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About the event
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:
Our Doubletree room block is full, but you can book in our overflow block at the Holiday Inn across the street:
https://www.holidayinn.com/redirect?path=hd&brandCode=HI&localeCode=en®ionCode=1&hotelCode=CHADT&_PMID=99801505&GPC=SEF&cn=no&viewfullsite=true
Change the dates manually, and our discounted rate will populate.
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!
Dates
Feb 23, 2025 · 5:30 PM - Feb 26, 2025 · 10:30 AM(GMT-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
The event has ended
Location
Parking instructions
Parking should be available at the hotel and at or around all venues. You can find parking information for the city of Chattanooga here:
Downtown Chattanooga also has a free electric shuttle that services downtown! You can find information about that here:
Event highlights
Local Experiences!!
Join us on one of the following activities:
Paid by SFEA - Chattanooga Trolley Tour,
one hour city tour, no stops; FCFS up to 24 guests, sign up at registration.
Book on your own - possible group travel or carpooling
Chattanooga Choo Choo (6 min. drive from hotel)
1400 Market Street
Iconic landmark, shopping, and dining
*Filming locations for Netflix’s Six Triple Eight
https://choochoo.com/
Chattanooga Aquarium (3 min. drive from hotel)
One Broad Street
Chattanooga, TN. 37402
800.262.0695
https://tnaqua.org/
$39.95/$9.95 IMAX regular pricing
Little Debbie Park (25-30 min. drive)
4698 Swinyar Dr.
Collegedale, TN 37363
https://www.visitchattanooga.com/listing/little-debbie-park/9316/
Little Debbie Bakery Store (3 min. drive from Little Debbie Park)
9515 Apison Pike
Collegedale, TN 37315
*Purchase snacks and souvenirs
https://www.mckeefoods.com/our-bakery-stores
Bessie Smith Cultural Center (4 min. drive)
200 E M L King Blvd,
Chattanooga, TN 37403
https://www.bessiesmithcc.org/
$10/person
Chattanooga Guided Adventures kayaking trip
423-390-8688
zach@chattanoogaguidedadventures.com
www.chattanoogaguidedadventures.com
Booking link:
https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/chattanoogaguidedadventures/items/598343/calendar/2025/02/?flow=1309614&full-items=yes&back=https://www.chattanoogaguidedadventures.com/chickamauga-dam-lock-through-kayak-tour&g4=yes
Anthony Russo - Doubledown Strategy
"Anthony Russo is a Texas based, highly sought-after professional emcee and the host of Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff, where his dynamic presence and engaging style captivate audiences nationwide. A celebrated keynote speaker, Russo is known for delivering powerful messages that inspire individuals to transform setbacks into opportunities, double down on their personal and professional goals, and maintain a strong sense of purpose in the face of challenges. In addition to his work on overcoming failure, Russo is a dedicated speaking coach who empowers others to refine their presentation skills, develop their unique voice, and amplify their impact with the art of storytelling and communication. Whether working with aspiring speakers or seasoned professionals, he combines his expertise with a passion for helping others communicate with confidence and purpose.
As the author of The Art of Doubling Down, Russo provides actionable insights and strategies for overcoming adversity and achieving success. He is also the founder of the #BeTheChange movement, encouraging communities to take meaningful action toward creating positive societal change. Beyond the stage, Russo is a sought-after speaking coach, empowering aspiring speakers to refine their craft and amplify their impact."
Chief Gary West - Fire Marshall Support Services
"Gary L. West, President of Chief West Strategies, Inc., Tennessee State Fire Marshal
and Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Commerce & Insurance (Retired). Former Fire & Emergency
Management Consultant for The University of Tennessee advising city leaders in 330+ cities across the state
on matters of safety, codes, and emergency operations. Former Fire Chief of Gatlinburg, TN with significant
experience in tourism and event operations. Chief West has worked as a crowd manager and supervisor for
the past 35 years at hundreds of events including contract work to oversee and coordinate safety operations."
Tonja Ray-Smith, TMP, FEP - Southeast Tourism Society
Tonja Ray-Smith is the Vice President of Marketing & Communications at the Southeast Tourism Society (STS), a nonprofit membership organization focused on advancing the development of travel and tourism professionals and organizations throughout the Southeast region. In this role, she oversees brand management, communications, and creative services.
With 20 years of experience in the tourism industry, Tonja has held various leadership positions, including Executive Director of the Grenada (MS) Tourism Commission, Yazoo County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Greenwood Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Grenada Area Chamber of Commerce. All of these roles were based in Mississippi.
Tonja is a certified Travel Marketing Professional (TMP) and a certified Festival & Event Planner (FEP). Outside of her professional career, she is a dedicated music and festival enthusiast.
Greg Fuson - Director of Research, ChandlerThinks
Greg has been helping clients understand their markets using research for more than 25 years. He has developed extensive skills in survey design and management for both quantitative and qualitative areas of research.
Greg has managed studies for a number of national-branded clients, including a stint as the director of research for the Country Music Association. But his passion is in marketing research for tourism destinations and municipalities, and he has worked with more than 160 communities around the country. Some of his clients within this industry include: Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism; Tennessee Department of Tourist Development; Franklin-Williamson County Convention and Visitors Bureau; Cedarburg, Wisconsin; Jefferson, Wisconsin; Stillwater, Oklahoma; Macon, Georgia; Ascension Parrish, Louisiana; Louisiana’s Cajun Coast; Saint Charles, Missouri; Bowling Green, Kentucky; Columbus, Georgia; Kentucky Lake, Kentucky; and Currituck Outer Banks just to name a few.
Greg is also deeply involved in helping determine the economic impact of festivals and events. He leads this effort for Chandlerthinks, directing many cities towards their goal of measuring the true economic impact of a festival or event. In fact, Greg is a past Chairman of the Southeast Festivals and Events Association and speaks frequently on this topic.
Stephanie McIntyre, CFEE - Founder, Staircase Event & Sponsorship Consulting
Stephanie McIntyre has been transforming events and building communities across North Carolina for decades. A proud native of the Tar Heel State, Stephanie brings an infectious energy and heartfelt passion to every project she touches. With over 22 years of experience leading the North Carolina Seafood Festival to award-winning success, she has a proven track record of turning events into vibrant, economic drivers that inspire connection and celebration.
As the founder of Staircase Event & Sponsorship Consulting, Stephanie blends her expertise with her love of serving and helping others succeed. She’s passionate about empowering festivals and nonprofits to grow, thrive, and build lasting partnerships with sponsors. Having been in business for only three years, Stephanie has helped numerous organizations increase their sponsorships significantly with her thoughtful step-by-step approach, ensuring every detail is designed to elevate your event while creating meaningful experiences for attendees and stakeholders alike.
Stephanie has served as president of Southeast Festivals and Events Association and been a three time president of NC Association of Festivals and Events, along with serving on State and Regional committees and boards, she is committed to helping organizations with their sponsorship struggles by conducting speaking engagements, serving clients and sharing tips and tricks on her short but impactful emails.
An Award-Winning Certified Event Planner, Stephanie’s goal is simple: to make your sponsorships a success story—one step at a time.
Brian Ostrovsky - CEO, Locable
"Brian is a passionate advocate for thriving local communities who grew up in the charming Gold Rush town of Placerville, CA. As an MBA research project at the University of Washington's Foster School of Business, he sought to tackle ""the local marketing problem"".
As the founder and CEO of Locable, he is also the author of “Marketing 3-4-5™: The Business Owner's Guide to Effective Local Marketing in 15-Minutes or Less.”
Locable’s software powers nearly 200 local media websites, over a hundred Main Street Programs, and thousands of small businesses across the US.
Brian and his family recently concluded a multi-year cross-country tour in which he taught Marketing 3-4-5™ to small businesses through workshops nationwide and now resides with his family of 7 in Middle Tennessee."
Jeff Miller - Marketing Manager, Branding Panda
Jeff Miller is an entrepreneur, consultant, and philanthropist, known for founding Hardyharris Marketing in 2008 and leading two successful real estate companies. With a BS in Marketing and Real Estate from Ohio University, he started in the restaurant industry before opening a Craft Beer Bar in Rock Hill, SC. Jeff is committed to community development through his philanthropy and balances his diverse business ventures with family life. His career reflects a blend of strategic vision and community impact.
Michael Bleau - CEO, EventHub
As the CEO of EventHub, Michael has presented dozens of educational sessions at conferences including at SFEA, IFEA, FFEA, CalFest, WFEA, Western Fairs, RMAF, IAFE, Washington Association of Fairs, and others. He shares both insights and relevant data from working with dozens of city special events teams, and hundreds of festivals, fairs, expos, and sports properties across the US and Canada, in addition to his own direct experiences as a former festival and sponsorship director. EventHub is the leading fair and festival vendor software and mapping platform in the United States.
Jason Zinser - VP, Strategic Operations and Communications, Romeo Entertainment Group
Jason G. Zinser brings over 13 years of expertise in communications and strategic marketing to this presentation. As the VP of Strategic Operations and Communications at Romeo Entertainment Group, Jason showcases a passion for communication and behavioral sciences to tackle AI applications in the event industry. His unique blend of experience in both traditional marketing and technology makes him ideally suited to guide you through the exciting possibilities AI offers in live event marketing.
Tricia Hale - Animal Trainer
"Tricia Hale is a passionate animal trainer with seven years of experience raising and training puppies for Canine Companions for Independence (CCI). From 7 weeks to 18 months old, Tricia dedicated herself to training these puppies, preparing them for an intense program before they were placed in homes. Her training involved mastering ADA laws and teaching the dogs specialized tasks, including opening doors, pulling wheelchairs, retrieving medicine, and assisting with medical conditions such as diabetes, seizures, and PTSD.
Since retiring from CCI, Tricia has trained two service dogs of her own. She discovered her deep passion for animal training through this work and continues to support and train her two dogs. Tricia is a mother of four grown children, who have families of their own. She resides in Hopkinsville, KY, where she enjoys spending time with her beloved dogs. Her commitment to service animals and her extensive experience in training them make her a valuable advocate and resource in the community."
Stephen Moore - President, RCS Productions
Stephen Moore is a leader at delivering & producing entertainment for community concerts, festivals and civic celebrations in the southeast. He works with over a hundred clients a year in all aspects of talent selection and acquisition through day of show production solutions and concert related logistics. RCS is known for producing music in non-traditional venues such as The Atlanta Botanical Garden, Stone Mountain Park, the Historical Oakland Cemetery to name a few. From the Goose Creek Concert Series near Charleston SC to the Woodstock summer concert series, Mr. Moore enjoys bringing outstanding concert experiences to large and small markets alike. Stephen has lent his extensive knowledge of concert/touring logistics to help design build teams on several community concert and event projects in Woodstock, Peachtree City, LaGrange, Stockbridge, Powder Springs, Douglasville, Gainesville and is currently consulting on a new outdoor event space at Holly Springs new downtown Development.
Wright Tilley - Executive Director, Boone & Watauga County TDAs
Wright Tilley is the Executive Director of Explore Boone in Boone, North Carolina. He is also an adjunct instructor in the Hospitality Management program at Appalachian State University.
Wright has 35+ years of work experience in the tourism, concert, and festival & events industries. Prior to Explore Boone, he worked for the Macon GA International Cherry Blossom Festival, the Jekyll Island Authority, and RCS Productions. Wright has been a featured speaker for the event and tourism industry in the United States, Korea, and Trinidad & Tobago.
Wright is a past Chairman of the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) World Board of Directors and a past Chairman of the IFEA Foundation Board. He is also a past Chairman of the Blue Ridge Parkway Association and currently serves on the Southeast Tourism Society Board of Directors. Wright also volunteers on the High Country Host board, the Appalachian Summer Festival Advisory Board in Boone, North Carolina and serves as the Chairman of the Boone Area Sports Commission.
Wright has a bachelor’s degree in public relations and a master’s degree in recreation and tourism management from the University of Florida. He also earned the Certified Festival and Event Executive (CFEE) designation from the IFEA & Purdue University.
Dakota Romine - Director of Sales and Strategy, Fairs.com
Dakota is the Director of Sales and Strategy for Fairs.com, as a dedicated professional in the ticketing and event management industry for the past nine years, he brings expertise in streamlining operations and enhancing attendee experiences. As a member of the INAF Board of Directors and the IAFE Ticketing Committee, Dakota plays a key role in shaping industry best practices and fostering innovation within the field. Passionate about creating seamless event solutions, Dakota continues to drive efficiency and excellence in the ever-evolving world of live events.
Ariel Omarzu - Board Member, SoundCorps
Ariel Omarzu Chattanooga-based musician known for blending soulful melodies with a unique, eclectic sound that reflects her deep love for history and storytelling. She draws on her experience running local events and a music venue in her roles as CBO and Creative Director of Snapdragon Cannabis Company and Secretary of SoundCorps, offering a unique perspective from both sides of the event space and underscoring her commitment to community engagement and the creative economy.
Kristy Graves - Interim Executive Director, SoundCorps
Kristy Graves is the Interim Executive Director of SoundCorps, a nonprofit founded in 2015 dedicated to growing the music economy in the Chattanooga region. She also is the founder and producer of Chattanooga House Shows, a secret listening room concert series and recently launched collective of local house concert hosts and independent, listening room venues.
Dylan Rivera - Director of Policy Planning and Implementation, City of Chattanooga
Dylan Rivera is the City of Chattanooga's Director of Policy Planning and Implementation, serving as the first-ever Latino appointed to the Mayor's Office in the city's history. His work develops and executes strategies to address generational disparities in health, safety, arts and culture, education, and economic opportunities.
Shay McCowan - Executive Director, Chattanooga Business Elite & Black Excellence Awards
Shay McCowan is the Executive Director of Chattanooga Business Elite, a group of creatives, entrepreneurs, community leaders, business owners, and advocates dedicated to connecting black individuals in the Chattanooga region. She is also the brains behind the Black Excellence Chattanooga (BEC) Awards, which celebrates local minority businesses excelling in customer service and community enrichment.
Maggie Carruth O’Connor - Founder, Highland Park Porchfest
Maggie Carruth O’Connor is the founder and director of Third Place Productions, a nonprofit that houses both TEDxChattanooga and Highland Park Porchfest. She also works with the Tivoli Theatre Foundation in events and marketing. She serves on the boards of Two Bikes and SORBA Chattanooga, and is most importantly a mom, dog mom, and wife.
Allison Wolfe - Brand Experience Director, Chattanooga Tourism Co.
Allison Wolfe serves as Chattanooga Tourism Co.’s Brand Experience Director, working closely with Chattanooga's attractions, restaurants, hotels, and tourism-related businesses to help enhance collaboration and the local tourism economy.
Josh Duarte - Cultural Affairs Program Coordinator, City of Chamblee
Joshua Duarte is the Cultural Affairs Program Coordinator in the Community Engagement Department for the City of Chamblee, where he plays a pivotal role in fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within the community. Since joining the city in 2023, Joshua has been responsible for developing and implementing cultural programs celebrating Chamblee’s rich diversity. He also manages the city's Nonprofit Partnership Program, strengthening and supporting local organizations and actively contributing to Chamblee's Sister Cities International partnership, promoting cross-cultural exchange and global connections.
A graduate of the University of Georgia, Joshua holds a Bachelor’s in Sociology and Criminal Justice and a Master’s in Public Administration and Policy.
Having grown up near Chamblee, Joshua has witnessed the city's rapid growth and is passionate about maintaining spaces that honor all identities, perspectives, and worldviews. Through his work, he strives to enhance civic engagement and community trust, ensuring that Chamblee remains a welcoming and connected city for all.
Registration
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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$632.64
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$316.48
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Kaleidoscope Awards Gala Only Registration
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$106.60
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+1 Ticket
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Crowd Management Certification Training
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$21.58
Includes Base Price: $20.00, Processing fees: $1.58
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Schedule
List view
Event schedule
Maps
Venue layout - 2 floors
Vendor map
The Granfalloon - Opening Night Party location
Waterhouse Pavilion - Showcase location
Select map
Hosted by Southeast Festivals & Events Association
Joined Eventeny in January 2021
31 events
Norcross, Georgia, United States 
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