West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority Sizzles with 26 Industry Awards
October 22nd, 2024
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (October 22, 2024) – The West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has been named as the recipient of 26 different industry awards for its innovative events and programs in Downtown West Palm Beach. The awards were granted from the International Downtown Association (IDA), the International Festival and Events Association (IFEA) and the Florida Festival and Events Association (FFEA).
“These programs are an example of the high standards we strive to achieve when implementing our mission to enhance quality of life, support cultural initiatives, and drive economic development in Downtown West Palm Beach, said DDA Executive Director Teneka James-Feaman.
The DDA’s Trojan Rocking Horses community engagement project earned the Award of Excellence from the IDA in the Public Space Management and Operation category. The project consisted of eight life-sized rocking horses, each designed by local children and fabricated locally under the guidance of world-renowned Finnish artist and architect, Marco Casagrande. Inspired by the stories of the Barefoot Mailman, the horses traveled throughout local neighborhoods, collecting over 1,300 messages from citizens about their hopes and aspirations for the city and downtown district.
The IFEA selected the DDA as the recipient of 16 gold, silver and bronze awards, recognizing the DDA for Best Organization Web Site, Best Full-Length TV Program, and Best Event/Organization E-Newsletter, among others.
The FFEA selected the DDA for nine SUNsational awards including Best Website for its Black Art Matters project and Best Community Outreach Program for the Queens Night Out event at the Fern Street Chess Park. The agency’s X (Twitter) and Instagram channels also received recognition for multiple awards.
“The SUNsational Awards have recognized and celebrated the talents of our members for more than two decades,” said Suzanne Neve, CEO of the FFEA. “We’re proud of our members and their events – and excited to recognize them in this way each year. This year in particular was incredibly rewarding as we showcased the innovation and resilience of festival and event organizers throughout the state during this unprecedented time.”
The recent awards earned by the DDA include:
International Downtown Association
- Public Space Management and Operations: Trojan Rocking Horses
Florida Festivals & Events Association SUNsational Awards
1st Place
- Website – Black Art Matters
- Event Recap / Annual Report
2nd Place
- Twitter – Downtown West Palm Beach
- Radio – Que Bacano Dance Contest
- Community Outreach Program – Queens Night Out
3rd Place
- Television – Black Art Matters
- Radio – Queens Night Out
- Instagram – West Palm Beach Arts & Entertainment District
- Twitter – West Palm Beach Arts & Entertainment District
2024 IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Award
Gold
- Best TV Promotion
- Best Full-Length TV Program: Wake Up West Palm
- Best Organization Website: DowntownWPB.com
- Best Single Digital/Social Ad: Que Bacano Holiday
- Best Event / Organization E-Newsletter: Downtown West Palm Beach Update
- Best Printed Materials (Multiple Page) Brochure: Queens Night Out
- Best Single Newspaper Display Ad: Black Art Matters
Silver
- Best Event Website: Black Art Matters
- Best Digital/Social Ad Series
- Best Printed Materials (Multiple Page) Annual Report
- Best Single Newspaper Display Ad: Tiny Door Hunt
Bronze
- Best Video Promotion: Que Bacano Dance Contest
- Best Radio Promotion: Que Bacano
- Best Facebook Site: Downtown West Palm Beach
- Best Digital/Social Ad Series
- Best Community Outreach Program: Let’s Vibe
About the Downtown Development Authority
The West Palm Beach DDA is an independent taxing district created in 1967 by a special act of the Florida Legislature. Its mission is to promote and enhance a safe, vibrant Downtown for our residents, businesses and visitors through the strategic development of economic, social and cultural opportunities.
For more information about the DDA or Downtown West Palm Beach, please visit DowntownWPB.com or call the DDA at (561) 833-8873.