The International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) paid tribute to the 45th Annual Lubbock Arts Festival – produced byLubbock Arts Alliance on Monday, October 9, 2023 during the IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards Ceremony held at the 66thAnnual IFEA Convention, Expo & Retreat, presented by Clover, in McAllen, Texas, U.S.A.
The Grand Pinnacle Award, the highest award given by the IFEA, was awarded to the 2023 Lubbock Arts Festival for the second consecutive year.
“We are thrilled beyond words to receive this prestigious award again. To have the Lubbock Arts Festival named as the ‘Best Overall Event’ in its budget category is just incredible! “said Elizabeth Grigsby, Executive Director of the Lubbock Arts Alliance. The event won in the $100,000-$750,000 budget category.
Sponsored by industry leader Haas & Wilkerson Insurance, the professional competition drew entries from some of the world’s top festivals and events*. Winning entries came from organizations as diverse as the Cherry Creek Arts Festival in Denver, CO; the Dublin Irish Festival in Dublin, OH; the South Texas International Film Festival in Edinburg, TX; the Saint Louis Art Fair in St. Louis, MO; the Kentucky Derby Festival in Louisville, KY; the Pasadena Tournament of Roses in Pasadena, CA; the City of McAllen Holiday Parade in McAllen, TX; the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City, MI; The Parade Company in Detroit, MI; the Philadelphia Flower Show in Philadelphia, PA; the United San Antonio Pow Wow in San Antonio, TX; the Washington’s Birthday Celebration in Laredo, TX; ¡ARTE VIVA! in Naples, FL; and Folklorama in Winnipeg, MB, Canada; Canada Together in Vancouver, BC, Canada; Vivid Sydney in Sydney, Australia; Festival Lent in Maribor, Slovenia; and Chiang Mai Blooms in Bangkok, Thailand.
Recognizing the outstanding accomplishments and top-quality creative, promotional, operational and community outreach programs and materials produced by Festivals and Events around the world, awards* were handed out in 70 different categories including: TV/Radio, Social and Multi Media; Print and Merchandise, in addition to Festival and Event programs such as Sponsorship; Education, Accessibility; Children’s; Emergency Preparedness and Entertainment. The Grand Pinnacle, the highest award given by the IFEA in recognition of those Festivals and Events* who have a balance of all the elements necessary to ensure a successful event was also awarded.
“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 and top quality creative, promotional, operational and community outreach programs and materials produced by festivals and events around the world. Striving for the highest degree of excellence in festival and event promotions and operations in 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 Premier 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 (MENASA), 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.
*All winners are selected from those Festivals and Events who specifically enter the competition. Each category is separated into four separate budget categories. Each entry is judged within those budget categories, against the criteria and requirements of the specific category. For more information about the IFEA, go to: www.ifea.com