BRINGS HOME RECORD NUMBER OF AWARDS
October 1, 2014. Louisville, KY. – The Kentucky Derby Festival was awarded many top honors at the 59th Annual International Festival & Events Association’s Convention and Expo. The awards were given this week during the IFEA / Haas & Wilkerson Insurance Pinnacle Awards ceremony in Kansas City, Kansas. Derby Festival took home silver in the Grand Pinnacle category for best overall festival and was runner-up to the Philadelphia Flower Show.
In addition to the Silver Grand Pinnacle, the Festival also received a record 38 Pinnacle Awards – 18 Gold Pinnacles, 11 Silver, and 10 Bronze in various categories for events, media relations, advertising campaign, sponsorship and merchandise.
“As rewarding as it is to come here and be recognized by industry professionals and our peers from around the world, these awards are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our Board, staff, the thousands of volunteers and our sponsors said Mike Berry, president & CEO of the Kentucky Derby Festival. “Without all of them, the Festival would not be as successful as it is today.”
The International Festivals and Events Association has more than 2,000 member festivals from around the world. Each year, the IFEA Pinnacle Awards competition honors the best special events, festival materials, promotions and ideas among the organization’s membership. The Derby Festival competes with events among the ranks of the Indy 500 Festival, Seattle Sea Fair, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Memphis in May International Festival, National Cherry Blossom Festival, Portland Rose Festival, Pasadena Tournament of Roses, Fiesta San Antonio and Pacific National Exhibition (Vancouver, BC Canada).
The Festival won GOLD awards for:
- Television – Best TV Promotion
- Multimedia – Best Event Website
- Multimedia – Best Organization Website
- Best Misc. Printed Materials
- Best Company Image Pieces
- Best Commemorative Poster
- Best Pin or Button
- Best Sponsorship Program for Individual Sponsor
- Best Volunteer Program
- Best Event/Program within an event to Benefit a Cause
- Best Event (within an existing event/Festival)
- Best New Promotion Activity
- Best New Attendee Service
- Best Overall Merchandising Program
- Best Press/Media Kit
- Most Creative/Effective News Stunt
- Best Media Relations Campaign
- Best Promotion publicizing an IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Award Win
SILVER Awards
- Grand Pinnacle
- Radio – Best Radio Promotion
- Best Festival/Event Mobile Application
- Best Cover Design
- Best Other Merchandise
- Best Sponsor Gift
- Best Overall Sponsorship Program
- Best Green Program
- Best Emergency Preparedness & Risk Management Plan for an Event
- Best Food & Beverage Program
- Best New Event
BRONZE Awards:
- Multimedia – Best Event/Organization E-newsletter
- Best Single Newspaper Display Ad
- Best Ad Series
- Best Outdoor Billboard
- Best T-shirt Design
- Best Misc. Clothing
- Best New Merchandise
- Best Targeted Sponsor Solicitation Proposal
- Best Single New Sponsorship Opportunity
- Best Money-Making Idea
