WFEA SPRING CONFERENCE
"STRONGER THROUGH ASSOCIATION’" More Than Ever, Event Organizers Need to Exchange Ideas on How to Best Produce Events Coming Out of COVID-19
HOSTED AT THE HOTEL WINDROW ELLENSBURG, WA APRIL 27-28, 2022
EVENT SCHEDULE PROGRAM KEY:
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Location number on map (page 7)
VIRTUAL
Sessions available for virtual attendees
FOR EARLY ARRIVALS TUESDAY, APRIL 26
Afternoon:
For early arrivals, meet at PSE Wildhorse Wind Farm – Spectacular shrub steppe flowers will be in bloom
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6 PM:
Meet at Dark Moon Craft Beer to meet other event attendees 319 N Pearl St, Ellensburg, WA 98926
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27
PRECONFERENCE WORKSHOP *Requires separate registration
1 VIRTUAL
Special Event Sponsorship – How to Sell and Fulfill in 2022 9:00 – 2:45 PM
Hotel Windrow, Grand Ballroom 502 N Main St, Ellensburg, WA 98926
These pre-conference sessions will qualify for Washington Certified Festival and Event credit. Learn how these event professionals have sold sponsorship in large and small markets. Outstanding events sell sponsorship Sponsorship marketing plan The Keys to Successful Sales Researching Potential Partners Benefit Packages Creativity The Keys to Successful Sales Sponsorship Fulfillment How to Keep Sponsors Coming Back PAULA BEADLE, CARAVEL MARKETING JOHN THORBURN, BOLDHAT PRODUCTIONS BRUCE SKINNER, WFEA
MAIN CONFERENCE KEYNOTE PRESENTATION 3:00 – 3:50 PM
2 VIRTUAL
Post Pandemic Playbook: Practical Strategies for Marketing Your Events The Foundry 421 N Main St, Ellensburg, WA
We’ve all become pros on marketing our event to our local community, but what steps can you take to bring guests from outside your geographic region? Attracting an out-of-town audience is good for your event and great for economic reasons for your city. Hear tips and tricks that you can implement into your marketing mix.
AMY MCGUFFIN, KITTITAS COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
JOHN THORBURN, BOLDHAT PRODUCTIONS
MEREDITH MCILMOYLE, ANACORTES ARTS FESTIVAL
EVENT SCHEDULE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27 7
Round Tables
4:00 – 5:45 PM
Historic Museum
114 E 3rd Ave, Ellensburg, WA 98926
These sessions are held for professionals on a specific topic. Attendees can pick their topic and ask questions in an informal setting. It’s a great opportunity to get to know people in your area of expertise. You will have the opportunity to visit three of these tables during this time period. Event Operations and Logistics -Mike Prebezac Fundraising Events - Elizabeth McLaughlin Marketing & Communications - John Thorburn Sponsorship - George Sharp Chambers and Municipalities - Amy McGuffin
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Opening Reception and Trade Show 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Hotel Windrow, Grand Ballroom 502 N Main St, Ellensburg, WA 98926
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"Hospitality Room" 7:30 PM
Pearl Bar and Grill
402 N Pearl St, Ellensburg, WA 98926
Hospitality Room Presented and Made Possible By:
THURSDAY, APRIL 28 8:00 – 9:00 AM
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Tools to Help Navigate Alcohol at Events Hotel Windrow, Grand Ballroom 502 N Main St, Ellensburg, WA 98926
VIRTUAL
Come meet with the WSLCB and learn everything you needed to know about selling alcohol at your events. It isn’t as hard a you think it is and this session will help answer any questions you might have about alcohol and events. We will also cover working with manufacturers, nonprofits, liquor caterers and promoters.
BETH LEHMAN, DIANA DESHAYE, WASHINGTON STATE LIQUOR CONTROL BOARD
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION 9:00 – 10:00 AM
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Power, Planning, Passion: Ensuring You Have Control and Success After All The Challenges Hotel Windrow, Grand Ballroom 502 N Main St, Ellensburg, WA 98926
VIRTUAL
This one’s for you. Not your board, council, commission or community, but you the executive and event organizers..senior or junior..who is charged with making something special happen for all of them. We’ve come through tough times and sometimes it takes refocusing to remind ourselves of just what our role has become. In a nutshell it is your job to be in charge of all of it – staff and volunteers included – to have a serious plan to guide you. Powell will help you take the time to refocus on your role as a creator, designer and executor, and will explain how critical it is to have a road map to help you stay on target and get things done.
KAREN POWELL, BIRCHHILL ENTERPRISES
EVENT SCHEDULE THURSDAY, APRIL 28
BREAKOUT SESSIONS 10:15 – 11:15 AM
4 VIRTUAL
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A NEW LOOK AT BEST PRACTICES COMING OUT OF COVID Gallery One 408 N Pearl St, Ellensburg, WA 98926
COVID has allowed us to take a new look at our events, as we know that we’ll being doing them differently, even when the coronavirus entirely disappears. This session will address the new technologies, hiring staff, recruiting volunteers, and starting from Ground Zero financially. It’s time to get rid of ‘we’ve always done it that way.’ ERIC CORNING, SEATTLE SEAFAIR SCOTT NAGEL, DUNGENESS CRAB AND SEAFOOD FESTIVAL, PORT ANGELES AND OCEAN SHORES RAZOR CLAM FESTIVAL
Festival Production – Planning Through Execution Fitterer’s Furniture 114 W 4th Ave, Ellensburg, WA 98926
Know how to map out and plan your event, so staff and suppliers are all on the same page. The more detail you put into planning your event, the smoother it will run. Provide suppliers with what they need to make it as easy for them as possible. MICHAEL PREBEZAC, EVENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES
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Making the Pivot Historic Museum
114 E 3rd Ave, Ellensburg, WA 98926
We’ve all have been blindsided at the last minute by directives, no-shows and other challenges, which necessitates last minute changes. Here how Tom Stebbins, the producer of the Spokane and Boise Golf Show, has learned the art of the pivot, especially during COVID. TOM STEBBINS, VISION MARKETING
BREAKOUT SESSIONS 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
4 VIRTUAL
3
Bringing Your Community Together Post-COVID Gallery One 408 N Pearl St, Ellensburg, WA 98926
Collaborating with your City officials, Parks and Recreation Departments and other entities has become more important than ever. Learn how to bring everyone together as you plan your 2022 and beyond events. PEGGY DOERING, SPOKANE VALLEYFEST
Booking Entertainment Fitterer’s Furniture
114 W 4th Ave, Ellensburg, WA 98926
There have been numerous changes made for booking entertainers during the last two years – learn what changes have been made and what is important to look out for as events come back this spring and summer. JON STONE, GIGS 4U ERIKA OLSEN, WINTHROP RHYTHM AND BLUES
LUNCH PRESENTATION 12:30 – 2:00 PM
8 VIRTUAL
The Wow Factor Blue Rock Saloon
404 N Pine St, Ellensburg, WA 98926
With COVID hopefully coming to an end, there will be many events that will be produced for the public in the months ahead, all clamoring for an audience. Learn how two event professionals create programing and develop marketing plans that separate themselves from the clutter, and why that is so important. TERRY MORGAN, BOREALIS FESTIVAL OF LIGHT GEORGE SHARP, THURSTON COUNTY ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
EVENT SCHEDULE THURSDAY, APRIL 28
BREAKOUT SESSIONS 2:00 – 3:00 PM
2 VIRTUAL
3
Tourism Marketing Through Events The Foundry 421 N Main St, Ellensburg, WA
Many Chambers and Visitors Bureaus have used events to put in heads and beds. Hear what they have done to accomplish that. AMY MCGUFFIN & MATT ANDERSON, KITTITAS COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE GEORGE SHARP, THURSTON COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Working With Your Suppliers Fitterer’s Furniture
114 W 4th Ave, Ellensburg, WA 98926
Work with some of the state’s best on how to how to find tables and tents, refrigeration, stages and other key items that you need to stage your event. EDDIE REDMAN, GRAND EVENT RENTALS TIM MEDVED, U-COOL REFRIGERATION ANTHONY ZAVADA, STAGES NORTHWEST
CLOSING KEYNOTE 3:15 – 4:15 PM
1 VIRTUAL
Special Grants Available for Festival and Events Organizers Hotel Windrow - Grand Ballroom 502 N Main St, Ellensburg, WA 98926
Learn about the grants that organizers can receive, including a $3.5 million fund that has been approved to be distributed to the State’s festival and events. MIGUEL GUILLEN, WASHINGTON STATE ARTS COMMISSION BRUCE SKINNER, WASHINGTON FESTIVALS AND EVENTS ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
DOWNTOWN ELLENSBURG SESSION LOCATIONS
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THE FOUNDRY
HOTEL WINDROW
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4 5
3
FITTERER'S FURNITURE
GALLERY ONE
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THE PEARL
6 DARK MOON
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HISTORIC MUSEUM
BLUE ROCK SALOON
GRAND PRIZE
WFEA FOUNDATION
RUBBER DUCK PLUCK
LUXURY HOTEL LODGING IN THE SAN JUAN ISLANDS Four Day, Three Night Trip for 2 to the Luxurious Lakedale Resort Lodge on San Juan Island
PURCHASE A DUCK(S) AND WIN A FOUR DAY, THREE NIGHT TRIP FOR 2 TO THE LUXURIOUS LAKEDALE RESORT LODGE ON SAN JUAN ISLAND
And in the process, support the WFEA Foundation – proceeds from this “Duck Pluck” will go towards scholarships for students and industry young professionals
A duck race is a glorified way of doing a raffle – purchase one or more and if you’re lucky duck is drawn on May 22, you will win a trip to the San Juan Islands, or a case of Confluence wine from one of the Northwest’s top vintners, Camaraderie Cellars. One duck only costs $10.00 Purchase four ($40.00) and you’ll receive one free Become a VID (Very Important Duck) by making a $100.00 purchase. In addition to the 10 ducks that you have purchased, you will receive five free of charge! Our ducks are plastic ducks – they each have a number on the bottom that corresponds to the number on your ticket(s). They will be placed in a swimming pool in Port Angeles and at 12 Noon on May 22, the winning numbers will be drawn. You will immediately be notified and either a gift certificate or wine will be sent to you.
FIRST PLACE – LUXURY HOTEL LODGING IN THE SAN JUAN ISLANDS Imagine yourself in an elegant lakefront log lodge in the Pacific Northwest. Escape the city with a stay at our secluded San Juan Island resort. Relax in the Great Room by the fireplace with a glass of wine. Wander to the expansive deck atop Neva Lake and watch the sun slowly set. And then….sink into sleep in our freshly updated guest rooms, infused with the essence of Northwest design: custom bed, comfy pillow-top mattress, flat-screen TV, private deck or balcony, gas fireplace, and jetted tub. Choose a room with a king bed overlooking the lake, two queen beds with lake views, or a suite with two bedrooms and woodland views. Four seasons of romance and relaxation. We’ll treat you to a delightful breakfast with our chef’s choice egg dish of the day, our wickedly good granola, pancakes, fresh fruit, and so much more. It’s the perfect romantic getaway and stress-free vacation, luxury hotel lodging just minutes from Friday Harbor. We ask that guests of our San Juan Island resort to be 16 years or older to preserve our peaceful, relaxed and romantic atmosphere.
SPRING CONFERENCE FACULTY
Matt Anderson
Paula Beadle
Eric Corning
Peggy Doering
Matt Anderson, Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce Matthew Anderson is the Director of Tourism & Events for the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce. Anderson has a background extending 20 years in hospitality and event management. Most recently, Anderson was the General Manager of the Holiday Inn Express in Ellensburg. In addition, he has long served on the Kittitas County Lodging Tax Committee. Prior to the Holiday Inn Express, he was the Facilities Director for the Kittitas Valley Event Center and Kittitas County Fair. Anderson received a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation & Tourism Management at Eastern Washington University. Much of Anderson’s professional background is rooted in customer service, event management and planning, human resources, revenue management, sales, marketing and community outreach. matt@kittitascountychamber.com
Paula Beadle, Caravel Marketing Paula Beadle is a strategic and enthusiastic trailblazer, with decades of marketing and sales experience in sponsorship, advertising, branding, sports, event and entertainment marketing. Paula began consulting following the financial services sector meltdown in 2008. After 5 years, she charted a new course by officially launching Caravel Marketing - a consulting firm specializing in partnership marketing, revenue development and strategic planning. Caravel has been granted the good fortune to work with organizations including: The Special Olympics 2018 USA Games, Seattle Center, Washington State Fair, Washington Department of Transportation, Fred Hutch Obliteride, University of Washington and admired companies such as Alaska Airlines, T-Mobile, Starbucks, Amazon and Microsoft. Paula is a results-driven leader with an established record of increasing revenue and improving performance. She is known for developing smart strategies, increasing value, connecting the right partners, and successfully coaching sales teams, executives and boards to achieve their goals. She has facilitated countless strategic planning, creative thinking and sales training sessions. paula@caravelmarketing.com
Eric Corning, Seattle Seafair With over 25 years experience, Eric Corning has produced high-profile, public events for Seattle and the greater Puget Sound Region. Eric first joined Seafair as a summer intern in 1993 and quickly became a force in the events community. He has produced over 20 Seafair Festivals including the Seafair Summer 4th Fireworks Show, the Seafair Torchlight Parade, and Seafair Weekend featuring the US Navy Blue Angels. He was also a leader producing the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games and the 2014 Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl Victory Parade. A graduate of the University of Washington, Eric his wife Kelli live in Shoreline, WA. eric@seafair.org
Peggy Doering, ValleyFest Peggy is the Executive Director of Valleyfest, the City of Spokane Valley’s premier event. Peggy started working on Valleyfest as a community volunteer 28 years ago; has led the expanding nonprofit since 1996. Valleyfest began a one day festival in 1990 and has grown into a three day fall festival; five years ago the July Cycle Celebration was added. This nonprofit has twenty six committees, over 200 volunteers, and partners with other community nonprofit to invite visitors to the City of Spokane Valley to shop, play and stay. With Peggy’s interest in nonprofit work, she was the volunteer coordinator for MidCity Concerns Meals on Wheels Spokane, and an adult trainer with several Girl Scout Councils. In Spokane, Peggy has served on the YMCA Advisory Board, Greater Gonzaga Guild President, GU School of Business Dean’s Advisory board, and Washington State Festival Association. peggy@valleyfest.org
SPRING CONFERENCE FACULTY
Miguel Guillen
Beth Lehman
Amy McGuffin
Meredith McIlmoyle
Miguel Guillen, Washington States Art Commission Miguel Guillén joined ArtsWA in 2016 and currently serves as Program Manager for the Grants to Organizations program. As a seasoned arts administrator, Miguel provides support to community-based arts organizations and projects, small arts groups, and artists across Washington. He has previously managed arts programs for the private sector. Born in Mexico and raised in the Skagit Valley, Miguel received an Arts Management Certificate from Seattle Central College. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Cornish College of the Arts, Seattle. He is a practicing visual artist. miguel.guillen@arts.wa.gov
Beth Lehman, Washington State Liquor & Cannabis Control Board, Manager, Licensing & Regulation Division I have been with the WSLCB for 16+ years and working with events around the state for at least 15 of those. I manage a team of 18 that approve all of the special occasion licenses and catered events. Prior to working with the WSLCB I worked in the bar and restaurant industry for 25 years so I was able to bring my experience and perspective to those I now help to regulate. beth.lehman@lcb.wa.gov
Amy McGuffin, Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce Since 2005, Kittitas County Chamber’s Chief Executive Officer Amy McGuffin’s has assisted nearly 150 for-profit and non-profit partners in their efforts to become better festivals and events, through lodging tax funding.Amy has been a member of the City of Ellensburg Lodging Tax committee since 2005.She also consults other communities on how to creatively use their lodging tax funds to engage and increase tourist spending, community branding, and to promote city assets. Amy has been very active in the creation of the Kittitas County Consolidated Lodging Tax Committee since 2012, a process in which municipalities come together to award annual applicants funding for festivals, events and projects. She recently sat on a county advisory committee to initiate tourism-related, small/large-Scale municipality-owned capital projects and operations. She was part of the award winning committee that created the Kittitas County Tourism Infrastructure plan. amy@kittitascountychamber.com
Meredith McIlmoyle, Anacortes Arts Festival Meredith has an extensive background in event management and was the publisher of Event Solutions magazine, a trade publication for event professionals. Most recently she has been employed by United General Hospital as the Communications Coordinator in charge of events, marketing and fundraising. She worked as a Festival volunteer for more than five years prior to joining the staff. aafdirector@anacortesartsfestival.com
SPRING CONFERENCE FACULTY
Tim Medved
Terry Morgan
Scott Nagel
Erika Olsen
Tim Medved, U-Cool Refrigeration, Owner Tim's rental career started in 1974, in his family's business at Budget Car and Truck Rental of Tacoma. And from 1990 to 2006, he served as the Operations Manager for Mckinney Trailers & Containers in Auburn, WA. Over the years, this experience has led to the development of a refrigerated equipment rental company that fills the needs of the food and beverage industry, festival and event industry, and many other businesses that require periodic mobile and stationery refrigeration. tim@ucool.biz
Terry Morgan, Modern Enterprises
Terry Morgan’s Modern Enterprises is the most successful minority owned event Production Company in Washington State, serving clients since 1979 providing talent, production and technical services for cities, corporate clients and civic occasions. With over 40 years of experience in special event design, venue management, artist book and promotion, public relations and fundraising, Modern Enterprises is one of the most creative and innovative event planning teams. Its client list includes Microsoft, the City of Redmond, Cirque Du Soleil, Nordstrom, Children’s Hospital, Chateau St. Michelle, the Museum of Flight, The National Governor’s Association, Pacific Place, University Village, Seattle Magazine, The Stillaguamish Tribe and the Downtown Seattle Association. Morgan recently produced the highly acclaimed Seattle Center/Space Needle New Year’s Eve Show. terry@borealisfestivaloflight.com
Scott Nagel, Dungeness Crab and Seafood Festival, Port Angeles and Ocean Shores Razor Clam Festival Scott Nagel has been making an impact on the world of the arts, festivals and events for more than 35 years as a performer, producer, executive director, publisher, and manager. He is one of the founders and the Executive Director of the Dungeness Crab and Seafood Festival, Executive Producer of the Ocean Shores Sand and Sawdust Festival, Director of Events for Victor's Lavender, and president of Birchhill Enterprises, a special-event and management consulting firm. He was one of the founders and Executive Director of Washington Festivals & Events Association, Vice-President of the International Festivals and Events Association, and Executive Director of the Sequim Lavender Growers Association among other projects. As Executive Director of the Northwest Folklife Festival for 18 years, he made Northwest Folklife one of the most acclaimed traditional arts organizations in North America. director@crabfestival.org
Erika Olsen, Winthrop Rhythm & Blues Festival and Waterfront Portland Erika Olsen is a native Washingtonian who grew up on Seattle’s Capitol Hill. Prior to devoting her professional life to music and festival productions, she worked in the non-profit sector as the Human Resources Director for the HMO Pacific Health Plans. She currently is the Festival Director for the Winthrop Rhythm & Blues Festival as well as the Assistant Artistic Director/Marketing & Production Coordinator for Portland’s Waterfront Blues Festival. Erika loves to run, dance, listen to live music, cook, watch the Seahawks, spend time with her family & friends and try and make the world a better place. Under Erika's leadership, she and the Winthrop Rhythm & Blues Festival received the coveted “Keeping the Blues Alive” Award in 2015. This prestigious national award from the Memphis-based Blues Foundation recognized Erika for her compelling work on the Winthrop R&B Festival, known as “the best little festival” and is the longest running blues festival in Washington state. rikkito@mac.com
SPRING CONFERENCE FACULTY
Karen Powell
Mike Prebezac
Eddie Redman
George Sharp
Karen Powell, Birchhill Enterprises Powell is a well-known speaker that has worked with WFEA in the past. She is a partner in Birchhill Enterprises that has worked closely with festivals and events for years and was Executive Consultant and EVP at City University in charge of leadership development for the organization. She was VP in HR at the 8th largest bank in US and was in charge of “Events In The Parks” for Seattle Parks Department years ago. birchhillk@mindspring.com
Mike Prebezac, Event Management Services Michael V Prebezac has been in the event rental & service contracting business, in the Seattle area, since 1974, both owning and managing companies that specialized in equipment & services for Tradeshows, Festivals, Fairs & Special Events. These events have included Bumbershoot, Northwest Folklife Festival, Seafair, Everett International Air Fair, as well as many community festivals, state & county fairs, and hundreds of corporate and special events. The company was sold in 1999. Michael started Event Management Services as an event consulting business in 2002, and has developed it into a full production and event management company. Michael is currently Technical Production Director for The University District Street Fair, Fremont Fair, Kirkland Uncorked, Fremont Oktoberfest, and the Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival, and provides contract services for a dozen cultural festivals, at the Seattle Center, as well as other events around the Seattle Area. mike@mvpems.com
Eddie Redman, Grand Event Rentals Eddie Redman has over 30 years of experience in the event industry, including working for the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. He grew up in the business and even spent his teenage summers working for a local rental company. He has a keen eye for event logistics, and has become one of the industry’s best with tent layout and installations, tradeshows and festivals. In his personal time, Eddie enjoys outdoor activities such as boating, attending UW football games and snow sports. eddier@grandrents.com
George Sharp, Rural Program Manager, Thurston Economic Development Council George has had a thirty year career in community and economic development. He has worked with many communities and organizations in helping them determine and or develop what are their unique attributes to help them standout from the crowd. He is an admitted festival and event fanatic, attending more than 50 a year. He was the director of the National Lentil Festival 1990-1998. He co-created the Tumwater Artesian Brew Fest in 2013 and Co-created the Bucoda Boo-Coda Spook-Tacular Festival in 2018. Sharp was the Rural Tourism Development Manager, Marketing Manager and Education and Training Coordinator for the Washington State Department of Commerce 1999-2010. He was the Executive Director of the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater Visitor and Convention Bureau 2010-2015. He currently is the Rural Program Manager for the Thurston Economic Development Council. He has received multiple awards from Washington State Tourism, Washington Festival and Events Association and the International Festival and Events Association for his work over the years. gsharp@thurstonedc.com
SPRING CONFERENCE FACULTY
Bruce Skinner
Tom Stebbins
Jon Stone
John Thorburn
Anthony Zavada
Bruce Skinner, Executive Director, WFEA Bruce Skinner was one of a handful of people who started selling festival and event sponsorship in the mid-80’s, and is a highly regarded consultant to business and the special events industry with vast experience. He currently is the Executive Director of the Washington Festivals and Events Association, after serving as the Chief Revenue Officer for the College Football National Championship Game held in Phoenix in January of 2016.He is the author of the book, The Complete Guide to Selling Event Sponsorship, and is the founder or co-founder of five Rock n Roll marathons in Seattle, Portland, Phoenix, San Antonio and Nice, France.He served as the executive director of the Fiesta Bowl in Phoenix, Arizona, (1980-1990) and President of the International Festivals and Events Association (1990-2001). He also has served as the Executive Director of the Olympic Medical Center Foundation in Port Angeles – Sequim. bruce@wfea.org
Tom Stebbins, Vision Marketing Prior to founding Vision Marketing in 1997, Tom was the assistant athletic director for marketing and promotions at Michigan State University Athletics and marketing director at Washington State University Athletics. He and his wife Karen are the owners and producers of the Spokane Golf & Travel Show and Boise Golf & Travel Show, and have continued to find creative ways in conducting their events in challenging circumstances, finding a way forward. tom@vision-marketing.net
Jon Stone, Gigs4U Jon Stone is a Seattle-based arts and cultural leader, festival producer and civic place-making consultant. For decades he has played key roles in the creation and execution of iconic concert, festival and theater experiences as well as educational, awareness building and business development programs for youth and emerging communities. Jon's consulting practice specializes in start-up, new lines of business and organizational turnaround work. jstoneseattle@gmail.com
John Thorburn, Marketing Director, Bold Hat Productions John is a 12-year veteran in event marketing, and has led the marketing strategy for Hop Scotch Spring Beer and Scotch Festival, Fremont Fair, Kirkland Uncorked and Fremont Oktoberfest since joining the Bold Hat team in June 2014. He is skilled in social and digital marketing, traditional advertising, and brand management, and he's passionate about emerging technologies, community building and overall marketing trends. Prior to joining Bold Hat Productions, John was the Vice President, Communications and Marketing at the Northwest Marine Trade Association, which produces the Seattle Boat Show - the third largest boat show in the U.S., and largest on the West Coast. John received his degree from the University of Washington in Communications, and holds a certificate in Advanced Digital Analytics from the University of San Francisco. john@boldhatproductions.com
Anthony Zavada, Stages Northwest Anthony has been around the staging industry his whole life. Started working at Stages Northwest as a high school summer job, went off to study engineering and business, and has been working full time since 2014. anthony.zavada@stagesnorthwest.com
WFEA Hall of Fame 22029 23RD DR SE, STE 105 BOTHELL, WA 98021 425-462-7368 WWW.GRANDEVENTRENTALSWA.COM
MIKE BRENNAN (2001)
Presented by: Grand Event Rentals
NORM LANGILL (2001)
DAVID DOXTATER (2002)
ED NEUNHERZ (2015)
AL SILVERMAN (2019)
BETH KNOX (2019)
SEATTLE CENTER (2019)
JERRY SCHMIDT (2020)
RICK BETTS (2020)
JEANNETTE BRENNAN (2020)
TERRY MORGAN (2021)
DON KARDONG (2021)
ROBIN KELLEY (2021)
SPRING CONFERENCE ATTENDEES MATT ANDERSON Kittitas County Chamber matt@kittitascountychamber.com
JILL BABCOCK Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce jill@lakechelan.com
MONIQUE BRIGHAM Sedro-Woolley Chamber of Commerce monique.swchamber@gmail.com
MARY PAT BYRNE Byrne Arts Consulting mary5patb@aol.com
JAMIE COFFEY Field Arts & Events Hall jamie@fieldhallevents.org
DEBBIE COPPLE Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce debbie@skyvalleyvic.net
ERIC CORNING Seafair eric@seafair.com
PATSENE DASHIELL City of Sequim pdashiell@sequimwa.gov
CHUCK DENNEY Tumwater Parks and Recreation cdenney@ci.tumwater.wa.us
DIANA DESHAYE Washington State Liquor Control Board diana.deshaye@lcb.wa.gov
BRENDA DEVORE Ellensburg Downtown Association director@ellensburgdowntown.org
PEGGY DOERING Spokane Valleyfest peggy@valleyfest.org
DAVID DOXTATER The Workshop doxtater@workshopevents.com
LESLIE ENGLISH OMC Foundation leslie@olypen.com
KATIE ESTES Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce katie@kittitascountychamber.com
CHRISTY GARRARD Visit Issaquah christy@visitissaquahwa.com
JEREMY GILCHRIST WFEA jeremy@wfea.org
DARBY GRIMES Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce darby@kittitascountychamber.com
MIGUEL GUILLEN Washington State Arts Commission miguel.guillen@arts.wa.gov
JENNIFER HACKETT Washington Hometown jennifer@washingtonhometown.com
SONJA DARTT Red Lion Port Angeles sonja.dartt@redlion.com
RACHEL HANSEN NW Event Organizers rachel@nwevent.org BETH LEHMAN Washington State Liquor Control Board beth.lehman@lcb.wa.gov LORI LOTT Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation lorin.lott@providence.org AMY MCGUFFIN Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce amy@kittitascountychamber.com TIM MEDVED U-Cool Refrigeration tim@ucool.biz
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KATIE HERZOG City of Mercer Island katie.herzog@mercergov.org
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MARIO LORENZ Laughter Masters Entertainment marioslorenz@gmail.com CHRIS MACKAY West Seattle Summerfest chris@wsjunction.org MEREDITH MCILMOYLE Anacortes Arts Festival aafdirector@anacortesartsfestival.com LORRIE MITTMAN Peninsula Adventure Sports LLC lorrie.mittman@gmail.com
SCOTT NAGEL Dungeness Crab and Seafood Festival director@crabfestival.org
DANNY NELSON Hero Event Support danny@svsevents.com
ERIKA OLSEN Winthrop Rhythm and Blues Festival rikkito@me.com
KERRIGAN O'NEILL Hollywood Lights Inc kerrigan@hollywoodlights.biz
PAULA BEADLE Caravel Marketing paula@caravelmarketing.com STEFANIE CICERELLO Capital Mall scicerello@capitalmallolympia.com
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BARBARA HANNA City of Sequim bhanna@sequimwa.gov
LORI LANCASTER Benton Franklin Fair and Rodeo lori@bentonfranklinfair.com FRANCES LORENZ Laughter Masters Entertainment AMY MAXWELL Ticket Tomato amy@tickettomato.com ELIZABETH MCLAUGHLIN Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation elizabeth.a.mclaughlin@providence.org TERRY MORGAN Borealis Festival of Light modern2@mindpsring.com MARIE NEUMILLER Inland Northwest Wildlife Council inwcexec@gmail.com TIFFANY OWENS Unio Club Tacoma/Surge Coworking tiffany@unionclubtacoma.com
SPRING CONFERENCE ATTENDEES SHANNA PAXTON Shanna Paxton Photography info@shannapaxton.com
KATHLEEN PETRZELKA Mount Vernon Downtown Association outreach@mountvernondowntown.org
DAVID POMEROY Western Display Fireworks david@westerndisplay.com
KAREN POWELL Birchhill Enterprises birchhillk@mindspring.com
BETH PRATT Sequim Chamber of Commerce director@sequimchamber.com
MICHAEL PREBEZAC Event Management Services mike@mvpems.com
GAIL RALSTON OMC Foundation gtralston@hotmail.com LESLIE ROBERTSON Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce events@portangeles.org
EDDIE REDMAN Grand Event Rentals eddier@grandrents.com KRISTEN ROSELLO MCVEY The Workshop kristen@workshopevents.com
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CAROL RILEY Olympia Harbor Days info@harbordays.com
MARNIE RORHOLM Spokane Valley Summer Theatre marnie@svsummertheatre.com
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STEPHEN RUFFO Wintergrass ruffo@cablespeed.com
RYAN SCHROEDER Tabook Cove Productions ryan@tabookcove.com
BETSY SCHULTZ Captain Joseph House Foundation betsy.rs@live.com
GEORGE SHARP Thurston County Economic and Development Council gsharp@thurstonedc.com
JEANNETTE SIELER City of Lacey Parks and Recreation jsieler@ci.lacey.wa.us
BRUCE SKINNER WFEA bruce@wfea.org
DON SOLBERG Jazz in the Valley don@jazzinthevalley.com
TOM STEBBINS Vision Marketing tom@vision-marketing.net
JON STONE Gigs 4U jstoneseattle@gmail.com
JOHN THORBURN Boldhat Productions john@boldhatproductions.com CHARLA WRIGHT Assured Hospice of Clallam and Jefferson Counties Charla.Wright@lhcgroup.com
CHRISTINE WHITNEY Visit Vancouver WA cwhitney@visitvancouverwa.com SYBIL YOUNG Three Rivers Convention Center syoung@3riverscampus.com
MARISA WORDEN Tumwater Parks and Recreation mworden@ci.tumwater.wa.us ANTHONY ZAVADA Stages Northwest anthony.zavada@stagesnorthwest.com
WFEA MEMBER BENEFITS Membership in WFEA is designed to be ultra-affordable. For only a few dollars per month you become part of the collective voice of the festivals and events industry in our state, you receive timely notices and updates on opportunities and trends affecting our businesses, and you become entitled to major discounts to a multitude of relevant educational and marketing opportunities throughout the calendar year. These discounts alone more than offset the price of your annual membership.
REGIONAL CHAPTERS
Special rates to seminars featuring presentations by highly qualified speakers on how to produce events of all types – from festivals to fundraising auction dinners Be a part of the discussion on issues that concern your region, including advocacy and most importantly networking with leading event organizers and suppliers in your area
EDUCATION/TRAINING
Annual convention and expo held each spring with over 150 regional event professionals attending to share information, build partnerships learn about new products and services, and generate new ideas for your event Bi-monthly webinars, featuring sessions on critical topics on how to make your event better during and postCOVID. Certification program – learn how you can become a Certified Live Event Planner (CLEP).
MARKETING
WFEA print calendar provides a print venue to promote your events throughout the state by region and calendar, with a distribution of 40,000 copies. Listing in WFEA member directory with opportunities for advertising Helping Hands newsletter provides opportunities to promote your events
MEMBER DISCOUNTS
Convention and Expo – save $100 Print Publication – save 15 – 30% Seminars and other educational programs – varies
NETWORKING
Generate business leads and connect with potential event resources Associate with industry leaders to share ideas and build strategic partnerships
SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP RATE If you are not already a member. we are offering a discounted membership of $50. To redeem online please: Go to wfea.org/join Select “Individual Membership” Enter discount code JoinWFEA2022 at the bottom of the online membership form Good until May 28, 2022