; with an additional emphasis on industry experience, written communication, public speaking, practical application, and continued industry education.

CompletingCompleting the IFEA’s CFEE Certification demonstrates that you have taken the necessary steps to become a professional in the Festivals & Events Industry. If you’re ready to take your career to the next level and become a leader in this industry, consider becoming a Certified Festival and Event Executive. Join the ranks of industry leaders who have achieved this prestigious certification and make your mark on the world of events!

Start (or finish) your IFEA CFEE Certification today and take the first step towards achieving your professional aspirations!

IFEA PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

What Year Was Your Company Established?

Boelter was founded in 1929.

How Many Employees Does Your Company Have?

Boelter has over 500 associates.

What Areas Do You Serve With Your Product/Service?

Boelter provides custom branded drinkware and event essentials for customers across the United States and Canada..

How Many Festivals and Events Do You Work With On an Annual Basis?

Boelter supports 100’s of events each year.

What is Your ‘Elevator Pitch’ and/or Slogan About Your Product/Service?

For over 45 years, Boelter has partnered with event planners and venues across the country to deliver high-impact, branded drinkware, event essentials, and promotional products that are on time, on budget, and on brand. One of the most impactful ways to get your brand into the hands of your guests, literally, is through custom branded drinkware. Your custom drinkware becomes a walking billboard for your event that lives on in every selfie, social media post, and beyond as a take-home keepsake. Boelter can help you select the perfect drinkware and other branded merchandise to meet the objectives of you and your sponsors.

How/Why Did Your Company/ Product/Service Get Started?

Boelter is a family-owned company that began by selling paper goods and cleaning supplies to local taverns and rooming houses during the great depression. Soon the company grew into a full-service supplier of kitchen supplies across all foodservice markets. Over 50 years ago we began partnering with major

breweries and distilleries to deliver pointof-sales branding solutions. This lead us to share these same solutions with events and festivals that wanted to enhance their brand and their guests’ event experience.

What New or Improved Product/Service Do You Have to Offer That IFEA Audiences Need to Know About?

Boelter offers the latest drinkware printing and decorating capabilities from full-wrap printing to specialty finishes and techniques like color changing ink and glow in the dark designs to name a few. We also partner with popular retail brands to offer the latest trends in metal drinkware and other merchandise that you can brand with your event graphics.

What Sets Your Product/ Service Apart From Your Competitors?

Boelter is passionate about helping your brand and event stand out in the memories of your attendees. We start with understanding your objectives and helping you select the right products to meet your needs. We then focus on flawless execution to make sure that your product is delivered on time, on budget and on brand. We are committed to proving fast and reliable turnaround, seamless logistics with kitting services and multi-location shipping, high quality products, sustainable options, and great prices. We do all this with a world-class account management and customer service team ready to support you.

What Advice Would You Offer to Festivals and Events Searching For Your Type of Product/Service?

The right branding partner is key to making sure your event identity stays aligned, sponsors are represented effectively, and every product is executed correctly and most importantly delivered on time!

What is Your Company’s Customer Service Philosophy?

We are committed to providing a personal, unmatched level of service to every customer from the initial planning and product selection to the shipment, tracking and follow-up after your event.

ON DEMAND AT IFEA.COM

Maximizing Event Revenue: Ad Spend, Pre-Sales & On-Site Success

Shadi Hayek

Vice President of Sales

TicketSpice Sacramento, CA

2024 Industry Deep Dive: Fan Spending at 50K+ Events

Collette Ingalls

Associate Director, Marketing atVenu San Clemente, CA

Adding Value and Appeal to Your Sponsorships

Bruce Erley, APR, CFEE

Creative Strategies Group

President & CEO Denver, CO

Decisions, Decisions: How You Can Nudge Your Customers (Attendees, Sponsors, Stakeholders, et all.) to Influence Themselves

Dave Bullard, CFEE

Owner FanFirst Events and Influence Syracuse, NY

Understanding the Unthinkable: Human Trafficking at Events

Jordan Pine

Founder and CEO

Greenlight Operation Camp Hill, PA

Stadiums, Arenas & Fairs

Dura-Trac HDPE Panels on dirt base

Dura-Trac panels were successfully configured on a dirt horse arena in Kentucky, providing a level, clean, and durable surface for a trade show event. The panels handled heavy foot traffic and equipment without damaging the ground beneath.

30,000 sq. ft. of Dura-Trac panels transformed a horse arena in Arkansas into an event ready space—without altering the venue. Our SE panels can be easily cut to fit unique curves, delivering a seamless, customized design for any project.

At the Utah State Fairgrounds, Dura-Trac flooring created a stable foundation for a high-traffic, multi-day concert series. With fast installation, lasting durability, and reliable performance, the fairgrounds were transformed into a festival-ready venue.

Now!

Presented by a Partnership for Excellence in Event Education.

THE SCHOOL

Quality festivals and events are among the most successful tools available to communities, states, regions, and even countries to increase tourism, create powerful and memorable branding and imaging opportunities, bond people together, encourage positive media coverage, enhance economic impact, and add to the quality of lives for those who live there. On the other hand, a poorly planned, managed and executed event can have a reciprocally opposite effect.

Over time, events themselves have changed; from often informal affairs to spectacular productions, requiring new sets of skills, experience, creativity, financing, planning and leadership. As a result, event management has evolved into a business and an industry, with new demands, challenges and expectations every day; from attendees / participants; sponsors; host communities and a plethora of other partners that the success of any event depends on.

Presented by two of the most respected professional associations in our industry – the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) – the Event Management School at Oglebay National Training Center in West Virginia was designed around the concept of bringing new and mid-career industry professionals together with some of the most highly-respected and experienced professionals in the field, for a comprehensive educational and networking opportunity that will cover the critical basics of successful event management and then put students in an applied-knowledge project environment to test and further what they have learned.

“No other investment is more important for the board of a festival or special event than to assure that their staff is growing in their professional development. The Event Management School at Oglebay provides our industry with one place for new and mid-management level professionals to receive intensive, comprehensive training in the core competencies of event management, conducted by many top professionals in the field. It is the equivalent of a full-brain download for those who want to have a well-rounded, working understanding of our profession.”

Bruce L. Erley, CFEE, APR President & CEO

Creative Strategies Group

“If you were applying to my organization for a job - and I knew that you had completed the IFEA / NRPA Event Management School program – your resume would rise to the top of the pile.”

Curt Mosel, CFEE, Chief Operating Officer ArtsQuest

THE PROGRAM

The Event Management School is designed as a two-year continuing education program. Students live on-site at the Oglebay Resort and National Training Center with their professional peers and instructors during the one-week institute each year, adding a unique one-on-one networking opportunity for everyone. Year One Students at the Event Management School follow an intensive, interactive, classroom pathway through 24 hours of topical training, from a clear definition of event management as a profession through to the final and important evaluation phase of an event. Year Two Students take it up a notch in applied workshop settings and a unique hands-on, deadline-driven, event concept design, team project experience that combines many critical event management skills, that can be transferred to multiple, real-life scenarios. Event-expert team advisors help to guide event teams through a week of market research, concept creation/design, budgeting reality checks, human resource challenges, and presentation stages of an all-new event concept, for a specially selected city, with a

limited-use “Client” contact. Teams will present their completed plans/concepts to a panel of industry leaders and fellow students on the last day, who will offer critiques, insights and accolades. Plans/Concepts approved by the expert panel will be shared with the selected city for consideration in their market.

THE REWARDS

The Event Management School will bestow an Event Management School Diploma to those successfully completing both years of this intensive continuing education program. For those needing CEU credits, the NRPA will provide 2.0 CEU’s for each completed year. Additionally, for those desiring to ‘raise the bar’ by registering for the IFEA’s professional certification program (separate registration required), successful completion of the twoyear Event Management School will earn you designation as a ‘Certified Festival & Event Associate’ (CFEA), the first phase toward future attainment of your ‘Certified Festival & Event Executive’ (CFEE) designation, which recognizes an industry-focused combination of

top-level experience and continued education. Additionally, all students enrolled in the program will receive one full year’s access to the IFEA’s professional education on-line Webinar series (a $1000 value). (Live Webinar presentations only.)

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

• Current mid-management event staff looking to broaden their knowledge base while enhancing their professional networks.

• Parks and Recreation managers and staff who produce and/or work with local events.

• Those new to the Event Management field.

• Event Management students looking to strengthen their professional resumes.

• Key event volunteers looking to expand their capabilities.

INSTRUCTORS

Event Management School instructors are selected by the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) from among the top event management professionals in our industry today.

THE CURRICULUM

The Event Management School first year curriculum was created with the goal of providing a strong basic understanding and awareness of the multiple, critical components involved in event planning and management. The second year curriculum builds upon that first year knowledge-base by providing more applied workshop-styled opportunities in specific areas, together with a project-based opportunity to help bring the ‘real world’ a little closer to the classroom.

NOTE: The Event Management School curriculum is not targeted at the corporate meeting-planning niche of our industry, but rather the outdoor public event sector.

“The Event Management School at Oglebay has created a vital tool in developing festival and event industry professionals. As any event producer can attest, training new staff often amounts to a “sink or swim” option. To have a venue where personnel can learn, interact and network with industry leaders, instructors, and peers from other events and markets increases professionalism and output multiple-fold.”

Ted Baroody, CFEE, President, Norfolk Festevents

YEAR ONE CLASSES

Strong Foundations: Understanding Event Management and the Importance/Impact of Quality Events

The success and sustainability of an event is ultimately built upon the foundations that have been laid long before the public ever experiences it. Behind that success you will find a well-developed pattern of planning and processes, passionate leadership, a dedication to creativity and quality, a commitment to inclusiveness, and the ability to operate as a professional business that clearly understands their product, target market, industry and challenges. You will also find a global industry that has evolved over time into the field that you are/hope to be a part of today; one whose impact touches lives around the world and keeps our communities, cities and world bonded together. This session will explore the ‘why’ of why we are all here; provide a broad overview of this unique and special field; and lay the foundation for the training to follow in the week ahead.

Step One: Business Plans

A successful event doesn’t start with the fireworks finale. Behind every exciting, funfilled event is a well-run business, complete with paperwork, planning meetings, legal obligations to be met, and partnerships to be built. Reputations are often based far-

more upon the business side of your event than on who your headline entertainers are. We’ll teach you what you need to be thinking about.

Arriving at the Bottom-Line: Event Budgeting and Budget Management

Every time there’s a good idea, someone brings up the budget! A realistic and informed budget can set the stage for a less stressful and more profitable event. We’ll teach you how to create and use a budget to guide your success.

Putting the ‘Community’ in ‘Community Events’: Building a Successful Volunteer Program

Volunteers put the ‘community’ in ‘community events’ and some events have legions of dedicated workers who bring valued skills to the table while holding costs to a minimum. This session will cover critical components of a successful volunteer program, including recruiting, training, management, communications, retention and rewards.

Event Administration & Legal Considerations

Really? I have to think about that? Despite being a ‘fun’ industry, there are lots of behind-the-scenes ‘t’s’ to be crossed and ‘i’s’ to be dotted; obligations to be met; risks to be

avoided/protected against; staffs and boards to be managed and supported; services to be secured and contracts to be signed. We’ll do our best to help you understand them.

Operations: From Vision to Reality

The expansive area of ‘Operations’ is where the rubber meets the road and this session will cover multiple areas that can make or break an event.

• Event Infrastructure: The infrastructure for many events is a lot like building a small village where the day before there was nothing. Stage, lights, sound, tents, vehicles, decorations/signage, bleachers/ seating, food delivery, trash pick-up, communications, utilities, parking, et al., we’ll talk about what you may need, where to go get it, and lots of insider-tips to remember in the process.

• Attendee & Support Services: Whenever you plan to draw a crowd, you’ve got to be thinking about what their needs may be: information, medical, lost kids, rest areas, ATM’s, restrooms, trash disposal, signage, communications, safety and security plans; accessibility; and much more. We’ll make sure you don’t forget anything.

• Programming, Site-Design and Event Flow: When did having fun require so much thinking? Like a theme park, effectively planning your event programming, site

NOTE: All sessions are subject to change.

your event flowing smoothly.

• Environmental Realities: Events can play an important role through education and as a role model in protecting the environment. We’ll touch on some of the ‘Green Reality’ options that events can, and should, consider today.

Introduction to Sponsorship & Experiential Marketing

There are very few events today that can operate without sponsorship support, but successful sponsorship doesn’t just happen. This session will cover the basics of sponsorship and successful sponsorship sales, including why sponsors sponsor and how to identify and create a valuable menu of sponsorship benefits/assets for your event. Students will also learn about the valuable world of mobile marketing; the use of AI in the sponsorship process; and the important encouragement of sponsorship activation. And we’ll cover the critical role of sponsor service; the key to renewing and keeping those all-important sponsor partners we all depend on.

Marketing & Mediums: Traditional, Social and Creative

All the planning in the world won’t make for a successful event unless it is properly marketed. This session will talk about how to develop an effective marketing plan and considerations for working with traditional, social, and creative marketing resources across the board. Where are your finite resources best directed?

NOTE:

revenue generated by many event organiza tions comes from more traditional sources – line-items such as food and beverage, merchandise and ticketing. This area of instruction is designed to look at maximizing such items and other components of important non-sponsorship revenue sources, including financial transactions, touchless transaction and trend tracking, and the constantly changing expectations of those attending our events.

Introduction to Event Risk Management

Risk management is a central part of any event organizing committee’s planning cycle – it’s both an operational and “duty of care” requirement. What is it? It is a process whereby the event planning team methodically addresses the risks associated with their activities, with the goal of treating or mitigating those risks which may have an adverse impact (financial, image, reputation, etc.) on the event if the risk is materialized. We’ll make sure you are focusing om the critical considerations.

Social Media Marketing: Understanding the Landscape, Benefits and Challenges

It’s a new and quickly changing world, with Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, blogs and many, many more evolving every day. How do you decide which ones are important and use them as an effective part of your event marketing mix? This session will provide a more in-depth look at maximizing new technologies (including AI) and both the opportunities and challenges.

see ourselves as a singular team of partners working toward common goals. Key among those partnerships is the one between events and cities. This session will talk about what a successful partnership looks and feels like when it works.

Is Everyone Invited? Including Those with Disabilities

Producers at events around the world are concerned about how they can comply with their country’s disability rights laws and how they can best serve their patrons with disabilities. This fast-paced session provides practical information and a format for designing a comprehensive Access Program for your festival/event. We will discuss important but often forgotten aspects of a well-managed Access Program and help you to avoid litigation by being prepared.

How’d You Do? Surveys, Evaluations and Economic Impact Studies

No event is complete until the last survey and evaluation is in. This is the first step in all future event planning and this session will teach you how to do it both effectively and cost-effectively.

Year Two Team City Event Presentations

Year One Event Management School students will participate in the City Event Concept Project reports by second year student teams, asking questions, and serving in the shared role of ‘People’s Choice’ Judge.

YEAR TWO CLASSES

The Application of Project Management to Events

Events are the end result of countless details, processes, and tasks, all coming successfully together; but how do you manage all of those priorities and make sure nothing falls between the cracks? Project Management is an accountable management method using tools and techniques honed over 50+ years of use around the world by governments, corporations, and selected events. This session will set the stage for coordinating everything else that follows and provide an important tool for all those attending.

Customer Focused Events – Planning to Meet the Needs of Your Stakeholders

Most events are typically designed from the event producer’s viewpoint, which contrasts sharply with an event’s intended outcomes. This hands-on session introduces The Event Canvas ™ concept, empowering you to envision your events from a fresh and stimulating perspective, which will meet and exceed your stakeholders’ expectations.

Applied Risk Management

The tragedy of event realities that include shootings; vehicular incidents; crowd panic and crushes; bombings; stage collapses; airshow crashes; gang-related violence; drugrelated deaths; human trafficking; and a plethora of more generic incidents like tripand-fall accidents; golf carts; vendor safety; et al., at events and in cities of all sizes, serve as stark reminders of the need to plan and prepare for all of the many incidents / possibilities that can / may affect our events on a moment’s notice. This important session will address what keeps us up at night and the steps that we can realistically take to address and respond to those concerns through contingency planning and preparation, as well as on-site during an event.

Inside Perspective: What Cities Want from Events and the New Age of Partnership in Municipal Event Management

The relationship between cities and events has been evolving (sometimes devolving) for many years. Whether you are creating a new event or continuing to build upon a long-existing one, you must first start from a level of understanding about what cities want from events. Combining your goals with theirs, you can build a lasting and powerful partnership that will provide exponential benefits for everyone. This session will define and focus on some of those key goals and how to achieve them.

The Evolution of AI and Its Impact on Events

In a relatively short span of time, AI has changed the course of most every industry, creating both new challenges and new opportunities, as we look to the future. This important course will cover the litany of possibilities to maximize your use of AI, and in turn, your event and staff.

Is Everyone Invited? Designing an Access Program to Include Those with Disabilities

Following our introductory course in Year One, this important session will focus more closely on how to produce a well-run Access Program. We will look at how to build a first-rate Access Team, work on creating the Access Program for your EMS City Project event and get specific about how to manage your accessible viewing platforms and areas. Come away better prepared to create a strong Access Program.

Advanced Sponsorship

Taking the art of sponsorship to the next level, even before you start selling your event, this session will instruct students on how to conduct sponsor research, where to look, what to look for and how to use what you find. Following on that preparation we’ll cover what makes for a successful sponsorship proposal and, equally important, the follow-up reports that will keep them coming back.

Applied Budget Development

Working from a draft event program plan, and other desired ‘bells and whistles’ that impact the event ‘experience’, students will learn how to develop an event budget, discussing what to include, how/where to research, fair and realistic estimates, the keeping of formula and assumption notes/records, use of a budget in managing an event throughout the planning and production process, budget reports, tracking expectations and more.

City Event Concept Project & Presentations

The City Event Concept Project will provide a substantial hands-on experience with an event focus. Event expert team advisors will help to guide event teams through a week of market research, concept creation/design, budget reality checks, and presentation stages of an all-new event concept(s) for an actual city/market (including limited use “Client” contact). Teams will present their completed plans/concepts to a panel of industry leaders and fellow students on the last day, who will offer critiques, insights and accolades. Final plans/concepts deemed the most feasible will

be offered to the selected city contacts for consideration in their own internal creative process and the winning team will be recognized for pride and posterity on the Event Management School ‘Oglebay Cup’ trophy. During the week, each team (assigned randomly to reinforce the reality of an event environment) will participate in the following project steps:

• Research and Development of Creative and Innovative Event Concepts to Serve Market Needs, Challenges & Opportunities; Audiences; Event Calendar; Organizational Mission; Available Venues; and Unique Capabilities

• Research & Development of an Event Programming / Management / Operational Plan and Expense Budget to Meet Defined Goals

• Research and Development of an Event Income Budget with Suggested and Realistic Sources, plus Sales Strategies, to Meet Defined Goals

• Professionally Delivered City Event Concept Presentations (all team members must play a role in the final presentation) in the format of an outside consulting firm presenting concepts to a client

Teams will be assessed on Teamwork, Event Proposal / Plan and Presentation.

2026 Event Management School Schedule

JANUARY 11-16, 2026

Name (as you wish it to appear on your badge): Company / Agency: Mailing Address:

EMAIL, MAIL OR FAX THIS FORM TO: The National Training Center for Public Facility Managers at Oglebay Resort & Conference Center 465 Lodge Drive, Wheeling, West Virginia 26003 Phone: (304) 243-4126 • Fax: (304) 243-4106

E-mail: ntc@oglebay-resort.com

Date:

For any special needs or accommodations, please contact Oglebay at (304) 243-4126.

Please visit our website at www.oglebay-resort.com for Room descriptions.

METHOD OF PAYMENT: A check, purchase order or credit card for the full package amount must accompany this form in order to complete enrollment. When paying with a credit card, the package amount will be charged to your card upon receipt of registration. You will receive confirmation from Oglebay Wilson Lodge.

NOTE: The balance must be paid prior to arrival.

Check (make check payable to Wheeling Park

CANCELLATION POLICY: A cancellation fee of $100 will be charged for cancellation at any time up to 30 days prior to the school; 30 to 7 days prior, 50% will be charged; and with 7 days or less notice, no refund will be issued.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

www.NRPA.org 800.626.NRPA (6772) 7-1-1 for speech and hearing impaired

the business of international events

From Spark to Spectacle, the Journey Continues

INTERNATIONAL FESTIVALS & EVENTS ASSOCIATION LS & A

SETTING

SPONSOR

ATTENDEE MANAGERS

SAMPLING AMBASSADORS

RESEARCH/SURVEY TEAMS

Make every sip a statement.

For all types of events, the right drinkware transforms an ordinary moment into a lasting memory. Boelter delivers custom-branded solutions that are on time, on budget, and on brand. From the iconic Ball Aluminum Cup to a complete lineup of event essentials, we can help support your event with quality, custom products.

Discover how Boelter can make your next event shine. Scan to learn more.

The 70th Anniversary offered us the chance to look back with pride and forward with excitement. When the IFEA began, festivals and events were smaller, simpler, and often locally focused. Over the decades, our industry has grown into a global force for economic vitality, cultural exchange, and civic pride. The IFEA has been there every step of the way, guiding, connecting, and celebrating those who bring communities together through creativity and celebration.

As I reflect on this milestone year, I am filled with gratitude for everyone who has contributed to our success, past and present. And as I prepare to pass the leadership torch, I do so with full confidence in the future of the Foundation. It is my honor to announce that Jessica Kaminskas of the Detroit Parade Company will be stepping into the role of Chair of the IFEA Foundation Board.

Jessica is a respected leader in our field with an incredible track record of creativity, professionalism, and dedication. Her vision and enthusiasm for the IFEA’s mission are inspiring, and I have no doubt that she will guide the Foundation into a bright and successful next chapter. I am excited to see how her leadership will continue to build upon our accomplishments, strengthen our programs, and expand our

Continued from The Sponsor Doc Page 64

impact in the years to come.

Jessica, thank you for your commitment and your willingness to serve. You bring a depth of experience and a fresh perspective that will be invaluable to the Foundation’s continued growth. I know that under your guidance, the IFEA Foundation will remain a powerful force for education, innovation, and professional excellence.

To my fellow Board members, thank you for your passion, your wisdom, and your unwavering support throughout the year. It has been a joy to collaborate with such a talented and committed group of individuals. Together, we have achieved great things, and I am confident that even greater successes are on the horizon.

To our sponsors, partners, and exhibitors, your support makes everything possible. Your investment in the IFEA Foundation ensures that our members have access to top-tier education and networking opportunities, and we are grateful for your continued partnership. To the IFEA Staff, thank you for the countless hours you dedicate to ensuring that every event runs smoothly. You are the heart and hands of this organization, and your work often shines brightest behind the scenes.

And to all of our attendees, thank you for joining us, for bringing your energy,

The key to pulling this off is careful structural tiering of sponsorship levels and their associated benefits. You must clearly articulate why a top-tier sponsor is worth the investment. For example, your lower level packages are not going to include event logo integration and media partner inclusion. Exclusive packages with category exclusivity, marketing inclusion, premium event assets, tailored activation ideas are all key to getting the bigger deals.

The Bottom Line is the Bottom Line

Many small sponsors can bring community lift but also operational strain. A few big sponsors provide stability but can leave you exposed if one drops out. The most sustainable strategy matches your market reality, staff capacity, and your long-term vision.

When you develop distinct levels of value, over-deliver on benefits, and communicate clearly, sponsors at every level, whether $5,000 or $50,000, will walk away saying, “That partnership was worth it.” For festivals and special events, that’s the sweet spot: a sponsorship program that balances risk, capacity, and growth while keeping your team sane and your partners coming back.

All my best,

your ideas, and your enthusiasm to Palm Springs. Whether you came to learn, to connect, or to celebrate, your presence made this Convention one to remember. You are the reason we continue to grow, evolve, and thrive as an association.

As we move forward from our 70th year, let’s carry the lessons and inspiration from Palm Springs into everything we do. The world needs what we create, moments of joy, connection, and community. The festivals and events we produce remind people of what’s possible when we come together, and the IFEA will continue to champion that mission every day.

Thank you again for your generosity, your participation, and your belief in the work of the IFEA and the IFEA Foundation. Together, we celebrated a milestone seventy years in the making, and together, we are laying the groundwork for the next seventy.

Cherry-O!

Kat Paye, CFEE

IFEA Foundation Board Chair

Executive Director – National Cherry Festival CEO – The Festival Foundation Traverse City, Michigan

Bruce L. Erley, CFEE, APR is the Founder and President of Creative Strategies Group, a consultancy based in Denver, Colorado which he founded in September, 1995. Creative Strategies Group (CSG) specializes in sponsorship and event marketing consultation for events, festivals, nonprofit organizations and other properties as well as municipalities and for-profit companies. With more than four decades experience, Erley is considered a master in the field. In 2012, Erley served as the World Board Chairman of the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA). He is a 2015 inductee into the IFEA Hall of Fame. He is Accredited in Public Relations (APR) by the Public Relations Society of America and a Certified Festival & Events Executive (CFEE) by the International Festivals and Events Association.

Contact Info:

Bruce L. Erley, APR, CFEE President & CEO

Creative Strategies Group

Phone: +1-303-558-8181

Business Email: berley@csg-sponsorship.com

Column Enquiries Email: bruce@sponsordoc.com

Bruce

Spreadsheets aren’t built for managing sponsorships.

SponsorCX is.

SponsorCX streamlines sponsorships from agreements to activations for festivals and events of all sizes.

Our platform consolidates your sponsorship data, automates workflows, and simplifies proof of per formance with drag-and-drop uploads. With real-time insights and seamless organization, your team works efficiently while sponsors receive measurable results.

Take a moment to conduct a web audit and an Instagram audit. Look up your organization’s website on Bing and DuckDuckGo. Then make plans to conduct major updates during your next slow period. (If you have one.)

partnership will beneﬁt their brand, not just yours.

The best way to contact sponsors is through personalized emails and phone calls. Remember to follow up with interested sponsors and address any questions or concerns they may have.

Event Sponsorship Ideas to Explore

Be creative when designing the sponsorship letter for your event! Brands often browse through multiple sponsorship proposals at the same time, so making your offering stand out is a crucial step in getting sponsored. Consider offering out of the box activations for premium sponsorships, this will have a dual impact that beneﬁts both you and your sponsor. As the event organizer, you have the opportunity to create a fun and exciting experience for attendees without footing

S. David Ramirez, CFEE, is an award-winning marketer and technologist. He is the founder of SDMRamirez, a San Antonio-based agency working with events, entrepreneurs, and ecosystems. He is a sought-after speaker, presenting at dozens of events and conferences each year. He serves on the boards of the International Festivals and Events Association Foundation and the Texas Festivals and Events Association. Mostly, he’s a nerd. Talk to him about anime, craft beers, and science fiction.

the bill, and your sponsor will beneﬁt from having their brand attached to a high visibility activation.

Conclusion

Securing event sponsors doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By understanding your event’s value, identifying the right partners, and crafting compelling sponsorship packages, you can create opportunities that beneﬁt both your event and your sponsors. Remember to tailor your approach, highlight key beneﬁts, and make it easy for potential sponsors to say “yes!”

With the right strategy, sponsorships can help you expand your budget, boost your event’s credibility, and enhance the overall experience for attendees.

FREE Sponsorship Proposal Template

Click here to access our free sponsorship proposal template, available in Adobe Illustrator, EPS, and Canva flle formats.

Cat McDevitt is a communications specialist with Eventeny, an all-in-one event management platform based in Atlanta. Over the past two years, Cat has interviewed hundreds of vendors—from artists and performers to food and craft vendors—gathering valuable insights into what makes events successful. A frequent speaker at industry conferences, most recently the Florida Festivals and Events Association, Cat is passionate about helping event organizers build meaningful vendor relationships and create thriving community events.

MARKETPLACE SEARCH MORE VENDORS AT EVENTRESOURCEMARKETPLACE.COM

ATTRACTIONS

World’s Largest Rubber Duck – Make a splash in your city with The Big Duck—a larger-than-life attraction guaranteed to delight audiences of all ages! Affordable, family-friendly, and a media darling. Whether floating gracefully on the water or perched proudly on land, The Big Duck is more than just an attraction—it’s an event in itself. Loved by locals and tourists alike, she draws crowds, sparks smiles, and inspires communities to embrace the magic of their waterfronts and public spaces. The world is her bathtub, and now, it’s time to bring The Big Duck to your city! Contact: Craig Samborski | Address: 710 Caribbean Soul Ave. | Hardeeville, SC 29927 | 218-349-6655 | hello@thebigduck.us | www.thebigduck.us

BADGES / CREDENTIALS

Encore Nationwide is an event staffing company that provides event ready personnel for promotional events, marketing campaigns, fairs, and festivals. Contact: Larry E. Hess | Address: 2447 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 261 | Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 | 310-357-2848 ext. 1010 | lhess@encorenationwide.com | www.encorenationwide.com

BANNERS/FLAGS

dfest ® – Designs and manufactures creative decor solutions for festivals and events. We specialize in custom flags, banners, directional signage, entryways, street banners, installation and hardware. Contact: Rudy Martinez | San Antonio, TX USA | (800) 356-4085 | rudy@dixieflag.com | www.dixieflag.com

CASH MANAGEMENT

atVenu – atVenu is a leading platform that specializes in live event sales. They offer a range of comprehensive solutions, including point-of-sale, inventory management, real-time reporting, digital food vendor settlements, and more. With feature sets specifically designed to meet the unique needs of live events, it is a trusted partner for hundreds of festivals, sporting events, concert venues, fairs, and more. atVenu’s point-of-sale system is quick and easy to set up, manage, and deploy, making it ideal for small teams and events big and small alike. The platform is built to save you time, ensure faster-moving lines, and be reliable when your connectivity isn’t so you never lose out on sales. | www.atvenu.com

FIRST DATA / CLOVER / FISERV – Cloud-based point of sale and full business solutions for cash or cashless events. Clover is uniquely designed to be customized to fit your business needs. Clover accepts all payment types - EMV/ Chip, Card Swiped, Keyed and Apple Pay/Google Pay. Clover’s product line is available with WIFI, ethernet, or 4G/LTE data connectivity and can be leased, purchased or rented month-to-month. First Data has exclusive pricing for hardware and card processing for the festivals and events industry. Contact: Tina Hollis | Riverview, FL USA | 239-287-8221 | tina. hollis@firstdata.com | www.firstdata.com

COMMUNICATIONS

VOZZI – VOZZI is a SMS/MMS company changing the way brands interact with their audience. Tried and trusted in the Sports & Entertainment industry, our all-in-one texting solution empowers brands to modernize their fan engagement strategy and boost revenue. Contact: Ben Young, CEO | Holladay, UT USA | 801-842-6737 | ben@getvozzi. com | site.getvozzi.com

CONCESSIONS/CATERING

CONSULTANTS

Rico Solutions – We specialize in impactful signage, smart sustainability, and flawless logistics—blending deep experience with innovation to exceed client expectations and elevate every event experience. *IFEA Sustainability Partner. Contact: Rico Tesio | Address: 3809 McKinley Ave | Fort Myers, FL 33901 | 831) 717-7485 | rico@ricosolutions.com | www.ricosolutions.com

COSTUMES

HISTORICAL EMPORIUM – Historical Emporium specializes in authentic, durable, high quality historical clothing and accessories. Victorian, Edwardian, Old West and Steampunk for men and women. Since 2003. Contact: Noel Matyas | San Jose, CA USA | (800) 997-4311 | amusement@ historicalemporium.com | www.historicalemporium.com

DÉCOR/DISPLAYS/BACKDROPS

AirDD (Air Dimensional Designs) – For over 30 years, AirDD has been the live-event production industry’s trusted and leading source for illuminated decorative inflatables. AirDD offers a unique and innovative, broad and ever expending line of illuminated inflatable designs that instantly transform and bring any space to life. Contact: Zeev Weissman, CEO | Address: Sun Valley, CA, USA | 818-765-8100 | zeev@airdd.com | www.airdd.com

ATOMIC - We set the stage for maximum effect through production, design services, custom set construction and modular systems. Contact: Rob Barber | Lititz, PA USA | 717-626-4408 | rob.barber@atomicdesign.tv | www.atomicdesign.tv

NORTH POLE PRODUCTIONS - From enchanting light shows to interactive Santa’s Villages, North Pole Productions transforms events into magical experiences. Discover how we can illuminate your event with our dazzling displays and entertainment options. Contact: Tammy Peters | PO Box 74 | North Adams, MA 01247 | 800-377-4625 | nppshows@gmail.com | www.nppshows.com/

MARKETPLACE

DRONE SHOWS

Sky Elements Drone Shows – Sky Elements Is The Largest Drone Light Show Provider In The United States. At our heart we are a production company focusing on creating turn-key drone light shows for a variety of clients. Contact: Kyle Pivnick, Vice President | Texas, USA | (214) 986-0878 | kyle@ skyelementsdrones.com | SkyElementsDrones.com

ENTERTAINMENT

Pyrotecnico – Fireworks Displays * Drone Light Shows * Special Effects = Yes, that’s us! Pyrotecnico brings five generations of experience and 125+ years of creating oohs and ahhs for audiences of all sizes. Contact: Jared Staph | Address: New Castle, PA USA | (724) 856-2745 | jstaph@pyrotecnico.com | www.pyrotecnico.com

EVENT SOFTWARE / APPS

EVENTENY – Eventeny was built to help festival & event organizers manage their vendors, artists, exhibitors, volunteers, and sponsors, all in one platform. You can create team workflows, applications, maps, schedules, surveys and so much more. From small community festivals to managing multi-day sci-fi conventions, to virtual events, we’ve got it all! Contact: Greg Wright | Address: Peachtree Corners, GA 30092-2936 USA | Phone: 314-471-6079 | Email: greg@eventeny. com | Website: www.eventeny.com

POINTSMAP® – PointsMap® has proven to be an effective and useful software for Festivals and Events. Create custom points at their exact location on your PointsMap with photos, descriptions, website links, multi-media, PDF’s and even “inside maps”. Your visitors can “PLAN” before the festival using their desktop computer, and then “NAVIGATE” the festival using their Smartphone. Visit www. PointsMap.com/SLAF and http://www.PointsMap.com/WichitaRiverFest/ to see how PointsMap is being used. It’s easy to use and extremely affordable. Contact: Jerry Waddell | Chattanooga, TN USA | 423-894-2677 | jerryw@videoideas.com | www.pointsmap.com

SCHED - Easy-to-use event scheduling and management software that helps event planners organize, schedule, promote, and execute excellent in-person, online, and hybrid meetings, conferences, festivals and other events. Taylor McKnight | St. Petersburg, FL USA | 727-798-6898 | support@sched.org | sched.com/

Showpass is a powerful, all-in-one event technology platform that empowers organizers to seamlessly manage, promote, and optimize every aspect of their events. From ticketing and registration to audience engagement and data analytics, Showpass brings together everything event organizers need to deliver exceptional experiences. Contact: Jonathon McCurley | Address: 350N - 8500 Macleod Trail, Calgary | Alberta, Canada T2H 2N1 | +1 844-307-7469 | 516-455-0300 | jonathon.mccurley@showpass.com | showpass.com

With over 100K registered artists, ZAPP is the top choice for art events! Contact: Ken Cho | Denver, CO, USA | 303-629-1166 | zappsales@wearecreativewest.org | www.zapplication.org/

FIREWORKS

INFLATABLES

BIG EVENTS - Rents and sells giant helium and cold-air inflatables for parades and special events. Huge inventory of quality, one-of-a-kind balloons. Experienced and dependable full-service company. Charles Trimble | Oceanside, CA USA | 760-477-2655 | charles@bigeventsonline.com | www.bigeventsonline.com

DYNAMIC DISPLAYS / FABULOUS INFLATABLES – Designs, manufacturers, for rent or purchase – costumes, props, floats, helium balloons, event entry ways and décor. Offers complete and flexible service packages for small towns and large international events. 50+ years of parade/event experience. Contact: Steve Thomson | Dearborn, MI USA | 800-411-6200 | steve@fabulousinflatables.com | www.fabulousinflatables.com

INSURANCE / RISK MANAGEMENT

HAAS & WILKERSON INSURANCE – Celebrating over 80 years in the entertainment industry, providing insurance programs designed to meet the specific needs of your event. Clients throughout the US include festivals, parades, carnivals and more. Contact: Andrew Vandepopulier | Fairway, KS USA | 800-821-7703 | andrew.vandepopulier@hwins.com | www.hwins.com

KALIFF INSURANCE – Founded in 1917, Kaliff Insurance provides specialty insurance for festivals, fairs, parades, rodeos, carnivals and more. We insure the serious side of fun! Contact: David Olivares | San Antonio, TX USA | 210-829-7634 | david@kaliff.com | www.kaliff.com

K & K INSURANCE – K&K offers insurance solutions for festivals and events across the US and Canada. Insuring fun since 1952! Contact: Mark Herberger | Fort Wayne, IN USA | 1-800-553-8368 | KK.EventsAttractions@ kandkinsurance.com | www.kandkinsurance.com

MARKETING

ZAPPlication - WHERE ARTISTS & ART FESTIVALS CONNECT (ZAPP) provides art fair and festival administrators with a suite of tools to digitally collect and jury applications, manage booth payments, and communicate with applicants all in one easy-to-use digital platform. Artists can apply to hundreds of shows nationwide through a central website.

PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS

The Boelter Companies, Inc. – Boelter provides branded drinkware and custom merchandise on time, on budget and on brand. Custom Ball Aluminum Cups, signage, promo giveaways, apparel and more! Contact: Jackie Saldana | Waukesha, WI, USA | 262-523-6223 | jsaldana@boelter.com | www.beercup.com

MARKETPLACE

COVERED NY INC – We cater to our client’s needs by creating retail structures to hold their product, point-of-sale structures to display their product, and all of the promotional collateral necessary to bring awareness to their product. For All Your Printing, Packaging and Promotional Needs, We Have You Covered. Contact: Brad Dawn | Los Angeles, CA 90039 USA | (213) 216-4370 | brad@covered.group | https://covered.group/

SAFETY/SECURITY

IMPERIAL EVENTS SECURITY SERVICES, LLC - Imperial Events Security Services (IESS) is a leading event security provider nationwide. Operating since 1993, IESS has decades of experience securing all types of events. Contact Yousef Kassis | Philadelphia, PA USA | 1-888-502-4377 | yousef@iessevents.com | www.iessevents.com

SECUREVENT SOLUTIONS – At SecurEvent Solutions we believe your event is as unique as you are. Carefully blending and merging operations, sales, experience, culture, to curate lasting memories. We call this your Event DNA. Understanding your Event DNA allows SecurEvent Solutions to build security operations that will integrate with all event areas. Contact: Joshua Field | Ft. Lauderdale, FL USA | 763-226-4162 | jfield@secureventsolutions.com | www.secureventsolutions.com/

SIGNAGE / DECALS

STAFFING / TEMP STAFFTING

SUSTAINABILITY

TICKETING

EVENTIM USA is an American-based ticketing company and part of CTS EVENTIM, one of the leading international providers of ticketing services and live entertainment. Over 300 million tickets per year are marketed using the Company’s systems – through physical box offices and mobile/online portals.

According to Pollstar’s global rankings for 2023, the EVENTIM Group is the second-biggest promoter in the world. Now operating under CTS EVENTIM: See Tickets - explore. seetickets.us Contact: Tony DiCamillo | Address: 6380 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 900 | Los Angeles, CA 90048 | 323-908-0607 | tony@seetickets.us | www.seetickets.us/

SAFFIRE – Saffire empowers clients with beautiful, unique and engaging websites that are easy to manage, with integrated SaffireTix ticketing and unlimited help when you need it. Contact: Cassie Dispenza | Austin TX USA | 512-430-1123 | sales@saffire.com | www.saffire.com

TICKETSPICE – Instantly Increase Ticket Revenues! TicketSpice is different, because you keep 100% of the ticketing fees and only pay 99 cents per ticket! It’s the only online ticketing platform that gives you total control of your ticketing... ticket options, pricing, convenience fees, branding, funding and more. We know what it feels like to be overcharged and under-appreciated. We think you deserve a successful event with a ticketing partner who puts you first. Contact: Shadi Hayek | Sacramento, CA USA | 916-400-0737 | shadi@webconnex.com | www.ticketspice.com

TRAVEL PLANNING (BY GROUPS)

TRIP Info com – Since 1996, first online reference for all segments of group travel planners – website and weekly newsletter and subject-specific digital magazines – including festivals. IFEA Member organizations included online. Contact: Eric Cunningham | 8735 Dunwoody Place STE N | Atlanta, GA, 30350, USA info@TRIPinfo.com | www.tripinfo.com

VIDEO PRODUCTION

ELSBERG STUDIOS - Visual storytelling changes lives. We believe images are powerful; sometimes more powerful than words. With them we identify, we connect, we feel, we act. When necessary we use words; words that speak of mission and vision and transformation. Let us tell your story. Brad Elsberg | Nampa, ID USA | 208-989-5664 | brad@elsbergonline.com | elsbergonline.com

WEBSITE DESIGN

OTHER

TEAMWORK ONLINE – TeamWork Online is a Recruiting System designed specifically for sports and live events and focused on a single goal: attracting qualified candidates with the right skills to your open jobs, quickly and cost effectively. It comes with or can be attached to any Applicant Tracking System (ATS). Ask TeamWork Online to be your recruiter. www.teamworkonline.com/

Reach

Rising to New Heights Together

The IFEA Foundation provides a source of support that allows the IFEA to confidently provide convention scholarships, host top-quality industry presenters and programming, and to help raise the bar for everyone in our global industry. A very special thanks to all those who have contributed along the way, and we look forward to working with you towards the success of our industry for many years to come.