International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA)

Announces 2011 Pinnacle Award Winners

Boise, Idaho-The International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) paid tribute to the BIG PIG JIG® – produced bythe Dooly County Chamber of Commerce inVienna, GAon October 3^rd, 2011 during the IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards Ceremony held at the IFEA’s 56^thAnnual Convention & Expo in Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.A. October 3-5, 2011, where they were presented withthree awards in the prestigious IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards competition. Awards were won in the following categories:

Category: Best Volunteer Program

Award: Gold

Budget: Under $250,000

Category: Best Hat

Award: Silver

Budget: Under $250,000

Category: Best Educational Program

Award: Bronze

Budget: Under $250,000

Sponsored by industry leader Haas & Wilkerson Insurance, the professional competition draws entries from among the world’s top festivals and events. Winning entries came from organizations as diverse as the 500 Festival, Indianapolis, IN; Bayou City Art Festival in Houston, TX; Dublin Irish Festival, Dublin, OH; MAIN ST. Fort Worth Arts Festival, Fort Worth, TX; Issaquah Salmon Days, Issaquah, WA; Portland Rose Festival, Portland, OR and the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, Pasadena, CA.

International contenders included such diverse event organizations as Canada Place, Canada; Ham Pyeong Butterfly Festival, South Korea; World Gourmet Summit, Singapore; Edmonton Heritage Festival, Canada; Ludwig Van Beethoven Easter Festival, Poland; Rotterdam Festivals, The Netherlands; Festival Lent, Slovenia and Sentosa Development Corporation, Singapore.

Awards were handed out in 69 different categories in total including Best TV Promotion; Social Media Site, Event Program; Commemorative Poster; Overall Sponsorship Program; Environmental Program; Educational Program, Children’s Programming; Media Relations Campaign; Overall Merchandising Program; Festival & Event Management Degree Programs to the highest award reflecting the best overall festival & event in the world – the Grand Pinnacle.

“We would like to congratulate all of our Pinnacle winners for their outstanding entries into this year’s competition,”said IFEA President & CEO, Steven Wood Schmader, CFEE.

“The IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards Competition recognizes the outstanding accomplishments by festivals and events around the world. Striving for the highest degree of excellence in festival and event promotions and operationsin every budget level and every corner of the globe, this competition has not only raised the standards and quality of the festivals and events industry to new levels, but also shows how event producers can use innovation and creativity to achieve a higher level of success.”

Headquartered in Boise, Idaho, the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) is The Premiere Association Supporting and Enabling Festival & Event Professionals Worldwide.In partnership with global affiliates under the umbrellas of IFEA Africa, IFEA Asia, IFEA Australia, IFEA Europe, IFEA Latin America, IFEA Middle East, and IFEA North America the organization's common vision is for "A Globally United Industry that Touches Lives in a Positive Way through Celebration," The Association offers the most complete source of ideas, resources, information, education and networking for festival and event professionals worldwide.

For a complete list of winners and more information on the IFEA, go to www.ifea.com.

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