Whiteley put a lot into IFEA, having served as President, Chairing or Co-Chairing many Parade Seminars, and helping to develop many successful ideas.  He felt his greatest accomplishment in the IFEA was helping to establish the Regional Seminar concept, initiated at the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena to reach members worldwide. Don also helped initiate the IFEA Silent Auction at the 1987 Convention in El Paso, Texas.

“I’m very proud that I have been a part of the growth of IFEA.  When I first became active it was a very small organization that served a very select group of festivals. I always recognized the value of the sessions and the learning experience.  Now, with the growth of the organization, I am pleased that this wonderful opportunity can be shared with more and more members of the festival business.”

Don Whiteley was the man behind the WSB-TV Salute 2 America Parade in Atlanta, Georgia (12 years), the San Francisco Chinese New Years Parade (7 years), the Egelston Children’s Christmas Parade in Atlanta (3 years) and La Gran Parada de Navidad in San Juan, Puerto Rico (2 years). 

In addition, Whiteley organized many of the nation’s largest one-time parade extravaganzas, including New York’s ticker tape parade to welcome home the troops from Desert Storm in 1992; the 1986 Coca-Cola Centennial Parade in Atlanta; the 1987 U.S. Constitution Bicentennial Parade in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and the Winter Carnival Parade in St. Paul, Minnesota, which served as the official parade of the 1992 Super Bowl. 

Whiteley was widely recognized throughout the industry as the authority on parades. His extensive collection of parade unit video tapes was donated to the IFEA following his passing in 1999.

“I am very honored to be selected for the IFEA Hall of Fame”, said Whiteley.  The organization has meant so much to me over the years both professionally and personally that this is a double honor.”  That dedication to the IFEA and our industry continues through the Don E. Whiteley Memorial Scholarship, with a focus on those events and individuals working with parades.