For as long as anyone can remember, people have celebrated. Celebration itself is perhaps the most common denominator that we have, with the unique ability to cross all barriers of race, religion, ethnicity, age, politics, economics, education and geography. From small, localized celebrations to mega-events with global outreach, ours is an industry that is built around dreams and imagination and the people who understand not only the importance of dreaming, but know how to make them come true. We are an industry of "memory makers." We are also community builders, storytellers, vision painters, bridge builders, ambassadors, and the purveyors of possibility. We bring families, friends, communities, countries and peoples together. We help them celebrate the special things in their lives, inspire them to see more, and provide the spark that allows them to light the world around them. That is the gift that our industry brings to the world and that is the legacy that we will leave.
For the past 60 years, the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA World) has been given (by those who shared their vision and trusted their legacy to us) the honor of representing and furthering this important industry. Of bringing together the best and the brightest; the leaders of the past, the present and the future; the educators and the practitioners; government leaders and corporate sponsors; tourism, media and technology trend setters; event volunteers, staffs and Boards of Directors; ‘Experience Management’ professionals at every level who continue to expand the possibilities that await us, in a world that needs us now more than ever before.
During this year’s IFEA 60th Anniversary Convention & Expo we will take time to celebrate and reflect upon our journey so far, with ‘all our relations’ around the world who have played so many important roles in getting us to this special milestone. But we will also look to the future, planning and remembering, as Walt Disney reminded us all sixty years ago at the opening of Disneyland, that "Today, we are the shapers of the world of tomorrow." With that in mind, we invite you and ‘all your relations’ to join your professional peers in Tucson, Arizona, U.S.A., at the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa, this September 21st – 23rd, 2015 (three full days*) for what promises to be a very special industry gathering.
(Note: The IFEA 60th Anniversary Convention footprint has been expanded this year, with sessions running through 5:30pm on Wednesday, September 23rd, 2015.)
The world of cash, ticket, token, wristband, credit card and other transactions, onsite and online, continues to grow and evolve every day, bringing with it new opportunities and new challenges; the potential for increased revenue, but also higher expenses; the expectation of convenience, together with the increased risk and liability of cyber-hacking. Can older systems (tokens, tickets, etc.) keep pace and evolve? Can newer systems (cards, RFID wristbands, smart phones) succeed without the risk of disrupting operations, budgets and relationships with long-time vendors and attendees? Come join us and participate as our panel of experts discusses and explores the best options for transacting success...today and into the future.