McAllen Wins Highest Designation & Multiple Awards from International Festivals & Events Association

 Representatives from Cities World-wide gathered for 70^th Annual Convention

The City of McAllen recently earned 49 awards, including an international designation and a coveted industry honor, at the Pinnacle Awards and the World Festival & Event City Awards during the 70th Annual International Festivals & Events Association Convention, Expo and Retreat, held last week in Palm Springs, California.

The awards recognize the outstanding accomplishments, top-quality creative, promotional, operational and community outreach programs produced by events around the world.

The professional competition drew entries from some of the world’s top festivals and events, Winning entries came from organizations as diverse as the Cherry Creek Arts Festival in Denver, CO; the Dublin Irish Festival in Dublin, OH; the Pasadena Tournament of Roses in Pasadena, CA; the Philadelphia Flower Show in Philadelphia, PA; Celebrations of Traditions Pow Wow in San Antonio, TX; Canada Together in Vancouver, BC, Canada; Vivid Sydney in Sydney, Australia; Chiang Mai Blooms in Bangkok, Thailand; and Rome Future Week® in Roma, Italy.

Earning top accolades from our city: The McAllen Holiday Parade; MXLAN; South Pole Illuminated Festival; McAllen International CarFest; McAllen Marathon Scott Crane Running Series; and various events from Quinta Mazatlán and the McAllen Public Library.

Pinnacle awards were handed out in 73 categories including: TV/Radio; Social; Multi-Media; Print; and Merchandise; Sponsorship; Emergency Preparedness; and Entertainment programs.

The highest award dubbed the Grand Pinnacle, was given to the World Birding Center Quinta Mazatlán for McAllen’s Great Monarch Month. The McAllen Public Library was also honored with a prestigious IFEA Pinnacle Award for its innovative volunteer program, spotlighting the Teen Advisory Committee whose year-round leadership and service enrich library programs, support city events, and create meaningful opportunities for local youth.

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McAllen Wins Big at IFEA Award Ceremony/page 2 of 2

Additionally, the City of McAllen was awarded IFEA’s highest honor: named an IFEA World Festival and Event City, along with Dublin, Ireland; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Rotterdam, Netherlands; and Vaughan, Ontario, Canada.

“Festivals and events create tremendous community and economic capital in the markets they serve, but their success and sustainability depend on the partnership and support of our community. McAllen’s recognition on the international stage is proof of that partnership in action. I am especially proud of our dedicated staff, the men and women who stay late, show up with creativity, and continually bring their best to our community. They are, quite literally, the reason for the season, and these awards reflect their commitment to making McAllen a city that shines year-round,” said, City Manager Isaac Tawil.

The City of McAllen received 23 gold, 15 silver and 11 bronze Pinnacle Awards for the McAllen Holiday Parade, presented by H-E-B and powered by Bert Ogden Auto Group, as well as the multiple events hosted by Quinta Mazatlán, including Planta Nativa and McAllen’s Great Monarch Month; the McAllen Public Library’s World Languages Festival and South Texas Book Festival; the McAllen Convention Center’s CarFest, South Pole Illuminated Festival, and MXLAN; and the McAllen Parks & Recreation Department’s McAllen Marathon.