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Home > Convention & Expo > 2025 IFEA Convention & Expo

FROM SPARK TO SPECTACLE: THANK YOU FOR 70 YEARS OF CELEBRATION!


The journey from spark to spectacle continued in spectacular fashion at the IFEA’s 70th Anniversary Convention & Expo, presented by atVenu, held at the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa in Palm Springs, CA, from September 22–24, 2025! This year, we celebrated seven decades of innovation, creativity, and connection in the festivals and events industry, exploring how a single spark of inspiration can ignite extraordinary experiences. Together, we learned, networked, and discovered new ways to turn ideas into unforgettable spectacles.


The IFEA extends its deepest gratitude to atVenu, our presenting sponsor, and to every attendee, presenter, participant, sponsor, exhibitor, and volunteer. Your dedication, energy, and commitment made this milestone celebration truly exceptional. Thank you as well to everyone who has helped us reach this remarkable moment—together, our collective efforts have created a legacy that will continue to inspire and elevate the festivals and events industry for decades to come. We can’t wait to see what the next 70 years will bring!

We hope you left Palm Springs inspired, motivated, and ready to continue your journey—turning sparks into spectacular moments in your own work and throughout the industry. Whether through networking, professional development sessions, or simply reconnecting with peers, this year’s Convention has set the stage for continued success and innovation.


Thank you for making the 70th Anniversary IFEA Convention & Expo presented by atVenu unforgettable. We can’t wait to see you next year! If you’re already excited to join us, you can register now for the 2026 IFEA Annual Convention & Expo at our lowest early bird registration rate and save! Stay tuned for more details as we continue the journey from spark to spectacle!

Thank you to Atomic Design for providing our stunning stage backdrop that set the perfect scene for inspiration, celebration, and unforgettable moments throughout the Convention!

RELIVE THE SPARKS, THE SPECTACLES, AND THE MEMORIES THAT MADE THIS CONVENTION ONE FOR THE BOOKS!

WE HONORED THE LEGACIES UPON WHICH WE STAND


We celebrated a remarkable journey of seventy years—a journey filled with memories and milestones, challenges and triumphs, and moments of strength, durability, and endurance.

Over the decades, we recognized the friends gained, the friends lost, and the countless ways innovation, inspiration, and imagination have shaped our industry. Together, we reflected on how festivals and events have bonded families, communities, and the world closer together.

From spark to spectacle, we acknowledged a legacy that continues to inspire as we look toward the future.

WE EMPOWERED STUDENTS THROUGH CFEE CERTIFICATION CLASSES


In the three days leading up to the Convention, students had the exciting opportunity to dive into CFEE Core Classes, sponsored by Kaliff Insurance.

Covering essential topics like Sponsorship & Sponsor Service, Marketing & Media Relations, and Administration & Management, these sessions gave participants practical skills, insider knowledge, and inspiration to advance their careers in the festivals and events industry.
Learn More

WE KICKED THE CONVENTION OFF WITH INSPIRATION


Peter Kageyama, urbanist, author, innovator, and placemaker from Sextant Marketing Group, opened the Convention with his presentation, “For the Love of Cities and Events.”

His engaging talk explored the deep connection between people, place, and experiences, reminding us why festivals and events matter so much to communities around the world.

The opening keynote energized attendees with fresh insights, sparked new ideas, and set the tone for three unforgettable days of learning, networking, and growth, inspiring us to create even more meaningful and impactful events in the future.

WE CELEBRATED THE 2025 IFEA CFEE GRADUATES SPONSORED BY KALIFF INSURANCE


Earning the prestigious CFEE designation is no small feat. We proudly honored this year’s graduates for their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to advancing both their careers and the festivals and events industry.

CFEE Graduates, sponsored by Kaliff Insurance, include:

  • Mark Casasanto, Imperial Events Security Services, Philadelphia, PA, USA
  • Anna Dara, City of Vaughan, Vaughan, Ontario, Canada
  • Shinhae (Sydney) Lee, IFEA Korea, Seo-gu, Daejeon, Rep. of Korea
  • Anna Rose, City of Vaughan, Vaughan, Ontario, Canada
  • Hailey Courson, City of Celina, Celina, TX, USA
Learn More About the CFEE Certification Program.

WE HONORED THE 2025 IFEA VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR, SPONSORED BY SECUREVENT SOLUTIONS

Volunteers are the heartbeat of our industry, and we took the time to spotlight and thank our Volunteer of the Year sponsored by SecurEvent Solutions, Robert H. Grenfell, Jr. from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society in Philadelphia, PA, whose passion and selfless contributions continue to inspire us all. Learn More

WE RECOGNIZED OUR 2025 IFEA WORLD FESTIVAL & EVENT CITY AWARD RECIPIENTS


Great events start with great communities. We celebrated the cities that support, nurture, and elevate festivals and events, ensuring they thrive and make lasting impacts. Learn More About the 2025 Recipients.

Dublin, Ireland

Dublin, OH, United States

Geumsan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea

Kailua Village, HI, United States

McAllen, TX, United States

Philadelphia, PA, United States

Pittsburgh, PA, United States

Rotterdam, Netherlands

Songkhla, Thailand

Vaughan, ON, Canada


WE INDUCTED OUR 2025 IFEA HALL OF FAME RECIPIENTS


Legends were honored as we welcomed new inductees into the IFEA Hall of Fame—leaders whose impact, vision, and passion have forever shaped the industry.

Cindy Lerick, MA, CFEE, CED

Professor of Practice at Kansas State University, President at The ART of Events, LLC Manhattan, KS, USA. Learn More

Professor Gang Hoan Jeong, Ph.D.

President, IFEA Asia/Korea, Dean of Center for Tourism and Event Management, Pai Chai University, Daejeon, South Korea. Learn More

WE CELEBRATED EXCELLENCE WITH THE IFEA/HAAS & WILKERSON PINNACLE AWARDS


Excellence truly took center stage as we honored the best of the best through the IFEA / Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards, celebrating outstanding achievements from festivals and events around the globe. This year marked the 30th Anniversary of the Pinnacle Awards Competition, and in honor of this milestone, the award itself was redesigned with a fresh, modern look to carry the spirit of innovation and excellence into the future.

To commemorate this special anniversary, we presented Haas & Wilkerson Insurance —our long-standing partner in celebrating excellence—with their very own anniversary Pinnacle Award, recognizing three decades of partnership and the many more years of collaboration still to come.

Congratulations to all of our 2025 Pinnacle Award winners for raising the bar yet again through creativity, excellence, and impact.

A special round of applause to our 2025 Gold Grand Pinnacle Award winners, who stood out among the best:

Budget: Under $50,000
City of McAllen - Quinta Mazatlan, McAllen’s Great Monarch Month
McAllen, TX, United States

Budget: $50,000 to $500,000
NLC Events & Entertainment Ltd., ÖRVÉNYESVÖLGY FESTIVAL - VERTIGO VALLEY
Zalacsány, Zala, Hungary

Budget: $500,000 to $1.5 Million
Des Moines Arts Festival
Des Moines, IA, United States

Budget: Over $1.5 Million
CherryArts, Cherry Creek Arts Festival

Denver, CO, United States


A complete list of all of the 2025 IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Award Winners can be found here.

All plaques and certificates not picked up onsite have now been shipped to their winning organization.

If you’d like to order duplicate plaques, you can do so here.

WE DISCOVERED AMAZING NEW PRODUCTS & SERVICES AT OUR SOLD OUT EXPO!


The Expo floor was buzzing with energy from start to finish! Attendees explored a wide range of innovative products, services, and solutions designed to elevate festivals and events. Thanks to all of you, we celebrated a sold-out Expo and another year of connecting, learning, and growing together. We couldn’t have done it without our amazing exhibitors, sponsors, and attendees—and we can’t wait to see you in 2026 for another unforgettable experience!

Don't forget you can still connect with all of the exhibitors through the Virtual Trade Show here!

Interested in exhibiting at the IFEA Expo next year? Take advantage of our "Super Early Bird" registration here.


Thank you to eventim and Imperial Event Security Services for sponsoring our Expo Luncheon—your support allowed attendees to recharge, connect, and make the most of the Convention!
Thank you to Vozzi for keeping everyone connected with our onsite text communications, and to Covered for providing the stylish and practical convention totes that helped attendees carry all their materials throughout the week!

WE PROVIDED A FANTASTIC INCENTIVE TO DO BUSINESS WITH OUR VENDORS!


Thanks to our Expo Incentive Program, attendees have more reasons than ever to make their purchasing decisions during the Expo! For each attendee doing new business (not an existing customer) with an IFEA Exhibitor at the Convention/Expo, IFEA will apply a $100 discount towards their 2026 Annual Convention & Expo registration, up to a maximum of $500 off per organization. To qualify, each transaction must be valued at $100 or more. Learn More.

WE LEARNED FROM SO MANY INSPIRING VOICES AND BRILLIANT MINDS


We heard from so many incredible speakers throughout the Convention—each sharing valuable insights, innovative ideas, and the latest trends shaping the festivals and events industry.

From expert-led sessions to panel discussions and hands-on workshops, every presentation offered fresh perspectives, practical takeaways, and inspiration to bring home and put into action.

A special thank-you to SCHED for making it easy and convenient to navigate it all with our online and mobile schedule!

WE TRANSITIONED FROM VIRTUAL TO IN-PERSON WITH OUR AFFINITY GROUPS


You’ve shared ideas, insights, and best practices all year through our Virtual Affinity Groups, and in Palm Springs, it was so fabulous to finally meet in person!

Gathering with your peers at the IFEA Affinity Group sessions sparked meaningful conversations, hands-on learning, and new connections that will continue to grow as our Virtual Affinity Groups start back up again this October.
Learn More.

WE GAINED AN INSIDE LOOK AT THE INDUSTRY


A huge thank-you to Nic Adler, Vice President of Festivals for Goldenvoice / AEG Presents, for sharing his incredible insight during his “View from the Peak: Coachella, Stagecoach, and the Festivals of Goldenvoice” session.

His behind-the-scenes perspective on producing some of the world’s most iconic festivals offered invaluable lessons, inspiration, and a renewed appreciation for the creativity, strategy, and passion that drive our industry to new heights.

YOU RAISED OVER $42,000 DURING THE FOUNDATION PLATINUM PALMS POOL PARTY!

What a night to remember! The IFEA Foundation Platinum Palms Pool Party brought together friends, fun, and fundraising under the stars at the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort in Palm Springs.

From resort wear chic to the excitement of raffles, races, and auctions, this unforgettable evening celebrated both our history and our future—supporting the IFEA’s ongoing educational programs and mission.

The night was capped off in spectacular fashion with our very own IFEA Drone Show by Sky Elements, lighting up the sky in celebration of 70 years of festivals and events!

Thanks to your generosity, participation, and spirit, we are thrilled to share that together we raised just over $42,000 this year!

A huge thank you to the sponsors who made the IFEA Foundation Pool Party unforgettable!
From start to finish, this evening wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support of so many.
Thanks to all of you, it was an evening full of fun, connection, and celebration!

SOME OF YOU WON BIG DURING OUR FOUNDATION GAMES, RAFFLES, DUCK RACE & AUCTION!


We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who adopted ducks, bid in the auction, purchased ultimate experience getaway tickets, entered the 50/50 raffle, or simply joined us poolside to celebrate. Your support helps fuel the IFEA Foundation’s mission and ensures that the next generation of festival and event leaders continues to shine.

We’re thrilled to announce this year's Foundation winners! From the Ultimate Experience Getaway to the 50/50 Raffle, to the excitement of the Duck Race, these winners took home incredible prizes.

Congratulations to all of our participants and champions for making a difference and adding even more fun and excitement to this year’s Convention!
  • Ultimate Experience Getaway: Tom Bisignano, CFEE, FIFA World Cup 2026 – who won the Thunder Over Louisville & Derby City Experience
  • 50/50 Raffle: Zach Fisher, Kentucky Derby Festival & Christina Ramirez, Haas & Wilkerson Insurance – each took home $600
  • Adopt A Duck - Duck Race:
    • 1st Place – Rudy Martinez, DFEST ($250)
    • 2nd Place – Jonathan McCurley, Showpass ($200)
    • 3rd Place – Lori Irwin ($100)
    • Lame Duck – Lorena Ortega, DFEST ($50)
    • Lucky Ducks ($25 each):
      • Todd Dyer (Cast & Crew Live Entertainment);
      • Stephen King, CFEE (Des Moines Arts Festival);
      • Tamas Badacsonyi (RAINRAVER The Festiponchooh!);
      • Alison LeRoy (City of Dublin);
      • David Eads (Pasadena Tournament of Roses);
      • Justin Wise (City of West Columbia, SC);
      • Jessica Kaminskas (The Parade Company);
      • S. David Ramirez, CFEE (SDMRamirez Events & Marketing)

YOU SENT IFEA PRESIDENT & CEO, STEVE SCHMADER SOARING DOWN THE WATER SLIDE!


Because of your incredible support, the crowd at this year’s Foundation Night Party got to witness the ultimate splash—our very own President & CEO, Steve Schmader, CFEE, soaring down the water slide in style!

We set a goal of $7,000, and thanks to you, we not only reached it—we exceeded it! A huge thank you to everyone who donated and cheered him on, and to Steve for keeping his promise in unforgettable fashion!

YOU SUPPORTED THE NEXT GENERATION OF FESTIVAL & EVENT PROFESSIONALS


We are so thankful for all the funds raised during past Foundation Fundraisers, to make it possible for the IFEA Foundation to send 14 Scholarship recipients to this year’s Convention.

These emerging leaders had the opportunity to learn, connect, and be inspired—experiences that will help shape the future of the festivals and events industry.

Learn More about Legacy Scholarships.

WE WERE TREATED TO AN AMAZING DRONE SHOW BY SKY ELEMENTS!


The evening sky lit up as we capped off the night with our very own IFEA Drone Show, brought to life by Sky Elements—a breathtaking finale that had everyone looking up in awe. The drones danced in perfect synchronization, creating dazzling shapes and animations that celebrated our 70th Anniversary, including the IFEA logo, Foundation logo, Convention logo, and so much more. It was a magical and memorable spectacle that perfectly captured the spirit of the Convention and left attendees talking long after the last drone landed.

WE WERE THANKFUL FOR THE STUDENTS FROM KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY!


We were so grateful for the Kansas State University students who came to assist at the Convention.

They worked tirelessly to help set up and support activities throughout the event, gaining hands-on experience and networking from some of the most amazing event professionals from around the world.

Their enthusiasm and curiosity were inspiring, and they left with new ideas, insights, and inspiration to guide the direction of their future careers in the festivals and events industry.

WE CONNECTED IN CONNECTIONS CAFE, SPONSORED BY EVENTENY!


Connections Cafe, sponsored by eventeny served as the ultimate networking hub of the Convention, where attendees met, mingled, and built meaningful relationships. From lively conversations to sharing ideas and insights, it was the place to spark collaborations and strengthen connections across the industry.

WE BROUGHT THE FUN TO NEW HEIGHTS!


A big thank-you to our friends at Fabulous Inflatables / Dynamic Displays and Big Events, Inc. for adding larger-than-life excitement to the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort!

Their incredible parade and decorative inflatables brought color, energy, and fun to every corner of the Convention—showing just how these eye-catching creations can elevate any event.

Want to bring that same wow factor to your festival or celebration? Be sure to connect with them to learn more!

WE NETWORKED AFTERHOURS AT THE DFEST HOSPITALITY SUITE


The DFEST Hospitality Suite was the place to be after hours, buzzing with laughter, late-night stories, and countless connections. Whether enjoying the outdoor patio under the stars or cozying up inside the expansive suite, attendees continued networking, sharing ideas, and building friendships well into the wee hours of the morning. It was the perfect space to unwind, connect, and strengthen the bonds that make our industry so special.

Thank you to DFEST for creating and setting up all our on-site flags and banners for the Convention! Be sure to ask them what they can do for your event!

WE CELEBRATED THE HAPPY AS WE WRAPPED IT UP WITH DISNEY


Closing out the Convention, we were inspired by our keynote speaker from Disney—also celebrating their own 70th anniversary this year—who reminded us of the power of imagination and creativity in our industry. Steven Davison, Lead Creative Executive and Vice President of Parades & Spectaculars at Walt Disney Imagineering, shared insights from his incredible career and the magic behind Disney’s unforgettable experiences. With the theme “Celebrate Happy,” he encouraged us to keep the magic alive in everything we do, leaving us energized, inspired, and ready to imagine new possibilities for the future of festivals and events.

WE SOAKED UP EVERYTHING PALM SPRINGS AND THE OMNI RANCHO LAS PALMAS RESORT HAD TO OFFER!


Yes, it was hot—but that didn’t stop us from enjoying everything Palm Springs had to offer! From the sights and sounds of the desert city to a dip or two in the pool to cool off, we fully embraced the sun-soaked backdrop for our 70th Anniversary celebration. The Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort provided the perfect home base with its beautiful grounds, luxurious accommodations, and an amazing staff who made us feel welcome every step of the way. We dined on delicious meals, relaxed in style, and were treated with exceptional hospitality throughout the Convention—making our time in Palm Springs as memorable as the events themselves.

WE'LL SHOW YOU OURS, IF YOU SHOW US YOURS!! SHARE YOUR CONVENTION MEMORIES!


Our fabulous photographer, Judy Barnard, captured so many amazing moments at the Convention—but we know you saw it all from a different angle! Check out our Convention photos now posted on the IFEA website, and then share your favorite shots and videos with us by uploading them to this Google Drive. Whether it’s learning in sessions, connecting with friends, or celebrating together, your memories could be featured in upcoming IFEA publications, social media, or highlight reels. Let’s capture the full energy and excitement of this year’s gathering—through all of our eyes!

THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF IFEA'S 70TH ANNIVERSARY!


Whether you joined us in person at the Convention or celebrated from afar, the IFEA wouldn’t be what it is today without the strength, passion, and support of our members from around the world.

Stay tuned as we bring you even more celebrations before the year ends, and we look forward to seeing you next year—location and dates to be announced soon!


Thank you for making the 70th Anniversary IFEA Convention & Expo, presented by atVenu, truly unforgettable.

If you’re already excited to join us again, you can REGISTER NOW for the 2026 IFEA Annual Convention & Expo at our lowest early bird registration rate and save!

Get ready to continue the journey from spark to spectacle—we can’t wait to see you there!

Post Convention Details

#IFEA70th
#IFEA70thAnniversary #IFEA2025

Presenting sponsor of the
IFEA's 70th Anniversary Convention & Expo!

atVenu is a leading platform specializing in live event sales. They offer a range of comprehensive solutions, including point-of-sale, inventory management, real-time reporting, digital food vendor settlements, and more. With feature sets specifically designed to meet the unique needs of live events, it is a trusted partner for hundreds of festivals, sporting events, concert venues, fairs, and more. atVenu's point-of-sale system is quick and easy to set up, manage, and deploy, making it ideal for small teams and events big and small alike. The platform is built to save you time, ensure faster-moving lines, and be reliable when your connectivity isn’t so you never lose out on sales. LEARN MORE: info.atvenu.com/ifea


Thank You To Our Association Endorsed Partners and Convention Sponsors:



DFEST
Haas & Wilkerson Insurance

“As a not-for-profit 501(C)6 organization, the IFEA reserves the right to refuse or cancel the registration of any individual or organizational attendee, who, at its sole discretion, may represent/display unprofessional, unlawful, unethical, unsafe, or other actions/positions deemed contrary to the best interests of the IFEA and our global industry.”

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