Boise, Idaho- The International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) paid tribute to the City of McAllen on September 27 during the IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards Ceremony held at the IFEA’s 61st Annual Convention, Expo & Retreat in Tucson, Arizona Sept 27-29, 2016, where they were presented with 26 awards in the prestigious IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards competition. McAllen won awards in the following categories:
GOLD
- BEST FULL LENGTH TV PROGRAM: MCALLEN HOLIDAY PARADE- MCALLEN CABLE NETWORK
- MOST CREATIVE/ EFFECTIVE NEWS STUNT: MCALLEN HOLIDAY PARADE- SANTA’S ARRIVAL AT LA PLAZA MALL/MCN
- BEST INDIVIDUAL SPONSOR FOLLOW UP REPORT:MCALLEN HOLIDAY PARADE/H-E-B
- BEST SPONSOR PARTNER: MCALLEN HOLIDAY PARADE/ H-E-B
- BEST SINGLE NEW SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY: MCALLEN HOLIDAY PARADE/ H-E-B OPENING CEREMONY
- BEST SPONSOR PARTNER: PALMFEST/SPRINT
- BEST VOLUNTEER PROGRAM: PALMFEST
- BEST COVER DESIGN: QUINTA MAZATLAN
- BEST SINGLE NEWSPAPER DISPLAY: QUINTA MAZATLAN/ VALENTINE’S CONCERT IN THE PARK
- BEST EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM: QUINTA MAZATLAN/NATURE SPEAKER SERIES SPONSORED BY THURMOND EYE ASSOCIATES
- BEST CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMING: QUINTA MAZATLAN/SOUTHERN EXPOSURES SPONSORED BY VALLEY LAND FUND
- BEST NEW EVENT: QUINTA MAZATLAN/PLANTA NATIVA FESTIVAL
- BEST SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM FOR INDIVIDUAL SPONSOR: QUINTA MAZATLAN/ FOREST SCULPTURE TRAIL/DON AND DELORIS KING
SILVER
- BEST SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM: MCALLEN HOLIDAY PARADE/ H-E-B OPENING CEREMONY
- BEST HAT: MCALLEN INTERNATIONAL CAR FEST
- BEST SINGLE NEW SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY: PALMFEST/SPRINT
- BEST SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM: PALMFEST/SPRINT
- BEST COMPANY IMAGE PIECES: QUINTA MAZATLAN/RACK CARD
- BEST COVER DESIGN: QUINTA MAZATLAN “FROM WATER TO WILDLIFE”
- BEST GREEN PROGRAM: QUINTA MAZATLAN/PLANTA NATIVA FESTIVAL
BRONZE
- BEST TV PROMOTION: MCALLEN HOLIDAY PARADE
- BEST PRESS/ MEDIA KIT: MCALLEN HOLIDAY PARADE PRESENTED BY LA PLAZA MALL/MCALLEN CABLE NETWORK
- BEST TARGETED SPONSOR: MCALLEN HOLIDAY PARADE/H-E-B
- BEST MISCELLANEOUS PRINTED MATERIALS: QUINTA MAZATLAN/ BIRDING POSTCARD
- BEST COMMEMORATIVE POSTER: QUINTA MAZATLAN/PLANTA NATIVA FESTIVAL
- BEST NEW MERCHANDISE: QUINTA MAZATLAN/MANSION CERAMIC TILE
“This recognition of all of these events is really exciting news for the City of McAllen, to know that our events are as fun and exciting for our residents as any event around the world,” said City of McAllen City Manager Roel “Roy” Rodriguez, P.E. “These events are designed to entertain and delight not only our residents, but also, the many visitors to our community. As economic engines for the City of McAllen, they bring in thousands of visitors to our city, who stay in our hotels, who visit our restaurants, who spend money in our community. These events help keep our city top of mind throughout the Rio Grande Valley and beyond, and keep getting bigger and better than ever.”
Sponsored by industry leader Haas & Wilkerson Insurance, the professional competition draws entries from among the world’s top festivals and events. Winning entries came from organizations as diverse as the Saint Louis Art Fair, St. Louis, MO; the Fiesta Bowl, Scottsdale, AZ; the International Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington, DC; the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, Pasadena, CA; the Sausalito Art Festival, Sausalito, CA; Memphis in May International Festival, Memphis, TN and Celebrations Ottawa in Ottawa, ON, Canada.
“It has been a real pleasure to have the City of McAllen, Texas at the table with us,” said IFEA President & CEO, Steven Wood Schmader, CFEE. “They bring energy, freshness with the new ideas, programs, parades and activities happening there in the city. You look at a city like McAllen that takes an idea and says we’re going to run with this and make something happen.”
International contenders included such diverse event organizations as Destination NSW in Sydney, Australia; Ludwig Van Beethoven Easter Festival in Krakow, Poland; Cuckoo Events, Dublin, Ireland; Rotterdam Festivals, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Festival Lent, Maribor, Slovenia and the Boryeong Mud Festival in Boryeong, South Korea.
“Receiving so many awards from IFEA, a world class organization, speaks volumes about our city departments in McAllen. This recognizes all the effort that our employees put forth on all of the quality of life events we host in our city,” Commissioner Hilda Escochea Salinas said. “These awards belong to all of our community and we couldn’t be more proud.”
Awards were handed out in 68 different categories in total including Best TV Promotion; Social Media Site; Commemorative Poster; Overall Sponsorship Program; Green Program; Educational Program, Children’s Programming and Media Relations Campaign.
“The IFEA Pinnacle Awards recognize the outstanding accomplishments and top quality creative festivals around the globe,,” Assistant City Manager Joe Vera said. “It is such an honor to be recognized for our events in McAllen on a worldwide stage.”
For a complete list of winners and more information on the IFEA, go to www.ifea.com.