The City of West Palm Beach was recently honored with 28 international and regional awards for its vibrant collection of community events on the Waterfront. The city was awarded for Waterfront Community Events with 21 awards by the International Festivals & Events Association and seven awards by the Florida Festivals & Events Association. The events most recognized were the popular Summer in Paradise program, the festive Sandi Land: Holiday in Paradise program and the dynamic Clematis by Night 20th anniversary celebration. The much-loved Waterfront events are produced by the City of West Palm Beach Parks & Recreation Department, Division of Community Events, which has now been recognized with over 270 international, national and regional awards for event excellence.
Mary Pinak, Community Events Manager for the City of West Palm Beach, stated, “We’re thrilled to have our hard work highlighted by these prestigious organizations with so many wonderful festivals and events from around the globe represented. We strive to create the best experience for our residents and guests and to make West Palm Beach a destination for visitors. The awards are just icing on the cake.” Mary continued, “Our department is proud to share these awards with the entire city staff. There are so many faces behind the scenes that help us organize these events after hours and on weekends; it truly takes a village/city.”
The International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) is the premiere association supporting and enabling festival and event professionals worldwide. The 20th anniversary of the IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards Competition were held on Sept. 21, 2015 in Tucson, Arizona. The IFEA awards recognized the outstanding accomplishments and top quality creative, promotional, operational and community outreach programs and materials produced by festivals and events around the world. The professional competition draws entries from among the world’s top festivals and events, and awards were handed out in 68 different categories in total.
The Florida Festivals and Events Association (FFEA) works to promote and strengthen the festival, event and fair industry in Florida through education, networking, dissemination of information, and the cultivation of high standards for the industry. For the past 21 years, the Florida Festivals & Events Association has celebrated members’ achievements in event marketing, programming, service and innovation through the Sunsational Awards. The Sunsational Awards are judged in three different budget levels and 16 different categories. With more than 400 submissions for the Sunsational Awards, FFEA honored over 40 organizations and individuals representing over 120 events on August 6, 2015.
Below is a complete list of the IFEA and FFEA awards won by the City of West Palm Beach Community Events Division:
International Festivals & Events Association / Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards (21 Total)
Gold (6)
• Best Event Promotional Photograph – Sandi Land Holiday in Paradise (Budget: Under $250,000)
• Best Miscellaneous On-Site Décor – 4th on Flagler (Budget: Under $250,000)
• Best Miscellaneous On-Site Décor – Summer in Paradise (Budget: $250,000 to $750,000)
• Best New Promotion Activity – Clematis by Night, 20th Anniversary (Budget: Under $250,000)
• Best New Promotion Activity – Summer in Paradise (Budget: $250,000 to $750,000)
• Best New Attendee Service – The Oasis at the West Palm Beach GreenMarket (Budget: Under $250,000)
Silver (8)
• Best Radio Promotion – Summer in Paradise (Budget: Under $250,000)
• Best Event Promotional Photograph – Summer in Paradise (Budget: $250,000 to $750,000)
• Best Street Banner – Clematis by Night (Budget: Under $250,000)
• Best Street Banner – Summer in Paradise (Budget: $250,000 to $750,000)
• Best Miscellaneous On-Site Décor – Sandi Land (Budget: Under $250,000)
• Best Sponsor Gift – Sandi Land Holiday in Paradise (Budget: Under $250,000)
• Best Event/Program within an Event to Benefit a Cause – Clematis by Night Firefighter Chili Cook Off (Budget: Under $250,000)
• Best Event (within an Existing Festival) – Sandi Land Holiday in Paradise (Budget: Under $250,000)
Bronze (7)
• Best Miscellaneous Multimedia – Summer in Paradise (Budget: $250,000 to $750,000)
• Best Street Banner – Sandi Land Holiday in Paradise (Budget: Under $250,000)
• Best Miscellaneous On-Site Décor – Clematis by Night (Budget: Under $250,000)
• Best Miscellaneous On-Site Décor – Summer in Paradise (Budget: $250,000 to $750,000)
• Best T-Shirt Design – Clematis by Night (Budget: Under $250,000)
• Best Other Merchandise – Summer in Paradise (Budget: $250,000 to $750,000)
• Bronze Tie – Best New Merchandise – Clematis by Night (Budget: Under $250,000)
• Florida Festivals & Events Association Sunsational Awards (7 Total)
First Place (3)
• Outdoor Advertisement – Sandi Land Street Pole Banners (Budget: $50,000 – $250,000)
• T-Shirt – CbN20 (Budget: $50,000 – $250,000)
• Commemorative Poster – CBN20 (Budget: $49,999 and under)
2nd Place (2)
• Photo – Sandi Land Tree Photo (Budget: $50,000 – $250,000)
• Promotional Poster – 4th on Flagler 2015 poster (Budget: $50,000 – $250,000)
3rd Place (2)
• Promotional Item – Sandi Land Ornament (Budget: $50,000 – $250,000)
• Television – Summer in Paradise Video (Budget: $50,000 – $250,000)
City of West Palm Beach Awarded for Waterfront Community Events with 28 International & Regional Awards. They were Presented to Mayor Jeri Muoio.