In this episode of Festival Soup, host Mike Baxter sits down with Kelly Augustine from the Nacogdoches Chamber of Commerce to dive deep into the unique aspects of hosting festivals in historic downtown settings. They explore the Texas Blueberry Festival, its roots, growth, and the benefits of organizing a large-scale event in a small town. From community involvement to the challenges of brick streets and balancing modern amenities with historical preservation, this episode provides a rich discussion on creating a successful, culturally connected festival.

Key Points:

[0:00] – Introduction

Mike Baxter introduces the podcast and the episode's focus on the Texas Blueberry Festival, featuring guest Kelly Augustine from the Nacogdoches Chamber of Commerce.

[1:29] – The Roots of the Blueberry Festival

Kelly shares the origins of the Texas Blueberry Festival, founded by Drs. Patsy and Leon Hallman in the late 1980s to celebrate Nacogdoches’ rich blueberry production and historic downtown.

[3:16] – Festival Highlights

Kelly gives an overview of the festival, which features blueberry pancakes, pie-eating contests, a pet parade, and various family-friendly activities, all while emphasizing the involvement of local businesses and community partnerships.

[5:06] – Challenges and Benefits of a Downtown Festival

The discussion shifts to the logistical hurdles, such as shutting down streets and managing vendor spaces, and how the historic charm of the area makes it all worthwhile.

[12:33] – Managing Power and Noise

Kelly talks about the importance of sound management during the event, balancing generators and electrical hookups to ensure the festival maintains its lively, welcoming atmosphere.

[21:53] – Festival Park Activities

A breakdown of the additional activities held in Festival Park, including petting zoos, car shows, and carnivals, making it a hub for kids and families during the event.

[28:15] – Economic Impact

Kelly highlights the positive economic impact of the festival on the local community, from job creation to increased lodging, dining, and shopping revenues.

Quotable Moments:

[0:01] – "The Blueberry Festival is a true example of a community coming together to celebrate its unique heritage." – Kelly Augustine

[5:35] – "Even the downtown shops have come to embrace this festival because of the traffic it pulls in." – Kelly Augustine

[28:15] – "This festival brought in over $1 million in total business sales for our community—it's supporting local businesses and jobs." – Kelly Augustine

Links Mentioned:

• Texas Blueberry Festival Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TexasBlueberryFestival
• Nacogdoches Chamber of Commerce: https://www.nacogdoches.org/
• Keep Nacogdoches Beautiful: https://www.keepnacogdochesbeautiful.org/

This episode provides a fascinating look at the benefits and challenges of hosting a festival in a historic downtown setting. Kelly Augustine’s insights offer invaluable lessons for anyone planning a community event, especially in small towns with rich histories. Be sure to follow Festival Soup for more festival planning tips and insights, and don’t forget to visit Nacogdoches next June for the Texas Blueberry Festival!

In this episode of Festival Soup, host Mike Baxter interviews David Olivares, festival insurance expert. They explore the often-overlooked topic of insurance for festivals and fairs, breaking down the essential types of coverage event organizers need. From general liability to the intricacies of weather insurance, David provides expert advice on protecting your event from unexpected disasters.

Key Points:

- [0:41] - Introduction to David Olivares and Cliff Insurance

David explains Cliff Insurance's history and their specialization in outdoor amusement and entertainment coverage, offering both retail and wholesale insurance services.

- [3:15] - Why Work with a Specialist?

Mike and David discuss the challenges of working with local agents unfamiliar with the festival industry, and the importance of partnering with an experienced festival insurance agent.

- [6:59] - Essential Insurance Policies for Festivals

David outlines the most critical insurance policies for festivals, including general liability, liquor liability, workers' compensation, and event cancellation.

- [9:19] - Weather and Event Cancellation Insurance

David highlights the benefits of weather insurance, using real-life examples of how festivals avoided financial disaster.

- [13:22] - Additional Coverages to Consider

Discussion on less common but vital coverages like E. coli coverage for petting zoos, volunteer accident policies, and drone insurance.

- [18:16] - Golf Cart Hazards and Coverage

Golf carts present significant liability risks, and David shares how proper coverage is crucial to mitigate potential accidents.

- [19:45] - Determining the Right Level of Coverage

Advice on assessing your event’s exposure based on size and activities, emphasizing that insurance requirements can be similar regardless of event scale.

- [25:19] - Emerging Risks: Active Shooter Coverage

The growing need for coverage related to active shooter incidents, including firearm exclusions in some general liability policies.

Quotable Moments:

- [4:24] “Insurance is hard enough to comprehend by the layperson. Now imagine doing that in a hard market with shrinking options." - David Olivares

- [9:19] “You can save for a rainy day or buy an insurance policy that helps recoup some money when your event can’t happen." - David Olivares

- [18:40] "Golf carts are one of our largest exposures for claims in the industry. It's crucial to have the right coverage in place." - David Olivares

Links Mentioned:

• Kaliff Insurance: https://www.kaliff.com/
• Texas Festival and Tourism Consulting: https://texasfestivalandtourismconsulting.com/
• Texas Festivals and Events Association: https://www.texasfestivals.org
• International Festivals & Events Association: https://www.ifea.com/

If you’re planning a festival or event, insurance is a critical part of your preparations. Don’t leave your event exposed to potential risks. Reach out to experts like David Olivares or attend workshops at events like the Texas Festivals and Events Association conference. For more insights and tips, be sure to subscribe to Festival Soup on your favorite podcast platform and leave us a review!

In this episode of Festival Soup, host Mike Baxter gets into the world of AI with special guest David Ramirez, founder of SDM Ramirez Event Marketing. They explore how AI can revolutionize festival and event planning by saving time, improving creativity, and streamlining operations. From using ChatGPT for quick content generation to advanced AI tools for managing traffic patterns and lost children, this episode is packed with practical tips for festival organizers. Learn how to harness AI’s potential to enhance efficiency, boost engagement, and make your events unforgettable.

Key Points:

[0:00] - Introducing AI in Event Planning

Mike and David discuss the growing role of AI in festivals and how it can simplify various tasks, from marketing to operations.

[1:42] - ChatGPT as a Gateway to AI

David highlights ChatGPT as an entry-level tool for festival professionals to get started with AI, from writing press releases to drafting safety plans.

[3:06] - Using AI for Visual Planning

Discover how AI tools like Midjourney can help you visualize event layouts, even placing tents and attractions on digital maps.

[6:15] - Automating Tedious Tasks with AI

From generating parade lineups to analyzing post-event surveys, AI helps eliminate the most time-consuming parts of event planning.

[12:54] - Enhancing Event Security with AI

The conversation touches on how AI technologies like Venus can boost security by tracking lost children and monitoring crowd patterns.

[22:13] - Predictive AI for Ticket Sales

David discusses how AI can predict ticket sales and help event organizers plan their budget based on historical data and market trends.

Quotable Moments:

[0:55] "You can't put AI into a single bucket. It’s like Baskin-Robbins with its many flavors—there’s a version of AI for everyone." — David Ramirez

[6:34] "AI isn't going to take your job—someone using AI is going to take your job." — David Ramirez

[24:45] "Predictive AI is the dark horse that’s really going to make waves in our industry." — David Ramirez

Links Mentioned:

• MidJourney AI: https://www.midjourney.com
• Canva: https://www.canva.com
• Constant Contact: https://www.constantcontact.com
• Mailchimp: https://mailchimp.com
• Zenus AI: https://www.zenus.ai/

AI is already transforming the way events are organized, and it's only going to become more accessible. Whether you're a small festival or a major event, now is the time to start experimenting with AI to improve efficiency and creativity. Subscribe to Festival Soup on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to stay ahead in the festival world!