The Washington Festivals & Events Association (WFEA) is a nonprofit tax-exempt 501(c)6 Washington State corporation dedicated to promoting the common business interests of the festivals and events industry in Washington State .  The Association seeks to assist members and the special event industry to improve and advance industry standards by providing professional education, leadership development, and technical assistance state-wide for the festivals & events industry.  The association serves all manners of the event production industry including: chambers of commerce, community based non-profits, visitor and convention bureaus, parks departments, government agencies, fairs, vendors, suppliers, consultants and hosts of volunteers.

Annually sponsored programs include the Northwest Festivals & Events Convention & Expo, regional seminars, technical assistance, professional networking, and industry publications such as the festival calendar of events magazine. 60,000 copies of the festival calendar magazine are distributed throughout Washington state at no cost so that visitors and communities may share, celebrate, and experience the heritage and unique character of our communities.

Community festivals and events play a vital role in a region’s identity branding directly affecting their tourism and economic development potentials. WFEA has continually worked to improve the understanding, recognition and appreciation of festivals and events in this complex community identify and economic process.  Where else does a community come together to share and celebrate their arts, heritage and unique characteristics with the visitor marketplace.  As a result, Washington 's festival and special events industry makes a valuable contribution, both economically and culturally to the people of the Evergreen State . The community events held throughout the year generate millions of dollars for the economy as the events attract millions of visitors.

The Washington Festivals & Events Association has been producing annual a professional development conference for the past nineteen (19) years.  This year, the Association is expanding its role in support of the industry to the greater northwest region.  Industry partners from Alaska , British Columbia , Washington , Oregon , Idaho , Montana , Utah , and Wyoming will be invited to attend the 2012 convention to be in Blaine , Washington at the Semiahmoo Resort.

As a super regional conference, WFEA is providing you with the opportunity to join us in partnership to provide the premier industry event in the greater Pacific Northwest .  Over thirty (30) professional development sessions will be presented during the three day conference and we expect over forty (40) exhibitors who will market the specialty equipment and supplies for this unique industry.

The Washington Festivals & Events Association (WFEA) mission is to support and advance the professional development of staff, Board members and volunteers in the festival and special events industry. It is the standing policy of the WFEA Board of Directors to provide scholarships to its regional seminars and annual convention and expo to fulfill this mission.

This year, WFEA is pleased to offer two full registrations to its 19^th Annual Northwest Festivals & Events Convention & Expo, March 25-27^th, 2012 in Blaine Washington .  Our host property this year is the Semiahmoo Resort. The Resort is located right on Drayton Harbor, and is recognized as one of the top resort properties in the Pacific Northwest.

Click here to download the 2012 Scholarship Application.