Festival organizers offered tips on event improvement

The top mistake of those planning and managing community festivals and events is not understanding that the effort is “a full-time job that requires a lot of planning,” noted Kristine Puckett.

Puckett, with the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, said the Arkansas Festivals and Events Association has plenty of materials to help those handling an event for the first time.

More than 80 of the more than 600 gathered in Fort Smith for the 35th Annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism gathered for Puckett’s presentation, “Festivals & Events — Bring Money to Your Community.”

Key factors in having a successful festival or event include:
• A focus on “going green;”
• Kid-friendly;
• Using virtual messaging tools like Facebook and Flickr;
• Conducting surveys to find out what attendees liked and didn’t like.

Focusing on what will attract children can help attract parents and can encourage parents to return in subsequent years. Some kid-friendly options for a festival includes gymnastic performances, magicians, a “tween area,” and a Nintendo Wii room.

Puckett also said festival organizers should do more to reach all members of the local and regional media.

“Go to the media if they won’t come to you,” Puckett advised.

She said a media kit is always a good idea, and should include photos and a press release (physical and electronic), tickets and clever handouts or gifts.

One of the more important things to do is ensure the festival is “green.” Puckett said “going green” mantra is now an accepted practice, and festivals who forsake green practices may create media troubles.

“We have to keep this in mind for our festivals. The last thing we want to see the media catch us dumping french fry grease in a pond,” Puckett said.

Puckett also advised festival organizers to have a written safety plan in case of an emergency. She said police, fire and other emergency service departments are often willing to help create an emergency action plan.