A Special Seminar Presented by WFEA and the City of Seattle
Learn How You Can Take Your Event to the Next Level and Be a Part of the Vision of the Changing Landscape of Seattle Events
Bertha Knight Landes Room at Seattle City Hall
Seattle has long boasted of some of the best and diverse events in the country. This seminar will enable the producers of these events to go to the next level, while also giving them the opportunity to hear from and give input to city officials on several issues.
You’ll learn from event experts on how to sell more sponsorship and increase revenues in general, money that can be used to elevate your event’s programming.
Gain an historical perspective from Bumbershoot and Teatro Zinzanni founder Norm Langill, and learn about the changing landscape of the City’s events, with exciting new ideas on the horizon.
8:00 – 9:00
Welcome and Networking
City of Seattle
David Doxtater, Executive Producer/Principal Design – The Workshop
Bruce Skinner, Executive Director, Washington Festivals and Events Association
9:00 – 10:00
Increasing Sponsorship Revenues
Melissa A. Jurcan, Compass Group USA
Whether you are a small or large event, the basic concepts of selling sponsorship or partnering with cities is the same. Learn from two professionals who have partnered with companies representing small towns and organizations and many larger entities.
10:00 – 11:00
40 Event Revenue Generation Ideas in an Hour
Bruce Skinner, WFEA Executive Director, Author of “Event Sponsorship”
Learn how you can bring more revenue to your bottom line from festivals and events across the country.
11:15 – 12:30
The Growing Importance of Public Safety
Seattle Police Department
Barb Graff, Director, Office of Emergency Management
The safety of attendees is a growing concern for events. Hear how organizers can keep attendees out of harm’s way, and work with local law enforcement officials to achieve the highest levels of safety. Learn how you can be proactive and take responsibility for your guest’s safety, omitting the need for the Seattle Police Department to do your planning for you.
12:30 – 1:15
Networking Luncheon – Why the Washington Festivals and Events Association and the Connection with the City of Seattle
Jon Stone, Immediate Past President, Washington Festivals and Events Association
1:15 – 2:30
The Evolution of Events
Norm Langill, Teatro Zinzanni
Chris Swenson, City of Seattle Event Manager
Ralph Morton, Seattle Sports Commission
A grassroots session on where events were, what they’re like now, and where they’re headed. Learn how events are so important for cultural and economic development reasons, as well as how transit, bike lanes, parking and other every day issues have affected event venues.
2:45 – 4:15 p.m.
When the Viaduct Comes Down – A Report on Seattle’s Current and Future Entertainment Districts
David Doxtater, Executive Producer/Principal Design – The Workshop
City of Seattle Office of the Waterfront
Heidi Hughes, Friends of the Waterfront
Waterfront Representative
All event attendees
Several officials and organizers are envisioning new event sites on the waterfront, as well as space in a corridor between downtown and Capitol Hill. The City needs your ideas on how to utilize these potential venues. Ivar’s Bob Donegan envisions a waterfront unlike any other in the world, which will include a park owned by the city but operated by a non profit. “We’ll design facilties for music, including infrastructure for toilets, water, sound systems and electrical power so that when a producer wants to come and bring an event to town, it’s a case of plug and play. Unlike any other Seattle project, all of this stuff is being thought about before the first shovel turns.”
