SFEA Fall Seminar - Greer, SC

Ayla Fitzpatrick is part of the City of Greer communications team in her role as the Community and Media Outreach Coordinator. She is responsible for social media management, content creation, and serves as a liaison between the public and the city. Prior to her current role, Ayla was in local news for nearly a decade. She worked as an anchor and a reporter at several stations across New York, Louisiana, and here in South Carolina. She brings her communication and interpersonal relationship skills from that career to her work with Greer. In the past two-plus years with the city, Ayla has created the city's first written communications plan, helped elevate Greer's social media channels including the launch of the City of Greer TikTok account, and helped establish organization-wide social media policies.

Gracie Waldrop serves as the Executive Director of ChristmasVille. A Rock Hill native with a passion for community engagement and event planning, Waldrop brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to her new role. With a Master’s Degree in Business and Non-Profit Management and over a decade of experience in Travel & Tourism, Event Planning, and Marketing, Waldrop is well-equipped to lead ChristmasVille into its next chapter. As a seasoned Travel Advisor and Content Creator, she is eager to showcase Rock Hill’s unique charm and the diverse offerings of its local businesses to visitors from near and far.

Maddie Ewing serves as the 2024-2025 ChristmasVille Festival Chair. With a rich background in marketing and community engagement, Maddie’s journey to the helm of ChristmasVille has been nothing short of extraordinary. From her tenure as the Marketing and Outreach Director for Carolinas Dream Team with Keller Williams to her current role as the Area Marketing Manager for Piedmont Medical Center, Maddie’s dedication to uplifting her community shines through in everything she does. Now, as Festival Chair for 2024, Maddie is on a mission to make this year’s ChristmasVille the most enchanting and memorable yet with a keen focus on supporting local businesses, fostering community spirit, and spreading joy to all who attend.

Austin Walker is the current Economic Development Director for Abbeville County, SC and the 'Chief Problem Solver' for her side hustle - A+ Solutions. Her professional career has included festival operations, venue management, community development, and business recruitment within the public sector. Through it all, her passion has been to build better communities through enhancing quality of life with holistic, data-driven decision making.