The International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA), together with long-time sponsor Haas & Wilkerson Insurance, proudly honored the 30th Anniversary of the IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards on Monday, September 22, 2025, held this year in Palm Springs, California. At the Pinnacle Awards Ceremony, the IFEA paid tribute to Macon, Georgia’s International Cherry Blossom Festival, which received 17 awards in the prestigious 2025 IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards Competition. Awards were received in the following categories:
GOLD
- Best Parade – Cherry Blossom Parade in partnership with 41NBC
- Best Printed Materials – Communications Strategy created by Jessica Walden for the Festival
- Best Organization Website – Created by The Miner Agency
SILVER
- Best Radio Promotion – Produced by Cumulus Media Macon
- Best Event Mobile App – Cherry Blossom Festival App
- Best Instagam Site – @pinkestparty
- Best Digital/Social Ad Series – Cherry Blossom Festival Graphics
- Best Commemorative Posted – 2025 Art Print produced by Larry Najera
- Best Promotional Photograph – The Cherry Blossom Trees at Third Street Park at night
- Best Outdoor Billboard – Cherry Blossom Billboard promoting the Festival
- Best Street Banner – Pink Street Banners
- Best Pin or Button – 2025 Pin
- Best Individual Sponsor Follow-Up Report – Amazon
- Best Sponsor Partner – Amazon
BRONZE
- Best Festival/Event Merchandise – Cherry Blossom Keychain
- Best Sponsor Gift – Pink Resuable Solo Cup
- Best Overall Sponsorship Program
The 2025 Cherry Blossom Festival was executed by President and CEO Stacy Moore and her team along with the Board of Directors, Board Chair Karla Redding-Andrews, and Festival Chair Kenna Scragg. The 2026 Festival will take place March 20-29, 2026. For programming and more information, visit https://cherryblossom.com.
About the Cherry Blossom Festival: The Cherry Blossom Festival through its diverse programming and events enhances sense of place, quality of life, community fellowship, and civic pride of all Macon and Middle Georgia residents. The Festival achieves this through economic impact, veterans support, educational opportunities, showcasing local organizations and artists, and community coordination of recreational, cultural, and social activities.
About the IFEA: Sponsored by industry leader Haas & Wilkerson Insurance, the Pinnacle Awards Competition recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of festivals and events from around the world and continues to be the gold standard of achievement and inspiration for the global festivals and events industry. This year’s entries came from a diverse range of events across the globe — including submissions from North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and beyond — reflecting the growing international reach of the IFEA and the universal celebration of community and culture.
Winning organizations included the Cherry Creek Arts Festival (CO), Dublin Irish Festival (OH), Fur Rendezvous (AK), Pasadena Tournament of Roses (CA), Kentucky Derby Festiva (KY), Canada Together (Canada), Púca Festival (Ireland), Vivid Sydney (Australia), Festival Lent (Slovenia), ÖRVÉNYESVÖLGY FESTIVAL (Hungary), Baekje Cultural Festival (South Korea), Chiang Mai Flower Festival (Thailand), and many more. In total, awards were presented across 64 categories, honoring excellence in areas such as Marketing & Communications (TV, Radio, Social Media, Print), Merchandising, Sponsorship, Accessibility, Emergency Preparedness, Children’s Programming, Educational Outreach, and more. “We’re proud to celebrate this major milestone with our 30th year of the Pinnacle Awards,” said Steven Wood Schmader, CFEE, President & CEO of the IFEA. “These awards showcase the incredible innovation, passion, and dedication of festival and event professionals around the world. The Pinnacle Awards not only set the standard for excellence in our industry — they help elevate and inspire new ideas and best practices across all budgets and locations.”
Headquartered in Boise, Idaho, the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) is The Premier Association Supporting and Enabling Festival & Event Professionals Worldwide. In partnership with global affiliates under the umbrellas of IFEA Africa, IFEA Asia, IFEA Australia, IFEA Europe, IFEA Latin America, IFEA Middle East (MENASA), and IFEA North America, the organization’s common vision is for “A Globally United Industry that Touches Lives in a Positive Way through Celebration.” The Association offers the most complete source of ideas, resources, information, education and networking for festival and event professionals worldwide.
- For a complete list of 2025 Pinnacle Winners go to: ifea.com/p/industryawards/pinnacleawards/pastpinnaclewinners
- Photos of all winning recipients can be found at: https://www.ifea.com/p/industryawards/pinnacleawards/pastpinnaclewinners/pinnaclewinnerphotos
- For more information about the IFEA, go to: ifea.com
