Each year, the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA) recognizes outstanding accomplishments and top quality creative, promotional, operations and community outreach programs and materials produced by festivals and events around the world, with the Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards Competition.
President and CEO, Eric Martin, VP of Marketing and Communications, Deb Laferty Asbill and Marketing Coordinator, Erin Fortune were at IFEA’s 58th Annual Convention and Expo in Pittsburgh, PA where Music for All was awarded 23 awards! We couldn’t be more excited and appreciative!
One of the highlights this year for us was our long-time Music for All volunteer, and dear friend, Chris Protho receiving the IFEA/Zambelli Fireworks Volunteer of the Year Award! Chris was presented the award at a luncheon at the IFEA Convention. Read more about Chris’ story and nomination here.
President and CEO Eric Martin with Volunteer of the Year, Chris Protho
Another highlight for this year was receiving a Bronze Grand Pinnacle for the 2012 Bands of America Grand National Championships. The Grand Pinnacle award is the highest award given by the IFEA in recognition of festivals and events who have a balance of all the elements necessary to ensure a successful event. Music for All has been attending the IFEA Convention since the early 90’s – and this is the first year we have been a finalist for the Grand Pinnacle. To say that we were stoked is an understatement!
Music for All staff receiving the Bronze Grand Pinnacle award. Pictured from left to right: Eric L. Martin, President and CEO of Music for All; Thérèse St. Onge, Director of IFEA Canada; Erin Fortune, Marketing Coordinator at Music for All; Debbie Laferty-Asbill, VP of Marketing and Communications at Music for All
“Music for All is thrilled to have been recognized by its festival and event peers in such a significant way this year. Having one of our key volunteers receive the Volunteer of the Year Award is a singular honor. This was also the first time Music for All has been recognized as a Grand Pinnacle Finalist, the highest of IFEA’s awards. These awards are a recognition of the talents, hard work and dedication of everyone who is a part of the Music for All family.”- Deb Laferty Asbill
In addition to the Bronze Grand Pinnacle, and the Volunteer of the Year honor that was awarded to Chris Protho, we also received 21 Pinnacle Awards – 14 Gold Pinnacles, 4 Silver, and 3 Bronze including items and projects that involved many MFA staff and those in collaboration with partners includingMr. Video Productions,PepWear,Delivra andHansen Multimedia.
Winning entries came from organizations as diverse as the 500 Festival, Indianapolis, IN; Kentucky Derby Festival, Louisville, KY; Des Moines Arts Festival, Des Moines, IA; Cherry Creek Arts Festival, Denver, CO and the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, Pasadena, CA. International contenders included such diverse event organizations as the Seoul Lantern Festival, Seoul, South Korea and the World Gourmet Summit, Singapore. Being listed among these amazing events is simply incredible!
CEO Eric Martin holding the two Gold Awards
Here is a rundown of the awards:
Bronze Grand Pinnacle Award
2012 Bands of America Grand National Championships, presented by Yamaha
IFEA/Zambelli Fireworks Volunteer of the Year Award
Awarded to long-time Music for All volunteer, Chris Protho
Gold Pinnacle Awards
Best Event Video for sale (Bands of America Honor Band in the Tournament of Roses® Parade Commemorative DVD)
Best Event/Organization E-Newsletter (Summer Symposium Daily Buzz)
Best Event/Organization E-Newsletter (Music for All Monthly E-newsletter) Best Miscellaneous Multimedia ((Bands of America Honor Band in the Tournament of Roses® Parade Commemorative DVD)
Best Event/Organization Newsletter
Best Cover Design (Music for All National Festival, presented by Yamaha program book)
Best Other Merchandise (Bands of America Honor Band in the Tournament of Roses® Parade uniform jacket)
Best Targeted Sponsor Solicitation Package (US Army)
Best Targeted Sponsor Solicitation Package (Texas Dairy Queen®)
Best Educational Program (Bands of America Drum Major Institute)
Best New Promotion Activity (#mfacamp campaign)
Best New Attendee Service (Guidebook app at the Summer Symposium)
Best Overall Merchandising Program (Bands of America Honor Band in the Tournament of Roses® Parade)
Best Vendor/Supplier (Hansen Multimedia)
Silver Pinnacle Awards
Best Event Video for sale (2012 Bands of America Grand National Championships, presented by Yamaha)
Best Single Magazine Display Ad
Best Educational Program (The Wow! Percussion Specialist Academy)
Most Creative/ Effective News Stunt
Bronze Pinnacle Awards
Best Miscellaneous Multimedia (Summer Symposium Promo DVD)
Best T-Shirt Design (Keep Calm & March On shirt)
Best Event/Program within an Event to Benefit a Cause (Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts at the 2012 Bands of America Grand National Championships)
Gold Awards!
We are honored to have received these awards from the IFEA. You’ll see from the list above that the awards recognize the group efforts ofeveryoneat Music for All, as well as our friends and partners who work along side us. Thank you to all who have had a hand in these projects and programs.
Music for All is proud to be a member of the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA). The International Festivals and Events Association has more than 2,000 member festivals from around the world. Each year, the IFEA Pinnacle Awards competition honors the best special events, festival materials, promotions and ideas among the organization’s membership. For more information about IFEA and the Pinnacle Awards Competition you can check out theirwebsiteorFacebook page.
Erin Fortune is the Marketing Coordinator focusing on digital marketing at Music for All, and has been working with Music for All for three years, first in the Participant Relations department and now in marketing. She is a graduate from the Music Industry Management program at Ferris State University in Michigan and is a former Percussive Arts Society Intern and a Yamaha Corporation of America, Band and Orchestral Division Intern.
