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WFEA Spring Conference Returns to Suncadia Resort



WFEA SPRING CONFERENCE

March 24-26, 2025

Suncadia Resort, Cle Elum

Register Here


Book Your Spring Conference Stay at Suncadia Resort

(844) 950-0772

3600 Suncadia Trail

Cle Elum, WA 98922 

BOOK YOUR STAY BY CLICKING HERE

-OR- contact their reservation dept. at 866-904-6300, and say ‘I need to make a reservation.’ Reference the WA Festival and Events Association or G-i3a3 room block and a reservation agent will then be able to assist.

Full Conference Schedule:

Pre-Conference*

Administration, Management and Operations

Monday, March 24

9:00 – 3:00 p.m.

*Requires Separate Registration

Leadership Development

Leadership and management are two common terms in any organization, but do we really understand their similarities and differences? Additionally, successful leadership development programs can build continuity in our organizations and enhance how we build effective leadership now and in the future. This session will explore the importance of understanding leadership within our organizations and how to build strategic leadership training into everything we do.

Ira Rosen, Ira L Rosen, LLC Festival and Event Consulting


Hiring and Managing Staff

Because most events are understaffed, it’s important to hire people who are passionate and efficient. Learn best hiring practices and how to manage and retain employees.

Phil Megenhardt, Bold Hat Productions


Managing for the Future

How much will management change and what will the future hold? Have people, and the world, changed so much that everything you thought you know was out of date? While these questions could generate dozens of discussions, this session will offer ideas on how to navigate today.

Emily Cantrell, Seattle Seafair


All Sessions Hosted in the Miller Room

Main Conference

Monday, March 24


Mondays Programming Presented By:


Keynote:

Emerging Sponsorship Trends

Monday, March 24

3:00 p.m.

Rialto B/C Room


Learn how you can increase your revenue from corporate partners from Dianna Craven, who has had a remarkable 28-year career at SunFest. She began as sponsorship manager and then rose to lead the organization, playing a pivotal role in sponsorship and ticket sales throughout her tenure. Learn the latest in what sponsors are looking for, which will lead to elevating your game.


Dianna Craven, CFEE, Recently Retired -Executive Director of SunFest (Palm Beach)

4:30 p.m.

Round Tables

Rialto B/C Room

1. Events and Operations, David Doxtater

2. Marketing and Communications, John Thorburn

3. Sponsorship, Tawnia Linde

4. Cities, permitting issues, Kiah Patzkowsky

5. Cities: event production, Chuck Denney

6. Festival of Trees, Natalie Abersfeller

7. Branding and Social Media, Stephanie Malham

8. Attracting Gen Z and Millennial Volunteers, Geng Wang

9. Music Festivals, Erika Olsen

10. Funding and Operating a Community Festival, Margo Jones


 

5:30 p.m.

Opening Reception

Main Conference

Tuesday, March 25

Throughout the conference, there will be four different tracks for attendees – 1. Production, 2. Money, 3. City Event Professional and 4. Festival of Trees.

We are pleased to offer a track for the many city event professionals that are attending the conference, as well as Festival of Trees organizers. Any registrant doesn’t need to follow a track unless they choose to do so – you can attend any session that you want!

Tuesday Opening Ceremonies:

8:00 a.m.

Rialto B/C Room

  • Keynote from Ira Rosen
  • Performance from Kellee Bradley
  • Recap Performance from Baba Brinkman


Keynote:

The Future of the Festival and Event Industry

8:00 a.m.

Rialto B/C Room

Finding success in the festival and event industry was never easy, but in the post-pandemic era challenges seem to be greater each and every day. Concerns about revenues, security, insurance, sponsorship, attendance and countless other issues keep us awake at night. But yet, the industry endures. Why? People need events. This session will explore where we have been and where we are going and how we keep thriving in challenging times.


Ira Rosen, Ira L Rosen, LLC Festival and Event Consulting

9:45 a.m.

Money Track:

Revenue Playbook: Maximizing Sales and Monetization at Your Event

Rialto B/C Room

Maximizing event revenue goes far beyond sponsorships. In this session, join Brenton Webster, CEO of FastBar Technologies, and Rose Thompson, Executive Director of the Dungeness Crab Festival in Port Angeles, WA, as they break down proven tactics to maximize revenue capture across ticketing, merchandise, food, beverage, and premium experiences. Learn how to optimize pricing, streamline vendor operations, and eliminate revenue leaks that cost events thousands. Whether you're new to the industry or a seasoned pro, you'll walk away with actionable strategies to increase efficiency, accountability, and profit. Don’t leave money on the table—turn your event into a revenue powerhouse!


Panel Participants:

Representing Large Market Events: Brenton Webster, Fast Bar

Small to Mid-Sized Market Events: Rose Thompson, Dungeness Crab Festival, Georgia Johnson, Field Arts & Events Hall



Production Track:

The Importance of the Wow Factor

Rialto A Room

• What do you need to do to make your event special?

• Separating yourself from the clutter

• Making your event the best


Panel Participants:

Representing Large Market Events: Terry Morgan, Modern Enterprises, David Doxtater, The Workshop, Stephanie Malham, SM Creative

Small Market to Mid-sized Market Events: George Sharp, Thurston County Economic Development Council



City Event Professional Track:

Working With City Departments and Agencies

Bairch Room

Panel Participants:

Ashley Young, City of Tacoma; Sean Douglas, City of Vancouver



Festival of Trees Track:

How to Grow Your Festival Revenue

Masterson Room


Presenter:

Wendy Ragusa, Skagit Regional Health Foundation

10:45 a.m.

Money Track:

Identifying Easy Wins: Strategies for Engaging Sponsors, Building Connections and Cultivating Relationships

Rialto B/C Room

• How to market your events to out of town guests and working with Canadian partners

• Opening the Door for Sponsorships: Effective strategies for securing face-to-face meetings with potential sponsors.

• The Power of Relationships: Understanding how long-term relationships are key to sustaining successful sponsorships.


Panel Participants:

Large Market Events: Amy Lindsey, Riverfront Spokane

Small to Mid-Sized Market Events: Victoria Jones, North Olympic Discovery Marathon, Jessica Wiersma, Blackball Ferry

 


Production Track:

Finding and Managing Volunteers

Rialto A Room

• How to recruit volunteers

• How to manage and keep them

• Volunteer training

• Volunteer appreciation


Representing All Market Events: Geng Weng, Civic Champs, Peggy Doering, Spokane Valleyfest



City Event Professional Track:

Streamlining the Permit Process

Bairch Room


Panel Participants:

Kiah Patzkowsky, City of Seattle; Lana Hoover, City of Sumner



Festival of Trees Track:

What Events are Right for You? Learn About New Opportunities

Masterson Room

Presenter:

Kali Singleton, Kootenai Health Foundation


Network Supplier Lunch

EXPO Speed Dating, Baba Brinkman Presentation

11:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Rialto B/C Room


Discover the latest trends in our industry. Each table at the lunch will be hosted by a vendor/exhibitor, who will distribute materials and discuss the merits of their product with fellow table members. During the lunch, each table will be visited by all of the different suppliers.

1:45 p.m.

Money Track:

The Key to Sponsorship Sales

Five Ideas on How You Can Increase Your Sponsorship Revenue

Rialto B/C Room

• How to get in the door to see your prospective sponsor

• Creating a strong benefits package

• “Under Promise” and “Over Deliver”


Panel Participants:

Dianna Craven, CFEE, Recently Retired -Executive Director of SunFest (Palm Beach), Bruce Skinner, WFEA



Production Track:

Practical AI Today

Rialto A Room

• Where is AI going, what can it do for me today?

• AI is transforming event management, with rapid advancements and new tools reshaping the landscape

• Session will feature live demonstrations of cutting-edge AI applications, showcasing real-world use cases and practical solutions for event planners

• Attendees will also have the opportunity to request demos tailored to their interests, ensuring a hands-on and engaging experience.


Presenter:

Joe Muharsky, Teamatorium



City Event Professional Track:

Street Closure Regulations

Bairch Room


Panel Participants:

Kiah Patzkowsky, City of Seattle



Festival of Trees Track:

How to Make the Most Out of Your Gala

Masterson Room


Presenter:

Natalie Abersfeller, Prosser Festival of Trees

2:45 p.m.

Money Track:

Trends for Fundraising Events

Rialto B/C Room

• What are the latest new fundraising event ideas

• How to raise more money at your next auction

• What can we expect in the future?

Panel Participants:

Large Market: Deci Evans, Kind+Co

Small to Mid-sized Markets: Christy Smith, United Way of Clallam County



Production and City Event Professionals:

Event Risk Management

Rialto A Room

· Should be a central part of any event’s planning cycle

· Operational and “duty of care” requirement. What is it?

· Methodically addressing the risks associated with event activities

· Treating or mitigating those risks which may have an adverse impact (financial, practical suggestions about how to build and enhance your risk management strategies.


All Markets Presenter:

Ira Rosen, Ira Rosen Consulting



Festival of Trees Track:

If It Ain’t Broke, Break It -- How to Make Changes to Your Event

Masterson Room


Presenter:

Jane Winslow, Astria Health

3:45 p.m.


Money, Production & Festival of Trees Track:

How Effective Budgeting Can Save You Money

Rialto B/C Room

• Budgets tell a story

• The importance of forecasting

• Conservative budgeting

• Developing a process

• Who’s accountable


Panel Participants:

Large Market: Eric Corning, Oregon International Air Show

Small to Mid-Sized: Amy McGuffin, Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce


City Event Professional Track:

Budgeting: Doing More With Less

Bairch Room

Panel Participants:

Ashley Young, City of Tacoma


4:45 p.m.

Money Track:

Developing a Marketing Plan in the Digital Era

Rialto B/C Room

• Creating an effective plan

• Focus on proven metrics of engagement and attendance growth

• Developing a social media strategy

• Using traditional and non-traditional media


Panel Participants:

Large Market: Cari Dixon, Washington State Fair

Small to Mid-Sized Markets: Meredith McIlmoyle, Anacortes Arts Festival; Sacha Sanguinetti, Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce



Production Track:

Sustainability: Six Ways on How You Can Make a Difference at Your Event

Rialto A Room

• How events are dealing with climate change

• Changing the world one step at a time

• Steps you can take to make your event greener


All Markets Presenter:

Eddie Redman, Grand Event Rentals



City Event Professional Track:

The New World of Insurance

Bairch Room

Presenter:

Will Green, Insurance Office of America



Festival of Trees Track:

How to Grow Your Sponsorship

Masterson Room


Presenter:

Bruce Skinner, WFEA Foundation, OMC Foundation

Dinner With An Expert

6:00 p.m.

El Caporal Mexican Restaurant

On Tuesday night of the conference, March 25th, we will be holding “Dinner With an Expert” – you can sign up to go to dinner with these professionals who are adept at producing events, raising money, selling sponsorship, etc.

We’ll pair you with one of the following experts – Cari Dixon, Washington State Fair; Wendy Tyner, Tyner and Associates; Tawnia Linde, Clark County Fair; Kari Chance, Juan de Fuca Foundation of the Arts; Eric Corning, Oregon Air Show; Meredith Mcllmoyle, Anacortes Arts Festival; Diana Craven, SunFest; Ashley Young, City of Tacoma – Venues & Events; Jane Winslow, Astria Health; and others.

You will be responsible for your own dinner and you will share the cost of the expert’s dinner with the other participants at your table. This $8 registration fee will be to cover your share of the cost of the expert's dinner. You’ll be able to ask the Expert any questions that you want.

Categories: Grants, Sponsorship & Marketing, Non-Sponsorship Revenue; Marketing; Operations; Production; Music & Entertainment; Working with Your City; Festival of Trees.

Main Conference

Wednesday, March 26

8:30 a.m.

Money Track:

Maximizing Your Food and Beverage Revenue

Rialto B/C Room

• Controlling inventory

• Training servers

• Price determination

• How to maximize beer garden results


Panel Participants:

Large Markets: Alby Allen, Ballard Seafood Festival

Small to Mid-Sized Markets: Mark Hendrickson, Kent Parks and Recreation Department; David Wells, City of Bonney Lake



Production Track:

Selecting the Right Vendors and Suppliers

Rialto A Room

• The selection process

• Important to pick someone experienced in events

• How to treat your vendors


Panel Participants:

Representing All Markets: Scott Alexander, Alexander Party Rentals, Jon Bockstruck, VIP Production Northwest



City Event Professional Track:

City Event Production

Bairch Room

Panel Participants:

David Wells, City of Bonney Lake; Chuck Denney, City of Tumwater; Mark Hendrickson, City of Kent



Festival of Trees Track:

Festival of Trees Wrap Up: Materials, Auction Items, Designers and Technology

Masterson Room 

Participants:

Jeremy Gilchrist, OMC Foundation


9:30 a.m.

Money Track:

Grants – The Latest Updates and a New Grant Readiness Checklist for Applicants

Rialto B/C Room

• The newest federal, state and local grant opportunities for festival and event organizers including government agencies, corporations and foundations

• A checklist to keep you organized through the grant process

All Markets Presenter:

Wendy Tyner, Tyner & Associates Philanthropy Consulting



Production Track:

Growing Your Events

Rialto A Room

• Growth and change is important to your audience

• No one has grown events like the Puyallup Main Street Association

• Learn how you can do the same with your events


All Markets Presenter:

Kerry Yanasek, Puyallup Main Street Association



City Event Professional Track:

Protecting Your Event

Bairch Room

Panel Participants:

Frank Sebastian, Emergency Management Group; Brad McCabe, Meridian Barriers


Special In Depth Sessions

10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

All Things Music

Rialto A Room

• The new world of booking entertainment

• The best times to book artists

• Taking care of artists


Panel Participants:

Large Markets: Stephen Ruffo, Bellevue Wintergrass; Bobby Akinboro, DJ Blast

Small to Mid-Sized Markets: Kari Chance, Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts; Emilie Baker, Olympic Music Festival

Effective Crowd Management 

Rialto B/C Room

When emergencies, or even perceived emergencies, happen in crowded conditions, people are much less likely to behave logically or safely. Trained and certified Crowd Managers may be the difference between life or death. Certified Crowd Managers are required by many local permitting authorities with events over 1,000 attendees. This tested two-hour training course focuses on the responsibilities during emergency events. This course meets the jurisdictional requirements for required crowd managers and complies with NFPA and IFC standards. Upon successful completion of the course and examination, you will receive a certificate valid for two years. The certificate test is online and requires access to the internet.


All Markets Presenters:

Frank Sebastian, Emergency Management Group; Mark Williams, Tri-City Water Follies

MEMBERSHIP:

We offer 3 different membership rate levels. For students, individuals and organizations - each based on annual budget.

$150 / $195 / $275


CALL US:

360-441-7190

ADDRESS:

1015 Georgiana St
Port Angeles, WA 98362

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