IFEA 71st Annual Convention & Expo: Full Schedule

This premier gathering of festival and event professionals, suppliers, and industry partners from around the world offers unparalleled opportunities for education, inspiration, and meaningful connection. From those taking their first steps toward a new event, to those advancing long-standing, globally recognized experiences, there is something for everyone as we explore emerging trends, address real-world challenges, and identify new opportunities.
Mark your calendar. Step Forward. The future of festivals and events starts here.

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9:45am PDT

Step Forward with a Look Back: Lessons Learned from a Career in Festivals & Events

Wednesday October 7, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am PDT

Room - White Dove

Stephen’s favorite question is “what’s next?” Never one to rest and always willing to take calculated risks, Stephen has experienced many challenges and celebrated many wins. In this interactive session, Stephen will share lessons learned over a three-decade career.

Speakers

Stephen King, MA, CFEE

Executive Director, Des Moines Arts Festival

Stephen King has spent his life engaged with the arts. Originally from Houston, Texas, Stephen began his professional career directing, acting, and managing live theatre productions throughout the Houston area. In 1995, he turned this passion for the arts toward non-profit arts administration... Read More →

Wednesday October 7, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am PDT
Room - White Dove

Education, CFEE Elective

11:00am PDT

Inside the International World of Festivals & Events

Wednesday October 7, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT

Room - White Dove

The 'I' in 'IFEA' is an important part of who we are as a global industry. In addition to widening your network of global friends and peers, you'll find that creativity, new ideas, challenges, and our common desire to bond our communities, countries, and world together, do not stop at any border, and are not limited by any language. Come join a gathering of our international friends for a fascinating (and informal) insight and dialogue, as we take a look inside the international world of festivals and events.

Moderators

Steven Wood Schmader, CFEE

President & CEO, International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA World)

Steven Wood Schmader, CFEE, is the President & CEO of the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA World), which celebrates 71 years as the “Premiere Association Supporting and Enabling Festival & Event Professionals Worldwide” in 2026. The IFEA operates with a visi... Read More →

Speakers

Professor Gang Hoan Jeong, CFEE

President, IFEA Asia / Korea

Daniel Baldacci, CFEE

President, IFEA Latin America

Besides running IFEA Latin America, Daniel Baldacci is president of DB Events and director of the White Pavilion Event Center at Wet 'n Wild Brazil.

Baldacci has been involved for many years with the Carnaval of Salvador, the biggest street party in the world according to the Guinness book, but also created and produced his own music festivals which together had more than 450 shows launching new talents that nowadays are top stars... Read More →

Kulwadee (May) Pattamas

Manager – Mega Event and World Festival Department, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau

Tamas Badacsonyi

Managing Partner / Festival Director, Örvényesvölgy Festival - Vertigo Valley, Hungary

Tamas Badacsonyi is from Europe, Hungary. He is the creator of a premium "boutique" festival: ORVENYESVOLGY, hosted on his private estate in countryside Hungary.
Tamas has a legal background, has finished law school in Budapest, previously he has spent a year in the US with a scholarship in Ohio, where he learned about television production and this is when he first got closer to the entertainment industry. After finishing university he was
... Read More →

Wednesday October 7, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room - White Dove

Education, CFEE Elective

2:00pm PDT

New Trends in Sponsorship

Wednesday October 7, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT

Room - White Dove

Moderators

Paula Beadle

Founder, Sponsorship Marketing Association

Paula Beadle is a partnership marketing thought leader and sponsorship industry trailblazer. Over her 30+ year career in sports, entertainment and life-style events, she has worked with global brands and iconic festivals and events. Paula has been recognized as a transformative leader... Read More →

Speakers

Kevin Grothe, CFEE

Executive Vice President, Memphis in May International Festival

Kevin Grothe has more than 25 years of sales, marketing and fund raising experience in the event industry. Known for developing long-term business relationships, he has successfully increased department revenues for several event organizations and institutions of higher learning... Read More →

Bruce Erley, CFEE, APR

Founder & Principal, Creative Strategies Group

Bruce L. Erley is the President of Creative Strategies Group, (CSG), a sponsorship and event marketing agency based in Denver, Colorado which he founded in September 1995.In January 2023, Erley sold off the sales representation, promotional activation, and account management services... Read More →

Gail Lowney Alofsin

Author, Speaker, Professor, University of Rhode Island

Gail Lowney Alofsin is the Associate Director Corporate Partnerships for the Office of Strategic Initiatives at the University of Rhode Island. Gail has been speaking at the IFEA Conference for over 25 years and also serves on the IFEA's Presidents Council.
Gail is a national keyn... Read More →

David Eads

Executive Director & CEO, Pasadena Tournament of Roses

David Eads has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses® since February 2017, leading one of the nation’s most iconic and beloved New Year celebrations—the Rose Parade® and Rose Bowl Game®. At the helm of this non-profit, volunteer-driven organization... Read More →

Wednesday October 7, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room - White Dove

Education, CFEE Elective

9:45am PDT

11:00am PDT

2:00pm PDT

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