Milwaukee Area Events Recognized with 29 Pinnacle Awards

09/01/2005

When the envelope was opened and the names were read, Milwaukee area events and attractions collectively took home 29 Pinnacle Awards. Local winners included Jazz in the Park, Summerfest, Wisconsin State Fair, Lakefront Festival of Arts, Bastille Days, Grape Lakes Food & Wine Festival and Irish Fest. 

For nearly 30 years the International Festivals & Events Association has recognized outstanding examples of special event promotions with its prestigious Pinnacle Awards competition. The Pinnacle Awards competition recognizes winners for implementing the highest quality in festival and special event promotions. VISIT Milwaukee is pleased to announce that several of its members were recognized with 29 Pinnacle Awards announced September 14th at the IFEA 50th Reunion Convention in San Antonio, Texas. Winners were selected by event category and budget amount. 

Following is a listing of Milwaukee-area winners: 

· East Town Association (six awards): Jazz in the Park (two awards), Grand Pinnacle and newspaper advertising. Bastille Days (four awards) promotional poster, newspaper advertising and two awards for street banners. 

· Milwaukee World Festival, Inc.: Summerfest (six awards), Grand Pinnacle, sponsor solicitation package, new sponsorship program, overall sponsorship, television and magazine advertising. 

· Wisconsin State Fair Park: Wisconsin State Fair (nine awards), television and radio promotion, Web site, promotional poster, miscellaneous printed material, event/program to benefit a charity, media kit, display advertising and direct mail piece or brochure. 

· Friends of the Milwaukee Art Museum (seven awards): Lakefront Festival of the Arts (five awards), event program, event photography, miscellaneous printed material, and other and overall merchandising. Grape Lakes Food & Wine Festival (two awards), cover design and miscellaneous printed material. 

· Irish Fest Milwaukee: Irish Fest (one award), new promotions. 
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"These Milwaukee area events were competing against events held in cities throughout the world," said Doug Neilson, president & CEO of VISIT Milwaukee. "From ethnic and music festivals to the arts and culture, our festivals and events are second-to-none. This recognition by the International Festivals & Events Association is really an invitation for visitors to come to Milwaukee and partake in the many wonderful events we offer." 
For a complete list of winners, visit www.ifea.com. 

Established in 1967, VISIT Milwaukee is the premier marketer of Greater Milwaukee. VISIT Milwaukee reaches tourists, convention and meeting planners nationally and internationally with sales, marketing and public relations programs. Tourism generated $2.4 billion in spending in Greater Milwaukee in 2004, which is 21 percent of the state's total tourism impact. VISIT Milwaukee has more than 700 members, including hotels/motels, restaurants, attractions, services and area businesses. Its main office is at 648 N. Plankinton Avenue, Suite 425, Milwaukee. It also has a sales office in Washington D.C. The Spirit of Milwaukee (SOM) and Potawatomi Bingo Casino are strategic partners with VISIT Milwaukee, providing funding support for conventions and tourism programs. For more information call 1-800-554-1448 or visit www.visitmilwaukee.org.