Stars of the Carolinas Excellence Awards
2012 Award Winners
The North Carolina Association of Festivals & Events and the South Carolina Festival and Event Association are proud to announce the 2011-2012 Excellence Awards winners. The winners were announced at the Carolina ShowFest 2012 convention held at the Charlotte University Hilton in Charlotte, NC on January 21-23, 2012. The convention was attended by about 250 festival event planners, professionals and students from both North and South Carolina. Associate members from sound, lighting, entertainment and a variety of festival logistics companies participated, hosted an exhibit hall and several showcases. The "Excellence Awards" allow the associations to honor and recognize the best of the best in the festival and events industry.
Overall Event of the Year: One winner selected from all the events
Christmasville, Rockhill, SC
Overall Recognition
One winner from South Carolina and one winner from North Carolina were selected for the following awards:
- Event of the Year
NC – NC Blueberry Festival, Burgaw, NC
SC – SC Strawberry Festival, Fort Mill, SC - Director of the Year
NC – NC Seafood Festival, Morehead City, NC –Stephanie McIntyre
SC – no nominations submitted - Volunteer of the Year
NC – Wilson Whirligig Festival, Wilson, NC – Hunt High School JROTC
SC – Christmasville, Rock Hill, SC – Jayne Hayes - Sponsor of the Year
NC – NC Pickle Festival, Mt Olive, NC – Town of Mt. Olive
SC – Christmasville, SC - Piedmont Medical Center - Associate Member of the Year
NC – Wilson Whirligig Festival, Wilson, NC – Leonard Buildings
SC – Aiken's Makin', Aiken, SC – All Star Rentals - Rising Star Award
NC –Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce, Brunswick, NC - Brunswick Stew Cook Off,
SC – no nominations were submitted - Green Award
NC – no nominations were submitted
SC – no nominations were submitted
For the following awards, selections were made combining SCFEA and NCAF&E entries. One winner is chosen for each category. - Photo of the Year - Garner Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources, Garner, NC - Eggstravaganza
- Best Sponsorship Packet - Christmasville, Rock Hill, SC
- Best Press Kit – Fayetteville Dogwood Festival, Fayetteville, NC
- Best Non-Print Media – NC Seafood Festival, Morehead City, NC – TV advertisement
- Best Website – Fall for Greenville, Greenville, SC
- Best Merchandise – SC Festival of Flowers, Greenwood, SC – foldable flower vase
- Best ShowFest Exhibitor - people's choice voted on during conference
Brinkley Amusements, Walnut Cove, NC - Best Service Provider – associate that provides outstanding service to an event or festival
Wilson Whirligig Festival, Wilson, NC – Dan Nelson Active Artist - Best Associate Website - no nominations were submitted
For the following awards, the entries are separated into three categories: (1) small – operating budget under $25,000, (2) medium- operating budget of $25,000-$65,000 and (3) large-operating budget over $65,000. Selections were made combining SCFEA and NCAF&E entries, for the following awards: - Best Brochure –
• Small: no award given
• Medium: NC Pickle Festival, Mt. Olive, NC
• Large: Christmasville, Rock Hill, SC - Best Print Media –
• Small: Imagine Children's Festival, Danville, VA – Print Ad
• Medium: Wilson Whirligig Festival, Wilson, NC – Festival Schedule
• Large: NC Apple Festival, Hendersonville, NC – Rack card - Best Event Poster –
• Small: Bright Leaf Brew Fest, Danville, VA
• Medium: Wilson Whirligig Festival - Wilson, NC
• Large: The Barbecue Festival, Lexington, NC - Best T-shirt –
• Small: NC Octoberfest, Jacksonville, NC
• Medium: Swansboro Rotary Oyster Roast, Jacksonville, NC
• Large: Aiken's Makin', Aiken, SC
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View Awards for Events/Event Planners
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Call for Entries
Overview
Download Complete Awards Form and Rules PDF
Download Complete Awards Form and Rules in Word Docx format
The Carolina ShowFest Awards Committee is excited to offer this year's STARS OF THE CAROLINAS ShowFest Excellence Awards to members of both the North Carolina Association of Festival & Events and the South Carolina Festival & Events Association.
Awards are part of the industry's reward and recognition programs. The ShowFest Excellence Awards are a long standing tradition of highlighting the best and brightest of festivals, events and associates across the Carolinas. Our full membership is dedicated to identifying the professionals that raise the bar and provide outstanding examples. We also use this program as a way to set new goals and standards for the profession. We can all learn from each other and give a hardy round of applause to those who distinguish themselves with great work. 
While many of the award categories lend to self-nomination, we encourage all planners and associates to take a wider look within our membership and submit nominations for other members who are leaders, do outstanding work and deserve recognition.
Questions? Please contact:
North Carolina Representative |
South Carolina Representative |
Theresa Mathis |
Jayne Scarborough |
Hints for Submitting Nominations
- Submit early. Don't let postal delays or weather storms keep your entry from being considered.
- In recommendation letters, give details, tell the stories, and help the judges really understand the full impact of the situation. Brief is great for speeches and prayers, but here – tell it all!
- Remember, you do not have to be present to win – so everyone can enter!
- Pick up your award submissions after the luncheon. We like to display the winners and unique items during the luncheon. We know everyone is in a hurry to pack, but please pick up entries on your way out.
Payment
- $5 per entry
- Make check payable to: Carolina ShowFest
- You may submit one check to pay for multiple submissions, but identify the check # on each form for proper tracking and documentation.
- Payment must accompany each entry. Entries without payment will be considered incomplete and will not be considered for awards.
Entry Form
- Complete one form per entry. Entry form provided below as PDF and WORD document.
- Clearly mark by checking off the award category. Only one per form.
- For award categories numbers 13 through 17, remember to mark your event size: small, medium, large
- For individual awards numbers 1 through 7 and number 19 include name and contact information of the individual being nominated.
- Don't forget to mark if you would like the entry item returned to you or if you are donating it for the Awards Luncheon door prizes.
Submitting Entries
- All entries must be received by Friday, January 6, 2012.
- Entries will be judged the following week, so no late entries will be accepted.
- Entries will not be accepted at the conference. (change from last year)
- Clearly mark each item with event and contact name in case item gets separated from entry form.
- Read over entry requirements carefully and follow guidelines. Some changes have been made.
Questions? Please contact:
North Carolina Rep – Theresa Mathis (252) 399-2308
Mail entries to:
Stars of the Carolinas – Showfest Awards
c/o Theresa Mathis, City of Wilson
Human Relations Office
112 N. Goldsboro Street
P.O. Box 10
Wilson, NC 27894-0010
Eligibility & Entry Procedures
- All nominees must be submitted by a SCFEA or NCAF&E member in good standing.
- While many of the award categories lend to self-nomination, we encourage all planners and associates to take a wider look within our membership and submit nominations for other members who are leaders, do outstanding work and deserve recognition.
- Materials submitted must have been used for the first time between January 1 – December 31, 2011.
- Each entry form must be completed in its entirety and accompanied by the $5 entry fee.
- Payment must be included with submission. Any entry without payment is considered incomplete and will not be reviewed by the judges.
- Each item submitted must be on its own entry form with payment attached. Do not group items.
- Each individual item/entry must be clearly labeled and identified on the back of the item.
- For ease of review, photos must be framed or mounted. Posters may be rolled or folded.
- Entries must be submitted in their original format, no duplications, copies or proofs accepted.
- The judges are volunteer professionals in the area of event planning, festival/fairs, promotions, graphics, tourism and public relations. Reviews of submissions are held prior to the conference and kept confidential.
- Award Committee members are volunteers and approved by the executive boards of both SCFEA and NCAF&E.
- Award Committee members may not submit nominations, but members of their festival/event may. Having a member on the Award Committee does not exclude your event from awards, as the judging and review are done by volunteer professionals, not the Award Committee itself.
- The Carolina ShowFest Excellence award winners will be announced during the Carolina ShowFest Conference Awards luncheon held on
Monday, January 23rd at 1:00 pm. All winners are kept confidential until the luncheon. You do not need to be present to win.
Winners will be posted on the SCFEA and NCAF&E websites after the conference. - All entries must be submitted no later than 5:00 pm on Monday- January 6, 2012. (same deadline for conference registration).
- Entries will not be accepted during the conference. Incomplete and late entries will not be accepted for judging.
- Pick up of award entries is immediately following the Awards Luncheon. Winning entries are often displayed during the luncheon. Items may not be retrieved before the luncheon. Members may not discuss awards with committee members or volunteers regarding winners, as this breaks the confidentiality agreement.
- Festival/Events may retrieve items submitted for review, but must leave the entry form with the Awards Committee for proper documentation and historical records.
- Any items not retrieved by 3 pm on the final day of the conference become the property of NCAFE/SCFEA and may be used for the benefit of either organization.
Letters of Recommendation Reminders
- Letters should be detailed and include specific, stories and examples related to award category.
- Due to the ease of duplication in our electronic society, letters of recommendation must be original and signed by the author. Electronic copies will not be accepted.
- All letters are preferred to be typed and printed on letterhead verifying the letter’s origination.
- Letters should be attached to each entry form.
Types of Awards for Events/Event Planners
While most award categories lend to self-nomination, we encourage all members to consider others members whom are leaders in our field, especially in the new categories.
- Event of the Year – This award recognizes the most outstanding event or festival of the year. Do you deserve the title? In addition to the state awards, one overall winner will be selected. Nominations must include a typed mission statement, goals of the event, estimated attendance, paid staff size, volunteer base, schedule of events and overall budget. Also, include a detailed description of the event's promotional campaign, special events, as well as samples of merchandise. Submission may be three-typed pages maximum and a display board of supporting material which is limited to 2 x 4 feet.
- Director of the Year – This award recognizes excellence in event management. Nominees should have demonstrated leadership, competence, achievement, ethical standards and a strong commitment to the festival industry. Please include a description of the nominee's contributions to the festival industry, as well as to their particular festival or event. Submissions may be two pages typed maximum.
- Volunteer of the Year - We are looking for that special person, or group, that was invaluable to the success of your festival or event. Please include a detailed description of what this person/group does to make your event a success and why you feel they deserve the award. Submissions may be one page typed maximum.
- Sponsor of the Year – This award is given to recognize the business, civic or service organization whose outstanding financial support and/or manpower to the festival/event sets an example for others in the community to follow. Please include a detailed description of what the sponsor has done for your event and why they deserve this award. Submissions may be one page typed maximum.
- Associate Member of the Year – A supporting member, or business, that provides a service or product to the festival and event industry, but is not directly engaged in the management of the event. This award is given to associate members who have shown exceptional leadership and cooperation in assisting event staff to meet their goals. Please include a detailed description of what the member does to set themselves apart, and why they deserve this award. Submissions may be two pages typed maximum.
- Rising Star Award – This award is given to recognize new events or festivals less than 5 years old. We are seeking events that provide a unique experience for their community. Please include when the event started, the goal, focus or purpose of the event, a listing of the key partners for the event , overall budget amount, estimated attendance and summary of growth, and basic event information such as schedule, promotions and merchandise. Submissions may be two pages typed maximum.
- Green Award – This award is given to recognize the event or festival that strives to reduce, recycle and reuse. Each year our events and festivals have a major impact on the environment. We are searching for the event that has made strides to minimize its footprint. Please include goals, strategies for reduction, changes for a lessened impact and results, and examples of how your event is "greener". Submissions may be one page typed maximum.
- Best Press Kit – includes printed and web based information; provide samples
- Best Non-Print Media - TV, Radio, Newspaper, Internet or PSA; submit a CD containing file and written script in case of electronic incompatibility
- Best Event Photo – color or black & white, photography only (not computer generated/manipulated)
- Best Sponsorship Packet – includes printed and web based information; provide samples
- Best Merchandise –pins, ornaments, cups, give away items, clothing (excluding t-shirts), etc…
- Best Event Website – internet presence or social media; website must be live and have content to be judged. If your event has passed, please reactivate during January for proper judging.
- Best Brochure (S/M/L) – tri-fold, bi-fold, color or black & white; submit your best overall brochure
- Best Print Media (S/M/L) – includes newspaper ad, magazine, billboard, flyers, handouts and additional print items such as programs, invitations, calendars, etc… (excluding brochures)
- Best Event Poster (S/M/L) – any size or style including promotional, fine arts or graphic
- Best T-shirt (S/M/L) – includes one or multi-color printed shirts
- Best ShowFest Exhibitor - people's choice voted on during conference, no entry required, all exhibitors will be eligible.
- Best Service Provider Associate – seeking nomination of associate members that provides outstanding service in a variety of areas and aids your event in achieving its goals. Submissions may be one page typed maximum.
- Best Associate Website - seeking nomination of associate member that provides valuable information through the internet. Submissions should include distinct examples of how the internet presence helps planners or associates.
Overall Recognition
One winner from South Carolina and one winner from North Carolina will be selected for the following awards:
Event Recognition
Selections will be made combining SCFEA and NCAF&E entries for the event recognitions awards. Based on the history of entries over the past several years, the event recognitions have been separated into single categories and small/medium/large categories.
One winning festival/event will be chosen in the following categories:
Three winners (small, medium, large*) will be selected in the following categories:
* Small = Festival Overall Budget of $25,000 or under
* Medium = Festival Overall Budget of $25,000 - $65,000
* Large = Festival Overall Budget $65,000 +
Types of Awards for Supporting/Associate Members
Associate Member Recognition
One winner will be selected for each award, combining SCFEA and NCAF&E entries for the following awards:
Volunteers and Awards Luncheon Door Prize Donations are needed. Please visit the Volunteers Page and Door Prize Page for details.
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