Kentucky Derby Festival

Staff

Governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, the Derby Festival has a full-time paid professional staff of 23 employees who work year-round with the support of sponsors, vendors and thousands of volunteers to bring you the most exciting two-weeks in Louisville. The primary "product" of the Derby Festival is special events and their creation is supported by the following teams.

Administrative Team
The Administrative Team is responsible for coordination of general office activity and enforcement of office policies and procedure including all human resource issues. The team oversees management of all financial activity, risk management and insurance compliance. Other responsibilities include coordination of the minority vendor program, Festival event ticket management and distribution and monitoring legal and trademark issues.

Communications Team
Communications Team members are responsible for overseeing the Festival’s public and media relations efforts for all 70 events and program areas. They coordinate the overall advertising campaign for the Festival, working with an agency of record on creating print pieces, radio and television commercials for all the events. The team coordinates production and distribution of Festival print publications such as programs and magazines, as well as all electronic media including website management. They also oversee all photography and videography needs for the Festival and work with members of local, regional and national press in their coverage of Festival events.

Event Team
This team creates the main product of the civic celebration. Members of the Festival’s Event Team are assigned to oversee planning and production of all Derby Festival events. They work with Board Members serving as chairs to plan and produce the annual slate of Derby Festival events. The team is responsible for developing additional revenue opportunities through marketable events and to coordinate with public agencies. The Event Team also works with the New Events and Review Committee to develop and maintain quality events on the Festival schedule. In addition, the team oversees the coordination of 4000 volunteers.

Marketing Team
This team is the sales arm of the Festival and serves to fund the vision created by event staff. The functions of staff members assigned to the Marketing Team include negotiating contracts for all corporate, event and Pegasus Pin sponsorships; managing sponsor relations and developing new sources of corporate fund-raising; and coordinating corporate hospitality efforts. In addition, the Marketing Team promotes event participation opportunities and coordinates the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation's Membership Programs.

Merchandising Team
This team generates revenue for event production through various merchandising and sponsorship programs. Members of the Derby Festival’s Merchandising Team are responsible for the overall operation of the Pegasus Pin Program, which is an individual sponsorship program that nearly the entire community participates in each year. The team also oversees the creation, sales and distribution of the annual poster and product merchandise for the Festival, all third-party merchandise arrangements and facilitation of all merchandise donations requests. In addition, the Merchandising Team is responsible for the coordination of all Derby Festival uniforms and official apparel.