03. Best Festival or Event Under $20K

Come join us in Chattanooga, TN, for All Aboard! – 2+ days of education, networking, and idea sharing, with a healthy dose of music, fun, and memories thrown in! Early bird rate ends on January 17, 2025! We're excited to announce our keynote speaker - Anthony Russo of Double Down Strategy (https://www.doubledownstrategy.com/) Our educational sessions are graded by track level, so we can make sure to have educational offerings for all experience levels in our industry. Whether you're brand new or an old pro, we'll have something designed with your skills and needs in mind. So check out the different educational levels and find what fits for you! We'll also have: *15+ hours of pure educational content *3+ hours of artist showcase presentations *4 hours of dedicated tradeshow time *15+ hours of socials and networking time *The Kaleidoscope Awards Gala *Discounts on local experiences for your time in Chattanooga during and outside of the conference (so come early or stay a little longer!) Sunday, 2/23 - Opening Nighty Party 6-10pm Monday, 2/24 - Educational sessions 9am-5:30pm, Showcase Event 7-9pm Tuesday, 2/25 - Educational sessions 9am-5:30pm, Kaleidoscope Awards Gala 7-9pm, Gala Afterparty 9-11pm Wednesday, 2/26 - One morning educational session 9-10am Vendors - make sure to apply through the Exhibitor section (don't buy just a regular ticket)! General attendees can just purchase the ticket appropriate to their situation. Single day attendance tickets are available. Hotel reservations link: https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/2025southeastfestivalsannual/ Room block rate end date is 1/17/2025, so book early! Our block rate is valid 2 days pre- and post-event, so if you want to come early or stay late, call the hotel directly and ask for someone in sales - they can make or adjust a reservation for you. Three breakfast vouchers for the Doubletree will be provided per registrant, whether or not you are staying at the Doubletree. Monday is Festival or Event T-shirt day, so rep 'em proud and loud! If your community was impacted by the devastating 2024 hurricane season, get information and apply for our Hurricane Relief Grants here: Want to join SFEA and get member pricing to attend our conference? Do it here! https://southeastfestivals.org/join-sfea/ Want to get your name in front of more faces or enhance your brand? Check our our sponsor deck for the 2024 Annual Conference. Contact us to become a sponsor for the 2024 SFEA Annual Conference!

The 2025 SFEA Awards Committee is excited to offer a revised and streamlined slate of awards to recognize and honor festivals, events, and supporting members of the Southeast Festivals & Events Association.

 

Awards are part of the Association’s reward and recognition program and are a long-standing tradition of highlighting the best and brightest of festivals, events, and supporting members across twelve states. Our full membership is dedicated to identifying the professionals that raise the bar and provide outstanding examples. We also use this program to set new goals and standards for the profession. We can all learn from each other and give a hardy round of applause to those who distinguish themselves with great work.

 

While many of the award categories lend to self-nomination, we encourage all planners and supporting members to take a wider look within our membership and submit nominations for other members who are leaders, do outstanding work, and deserve recognition.

 

All SFEA Kaleidoscope Award winners will be announced only at the 2025 SFEA Annual Conference in Chattanooga, TN. Winners in the following categories must be present* at the ceremony to accept the award:

• Best Festival or Event over $75K
• Best Festival or Event under $75K
• Best Festival or Event under $20K
• Best New Event
• Event Professional of the Year

*Attendance at the awards gala is thus mandatory if you apply in those 5 categories.

 

For additional information please contact:

Jamie McCormick, Operations Manager, info@southeastfestivals.org

 

 

This is for submitting for the category of Best Festival or Event Under $20K:

 

The nominated events should show a high level of organization, event production, and community involvement. Factors that influence selection include attendance growth, pioneering marketing, and superior promotional efforts. Submit a detailed description of the event including supporting materials, photos, brochures, evaluations/testimonials from community leaders, printed materials, etc., that support the overall event. Three (3) awards will be given based on budget (under $20,000, under $75,000, and over $75,000).

 

Submit the following:

• A detailed description of the event
• Supporting material (may be more than one attachment)
• Budget spreadsheet and profit/loss statement
• Estimated number of attendees
• Environmental or pet friendly? Explain how.
• Community and/or vendor reviews/feedback

Award Submissions must be received by: Jan 29, 2025 at 3:00 pm ET

 

This form and supporting documents must be submitted through Eventeny to be judged. Judging will take place between Feb. 3-14.

 

You must use a separate nomination form per award, per category. 

 

Please note: Only Award submissions for which we have received payment will be judged. You can pay for all applications at once through the Payment Application at the bottom of the awards list. Any applications for which payment is not received by 1/31/25 will be declined and will not be judged.