Sharp Earns Certified Live Event Planner Designation

With nearly four decades of festival and event support, George Sharp has earned the Certified Live Event Planner designation through Washington Festival and Events Association (WFEA). Sharp is currently the Rural Program Manager for Thurston Economic Development Council and the South Thurston Economic Development Initiative Program. He is also the co-coordinator of the Tenino Oregon Trail Days and the Bucoda Boo-Coda Spooktacular.

He was the Washington Economic Development Association Economic Advocate of the year in 2019 and is a founding member and past president of WFEA. He is the former executive director of the National Lentil Festival, co-creator of the Tumwater Artesian Brew Fest, a past president and board member of Capital Lakefair, assists with WA State Senior Games, and more. He has won numerous awards over the years for marketing. Sharp says, “I love and believe in events & festivals and what they do for community quality of life. I’m thankful for the staff and volunteers for providing me the opportunity to be part of them. I’m proud to become a Certified Live Event Planner.”

The WFEA Certification program is overseen by the WFEA Professional Education Board of Managers, appointed by top industry professionals and educators. The Board establishes the curriculum, engages faculty, provides expertise, and monitors the progress of students seeking certification.

To achieve certification, candidates must attend four one-day seminars on specific topics, participate behind the scenes at festivals, have a minimum of three years of festival and event-related experience, be a member in good standing attending two WFEA annual conferences and write a 500-750 word article that can be published in Inside Washington Festivals and Events.