Flower Show Designer Sam Lemheney
The 2009 Philadelphia Flower Show, “Bella Italia,” received six awards for excellence at an international convention of festival and special event organizers on Sept. 23.
The Flower Show, produced by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, was honored in a variety of programming and promotional categories. Among the recipients of the top prizes was Philadelphia Green, PHS’ nationally renowned urban revitalization program.
The professional competition, presented by the International Festivals & Events Association, draws entries from around the world. Winners were announced at the IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards Ceremony held during the association’s 54th annual convention in Boise, Idaho.
The Flower Show awards were for the following categories (for events with budgets over $1.5 million):
BEST COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM – GOLD
BEST FULL-LENGTH TV PROGRAM (PARTNERSHIP WITH 6ABC)– GOLD
BEST ORGANIZATIONAL WEBSITE – GOLD
MOST CREATIVE/EFFECTIVE NEWS STUNT – SILVER
BEST CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMING – BRONZE
BEST PIN – BRONZE
Gold award-winner Philadelphia Green is a program that has transformed communities through the restoration of neighborhood parks, creation of community gardens, tree plantings, storm water management projects, urban agriculture, educational programs, and public landscape maintenance.
The appearance of actor Danny DeVito, who signed hundreds of bottles of his new brand of limoncello for Flower Show guests, was cited as the most creative publicity stunt.
Children’s programming at the Flower Show was cited for a variety of educational opportunities and an activity-filled Family Lounge, which serves as a place for children and parents to unwind and rest.
Among the organizations and festivals from throughout the world that competed in the 2009 Pinnacle Awards were:
the Indianapolis 500 Festival
Baekje Cultural Festival, South Korea;
Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta, Ga.
Coconut Grove Arts Festival
CityArts Celebration, Dallas;
Servus Heritage Festival, Edmonton, Alberta
Fiesta San Antonio, Texas
French Quarter Festivals, New Orleans
The Hague Festivals, The Netherlands
Kentucky Derby Festival, Louisville
Festival Lent, Slovenia
Ottawa Bluesfest
Pasadena Tournament of Roses
Portland Rose Festival, Oregon
Rotterdam Festivals, The Netherlands
Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival, Canton, Ohio
the Sausalito Art Festival
Entries included merchandise, print and broadcast ads, posters, programs and many other categories.
Tags: Awards
