INDIANAPOLIS (October 10, 2018) – The 500 Festival, a nonprofit organization providing life-enriching events and programs that celebrate the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500®, today announces that the organization was presented with 11 industry honors during the IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards Ceremony held at the 63^rd Annual IFEA Convention, Expo & Retreat in San Diego. The 500 Festival won awards in the following categories:

Gold Pinnacle Award:

• Best Targeted Sponsor Solicitation - Planet Fitness sponsorship of Running Club Village for the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon

Silver Pinnacle Awards:

• Best Event Invitation – KeyBank 500 Festival Snakepit Ball invitation
• Best Parade - IPL 500 Festival Parade
• Best Children’s Programming – 500 Festival Youth Fitness Programs: 500 Festival KidsFit Program; Salesforce & JPMorgan Chase 500 Festival Rookie Run; 500 Festival mini-mini
• Best Community Outreach Program – 500 Festival Princess Program, presented by Reis-Nichols Jewelers
• Best Event within an Existing Festival - IPL 500 Festival Parade
• Best Miscellaneous Clothing - OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon participant shirt

Bronze Pinnacle Awards:

• Best Full Length TV Program - IPL 500 Festival Parade broadcast
• Best Individual Sponsor Follow-Up Report – 500 Festival Recap for Meijer (2018)
• Best Educational Program - 500 Festival Leadership Development Program, presented by BKD
• Best Program Within and Event to Benefit a Cause – The Gold Mile, part of the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon

“We are proud to be recognized as an organization that produces highly distinguished events and programs,” said Bob Bryant, president and CEO, 500 Festival. “To be honored from within the industry by our peers is a true compliment to the staff, volunteers, and the Indianapolis community that work year-round to ensure that we fulfill our mission to produce life-enriching events and programs.”

Each year, the International Festivals and Events Association recognizes the outstanding accomplishments and first-class promotional, operational, and community outreach programs and materials produced by festivals and events around the world during a 3 day convention, expo & retreat. The industry competition draws entries from organizations such as the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, the Kentucky Derby Festival, the National Cherry Blossom Festival, and major events across Europe, Asia, and Australia.

“We would like to congratulate the 500 Festival on their outstanding entries into this year’s competition,” said IFEA President & CEO, Steven Wood Schmader, CFEE. “The IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards Competition recognizes the outstanding accomplishments and top quality creative, promotional, operational and community outreach programs and materials produced by festivals and events around the world.  Striving for the highest degree of excellence in festival and event promotions and operations in every budget level and every corner of the globe, this competition has not only raised the standards and quality of the festivals and events industry to new levels, but also shows how event producers can use innovation and creativity to achieve a higher level of success.”

To learn more about 500 Festival’s events and programs, please visit www.500festival.com.

About the 500 Festival

Founded in 1957, the 500 Festival is a not-for-profit organization that produces more than 50 life-enriching events and programs while celebrating the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500 and fostering positive impact on the city of Indianapolis and state of Indiana. One of the largest festivals in the nation, each year more than half a million people attend an event or program produced by the 500 Festival. Since its founding, the 500 Festival has contributed more than $400 million in economic value to Indianapolis. To learn more about the 500 Festival, please visit www.500festival.com, follow us on Twitter @500festival, or on Facebook.

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Media Contact: Sabrina List, 500 Festival

317.614-6141 | slist@500festival.com