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About the event
Come join us in Jekyll Island, GA, for Making Waves – 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 16, 2024!
We're excited to announce our keynote speaker - Kurt Faustin of The Dropout Academy (.
A plenary session on event safety will be conducted by the Knoxville Police Department.
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 Jekyll Island during and outside of the conference (so come early or stay a little longer!)
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:
Room block rate end date is 1/29/2024, so book early!
Resort Charge includes:
Two hours of bike rentals, per day, per room
Two Starbucks Coffee Vouchers per day, per room
Two Beverage Credit Vouchers per day, per room
Beach and Pool Towel Service
Island shuttle service (subject to covid restrictions)
Self-Parking at the Westin during stay and events
* note that breakfast is not included with room rates at this property*
Send us your t-shirts to be included in a live conference photo backdrop showing off the many designs of our region!! Email info@ for the shipping address.
Want to join SFEA and get member pricing to attend our conference? Do it here! https:///join-sfea/
Dates
Feb 11, 2024 · 7:00 PM - Feb 14, 2024 · 10:30 AM(GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
The event has ended
Location
Event highlights
Check out our local experiences!
Take a Ranger Walk with a State Park Ranger! This 60-90 minute excursion showcases a mated pair of bald eagles as well as some babies, a discussion of native and invasive plants, and usually a gator or two. $15/person, maximum of 15 people, starts at 3:30pm on Tuesday, Feb 13. Tickets available here: https://jekyllisland.ticketleap.com/private-ranger-walk/dates/Feb-13-2024_at_0330PM
Tour the Georgia Sea Turtle Center! This group guided tour includes a 45-minute educator-led tour through the Learning Center with a guaranteed presentation in the rehabilitation pavilion where they house their current patients. The Learning Center includes a wide variety of educational and interactive exhibits to explore, as well as a window that peeks into the treatment room where you can watch the rehab team at work. $20/person, 10-50 participants, starts at 2:45pm on Tuesday, Feb 13. Tickets available on the conference page.
Visit the Jekyll Island Mosaic Museum and listen to a special presentation! Museum curators have developed a special program on how they chose to present and handle the difficult history of the island, including slavery and interactions with indigenous peoples. This half-hour program will precede a museum tour of relevant exhibits, and includes entry to the museum (usually $10). $20/person, starts at 2:45pm on Tuesday, Feb 13. Tickets available on the conference page.
Bike rentals from Jekyll Island Mini Golf Course - $9 for up to 4 hours. You'll find a coupon for this experience in your welcome bag at the conference.
Mascot Dash for the Cash!
Bring out your mascot costume, introduce them to your neighbors, and participate in our Mascot Dash for the Cash on Tuesday afternoon just after lunch.
Kurt Faustin - The Dropout Academy
Kurt Faustin is a Father, Entrepreneur, Coach and Success Strategist. Kurt has spoken in front of over 50,000 people, through his organization, The Dropout Academy, he has worked with organizations like Harvard University, Chase Bank and United Way; and is a former HuffPost and Forbes writer. Appointed by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Kurt is part of the city's first ever Black Men and Black Boy's Commission, and recently selected by Color Magazine’s 40 under 40 Power List, his focus is on bridging the gap between mental health and performance; with an emphasis on emotional intelligence, goal setting and stress management.
Assistant Chief Mark Wilbanks - Knoxville Fire Department
Assistant Chief Mark Wilbanks has served with the Knoxville Fire Department for 25 years. Prior to that, he spent a decade in the United States Coast Guard where he began his career in emergency services.
In his current role, Mark is responsible for managing all communications, Information Technology, and physical security for the department. He has extensive experience in managing safety and security for special events and is a member of the University of Tennessee athletics unified command staff. Mark is also an adjunct faculty member at Roane State Community College, where he teaches respiratory therapy and continuing education programs. He holds a B.S. in Fire Administration from Columbia Southern University and is married with three children. In his free time, Mark enjoys snowboarding and is an avid baseball fan.
Sgt. Donny Huskey - Knoxville Police Department
Donny Huskey is a sergeant with the Knoxville TN Police Department with 23 years of law enforcement experience and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He is currently assigned to the Central Downtown District and is the police department’s coordinator for special events.
Donny has worked with the City of Knoxville’s Office of Special Events for over the past 10 years to make events safe as well as providing civilian training in Run, Hide, Fight response. He instructs active shooter training at the Knoxville Police Department’s Training Academy, along with developing annual active attack exercises for patrol officers.
His training is well rounded in all aspects of planning, preventing and responding to an attack. Instructor courses with ALERRT (Advanced LE Rapid Response Training Center) in Active Attack Integrated Response, Exterior Response to Active Shooter Events and Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events. Instructor courses with LSU NCBRT in LE Prevention and Deterrence of Terrorist Acts, Active Shooter Incident Management (TEEX), Disaster Response classes (TEMA) and Tactical Medical Instructor with (FLETC).
Donny enjoys watching TN Football games and is a lifelong Dallas Cowboys and Boston Celtics fan.
Ben McKeeman - Placer.ai
As a Customer Success Manager at Placer.ai, Ben works hand-in-hand with Placer’s civic customers around the nation to leverage data and insights for tourism, events, marketing, planning, and economic development. Originally a Georgia native and a graduate of Georgia Southern University (2011) and Cleveland State University (2013), Ben spent his career prior to Placer leveraging data-driven insights through his work at Google Maps and as an Economic Development & Planning Consultant in Northeast Ohio.
Ben currently resides in Cleveland, OH, with his incorrigible French bulldog, Kevin.
Dr. Bynum Boley - UGA's Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources
Dr. Bynum Boley is an Associate Professor of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management (PRTM) within the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia. Dr. Boley’s research focuses on sustainable tourism development and how the unique natural and cultural resources of communities can be protected, packaged and marketed to jointly increase sustainability, resident quality of life and a community’s competitiveness as a tourism destination.
Dr. Boley has published over 75 academic articles and is on the editorial board of three of the topic tourism journals including the Journal of Travel Research, Tourism Management, and Journal of Sustainable Tourism. He is a diehard Georgia Bulldog fan, deacon at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Athens, GA and loves camping and hiking with his family.
Stephanie Kaple - Independent Comic
Stephanie Kaple began performing comedy in 2016 with Comedy Key West and quickly became a featured comedian and headliner. Stephanie won the 2021 Savannah Comedy Grand Slam and was 2019’s 1st Runner Up in the Florida Funniest Female Contest, part of the Flamingo Comedy Festival. She won the 2015 Key West Story Slam Grand Slam, 2018’s Last Turkey Standing Comedy Key West Champion, and has opened for Howie Mandel for two sold-out shows at the Key West Theater. Stephanie performed regularly with Florida’s Funniest Female tour and was part of the New York Underground Comedy Festival in 2020 and the 2023 Dairy Daze Festival. Stephanie performs regularly around Savannah, Georgia, and is the Annual Host for the Anne McKee Art Auction in Key West, Florida.
Lindsay Schwartz - Lindsay Schwartz Creative + Consulting
Lindsay Schwartz is a dynamic entrepreneur and brand expert, recognized for her innovative approach to brand marketing & creative. A proud graduate of The University of Georgia, Lindsay holds a degree in marketing and a minor in English, showcasing her diverse skill set and passion for effective communication.
With over a decade of experience, Lindsay embarked on a new chapter in August of 2023 when she founded Lindsay Schwartz Consulting + Creative. Her goal was clear: to provide clients with an exceptional and unforgettable agency experience. Lindsay is not just a businesswoman; she is a passionate creative, infusing every project with her unique vision and unwavering commitment.
What sets Lindsay apart is her rare combination of keen business acumen and visionary creative direction. She believes in the power of genuine relationship building, highly effective communication, and organizational prowess. Lindsay's tenacity in empowering brands to command a significant presence in the market is truly remarkable.
Alongside her husband Jake, Lindsay enjoys exploring new destinations, cuddling with their two adorable pups, Ellie and Chandler, and engaging in spirited rivalry as they cheer on their beloved football teams - a true house divided (Lindsay - UGA; Jake - Alabama).
Greg Fuson - Director of Research, ChandlerThinks
Greg has been helping clients understand their market through research for more than 25 years. He has managed studies for a number of national brands including Coca Cola, Starbucks, Walgreens, Lowes, Cisco Systems and the County Music Association just to name a few. His true passion however, is in travel and tourism including festivals and events. Greg has managed studies for over 160+ destinations across the US and Canada, helping them understand and develop their brand along with conducting numerous economic impact studies for festivals and events from Suwanee Fest in Suwanee, GA to the Pilgrimage Music and Cultural Arts Festival in Franklin, TN to the Seven Peaks Music Festival in Colorado.
Greg and the Chandlerthinks team were recently awarded, for the second straight year, the Power of Research Award given by the Southeast Travel and Tourism Research Association. Greg is actively involved in the Southeast Tourism Society and is a past board member and board chairman of the Southeast Festivals and Events Association. When not working with clients, Greg speaks on a regular basis on the topic of place branding, tourism and festival and event economic impact.
Needless to say, Greg understands data collection.
Stephanie McIntyre - CFEE, Staircase Management
As International Award Winning, Certified Event Planner with over 22 years of experience in the industry, as well as a past president of SFEA, Stephanie has stepped right into her own business of serving other festivals and events.
As the past Executive Director of one of the largest festivals in the state of North Carolina, Stephanie is out sharing her knowledge in every aspect of festivals and events to anyone who is seeking experience and guidance to elevate their event.
Increasing Sponsorships and designing new events to help skyrocket the profitability of the North Carolina Seafood Festival, Stephanie has proven many times over in the industry to be one of the leaders to keep your eyes on. Stephanie has been a long-time standing board member and past president of the North Carolina Association of Festivals and Events, winning numerous awards as the Executive Director of the NC Seafood Festival but her most coveted award is the Spirit of Festivals Award presented in 2022. She has served on all the committees for Showfest as well as presenting on a panel for the International Festivals and Events Association on her Chefs Tent in a Box as a sustaining project during the pandemic. She has also served on several boards for the State of North Carolina pertaining to festivals and events over the years.
Stephanie is the owner of Staircase Events & Sponsorship Management where she is serving several events around the country, including the Award-Winning North Carolina Black Bear Festival.
Tom Harrison - The National Black Bear Festival
Originally from the Adirondack Region of Upstate New York, Tom moved south to North Carolina when he was 14 yrs. old. Tom is an entrepreneur from Plymouth, NC who received his BS in Business Administration at East Carolina University in 1979.
Upon graduation, Tom set off on his own and began a wooden pallet business in Louisiana. Success bred success and Tom’s businesses grew until he had 12 corporations in six states. Over the years he migrated away from the wood products manufacturing industry and became more involved in less labor intensive endeavors such as real estate investment, agri-business and marketing. He has done marketing for the outdoor industry from Alaska to Africa. In his spare time, he became the Washington County Travel & Tourism Director where he has served for the last 13 years as a side job.
In 2015 created the wildly successful NC Black Bear Festival that has now become the National Black Bear Festival. Tom enjoys paddling, painting, photography and travel, having visited all 50 states and over 50 countries.
Haley Wright Tinkle - Downtown Vision Jacksonville
Haley Tinkle is an award-winning, event planning expert with nearly a decade of experience. Tinkle is the Director of Events at Downtown Vision Inc.: the business improvement district in downtown Jacksonville, Florida. When she first started at Downtown Vision, the organization had one signature event, a fundraiser, and two promotional events. Now, after four years of working with DVI, there are three core events: First Wednesday Art Walk, Third Thursday Sip & Stroll, and Jax River Jams, and two fundraisers, the #DTJax Awards and the #DTJax Gala. Tinkle oversees and plans all of the events, from conceptualization to implementation. Her award-winning events bring together our city of neighborhoods to enjoy the heartbeat of our city, Downtown.
Outside of #DTJax, she owns her own photography business and she and her husband run a wedding and event venue management firm. She also operates Chunky and Funky, Girl Crafts, and other fun events all over the urban core.
Haley has a heart for cultivating community. Locally, she volunteers with Amplified Avondale and Riverside and Avondale Preservation. Regionally, she serves on the board of the Southeast Festival and Events Association.
When she’s not planning events, she enjoys perusing local thrift and antique shops and spending time with her family, friends, and her fur-babies: Apollo, Chandler, Dolly, Gretchen, and Roux.
Evan Goetz - Executive Director, Tybee Post Theater
Evan Goetz serves at the Executive Director of the historic Tybee Post Theater on Tybee Island, GA. The Tybee Post Theater is a presenting venue that hosts over 150 events per year. Events include first-run movies, concerts, theater, comedy, and dance. Evan has held previous positions at the City of Rock Hill (Arts Marketing/Placemaking Manager), Blumenthal Performing Arts (Broadway Marketing Manager), and Armstrong State University (Arts Marketing Manager). Evan's believes that an innovative and collaborative approach to promoting and advancing the arts start with the mission and the desire to make that mission accessible.
Martin Lane, TMP - City of Fountain Inn, SC
Martin has been in the public sector working in economic development and event planning since 2013, and has been an SFEA Board Member since 2018. Currently, he serves as the Community Relations Director for the City of Fountain Inn, SC. He and his staff host dozens of community events each year, bringing hundreds of thousands of visitors to Greenville County annually.
Martin spends his free time with his teenaged sons at his home in Waxhaw, NC.
Allayah Green - Eventeny
Allayah Green is a seasoned Customer Success Associate with a Bachelor's in Business Administration and brings over five years of experience to the table. Her entrepreneurial spirit and dedication shine through as she excels in identifying customer needs and contributing to business growth.
Kristin Edwards - Director of Special Events, City of Winder (GA)
Kristin Edwards, with over a decade of experience in event planning and twelve SFEA Kaleidoscope Awards to her name, is a prominent figure in the festival community. Among her accolades is the Best Festival under $75K award in 2022 and Event Director of the Year in 2021. Edwards has further enhanced her expertise with a Masters in Business Administration from Kennesaw State University, with a focus on strategy and leadership. In addition to her role as the Director of Special Events and Facilities at the City of Winder, she serves as the Education Committee Chair for the SFEA Board of Directors.
Tickets
Price: $0.00-595.00 + Applicable Fees and Taxes
Member (Non-Exhibitor) Registration
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$526.37
Includes Base Price: $495.00, Processing fees: $31.37
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Non-Member (Non-Exhibitor) Registration
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$632.64
Includes Base Price: $595.00, Processing fees: $37.64
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Single Day Member Registration
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$263.35
Includes Base Price: $247.50, Processing fees: $15.85
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Single Day Non-Member Registration
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$316.48
Includes Base Price: $297.50, Processing fees: $18.98
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after purchase. The delivery of the service is completed upon
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Payment by check (Non-Exhibitor) Registration
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$0.00
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Mosaic Museum Special Program and museum tour
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$21.58
Includes Base Price: $20.00, Processing fees: $1.58
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This ticket is non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-transferable
after purchase. The delivery of the service is completed upon
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Terms & Conditions
Jekyll Island, being a State Park, charges all visitors a $10 parking fee upon entry to the island.
You can get more information about this fee here:
Hosted by Southeast Festivals & Events Association
Joined Eventeny in January 2021
31 events
Norcross, Georgia, United States 
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