WFEASpringConference
Monday,March24
RoundTables
4:30 p m
RialtoB/CRoom
1. Events and Operations, David Doxtater
2 Marketing and Communications, John Thorburn
3. Sponsorship, Tawnia Linde
4. Cities, permitting issues, Kiah Patzkowsky
5. Cities: event production, Chuck Denney
5:30 p.m.
6. Festival of Trees, Natalie Abersfeller
7 Branding and Social Media, Stephanie Malham
8. Attracting Gen Z and Millennial Volunteers, Geng Wang
9. Music Festivals, Erika Olsen
10. Funding and Operating a Community Festival, Margo Jones
Presentedby:
Tuesday,March25
TuesdayOpeningCeremonies:
8:00 a.m. RialtoB/CRoom
Keynote from Ira Rosen Performance from Kellee Bradley Recap Performance from Baba Brinkman
Finding success in the festival and event industry was never easy, but in the post-pandemic era challenges seem to be greater each and every day Concerns about revenues, security, insurance, sponsorship, attendance and countless other issues keep us awake at night. But yet, the industry endures. Why? People need events. This session will explore where we have been and where we are going and how we keep thriving in challenging times
Throughout the conference, there will be four different tracks for attendees – 1. Production, 2. Money, 3. City Event Professional and 4. Festival of Trees.
We are pleased to offer a track for the many city event professionals that are attending the conference, as well as Festival of Trees organizers. Any registrant doesn’t need to follow a track unless they choose to do so – you can attend any session that you want!
Keynote: IraRosen,IraLRosen,LLCFestivalandEventConsulting
KelleeBradley
Kellee is an award-winning singer-songwriter who fronts her own band, playing a mix of upbeat covers and originals with a family-friendly show. She's constantly compared to Sheryl Crow and has a country folk/rock sound. You can check out the music on her website at www.kelleebradley.com or on Spotify.
With 4 CDs under her belt, Kellee is a local institution with a strong following Kellee's opened for national acts at venues like the Gorge, Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, the Moore Theater, Marymoor Amphitheatre, the Britt Festival in Jacksonville, Oregon, Rose Festival in Portland, and so many more
BabaBrinkman
Baba Brinkman is a rap artist, science communicator, and award-winning playwright based in New York, NY
Called “Astonishing and brilliant” by the New York Times, Baba is a Scotsman Fringe First Award winner for Exceptional New Writing, and a two-time Drama Desk Award Nominee, for “Outstanding Solo Performance” and “Unique Theatrical Experience” He has performed live on MSNBC’s “The Rachel Maddow Show” and shared stages with science luminaries including Stephen Hawking and Neil deGrasse Tyson. Baba is also a winner of the National Center for Science Education’s “Friend of Darwin Award” for his efforts to popularize evolutionary biology
WFEASpringConference
9:45a.m.BreakoutSession
MoneyTrack:
Non-SponsorshipRevenueandHowtoMonetizeYourEvents RialtoB/CRoom
March 24-26; Suncadia Resort,
Maximizing event revenue goes far beyond sponsorships. In this session, join Brenton Webster, CEO of FastBar Technologies, and Rose Thompson, Executive Director of the Dungeness Crab Festival in Port Angeles, WA, as they break down proven tactics to maximize revenue capture across ticketing, merchandise, food, beverage, and premium experiences Learn how to optimize pricing, streamline vendor operations, and eliminate revenue leaks that cost events thousands. Whether you're new to the industry or a seasoned pro, you'll walk away with actionable strategies to increase efficiency, accountability, and profit. Don’t leave money on the table turn your event into a revenue powerhouse!
PanelParticipants:
Representing Large Market Events: Brenton Webster, Fast Bar Small to Mid-Sized Market Events: Rose Thompson, Dungeness Crab Festival, Georgia Johnson, Field Arts & Events Hall
ProductionTrack:
TheImportanceoftheWowFactor RialtoARoom
• What do you need to do to make your event special?
• Separating yourself from the clutter
• Making your event the best
PanelParticipants:
Representing Large Market Events: Terry Morgan, Modern Enterprises, David Doxtater, The Workshop, Stephanie Malham, SM Creative Small to Mid-Sized Market Events: George Sharp, Thurston County Economic Development Council
CityEventProfessionalTrack: WorkingWithCityDepartmentsandAgencies BairchRoom
PanelParticipants:
Ashley Young, City of Tacoma; Sean Douglas, City of Vancouver
FestivalofTreesTrack: HowtoGrowYourFestivalRevenue MastersonRoom
Presenter:
Wendy Ragusa, Skagit Regional Health Foundation
10:45a.m.BreakoutSession
MoneyTrack:
IdentifyingEasyWins:StrategiesforMarketing,EngagingSponsors,Building ConnectionsandCultivatingRelationships RialtoB/CRoom
• How to market your events to out of town guests and working with Canadian partners
• Opening the Door for Sponsorships: Effective strategies for securing face-to-face meetings with potential sponsors.
• The Power of Relationships: Understanding how long-term relationships are key to sustaining successful sponsorships
PanelParticipants:
Representing Large Market Events: Amy Lindsey, Riverfront Spokane
Small to Mid-Sized Market Events: Victoria Jones, North Olympic Discovery Marathon, Jessica Wiersma, Blackball Ferry
ProductionTrack: FindingandManagingVolunteers RialtoARoom
• How to recruit volunteers
• How to manage and keep them
• Volunteer training
• Volunteer appreciation
PanelParticipants:
Representing All Market Events: Geng Weng, Civic Champs, Peggy Doering, Spokane Valleyfest
Tuesday,March25
10:45a.m.BreakoutSession Continued Tue Program Present
CityEventProfessionalTrack: StreamliningthePermitProcess BairchRoom
PanelParticipants: Kiah Patzkowsky, City of Seattle; Lana Hoover, City of Sumner
FestivalofTreesTrack: WhatEventsareRightforYou?LearnAboutNewOpportunities MastersonRoom
Presenter: Kali Singleton, Kootenai Health Foundation
NetworkSupplierLunch
11:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
EXPOSpeedDating, BabaBrinkmanPresentation RialtoB/CRoom
Discover the latest trends in our industry. Each table at the lunch will be hosted by a vendor/exhibitor, who will distribute materials and discuss the merits of their product with fellow table members During the lunch, each table will be visited by all of the different suppliers.
ctive sponsor ourSponsorshipRevenue 1:45p.m.BreakoutSession
ecutive Director of SunFest (Palm Beach), day? h rapid advancements and new cutting-edge AI applications, al solutions for event planners request demos tailored to aging experience a
WFEASpringConference
2:45p.m.BreakoutSession
MoneyTrack: TrendsforFundraisingEvents RialtoB/CRoom
• What are the latest new fundraising event ideas
• How to raise more money at your next auction
• What can we expect in the future?
PanelParticipants:
Representing Large Market Events: Deci Evans, Kind+Co Small to Mid-Sized Market Events: Christy Smith, United Way of Clallam County
ProductionandCityEventProfessionals: EventRiskManagement RialtoARoom
· Should be a central part of any event’s planning cycle
· Operational and “duty of care” requirement What is it? Methodically addressing the risks associated with event activities
· Treating or mitigating those risks which may have an adverse impact (financial, practical suggestions about how to build and enhance your risk management strategies.
AllMarketsPresenter:
Ira Rosen, Ira Rosen Consulting
FestivalofTreesTrack: IfItAin’tBroke,BreakIt--HowtoMakeChangestoYourEvent MastersonRoom
Presenter: Jane Winslow, Astria Health
3:45p.m.BreakoutSession
Money,Production&FestivalofTreesTrack: HowEffectiveBudgetingCanSaveYouMoney RialtoB/CRoom
• Budgets tell a story
• The importance of forecasting
• Conservative budgeting
• Developing a process
• Who’s accountable
PanelParticipants:
Tuesday,March25
Representing Large Market Events: Eric Corning, Oregon International Air Show Small to Mid-Sized Market Events: Amy McGuffin, Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce
CityEventProfessionalTrack: Budgeting:DoingMoreWithLess BairchRoom
Presenter:
Ashley Young, City of Tacoma Tuesd Programm Presented
WFEASpringConference
DinnerWithAnExpert
Address:105W1stSt,CleElum,WA98922
Tables are pre-assigned, if you have not registered and would like to join us, please visit us at the registration table and we will get you assigned a spot.
On Tuesday night of the conference, March 25th, we will be holding “Dinner With an Expert” – you can sign up to go to dinner with these professionals who are adept at producing events, raising money, selling sponsorship, etc.
We’ll pair you with one of the following experts – Cari Dixon, Washington State Fair; Wendy Tyner, Tyner and Associates; Tawnia Linde, Clark County Fair; Kari Chance, Juan de Fuca Foundation of the Arts; Eric Corning, Oregon Air Show; Meredith Mcllmoyle, Anacortes Arts Festival; Diana Craven, SunFest; Ashley Young, City of Tacoma – Venues & Events; Jane Winslow, Astria Health; and others
You will be responsible for your own dinner and you will share the cost of the expert’s dinner with the other participants at your table. This $8 registration fee will be to cover your share of the cost of the expert's dinner. You’ll be able to ask the Expert any questions that you want.
Categories: Grants, Sponsorship & Marketing, Non-Sponsorship Revenue; Marketing; Operations; Production; Music & Entertainment; Working with Your City; Festival of Trees
WFEASpringConference
8:30a.m.BreakoutSession
MoneyTrack: MaximizingYourFoodandBeverageRevenue RialtoB/CRoom
• Controlling inventory
• Training servers
• Price determination
• How to maximize beer garden results
PanelParticipants:
Wednesday,March26
Representing Large Market Events: Alby Allen, Ballard Seafood Festival Small to Mid-Sized Market Events: Mark Hendrickson, Kent Parks and Recreation Department; David Wells, City of Bonney Lake
ProductionTrack: SelectingtheRightVendorsandSuppliers RialtoARoom
• The selection process
• Important to pick someone experienced in events
• How to treat your vendors
PanelParticipants:
Representing All Markets: Scott Alexander, Alexander Party Rentals, Jon Bockstruck, VIP Production Northwest
CityEventProfessionalTrack: CityEventProduction BairchRoom
Presenter: Chuck Denney, City of Tumwater
FestivalofTreesTrack: FestivalofTreesWrapUp:Materials,AuctionItems,DesignersandTechnology MastersonRoom
Participants: Jeremy Gilchrist, OMC Foundation
9:30a.m.BreakoutSession
MoneyTrack: Grants–TheLatestUpdatesandaNewGrantReadinessChecklistfo Applicants RialtoB/CRoom
• The newest federal, state and local grant opportunities for festival and event organizers including government agencies, corporations and foundations
• A checklist to keep you organized through the grant process
All Markets Presenter: Wendy Tyner, Tyner & Associates Philanthropy Consulting
ProductionTrack: GrowingYourEvents RialtoARoom
• Growth and change is important to your audience
• No one has grown events like the Puyallup Main Street Association
• Learn how you can do the same with your events
All Markets Presenter: Kerry Yanasek, Puyallup Main Street Association
CityEventProfessionalTrack: ProtectingYourEvent BairchRoom
Panelparticipants: Frank Sebastian, Emergency Management Group; Brad McCabe, Meridian Barriers
WFEASpringConference
SpecialInDepthSessions
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m
EffectiveCrowdManagement
RialtoB/CRoom
When emergencies, or even perceived emergencies, happen in crowded conditions, people are much less likely to behave logically or safely. Trained and certified Crowd Managers may be the difference between life or death. Certified Crowd Managers are required by many local permitting authorities with events over 1,000 attendees. This tested two-hour training course focuses on the responsibilities during emergency events This course meets the jurisdictional requirements for required crowd managers and complies with NFPA and IFC standards. Upon successful completion of the course and examination, you will receive a certificate valid for two years. The certificate test is online and requires access to the internet.
AllMarketsPresenters: Frank Sebastian, Emergency Management Group; Mark Williams, Tri-City Water Follies
AllThingsMusic
RialtoARoom
• The new world of booking entertainment
• The best times to book artists
• Taking care of artists
PanelParticipants:
Large Market: Stephen Ruffo, Bellevue Wintergrass; Bobby Akinboro, DJ Blast Small to Mid-Sized Markets: Kari Chance, Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts; Emilie Baker, Olympic Music Festival
SpringConferenceAttendees
NatalieAbersfeller Boys&GirlsClubsofBenton andFranklinCounties natalieabersfeller@greatclubsorg
AishaAllen
AishaAllenConsulting aisha@aishaallenconsultingcom
ToddAnderson TumwaterParks&Recreation tanderson@ci.tumwater.wa.us
JaquelynBall
CityofCovington jball@covingtonwagov
KarynBocko NorthOlympicLibrarySystem kbocko@nolsorg
KelleeBradley KelleeBradley,Performer kelleesong@gmail.com
NeilBuchsbaum CascadePBS neilbuchsbaum@cascadepbsorg
KariChance
JuandeFucaFoundationfortheArts karichance@jffaorg
DiannaCraven
RecentlyRetired-ExecutiveDirectorof SunFest(PalmBeach) dicraven@gmail.com
DrucillaDence OlympicMusicFestival drucilla@olympicmusicfestivalorg
KatherineDezine ko dezine@hotmail.com
SeanDouglas CityofVancouver
Sean.Douglas@cityofvancouver.us
DeciEvans
Kind+CoEvents info@kindandcompanyeventsorg
BobbyAkinboro
DJBlast bookbobbyblast@gmailcom
AlbyAllen BallardSeafoodFest albyseafoodfestprod@gmailcom
LissyAndros ForksChamberofCommerce director@forkswa.com
StaceyBeier
WARedRaspberryCommission stacey@redrazz.org
JonBockstruck
VIPProductionNorthwest jon@vipproductionnwcom
HeatherBreymeyer hbreymeyer@hotmailcom
DennisCaldirola FestaItaliana,Inc. dennis@festaseattlecom
RickyClousing CityofTacoma rclousing@cityoftacomaorg
NatalieDaggett
CityofEastWenatchee ndaggett@eastwenatcheewa.gov
ChuckDenney
TumwaterParks&Recreation cdenney@citumwaterwaus
CariDixon
WashingtonStateFair carid@thefaircom
DavidDoxtater
TheWorkshop doxtater@workshopevents.com
JenniferEvans
EventsbyJenniferEvans jennifer@jenniferevansevents
ScottAlexander AlexanderPartyRentals scottalexander@alexanderpartyrentals.com
LexiAmes PuyallupMainStreetAssociation info@puyallupmainstreetcom
EmilieBaker OlympicMusicFestival emilie@olympicmusicfestival.org
AdrianaBerndt SpokaneLilacFestival ed@spokanelilacfestivalorg
DaisyBower BellevueLighting daisy@bellevuelighting
BabaBrinkman
BabaBrinkman,Performer baba@eventrap.com
EmilyCantrell SeattleSeafair Emily@seafairorg
EricCorning OregonAirShow ericc@oregonairshowcom
ShirleyDamian GreenLatrine shirley.damian@gogreenlatrine.com
EmilyDerr IdeasNW emily@ideasnwcom
PeggyDoering Valleyfest peggy@valleyfestorg
TrinaElmes
CityofEastWenatchee telmes@eastwenatcheewa.gov
KelliFlitton AstriaHealth kelliflitton@astriahealth
SpringConferenceAttendees
S.Franzen CityofBellevue sfranzen@bellevuewa.gov
RubyGarcia LakeChelanChamberofCommerce ruby@lakechelancom
MohannaGoravanchi CityofGraniteFalls mohannagoravanchi@cigranite-fallswaus
PhilHeidt CORT Phil.Heidt@cort.com
GeorgiaJohnson FieldArts&EventsHall GJohnson@fieldhalleventsorg
JackieJonesHook BuffaloSoldiersMuseum soldiersmuseum@aolcom
CindyKazlauskas OlympicMedicalCenterFoundation marketing@sequimhealth.care
KathyKramer CentralWAFairAssociation kathyk@fairfuncom
LoriLancaster
BentonFranklinFairAssociation lori@bentonfranklinfaircom
WilliamLewis PointSource will@pointsourceinc.com
ChristineLoewe
PortAngelesFineArtsCenter christine@pafacorg
StephanieMalham
SMCreative smcreative@stephaniemalhamcom
BradMcCabe
MeridianRapidDefenseGroup bmccabe@meridian-barriercom
VanessaFuller
DungenessRiverNatureCenter Vanessa@DungenessRiverCenter.org
SherryGartside CityofRichland sgartside@cirichlandwaus
WillGreen InsuranceOfficeofAmerica willgreen@ioausacom
MarkHendrickson
KentParksandRecreation mhendrickson@kentwa.gov
MargoJones UmojaFest margojones206@gmailcom
CarrieKann CityofSequim ckann@sequimwagov
KimberlyKing
KootenaiHealthFoundation kimberly.king@kh.org
DianeKrieg
StillyValleyChamberFoundation info@stillyvalleychambercom
SherriLehmann
OlympicMedicalCenterFoundation sherimlehmann@gmailcom
TawniaLinde
ClarkCountyEventCenter/Fair tawnia.linde@cceventcenter.org
BobLovell
OlympicMedicalCenterFoundation rhl46@hotmailcom
EmilyMartella CityofBellevue emartella@bellevuewagov
AmyMcGuffin
KittitasCountyChamberofCommerce amy@kittitascountychambercom
EmmaJaneGarcia CityofSequim ejgarcia@sequimwa.gov
MaiaGoranson CityofCovington mgoranson@covingtonwagov
MelissaHaffly Teamatorium
LanaHoover CityofSumner lanah@sumnerwa.gov
VictoriaJones PortAngelesMarathonAssociation victoria@nodmcom
NavdeepKaur U-COOLRefrigeration,LLC Chandking@yahoocom
ChristiKinney CityofBurlington christik@burlingtonwa.gov
KevinKrieg
StillyValleyChamberFoundation info@stillyvalleychambercom
KyleLeMaire ArtsNorthwest kyle@artsnworg
AmyLindsey
SpokaneParks&Recreation alindsey@spokanecity.org
NatalieMaitland FortWordenHospitality nmaitland@fortwordenorg
AmyMaxwell TicketTomato amy@tickettomatocom
MeredithMcIlmoyle AnacortesArtsFestival aafdirector@anacortesartsfestivalcom
SpringConferenceAttendees
TimothyMedved U-COOLRefrigeration,LLC tim@ucoolbiz
ErikMiletich CityofVancouver erikmiletich@cityofvancouverus
JoeAllanMuharsky Teamatorium joemu@highlandscastleholdingscom
ErikaOlsen WinthropRhythm&BluesFestival rikkito@maccom
KristinaPaquette KittitasCountyChamberofCommerce events@kittitascountychamber.com
BrentPavlicek
WesternDisplayFireworks brent@westerndisplaycom
MichaelPrebezac EventManagementServices mike@mvpemscom
EddieRedman GrandEventRentals eddier@grandrentscom
MichelleRhodes
SequimIrrigationFestival michelle rhodes@hotmailcom
DavidRogers FungiFestival pafungifest@gmailcom
EmilyScott
CityofSammamish escott@sammamishus
McKenzieSharpe
SkagitRegionalHealthFoundation msharpe@skagitregionalhealth.org
SurjitSingh
U-COOLRefrigeration,LLC Chandking@yahoo.com
PhilMegenhardt
BoldHatProductions phil@boldhatproductions.com
LorrieMittman
PeninsulaAdventureSports lorriemittmann@gmailcom
TerriMuharsky Teamatorium
KerriganO'Neill
HollywoodLightsInc. kerrigan@hollywoodlightscom
ShawnParker
CascadePlaytime shawn@cascadeplaytimecom
EdnaPetersen
OlympicMedicalCenterFoundation nectemp@olypencom
WendyRagusa
SkagitRegionalHealthFoundation wragusa@skagitregionalhealthorg
MikeReichert
AXISPNW mike@axispnwcom
StacyRinger IdeasNW stacy@ideasnwcom
IraRosen IraLRosen,LLCFestivalandEvent Consulting irarosen1011@gmail.com
FrankSebastian EmergencyManagementGroup fsebastian@emgwaorg
ClayShurman
NWTravel&Life clay@explorermm.com
KaliSingleton
KootenaiHealthFoundation ksingleton@kh.org
ChristySmith UnitedWayofClallamCounty christy@unitedwayclallamorg
SarahMetcalf CityofCovington smetcalf@covingtonwa.gov
TerryMorgan ModernEnterprises modern2@mindspringcom
KevinNash BellevueLighting kevin@bellevuelighting
KerriganO'Neill HollywoodLightsInc. kerrigan@hollywoodlightscom
KiahPatzkowsky
CityofSeattle-SpecialEventsOffice Kiah.Patzkowsky@seattle.gov
StaciPolitika
OlympicMedicalCenterFoundation staci@olypencom
GailRalston
OlympicMedicalCenterFoundation gtralston@hotmailcom
SarahReyes
EventsbyJenniferEvans sarah@jenniferevansevents
LeslieRobertson
PortAngelesChamberofCommerce events@portangelesorg
SachaSanguinetti
BirchBayChamberofCommerce sacha@birchbaychambercom
GeorgeSharp
ThurstonCountyEconomic DevelopmentCouncil gsharp@thurstonedccom
ToniSilicio-Prebezac EventManagementServices tonisilicio@prebezac.com
BradSmith MeridianRapidDefense bsmith@meridian-barrier.com
SpringConferenceAttendees
ChuckStroeher OlympicMedicalCenterFoundation wa7ebh@juno.com
RoseThompson TheDungenessCrabFestival rose@crabfestivalorg
MegganTjarks Boys&GirlsClubofBenton&Franklin Counties meggan.tjarks@greatclubs.org
WendyTyner Tyner&AssociatesPhilanthropy Consulting tynerassociates@aol.com
JaycieWakefield UnitedWayofClallamCounty jaycie@unitedwayclallam.org
BrentonWebster Fastbar brenton@getfastbarcom
CoutneyWhitefoot YakamaNation Courtney whitefoot@yakama.com
TaviWilliams CityofIssaquah taviw@issaquahwa.gov
MarisaWorden
TumwaterParks&Recreation mworden@citumwaterwaus
SummerStumpf CityofSammamish sstumpf@sammamish.us
JohnThorburn BoldHatProductions john@boldhatproductionscom
RuthannTobiason FriendsofLowerGrandCoulee secretary@friendsofthelowergrandcoulee.org
NancyVandehey CityofLongview-Engineering nancyv@mylongview.com
GengWang CivicChamps geng@civicchamps.com
DavidWells
CityofBonneyLake wellsd@bonneylakegov
JessicaWiersma BlackballFerryLine jwiersma@blackball.com
JaneWinslow
AstriaHealth jane.winslow@astria.health
KerryYanasak
PuyallupMainStreetAssociation director@puyallupmainstreetcom
WFEAConference Staff
MichaelTatum BellevueCollege michael.tatum@bellevuecollege.edu
AdamTiegs Adam'sDJService adam@adamsdjservicecom
TonyTrofimczuk CityofMukilteo ttrofimczuk@mukilteowagov
EmilyVolz
JuandeFucaFoundationfortheArts emilyvolz@jffa.org
JenniferWater-White DungenessRiverNatureCenter Jennifer@DungenessRiverCenter.org
KenyaWhite YakamaNation Kenya white@yakamacom
MarkWilliams Tri-CitiesWaterFollies water.follies@gmail.com
TonyaWoldridge CityofLakeStevens twoldridge@lakestevenswa.gov
AshleyYoung
CityofTacoma-VenuesandEvents ayoung1@tacomavenuesorg
BruceSkinner WFEA bruce@wfeaorg
WFEA lindsay@wfeaorg
JeremyGilchrist WFEA jeremy@wfeaorg
