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2019 Winners

For the past 25 years, the Florida Festivals & Events Association has celebrated our members' achievements in event marketing, programming, service and innovation through the Sunsational Awards.

The Sunsational Awards are judged in three different budget levels and 19 different categories. Members may submit one item per category per event for nomination.

We had a record number of more than 500 submissions for the Sunsational Awards and we are thrilled to honor over 40 organizations and individuals representing over 140 events.

Congratulations to the following organizations on winning at least one award this year!

ArtFest Fort Myers, Inc.
Blue-Grey Army, Inc
Boynton Beach CRA
City of Boca Raton
City of Boynton Beach
City Of Clearwater
City of Clermont
City of Coconut Creek
City of Coral Springs
City of Gainesville
City of Hialeah
City of Lake Worth Beach
City of North Port
City of Oakland Park
City of Orlando
City of Ormond Beach
City of Oviedo
City of Parkland
City of Pinellas Park

City of Pompano Beach
City Of Tamarac
City Of West Palm Beach
City of Wildwood
Clay County Agricultural Fair
Coconut Grove Arts Festival
Collier County Fair & Exposition
Dania Beach CRA
Eventfest, Inc.
Evergreen Lifestyles Management
Florida Renaissance Festival
Florida State Fair
Florida State University
Fort Myers Beach Friends of the Arts
HistoryMiami Musem
Lee County VCB
Leesburg Partnership, Inc.
Lion Country Safari
Marine Industries Assoc. of S. FL

Orange County Arts
Palm Beach County Public Affairs
Palm Beach North Chamber
Panama City Beach CVB
Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival
Pompano Beach CRA
Rebekah's Dreams Entertainment & Production Services
Schmidt Family Centre for the Arts
Seabreeze Jazz Festival
South Florida Fair
South Lake Chamber of Commerce
Sugar Sand Park Community Center
Susan G. Komen Florida
Town Of Orange Park
Village of Wellington
Visit Lake
Visit Sebring
West Palm Beach DDA
Winterfest, Inc.

Award Winners (in alpha order by budget category)

Award Winner Presentation

Check out our Facebook Page for a Full Gallery of Award Winners.

Distinguished Awards

Winners of the Distinguished Awards are nominated by their peers for their innovation, dedication to the industry and demonstration of leadership.

Innovative Event or Project

CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH - SIX EVENTS IN SIX MONTHS

In the summer of 2018, the City of Boynton Beach embarked on a 2-year, $500 million redevelopment project in the downtown area. It was a very controversial project - several of the City’s most valued public land and facilities would be demolished to make room for modern 5-story public buildings, housing units, and parking garages on a 16-acre area in the City’s small prime downtown area.

Several long time, well-known significant landmarks would soon be demolished along with the history and memories that accompanied each one.

Understanding the impact this would have on the community, Eleanor Krusell created “6 Events in 6 Months” – a plan to involve the community in the process of revitalizing the downtown area.

By creating these innovative events, Eleanor and her team created lasting memories and treasured mementos for residents and the results showed through social media.

Emerging Leader

KRISTINE JARRIEL

Kristine has successfully navigated working in the ever-changing environment of local government for almost 10 years. She always recognizes that creativity comes before capital and that large budgets are not required to manage successful programs and events. With the right mix of positivity, the ability to tap into others’ strengths and thinking outside the box, she has initiated and sustained the use of social media and other marketing tools to improve and expand existing programs and events as well as test new programs and events. She puts her loyalty and the passion for the betterment of her colleagues and stakeholders ahead of her own career.

She is the ultimate dedicated employee that wears multiple hats and gets things done. Kristine’s energy and resilience is contagious and she successfully delivers excellence in any engagement. She is an inspiration to all around her and a Great-Company critical asset.

In addition to her role as Project Manager for the Village of Wellington, she also volunteers her time as a Marketing Committee Member for FFEA and has spent countless hours and creative energy designing most of this year’s Conference promotional materials and signage. She is an invaluable asset to FFEA and to her team at the Village of Wellington.

Supplier of the Year

CASH TO GO, INC.

Cash to Go has been in business for 20 Years, offering nationwide service with a 99% customer satisfaction rate. The Company upholds the highest standards for the services it provides, and there is no distinction between “big and small” clients when it comes to the quality of service offered. Their commitment to professionalism and best practice is embraced by every staff member at every level, regardless of their position.

It is the extreme efforts of Donna Michola and her team that sets apart CASH TO GO, INC. to be the finest example of an industry leader.

For more information on this year's awards program, visit our Sunsational Award Overview page or the Application Guidelines.