Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Scott-Founds.
A Fort Lauderdale native Lisa received a BS in communications from FSU. She then became Director of PR for the Center for Theoretical Physics at UM. Several years later she accepted a position with the Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce which led her to her role as President and CEO of Winterfest almost 24 years ago.
Lisa’s love for Winterfest developed when she watched every parade from early childhood. She is committed to creating a quality, high profile event for the community that brings family and friends together. Winterfest, celebrating 47 years, has grown into an internationally recognized event and The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade has earned the title “The World’s Most Watched Boat Parade.”
With over a million cheering spectators, the Parade has become not only the largest one-day live audience of any event in Florida but also the seventh largest one-day spectator event in the country! Lisa is very proud that this Fort Lauderdale holiday tradition not only contributes to the aesthetic, cultural, and tourist development of the area, but it makes an economic impact of over $52 million per year on her hometown!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Every year there are challenges; however, one was a real game change and her greatest challenge and achievement After 37 years of staging the parade in Port Everglades, Lisa made a decision to move the Parade to start in Downtown Ft. Lauderdale. This very controversial parade route shift allowed over 300,000 new spectators to be able to see and enjoy the parade for free, added life and excitement to downtown and a made the event available to over 1 million spectators.
It also showed successfully showing all the nay-sayers that fought her that it could be done. Lisa and the amazing staff of 2 are so proud of this legacy as it truly changed the dynamics and popularity of the event.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Winterfest, Inc. – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Corporation WINTERFEST® a not-for-profit organization (501c4). Founding sponsors include the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, Realtor Association of Greater Fort Lauderdale, the City of Fort Lauderdale and the Marine Industries of South Florida.
First Parade 1971:
Spurred by the continued popularity of the parade, a not-for-profit organization, WINTERFEST, Inc., was formed in 1988 to administer the Boat Parade and to build a festival around it. The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade has earned the title, “The World’s Most Watched Boat Parade.”
Mission To enhance the community’s image by producing wholesome, unique, internationally recognized events that reflect the diversity and culture of South Florida.
Purpose Winterfest embraces the dual goals of providing a means for the residents of the Greater Fort Lauderdale area to come together and enjoy spectacular and unique events as well as attract positive national and international attention to the Greater Fort Lauderdale area as a tourist destination and as a great place to live, work and play.
The WINTERFEST® organization is comprised of a huge contingency of 50 Board of Directors, 350 volunteers, sponsors and numerous supporters. WINTERFEST®, Inc. is entirely dependent upon sponsorship from local and national corporate sponsors which allows the parade to be presented “FREE” to the public.
Background The WINTERFEST® Celebration has grown from a local celebration into a holiday festival international in scope. The Winterfest Celebration contributes to the aesthetic, cultural, tourist and economic development of the area. Winterfest has an economic impact on Broward County of over $52 million per year. Winterfest is a multi-cultural event which encourages and promotes diversity and is proud to have representation from a variety of races and religions.
The WINTERFEST® Celebration is best known for it’s one of a kind Boat Parade celebrating 47 years, but the scope of the festival has expanded to include a full complement of events. These include the largest Black Tie Ball in Broward County, a Shoreline Decorating Extravaganza, Grandstand Viewing Area, VIP Viewing Area, White Party, Family Fun Days and a variety of receptions and activities.
The WINTERFEST® Celebration is very pleased to have the commitment of our corporate citizens to help expand the quality of The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade. The more than 1,000,000 cheering spectators that line the New River in Fort Lauderdale up the Intracoastal for 12 miles are responsible for transforming the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade into not only the largest, one-day, live audience of any event in Florida but also the seventh largest one-day spectator event in the country!
The International Festival and Events Association and USA Today has named Winterfest one of the top 20 Parades in the World and in the top 10 Holiday Events in the US; with over 50,000 parades in the United States alone, these are huge honors which place Winterfest in the prestigious company of the Macy’s, Mardi Gras, Rose Bowl and Disney Parades. In addition, Winterfest has also been named by Readers Digest as “100 Best in America” which lists the top events in the United States.
Not only does The WINTERFEST® Celebration provide the opportunity to show goodwill and support to the community at large; it brings a high level of promotional value to the table as the event experiences international media recognition. The WINTERFEST® organization has the privilege of working with media partners in print, television and radio creating a three-month promotional campaign valued at over 3 million dollars.
Parade Grand Marshals have included noted celebrities such as Bob Hope, Regis Philbin, Reba McIntyre, Kelly Ripa, George Hamilton, Willard Scott, Lee Majors, Joan Rivers, Cathy Lee Crosby, Nick Nolte, Donald Trump, Shaq, Jim Belushi, Randy Jackson, Alonzo Mourning, Kim Kardashian, Brooke Burke, Barry Gibb, Deborah Norville, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Tracy Morgan, FloRida, Nick Cannon Pitbull, Big and Rich.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
We are in the process of creating a Winterfest Foundation (501c3) and making plans for an amazing 50th-anniversary celebration.
Pricing:
- enter the parade starting from only $35.00
- watch the parade from a reserved seat for only $25.00
- Be a sponsor starting at only $3,500
Contact Info:
- Address: 512 NE 3rd Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301 - Website: winterfestparade.com
- Phone: 954-767-0686
- Email: lisa@winterfestparade.com
- Instagram: WinterfestInc
- Facebook: winterfest.parade
- Twitter: WinterfestInc
Image Credit:
Ginny Fujino
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