The Premiere Association Supporting and Enabling Festival & Event Professionals Worldwide".

IFEA at a Glance

• The International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) is the premiere association supporting and enabling festival and event professionals worldwide.
• The IFEA represents the worldwide festivals & events industry with umbrella affiliates that include IFEA Africa, IFEA Asia, IFEA Australia, IFEA Europe, IFEA Latin America, IFEA Middle East, and IFEA North America.
• While the IFEA exists to serve the entire festivals and events industry, the organization enjoys the active support and involvement of over 2000 'Premiere Members'.
• IFEA members include a broad cross-section of festivals, all categories of events, municipalities, state department's of tourism and commerce, theme parks, CVB's and tourism related organizations, chambers of commerce, allied associations, music licensing organizations, independent event planners and consultants, media, sponsors, industry suppliers and educational institutions.
• The IFEA is a 501(c) 6 not-for-profit organization and is overseen by a 17 member international Board of Directors.
• IFEA's largest international gathering is our annual IFEA Convention & Expo which moves locations each year and features over 100 educational breakout sessions, affinity group sessions, topical roundtables, advanced education and professional certification classes, the largest trade show focused on festivals & events, social functions, industry awards programs, and professional networking. The convention usually takes place in September of each year.
• The 53rd Annual IFEA Convention & Expo is scheduled for September 8-12, 2008 at the Boise Centre on the Grove in Boise, Idaho.
• IFEA Affiliates provide professional education programming and Behind-the-Scenes opportunities throughout the year.
• The IFEA offers a variety of coveted industry awards:
• The IFEA Hall of Fame Award (for lifetime achievement)
• The IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Insurance Pinnacle Awards (for outstanding marketing achievement)
• The IFEA/Zambelli Fireworks Internationale Volunteer of the Year Award (for excellence in volunteerism)
• The IFEA/Festival Media Corporation Sponsorship Success Award (for excellence in sponsorship promotions and results)
• The IFEA World Headquarters are located in Boise, Idaho in the northwestern United States, in the historical Boise Train Depot overlooking the city.
• The IFEA is one of five leading industry members who make up the 'Association Alliance'. The Association Alliance includes the IFEA, the International Association of Assembly Managers (IAAM), the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) and the Outdoor Amusement Business Association (OABA).
• IFEA publications include the industry leading quarterly magazine ie: the business of international events; Venue Safety and Security, a quarterly magazine published by the Association Alliance with a focus on life safety issues; Weekly Update, an electronic newsletter; and Affiliate Connection, an on-line communication resource.
• The IFEA enjoys the support of the IFEA Educational Foundation with assistance for educational scholarships, programming and resources. The IFEA Educational Foundation has awarded over 150 scholarships since its founding in 1993. The IFEA Educational Foundation is a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit organization and is overseen by an independent Board of Directors.
• The IFEA was founded in 1956 under the original name of the Festival Manager's Association (FMA). It became international in 1957 under the new name of the International Festivals Association (IFA) and in 1996 changed its name to the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) to more accurately reflect our changing industry.
• The IFEA's professional certification program, a mark of individual excellence, is the Certified Festival & Event Executive (CFEE). The program is sponsored in part by K&K Insurance.
• The IFEA has the largest bookstore of professional resources in our industry.