Niagara Falls, Ontario (February 28, 2024) Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO) is proud to announce three new inductees into the FEO Hall of Fame, as well as the 2024 FEO Volunteer of the Year Awards. FEO believes it is important to recognize significant contributions of these individuals to the festival and event industry – without their passion and dedication, this industry could not survive. The Hall of Fame and Volunteer of the Year Awards were handed out on Wednesday, February 28th during FEO’s Annual Conference “IMAGINE” in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Since 2000, FEO has now inducted 48 people into its Hall of Fame, representing festivals, municipalities, organizations and events from across the province. Each individual named to the FEO Hall of Fame is someone who has dedicated their career to the festival and event industry and who has made a lasting contribution to their community, festival, event or organization.
FEO would like to congratulate the following 2024 Inductees.
Ann Barker – Ticketpro Canada Inc.
A seasoned Director of Operations and Business Development, with over 30 years in the festival and event box office and ticketing industry.
A Wilfrid Laurier University graduate, Ann has orchestrated and executed hundreds of conferences and conventions. She brings a wealth of expertise in non-profit organizations, business planning, sales, customer relationship management, and the hospitality sector.
Her leadership and experience proved invaluable, as she helped steer Festivals and Events Ontario through the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic while President of the organization. Ann's enduring impact and extensive experience make her a standout candidate for the FEO Hall of Fame.
Dave Miller – Burlington Sound of Music Festival
Dave Miller went from being a seasoned professional with two decades of experience in the manufacturing field, to seamlessly pivoting into event management. showcasing unparalleled dedication and leadership.
From high school Social Convener to Executive Director of Burlington's Sound of Music Festival for 13 years, Dave was known for his relentless work ethic, leadership, and unparalleled dedication to bringing live music to the masses.
Dave's profound commitment to music and the arts was evident, through successful band selections at the festival to consulting for arts organizations.
He is Extensively certified in business administration, event execution, and board governance. Serving on boards like FEO for over 6 years. Dave also has a passion for volunteering at diverse organizations like Red Cross and Big Brothers.
With his impressive history in our industry and significant contributions to tourism, Dave is a perfect candidate for the FEO Hall of Fame
Rosemarie Garrity O’Brien – Town of Collingwood
Rosemarie was a key figure in the creation and operation of the annual Collingwood Elvis Festival for the majority of its 25-year history. She was instrumental in its growth and development… getting more than 10,000 annual visitors to support the festival and Collingwood. It is a legacy of which the Town and community are very proud…thanks in part to Rosemarie's service.
Rosemarie has also been a key id developing and planning other festivals in the community and region including Sidelaunch Days and the Collingwood Art Crawl to name a few.
Her goal is to ensure that Collingwood continues to grow as a favourite destination for performers. Rosemarie seeks out new talent, develops new venue concepts and maintains relationships with a rolodex of artists. Her latest passion is to grow the municipal busker program.
Rosemarie is the backbone of the Town of Collingwood and a very deserving new member in the FEO Hall of Fame.
The “IMAGINE” 2024 Festivals & Events Ontario Conference was held in Niagara Falls, Ontario from February 26-28, 2024.
Media Contact:
Jay Nijhuis
Marketing & Communications Manager
Festivals and Events Ontario
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www.festivalsandeventsontario.com
519-742-2226
About Festivals & Events Ontario
Festivals & Events Ontario (FEO) was established in 1987 as an association devoted to the growth and stability of the festival and event industry in Ontario. FEO supports a lively, engaged and dedicated festival and events industry by sharing knowledge, enabling networking and providing leadership on education, advocacy and promotion. FEO operates Canada’s largest dedicated festival and event Conference, publishes and distributes an annual consumer guide, promotes its industry festival supplier goods and services and oversees an industry-leading awards recognition program. The festivals and events industry in Ontario is estimated to generate in excess of $2.3 billion annually in contribution to regional GDP, create/sustain approximately 50,000 full-year-equivalent jobs and foster approximately $1 billion dollars in taxes at all levels of government.