By Janelle Benuska
On March 19, the Event 360 team assembled in Fort Lauderdale to produce the 13th Annual Florida AIDS Walk & Music Festival for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF). This year’s event was a smash―3,000 participants and more than $2 million raised for 10 local nonprofit organizations providing HIV/AIDS services in the community. Attendees soaked up the beautiful beach weather and a hot performance from Grammy-nominated Flo Rida!
As with each event we produce, optimizing the event experience for participants is always a top priority. This year was no exception, with a site redesign that improved foot traffic and flow, adding a shaded VIP Platform with a private bar, and incorporating a Festival Village with local vendors and yard games. These enhancements to the site―along with additional signage and brand-new Selfie Stations―made for an amplified experience that received glowing feedback both on and after the event.
One of the most significant moments this year was the performance of the National Anthem by a student from Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School. In fact, there were several MSD students and family members in attendance, as AHF extended a special invitation to them as a show of support and solidarity. The MSD group also walked with the participants and were shown some special love in the meet-and-greet with Flo Rida. Having the MSD team there truly exemplified the community-feel of the Florida AIDS Walk event.
This event is like no other that we produce―from the location to the inclusion of big-name talent. The team is already looking to 2019 and how to make the Florida AIDS Walk & Music Festival even bigger and better. Stay tuned!
Janelle brings passion for client satisfaction to the Account Management team with a keen attention to project timelines and dedication to ensuring successful events. She currently works on the Florida AIDS Walk & Music Festival for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the Ride for AIDS Chicago for TPAN, as well as the Disabled American Veteran’s 5K Race series.
