9a Pre-Conference Workshop (additional cost)
Unlocking AI for Events and Marketing Success (Sponsored by Ubhill One)
Presenter: WhirLocal
Riverside B

Kick off the conference with this dynamic pre-conference session presented by WhirLocal. Together we’ll cut through the buzz and confusion around artificial intelligence, helping you understand what AI is, what it isn’t, and how it can be a practical tool for your organization.
You’ll learn how to build a consistent brand voice and identify your ideal audience so your messaging aligns across every department and channel. Then we’ll go hands-on with industry-specific CustomGPTs, showing you how to create tools tailored to your own use cases. Whether you’re curious about AI or ready to put it to work, this session will equip you with clarity, confidence, and real-world strategies.

11a Conference Registration Opens

1:30p Welcome to THE Conference
Kick off the conference with a warm welcome, key highlights, and a look at what’s ahead for three days of learning, networking, and inspiration.

2:40p Breakout Sessions
Weather-Proofing Your Event Panel
moderator: Brandi Ebner, Deschutes County Fair
Seaside A/B

Join our expert panel for a practical conversation on preparing your event for unpredictable weather. From heat waves and high winds to smoke, rain, and lightning, we’ll cover how to assess risks, build contingency plans, and make clear, timely decisions when conditions shift. You’ll also learn what tools, partnerships, and local resources can help strengthen your emergency readiness, support real-time communication, and keep your attendees, volunteers, and staff safe—no matter what the forecast says.

The Parade Playbook
Cindy Kerby, Lebanon Strawberry Festival
Riverside A

Parades are a highlight of many festivals, but behind the music, floats, and fun lies a world of careful coordination. We’ll explore strategies for creating a smooth and engaging experience. Gain practical tools to keep your parade running seamlessly while maximizing community enjoyment and participation.

Brains, Heart, and Courage: Contracts That Keep You on the Right Path
Michael Jonas, Narwhal Law and Business Strategy
Riverside B

From vendor agreements to waivers, learn the essential contracts that give your organization the brains to plan smart, the heart to build trust, and the courage to move forward.

3:50p Breakout Sessions
Building Buzz with Micro-Influencers
Jacob Espinoza, @whatshappeningsalem
Riverside A

When it comes to promoting your event, you don’t always need celebrity status or big ad budgets to make an impact. Micro-influencers are local voices with small but highly engaged audiences, and they can be powerful allies in spreading the word and building authentic excitement. In this session, we’ll explore practical strategies to tap into these community voices and create a ripple effect of awareness, trust, and attendance.

Sponsorship 101: Building Partnerships That Last
Scott Ingalls, 360 Events NW
Seaside A/B

Whether you’re new to sponsorships or looking to refresh your approach, this session covers the fundamentals of creating value for both your organization and your sponsors. Learn how to identify prospects, craft proposals, and build relationships that grow year after year.

From Kickoff to Curtain Call: Energizing Your Event Team
Chris Breshears, Best Western Premier Boulder Falls Inn
Riverside B

Volunteers and staff are the heartbeat of every event. In this session, we’ll explore practical ways to motivate, appreciate, and retain your team so they stay energized and engaged from planning to wrap-up.

5p Dinner on the Town
Check-in at the lobby no later than 5:30pm for your Dining Vouchers, then enjoy dinner at one of Seaside’s great restaurants.

7p We Welcome You to Munchkinland (Sponsored by Funtastic)
Necanicum Room
Kick off the conference with a fun and casual evening in Munchkinland! Enjoy networking, games, music from The Junebugs, and karaoke in a relaxed setting perfect for reconnecting and meeting new friends. Plus, a drone show by SkyLites (weather permitting).

9:30a Breakout Sessions
Event Ops in Action
moderator: Scott Ingalls, 360 Events NW
Seaside A/B

Join a panel of experienced producers and operations managers for a candid discussion about what really goes into running successful events. From infrastructure and safety to communication and timing, you’ll gain insights that make your next event smoother, safer, and more efficient.

Setting the Stage for Success
Courtney Latham, Flip Flop Sounds
Riverside A

Every great performance relies on strong stage management and a thorough advance process. This session will walk you through best practices for coordinating with performers, technical crews, and vendors to ensure smooth transitions and on-time shows. Learn how to anticipate needs, manage last-minute changes, and keep everyone in sync so the audience never sees the chaos behind the curtain.

I’ll Take Oregon Liquor Laws for $200
Emily Zajac, Oregon Beverage Services
Riverside B

Think you know the ins and outs of Oregon’s liquor laws? Test your knowledge in this interactive, Jeopardy-style session designed to make OLCC rules easy to understand (and maybe even a little fun). You’ll walk away with practical know-how to keep your event compliant and your attendees happy.

10:40a Breakout Sessions
Stories that Stick: Creating Reels & Stories
Jacob Espinoza, @whatshappeningsalem
Riverside A

Short-form video is one of the most powerful ways to grab attention and connect with audiences on social media, but it can feel intimidating to start. This hands-on session takes the mystery out of creating Reels and Stories by walking you step-by-step through the process.

Vendor Revenue: More Than the Booth Fee
Brandi Ebner, Deschutes County Fair
Seaside A/B

Vendors and attractions are a vital part of any event’s success and a key revenue stream. This session will explore best practices for setting and auditing vendor fees, managing pay-to-play attractions, and ensuring systems that support both your event’s bottom line and your vendor partners. Get insights on balancing transparency, compliance, and profitability while keeping vendors eager to return year after year. This session will have plenty of time dedicated to vendor and attraction Q&A!

No Parking on the Yellow Brick Road! Managing Event & Festival Parking Challenges
Jill Ingalls, 360 Events NW
Riverside B

Parking is often the least-optimized part of an event. This session explores how traffic flow, space management, and finding data points—like turnover per parking spot and average people per car—can improve your revenue, guest satisfaction and support smart parking plans. We’ll look at volunteer, VIP, and staff parking versus customer parking, when to charge for parking, how to forecast its value, and practical ways to make limited space feel bigger, faster, and easier for guests to navigate.

Noon Lunch
Annual Meeting
Pacific Room
Join us over lunch for OFEA’s annual member meeting, including organization updates, future plans, and board nominations.

1p Trade Show
Pacific Room
Connect with industry suppliers, discover new products and services, and build valuable partnerships with businesses that support festivals and events. Play the Trade Show Trading Card game and win prizes!

2p Roundtable Reviews
Beyond the Session
all breakout rooms
A chance to take what you’ve learned and expand it. Meet with session speakers for more insights and deeper discussion. You can ask questions, share thoughts, and connect with others.

2:50p Breakout Sessions
Follow the Yellow Brick Road: Your Organizational Readiness Checklist
Michael Jonas, Narwhal Law and Business Strategy
Seaside A/B

Step by step, learn what every nonprofit and for-profit needs in order, from governance to operations, so you don’t get lost in the poppy fields of disorganization.

Streamlining Event Operations with AI & Automation
Tim Fahndrich, WhirLocal
Riverside B

Discover how AI assistants and automation tools can simplify your event planning from start to finish. Learn practical ways to improve communication, coordination, and follow-up—saving time and reducing stress so you can focus on creating exceptional events.

Private Security Requirements for Events and Festivals
Carissa White, Dept. of Public Safety Standards and Training
Riverside A

A compliance investigator from the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training, the agency that regulates private security in the state of Oregon, will go through what is needed for the private security at your event or festival to be in compliance with the Private Professional & Certification Program. The session will include the proper way to utilize crowd management or guest services staff and volunteers throughout your event.

4p Breakout Sessions
The Attendee Experience Is Everything, & It Starts With Your Why
Ryan Kintz, Afton Tickets
Seaside A/B

Event creators are being crushed by rising costs, shrinking attention spans, & a world that keeps trying to automate the human touch out of everything. The result? Events that look good on paper, but feel stressful, confusing, and forgettable in real life.
Ryan Kintz breaks down the real driver of revenue & longevity: how your event feels to the attendee - and why reconnecting to your “Why” is the fastest cure for burnout and the clearest path to building a loyal, returning crowd. You will leave with practical frameworks to improve first impressions, reduce friction, increase repeat attendance, and turn word-of-mouth into your most reliable growth engine.

Asking the Right Questions: Supplier Panel
moderator: Haley Hamilton, HBA of Marion/Polk Counties
Riverside B

When it comes to working with suppliers, you don’t always know what you don’t know. This panel brings together experienced suppliers to share what information they need from you, what questions you should be asking when requesting bids, and how to avoid costly miscommunications. Learn how to build stronger vendor relationships and get the most value for your event.

5:30p Festivalpalooza Reception & Silent Auction
Let’s celebrate all the festivals and events of the past year and enjoy an evening of fun while bidding on unique items and experiences in support of OFEA’s programs and scholarships.

6:30p Dinner
Ovations! Awards
Pacific Room
Celebrate excellence in Oregon’s festival and event industry as we honor outstanding events, volunteers, sponsors, and partners.

8p Hospitality Night
Emerald City After Party (Sponsored by Oregon Beverage Services)
Necanicum Room
Follow the yellow brick road to the Emerald City! After the Ovation Awards, celebrate with music from Joseph Linahon, games, and entertainment. Don your ruby red shoes (or full Wizard of Oz costume!) and join the fun for an unforgettable night at OFEA Conference. Prizes for the best costume!!

9:30a Breakout Sessions
Websites That Wow: Smart Design for Festivals and Events
Royle Johnson, Royle Media
Seaside A/B

Your website is often the first impression potential attendees, sponsors, and vendors have of your event. In this session, we’ll explore best practices in event website design, from creating clear navigation and mobile-friendly layouts to highlighting key information like schedules, ticketing, and vendor opportunities. Learn how to build (or improve) a site that not only looks great but also drives engagement, boosts attendance, and supports your overall event goals.

When Things Go Sideways: Open Forum
moderator: Cindy Kerby, Gateway Imprints
Riverside A

Dorothy isn’t the only one who can survive a storm! Every event producer has a story… a power outage, surprise downpour, porta-potty fiasco, or a missing main stage act. In this open forum, we invite you to share your own disaster stories that tested you, taught you, and shaped how you plan today. Commiserate with others that survived the storm and see if you can learn a few new tricks!

Protecting the Experience: A Practical Guide to Security, Screening, & Guest Operations
Mike Goff, Event Pros NW
Riverside B

This comprehensive session gives fair and event professionals a practical, real-world playbook for running safe, smooth, guest-friendly events. Drawing from nearly 30 years of operational experience, Mike Goff covers essential best practices in event security, gate screening, crowd management, alcohol compliance, parking operations, and guest services. Learn how to build strong pre-event plans, ensure efficient and welcoming entry points, train and deploy effective staff, coordinate with public safety, and implement the latest technology in event safety. Perfect for fairs, festivals, and large event producers seeking actionable strategies they can apply immediately.

11a Roundtable Reviews
Beyond the Session
all breakout rooms
A chance to take what you’ve learned and expand it. Meet with session speakers for more insights and deeper discussion. You can ask questions, share thoughts, and connect with others.

Noon Lunch
Out with a Flash (Sponsored by Western Display)
Pacific Room
Wrap up the conference with one last opportunity to connect, reflect, and leave energized with fresh ideas and new connections. Plus, raffle drawings and prizes!