2026 WFEA
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Hosted at the
Marriott Bellevue
October 27-29, 2026
"The WFEA Conference is a wonderful experience and opportunity to recharge your battery and find inspiration to be your best. The speakers are some of the best and most successful in our industry. I always leave energized and with pages of notes of new ideas to help the communities and festivals and events I support."
George Sharp,
Rural Program Manager Thurston Economic Development Council
Elevate Your Event: Insights and Innovation at the Northwest's Premier Festival Gathering
Join the largest collection of festival organizers, community non-profits, and industry suppliers in the Pacific Northwest this October 27-29 at the Marriott Bellevue. The Washington Festivals and Events Association is committed to advancing the special events industry through professional education, powerful networking, and innovative revenue development. Whether your focus is on streamlining vendor management, maximizing charity auctions, or dramatically increasing your sponsorship capacity, this conference is designed to equip you with actionable strategies. Come connect with peers, discover fresh ideas, and gain the inspiration needed to drive both cultural and economic impact in your community.
Keynote Speaker Spotlights:
Kevin Grothe,
Memphis in May International Festival
Pat Armstrong,
Kentucky Derby Museum
Become A Member Today
Membership in WFEA is designed to be ultra-affordable. For only a few dollars per month you become part of the collective voice of the festivals and events industry in our state, you receive timely notices and updates on opportunities and trends affecting our businesses, and you become entitled to major discounts to a multitude of relevant educational and marketing opportunities throughout the calendar year. These discounts alone more than offset the price of your annual membership.
Introducing the all-new WFEA Library Books!
Five Publications Written
for Washington State Festival and Event Organizers
by Premier Washington State Festival & Event Organizers
Find Book Option Below and Select Book Name to Purchase
Member Pricing
All 5 Books Physical Copy & Online Copy ($119):
Click Here to Purchase All Books
Virtual Copy ($39):
The Complete Guide to Sponsorship
Growing Your Non-Sponsorship Revenue
Trends for Managers: Festival and Events from 30,000 Feet (ALL NEW!)
Physical Copy & Online Copy ($49):
The Complete Guide to Sponsorship
Growing Your Non-Sponsorship Revenue
Trends for Managers: Festival and Events from 30,000 Feet (ALL NEW!)
Non-Member Pricing
*Includes a 1 year WFEA Membership
All 5 Books Physical Copy & Online Copy ($219):
Click Here to Purchase All Books
Virtual Copy ($139):
The Complete Guide to Sponsorship
Growing Your Non-Sponsorship Revenue
Trends for Managers: Festival and Events from 30,000 Feet (ALL NEW!)
Physical Copy & Online Copy ($149):
The Complete Guide to Sponsorship
Growing Your Non-Sponsorship Revenue
Trends for Managers: Festival and Events from 30,000 Feet (ALL NEW!)
What's Included In Each?
Trends for Managers: Festival and Events from 30,000 Feet
Featuring Articles By:
• Dennis Caldirola
• Eric Corning, Oregon Air Show
• Robert Cunningham, Stages Northwest
• Joe Allan Muharsky, Teamatorium
• Deci Evans, Kind + Co Events
• Frank Sebastian, Emergency Management Group
of Washington
• Amanda Korb, Blue Ink
• Natalie Maitland, Keen Bee Consulting
• CORT Rental
• Trevor Lane, WSU Extention
• Eddie Redman, Grand Event Rentals
Cover Photo:
Alaska Airlines Seafair Torchlight Parade
Photographer: Dixin Yan
Growing Your Non-Sponsorship Revenue
Featuring Articles By:
Brenton Webster, FastBar Technologies
Alby Allen, Ballard Seafood Festival
Jon Stone, Jon Stone Consulting LLC
Wendy Tyner, Tyner and Associates Philanthropy
Consulting
Victoria Jones, Port Angeles Marathon Association
Meredith McIlmoyle, Anacortes Arts Festival
By Deci Evans, Kind + Co Events
Jon Neill, Executive Director of Community Cancer Fund
Amy Maxwell, Ticket Tomato
Cover Photo:
Shanna Paxton Photography, Tumwater Artesian Brewfest
Producing Complex Events
Featuring Articles By:
• David Doxtater, The Workshop
• Janae Sherry, The Workshop
• Frank Sebastian, Emergency Management Group
of Washington
• Trevor Lane, WSU Extension
• Al Parisi, The Workshop
• Adriana Berndt & Jamie Dedmon, Spokane Lilac Festival Association
• Kari Chance, Juan de Fuca Foundation for the Arts
• Mark Hendrickson, City of Kent
• Joe Allan Muharsky, Washington Renessaice Fair
• Jon Bockstruck, VIP Productions NW
• Robert Cunningham, Stages Northwest
• Eddie Redman, Grand Event Rentals
Cover Photo:
New Year's at the Needle
The Start to Finish Playbook on How to Fund and Produce an Event
Featuring Articles By:
• David Doxtater, The Workshop
• Riley Stockton, Spokane Hoopfest
• Wendy Tyner, Tyner and Associates
• Carol Riley, formerly of Olympia Harbor Days
• Peggy Doering, Spokane Valleyfest
• Chuck Denney, Tumwater Parks and Recreation
• John Thorburn, Bold Hat Productions
• Eric Corning, formerly of Seafair
• Jon Stone, Jon Stone Consulting
• Amy Maxwell, Ticket Tomato
• Ashley Young, Tacoma Venues and Events
• Amy McGuffin, Kittitas Chamber of Commerce
• Frank Sebastian, Emergency Management Group
• Eddie Redman, Grand Event Rentals
Cover Photo: Jesse Roper at Juan de Fuca Festival in Port Angeles
Photo by: Jay Cline
The Complete Guide To Selling Sponsorship
Featuring Articles By:
• Paula Beadle, Sponsorship Marketing Association
• Amy Lindsey, Riverfront Spokane
• Tawnia Linde, Clark County Fair
• Brett Gorrell, Seattle Seafair
• Kathy Kramer, Central Washington Fair
• George Sharp, Thurston County Economic Development
• Cari Dixon, Washington State Fair
• Amanda Korb, Blue Ink
• Bruce Skinner, Washington Festivals and Events
Cover Photo: Spokane Hoopfest
