RELEASE DATE: April 29, 2022
Media contact: Jamie McCormick, info@southeastfestivals.org
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ATLANTA, GA – The best and the brightest in the southeastern festivals and events industry were spotlighted this week at the Southeast Festivals and Events Association’s 2022 Kaleidoscope Awards ceremony, held virtually for what we all hope will be the last time! Despite two years of canceling and rescheduling, of shifting and adapting, festivals and events throughout the Southeast kept their communities safe and STILL managed to keep the magic alive. And the cream of the crop were recognized for their outstanding efforts and contributions to the events industry.
“The quality of submissions was on par with pre-pandemic events, even if the number was reduced. The events that were able to go ahead went ahead at full force! This year there were 42 entries from 5 states,” noted Jamie McCormick, operations manager for SFEA. “To win an award when you’ve worked this hard just to have an event at all is sweeter than Georgia peaches in the middle of July. And the recognition a festival receives for winning a Kaleidoscope Award is invaluable.”
These are the 2022 Kaleidoscope Award Winners:
• Best Merchandise: Visit Hopkinsville, KY
• Best Event Program or Brochure: The City of Suwanee, GA
• Best Promotional Poster: The City of Duluth, GA
• Best Festival or Event T-Shirt: The 40th Annual Conyers (GA) Cherry Blossom Festival
• Best Photo Op : The City of Duluth, GA
• Best Event Photograph: The City of Knoxville, TN, Office Of Special Events
• Best Festival or Event Video: The City of Duluth, GA
• Best Marketing Concept: The City of Suwanee, GA
• Best Social Media Campaign: The City of Duluth, GA
• Mascot Award: Parker from The City of Suwanee, GA
• Best Volunteer: Kate Fanale from The City of Suwanee, GA
• Best Event Within an Event: Dog Days of Summer, Fridays-N-Duluth, The City of Duluth, GA
• Best Children’s Event: Bubblepalooza, The City of Duluth, GA
• Event Professional of the Year: Martin Lane, The City of Rock Hill, SC
• Best New Event: Christmas in the Park, The City of Kingsport, TN
• Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Initiative Award: The City of Duluth, GA
• Best Festival or Event over $75,000, Bronze: Jax River Jams, Downtown Vision, Jacksonville, FL
• Best Festival or Event over $75,000, Silver: The City of Suwanee, GA
• Best Festival or Event over $75,000, Gold: The 40th Annual Conyers (GA) Cherry Blossom Festival
The name “kaleidoscope” was selected in homage to the colors in the SFEA logo, which represent the many different elements and facets within festivals and events. A call for entries was posted last fall, and all southeast festivals and events were encouraged to participate. The judges looked for originality, creativity, media impact, volunteer programs, and the overall impact to the respective communities. The Kaleidoscope Award categories are diverse, ranging from “Best Marketing Campaign” and “Best Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiative” to “Best T-Shirt” and “Best Festival or Event.”
The Southeast Festivals & Events Association is a 501 (c) 6 membership-based organization composed of festival and event planners, venues, and industry service providers. SFEA was founded in 2009 to strengthen the festivals and events industry throughout the southeastern United States by hosting educational sessions, networking opportunities, award recognition, and additional events throughout the year, thus allowing for continued professional growth of members. Membership is open to professionals in the festivals and events industry as well as those wanting to get their start and learn more about this exciting profession.
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