10/11/00
Theresa Swope, 334/844-4659
AU TO HOST COMMUNITY FESTIVAL BEST PRACTICES CONFERENCE
AUBURN -- What do Riverfest, Jubilee Cityfest and the Loachapoka Syrup Soppin have in common? They're all well-known Alabama festivals that have stood the test of time and continue to draw thousands of people and contribute to their local economies.
And Auburn University on Oct. 27 will host a conference on how to establish or improve a local festival.
The conference -- "Community Festivals Best Practices" -- will be presented by the Auburn Technical Assistance Center and AU assistant professors of accounting Brian Ballou and Norman Godwin.
Ballou and Godwin have published a study of festivals across the Southeast, focusing on the most successful ones and the techniques and practices that have made them successful.
The Community Festivals - Best Practices Conference will feature presentations by Ballou and Godwin, along with the organizers of the most successful festivals.
Registration and welcome will begin at 8:15.
Speakers will include Van Tilbury, director of the Little Rock, Ark., Riverfest; Marriane McLeod, director of Montgomery's Jubilee Cityfest; and Frances Quick, coordinator of the Riverfest/Salisbury Fair in Columbus, Ga.
Tilbury will speak at 9 a.m., on developing effective sponsorship and media promotion; McLeod will speak at 10 a.m., on developing a niche for local festivals; and Quick will speak at 11 a.m., on incorporating a community's history into its festival.
Ballou and Godwin will speak at 1 p.m., on risk management and performance measures. Following their presentation, attendees will participate in break-out sessions preceding a group discussion.
The conference will be at the Auburn University Hotel and Conference Center (I-85, exit 51). Registration is $75 and includes lunch and materials. Register before Oct. 20 to reserve your space.
ATAC is a university outreach unit located in the College of Business and serves in partnership with the Economic Development Administration as an EDA university center to facilitate economic development projects.