Get in on the action behind-the-scenes of Louisville’s biggest party! Ready to launch your career from the front-row? Join the team behind one of Louisville’s most iconic events – the Kentucky Derby Festival – with a city-wide economic impact of more than $200 million.

As a Sponsorship Sales intern, you won’t be making coffee runs – you’ll be building real-world skills, making professional connections, and helping bring unforgettable events to life.

This is your chance to learn Sponsorship Sales 101 from a dynamic team of pros who know how to mix business with celebration. You’ll gain hands-on experience in corporate partnerships, marketing strategy and event execution – all while networking with some of the city’s top business leaders.

Responsibilities:

• Craft compelling sponsorship proposals that make brands say “yes!”
• Help draft real contracts (with guidance, of course)
• Support the execution of high-impact marketing and sponsorship campaigns
• Coordinate sponsor promotions and activations at live events
• Be part of the action – from creative ideas and proposals to sales, setup and show time
• Assist with video content creation and digital promotions
• Tackle special projects from our Sponsorship and Promotions teams

Requirements:

• High-energy, self-starting go-getters who thrive in fast-paced environments
• Strong communicators – if you can host a party, you can handle a pitch! We’d love to hear your ideas!
• Detail oriented multitaskers, who can work independently and be creative
• Comfortable with Microsoft Office (especially PowerPoint)
• Available for flexible hours, including evenings and weekends in April
• Bonus points if you have skills in photography and Adobe Photoshop
• Must have a valid driver’s license

Get the ultimate backstage pass to the production of one of the largest city-wide Festivals in the country, including one of the  nation’s largest fireworks shows!

The Event Team is looking for interns who are energized by interacting with people and working on group projects, enjoy work that requires frequent shifts in direction (adaptable/flexible) and have a “no job is too small!” mentality. You’ll fit in well if you can see a need and jump in to help before being asked.

Responsibilities:

• Assisting with the implementation and execution of Derby Festival produced events, including Thunder Over Louisville, the Derby Festival miniMarathon/Marathon, Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville, L&N Federal Credit Union Great BalloonFest and more!
• Research for future event planning 
• On-site production & logistics support, including assisting with load-in and load-out of events
• Support for promotional activities for events and other special projects
• Collecting event and consumer insight data, and help with managing, analyzing and finding insights (such as analyzing patron’s insights after the event)
• Data entry, and other general office duties
• Staffing certain events (i.e. set-up & break-down, check-in and greeting patrons, managing vendor load-in, etc.)

Requirements:

• Applicants will need to have a high availability during event season, including some weekends and evenings, especially during the month of April (30 hours or more)
• Deep interest in how events contribute to a larger community-building strategy
• Hard working, highly motivated and detail oriented
• Excellent written communication and collaboration skills
• Knowledge of online platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and other webinar services
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office

May be asked to assist in tasks that are physically demanding on occasion. Must be able to lift 25-30 pounds

Be on the front lines of Kentucky Derby Festival Communications and work with our team to share stories across multiple platforms.

The Communications Team is searching for detail-oriented interns who know how to collaborate with a group to get the job done and aren’t afraid of taking on a task they’ve never done before. You’ll do well with our team if you’re a team player who enjoys work that changes from day-to-day, and doesn’t require a great deal of direction or oversight to complete a task.

Please think about which of the below focus areas you might be most interested in when you apply. While many of the Communications tasks will overlap, we try to assign work based on interest, background and capability.

PR & Editorial Responsibilities:

• Editing and updating press releases as needed
• Be the go-to for quick writing projects like digital articles, website content, etc.
• Help with and manage communication for a Radio Broadcast event

Broadcast & Videography Responsibilities:

• Film video shorts for social media, on both iPhone & Nikon camera
• Star in, host and/or interview for social or digital video
• Assist in editing social or digital video

* REQUIRED FOR BROADCAST/VIDEO FOCUS: Some experience in filming and editing video using iMovie, Adobe Premier or their own editing software.

Social Media & Digital Content Responsibilities:

• Responsible for website updates and making sure all website information is correct during high-traffic times for the Festival (you’ll learn the WordPress backend)
• Helping with social media responses and customer service, especially during high-traffic times
• Come up with ideas and write stories for E-Newsletters
• Star in, host and/or interview for social or digital video
• Lend a hand with copy and content creation for all social media channels, including graphics, photography, live-posting during events, etc.

Requirements for all Communications Focuses

• Applicants will need to have high availability during event season, including some weekends and evenings, especially during the month of April (20+ hours)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Highly professional manner, as you will be interacting with members of the media, business leaders and event goers, and be a representative of the Festival on social media
• Must feel comfortable in front of the camera, as you may be asked to participate in creating photo or video content for social media, web and other platforms
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office required
• Proficiency in Photography, Canva or Adobe Suite is a plus

Are you eager to learn the ins and outs of brand development? Curious about building marketing strategies for an organization that generates more than $200 million in economic impact for the local community?

The Kentucky Derby Festival is seeking passionate, creative, and organized Marketing/Advertising Interns who are excited to dive into project management, analytics, content creation, and hands-on event promotion.

This is a unique opportunity to gain real-world experience in advertising, digital marketing, and event execution with one of the region’s most iconic organizations.

Responsibilities:

• Proofread, review, and organize advertising materials and creative projects
• Research and help develop grassroots marketing strategies and audience targeting
• Brainstorm and write content for marketing materials, including email marketing campaigns, digital advertising, radio scripts, flyers and more
• Assist with updating advertising content and logo placement on digital platforms
• Support the design and execution of promotional activations at events
• Provide graphic design support and assist with visual asset development
• Participate in ticketing and guest services at select live events
• Support merchandise and ticketing departments

Requirements:

All interns must meet the following qualifications:

• High availability during event season, including evenings and weekends (especially April, 20+ hours/week)
• Exceptional proofreading and content accuracy skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities
• A professional demeanor with strong interpersonal skills – you’ll be a representative of the Festival to the public, press, and business partners
• Comfortable in front of a camera for social, web, or video content
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Experience in photography, graphic design, or Adobe Creative Suite is a plus

Ready to help move, manage and analyze over $250,000 worth of Festival swag? Want to learn the logistics and organization it takes to run a $1 million program? Try the Derby Festival Merchandise Marketing role on for size!

The Merchandise team is looking for an intern with a great work ethic, who enjoys completing projects with minimal supervision, and a passion for building and growing a brand identity through apparel and merchandise marketing. You’ll be in the right place if you’re looking for an opportunity to expand your skills in market research and competitive analysis, merchandising and product strategy, brand sales techniques, and being able to take ownership of projects almost from start to finish.

Responsibilities:

• Take photos at various events for social media and website posts
• Help manage E-Commerce Site, including product photography, writing product descriptions, and updating website
• Strategizing product marketing and implementing SEO best practices
• Manage relationships and communications with merchandise vendors
• Oversee the recruitment of new vendors & new Pegasus Pin retailers
• Handle on-site merchandising and vendor logistics at Derby Festival events like Thunder Over Louisville
• Staffing at official Kentucky Derby Festival events and Pegasus Pin delivery blitz as needed

Requirements:

• Applicants will need to have a high availability during event season, including some weekends and evenings, especially during the month of April
• Must have a professional manner on the phone, as you will be in contact with important business partners.
• Some familiarity with Microsoft Excel is preferred
• May be occasionally asked to assist in tasks that require maneuvering 25-50 pounds