Excitement Surrounds Festival Management Improvements

Visit Madison, Inc. Board Votes Unanimously in Favor of Strategic Event Planning Changes

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Visit Madison, Inc., Executive Director, Tawana Thomas announced exciting changes to future festival operations and Visit Madison staffing. The changes will impact RiverRoots Folk Music Festival, Ribberfest Barbeque & Blues Event, and the Chautauqua Festival of Arts only, as they will now, because of the board vote, join the Candlelight Nights Before Christmas Tour as full-time ‘in-house’ coordinated events. 

According to Thomas, “Visit Madison has a very knowledgeable board filled with members who have served this community for many years and who are dedicated to expanding our tourism industry, continuously improving our Visit Madison events, and most importantly, strengthening ties between our community, our festivals, our volunteers and our  sponsors.” She added, “Recently, the board of directors of Visit Madison, Inc. voted unanimously to create two (2) new event management positions which will bring improved oversight and improve our ability to not only address community concerns but to expand our festival’s positive impact on our local economy and businesses.” Creating these two full-time event coordinator positions has been a top priority for Thomas since being hired by Visit Madison, Inc. in November of 2016. Over the course of the past couple of years Thomas and members of the board have researched and given great consideration to this recommendation and concluded that this change is necessary in order for Visit Madison to be more efficient, effective, and legal based on current economic trends, labor laws, and insurance coverage and requirements. 

Thomas noted that the current part-time event coordinators for Chautauqua and River Roots will continue to be paid for their services until the new full-time positions are filled and the transitional period is fully completed. The Ribberfest coordinator resigned her position at the end of 2018. At this time, planning for the 2019 Ribberfest event is being fully covered by dedicated event committee chairpersons, long-time volunteers and the staff of Visit Madison. 

The mission of Visit Madison, Inc. is to improve the quality of life and the economy of Jefferson County by increasing visitation and providing an outstanding visitor experience. Included in the nine member board are both city and county elected officials and hotel and tourism business representatives. Over the past year, the board has openly discussed the challenges the community has faced in relation to the growing number of festivals, the increase in each festival’s popularity and subsequent challenges for the community, volunteers and event coordinators. According to Thomas, “By bringing the two (2) full-time event coordinators in-house will allow us not only to expand our staff without additional cost but will provide additional accountability, greater access and support of sponsors and volunteers, reductions in liability and an overall more efficient way of overseeing event management. 

Thomas concluded by saying, “Volunteers, committee members and local residents have provided strong, positive feedback since the announcement and are excited that Madison’s major festivals are continuing to be organized and planned with help from longtime committee members, dedicated volunteers and a greater oversight by Visit Madison, Inc.” “It’s very positive for the community and we are excited about this step forward.”

The two (2) new positions are open to all; a related college degree is helpful but not required. Applicants with event management experience are encouraged to submit resumes. Present and former event managers/coordinators, volunteers, committee members and other interested persons are encouraged to apply. Visit Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer; nationwide applications are open now. Resumes can be sent to tawana@visitmadison.org. 

For additional information about Madison or if you are interested in serving as a volunteer for any one of our Visit Madison events please email marci@visitmadison.org or tawana@visitmadison.org.