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Two Downtown Festivals Win International Awards

Downtown DSM Festivals Win Awards

September 26, 2019

GREATER DES MOINES, IA – The Greater Des Moines Partnership is pleased to announce that the DSM Book Festival and World Food & Music Festival have been recognized by the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) and Haas & Wilkerson Insurance at the 64th Annual IFEA Convention, Expo & Retreat, taking place in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia this week.

“We are incredibly excited to be recognized for two of our premier Downtown DSM events” said Colleen Murphy, Downtown Events Director at the Greater Des Moines Partnership. “We plan to continue to host fun, family-friendly events like the DSM Book Festival and the World Food and Music Festival that all people can enjoy in Greater Des Moines (DSM).”

Sponsored by industry leader Haas & Wilkerson Insurance, the IFEA competition presented awards in 69 different categories to diverse organizations from across the world. The Partnership’s Downtown Events Group, responsible for organizing the World Food & Music Festival and the DSM Book Festival, won a combined 12 awards.

The 2019 DSM Book Festival was awarded in the following categories:

  • Best New Event – Gold
  • Best Educational Program – Gold
  • Best Miscellaneous On-Site Décor – Gold
  • Best Other Merchandise – Bronze

The World Food & Music Festival was awarded in the following categories:

  • Best Outdoor Billboard – Gold
  • Best Volunteer Program – Silver
  • Best Children’s Programming – Silver
  • Best Miscellaneous Printed Materials (Single Page) – Bronze
  • Best Single Newspaper Display Ad – Bronze
  • Best T-Shirt Design – Bronze
  • Best Food & Beverage Program – Bronze
  • Best Sponsor Gift – Bronze

“We would like to congratulate all of our Pinnacle winners for their outstanding entries into this year’s competition,” said IFEA President & CEO, Steven Wood Schmader, CFEE. “The IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards Competition recognizes the outstanding accomplishments and top quality creative, promotional, operational and community outreach programs and materials produced by festivals and events around the world. Striving for the highest degree of excellence in festival and event promotions and operations in every budget level and every corner of the globe, this competition has not only raised the standards and quality of the festivals and events industry to new levels, but also shows how event producers can use innovation and creativity to achieve a higher level of success.”

Winners were selected based on four separate budget categories. Each entry is judged within those budge categories, against the criteria and requirements of the specific category.

For a complete list of 2019 Pinnacle Winners go to: ifea.com/p/industryawards/pinnacleawards/pastpinnaclewinners

Photos of all winning recipients can be found: ifea.com/p/industryawards/pinnacleawards/pastpinnaclewinners/pinnaclewinnerphotos

For more information on the IFEA, go to: ifea.com

About the Greater Des Moines Partnership

The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization that serves Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa. Together with 24 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,400 Regional Business Members and more than 340 Investors, The Partnership drives economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region. Through innovation, strategic planning and global collaboration, The Partnership grows opportunity, helps create jobs and promotes DSM as the best place to build a business, a career and a future. Learn more at DSMpartnership.com.

About International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA)

Headquartered in Boise, Idaho, the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) is The Premier Association Supporting and Enabling Festival & Event Professionals Worldwide. In partnership with global affiliates under the umbrellas of IFEA Africa, IFEA Asia, IFEA Australia, IFEA Europe, IFEA Latin America, IFEA Middle East (MENASA), and IFEA North America, the organization's common vision is for "A Globally United Industry that Touches Lives in a Positive Way through Celebration." The Association offers the most complete source of ideas, resources, information, education and networking for festival and event professionals worldwide.