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Virginia Festivals & Events Association
Regional Seminar
"Behind the Scenes at Celebrate Fairfax!"
June 6-7, 2007

The Virginia Festivals and Events Association is offering the first in a series of regional workshops and invites you to an exciting and informative program on June 6 & 7 onsite at the CELEBRATE FAIRFAX! FESTIVAL.  This two day program will feature speakers presenting programs and information on topics such as the mechanics of on-line ticketing, booking national/headline entertainment, laser shows, food and beverage operations, volunteer management, family programming, and security.  Participants will get a back scene tour of the main stage, have an opportunity to speak with vendors, volunteers, and staff, and experience the festival as a customer.

About the Celebrate Fairfax! Festival

An award winning festival, recognized with more than two dozen IFEA and Virginia Association of Fairs awards, Celebrate Fairfax! is the largest annual community celebration in Northern Virginia.  A unique event, it has its roots as the official Fairfax County Fair; however, in 1999, the event name was changed to Celebrate Fairfax! to better reflect the county and its communities.  Fairfax County, with more than one million residents, no longer enjoys an agricultural base and instead has become a melting pot of diverse cultures and heritage, arts, business and technology.

Presented by the non-profit Celebrate Fairfax, Inc, the annual festival hosts more than 70,000 visitors during the three-day run (June 6-8, 2008).  The 25-acre festival site at the Fairfax County Government Center is filled with entertainment, interactive activities, commercial and community exhibits, food, crafts and more.  

Among the highlights:

• More than 100 performances on 7 festival stages, including headliners JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS, BOWLING FOR SOUP, OK GO, and EMERSON DRIVE.
• Award winning programs such as the 5,000 square foot SciTech Center, the Fairfax County Expo, nightly fireworks, and twice-hourly Laser Spectacular shows.
• Amusements of America carnival, covering more than 95,000 square feet.
• More than 300 commercial and community exhibits, food vendors and crafters.

A recipient of one of the International Festivals and Events Association's top honors, Celebrate Fairfax! is a past Bronze Grand Pinnacle Award winner for its overall quality and success.  Additional information about Celebrate Fairfax! can be found at www.celebratefairfax.com.

About the Presenters

Providing insight and knowledge into the success of Celebrate Fairfax!, workshop presenters include long-time festival staff and volunteers, event contractors and behind-the-scenes personnel who are the backbone of the event.  Led by host Linda Bestimt, 15-year past President/CEO of Celebrate Fairfax, Inc., presentations will focus both on Celebrate Fairfax!'s planning, programs and operations, as well as state-of-the-industry topics such as talent buying/production and on-line ticketing.  In-depth tours will give attendees the opportunity to view first-hand the festival's gang prevention techniques, volunteer program, entertainment coordination and more.

Who and Why attend?

The VFEA Seminar is open to both member and non-member professionals and volunteer leaders responsible for large and small events, arts festivals, sporting events, ethnic festivals, fairs, parks and recreation departments, city special event offices, main street managers, downtown developers, social and civic organizations, convention and visitors bureaus, chambers of commerce, and suppliers and services providers.  Each group will benefit from the ideas shared at the program and through an association with VFEA.  Members of the International Festivals and Events Association and the Northern Virginia Events network may register for the program at the VFEA member rate.

VFEA is the only statewide association focused on networking and educational opportunities for festival and events producers and the educational programs are its primary venue for bringing together industry professionals.  For more information about the VFEA or the seminar, check out our website at www.vfea.com.

Lodging & Location

The VFEA Seminar will be held at the Fairfax County Government Center in Fairfax, Virginia.  Directions to the Government Center are available on the website at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dta/66west.htm.

For participants who need lodging during the program, The Marriott Fairfax at Fair Oaks in Fairfax, Virginia is holding a block of rooms at the special rate of $79 plus applicable taxes per night.  This convenient property with its luxuriously appointed guest rooms is adjacent to the Fair Oaks Mall and is on the shuttle route for the Festival.  Participants will be able to park at the hotel and take the shuttle to the Government Center for the program at no charge.  To make your reservations, call the hotel locally at 703-352-2525 or toll free at 800-228-9290 and ask for the Virginia Festivals & Events Association room block or provide the 7 letter group code VFEVFEA by May 15, 2008.  You may also register on-line at www.fairfaxmarriott.com and use the 7 letter group code for the special rate.  For those who would like to extend their stay after the program and enjoy the Festival on Sunday, the group rate will be honored, based on availability for Saturday night, June 7.

Attention Sponsors

Due to the nature of this program, exhibit space will not be available but if you are interested in sponsoring an event for the seminar, please contact Linda Stevens for more information. 

Linda Stevens
Suffolk Festivals
P.O. Box 1852
Suffolk, VA 23439
Phone:  757-539-6751, Fax:  757-539-6762
Email:  lstevens@suffolkfest.org

Seminar Schedule

Registration & Fees

The registration fee of $109 for VFEA, IFEA and NOVEN members and $119 for non members includes educational sessions, handouts, refreshment breaks and entrance tickets to Celebrate Fairfax!  To register on-line, click here. To print a copy of the brochure and mail your check to the seminar registrar, click here. Space is limited so reserve your spot today!