Event Professionals Day

Join us for a full day of learning for individuals who plan and produce public events.

When: Tuesday, December. 16

Where: Des Moines Arts Festival offices in Mainframe Studios, Suite 455. NOTE: We've MOVED! Same floor, different Suite.

Thanks to Catch Des Moines, we are welcoming Sam Lemheny to speak to our group about sparking creativity. Sam's professional bio is below.

Cost: FREE! Thanks to Catch Des Moines!

Registration is now CLOSED.

Event Schedule

Tuesday, December 16, 2025

8:30 – 9 a.m.

9 – 10:15 a.m.

10:30 – 11:45 a.m.

Noon – 1 p.m.

1 – 2:30 p.m.

2:45 – 4:00 p.m.

Breakfast goodies provided by the National Balloon Classic and coffee from Savor the Rise.

Sparking Creativity: Generating Innovative Content for Festivals and Events

Sparking Creativity: AI to Reality

Lunch provided by Ziegler CAT

Risk Management

Ask Anything

Meet SAM LEMHENEY
Sam Lemheney brings over 25 years of expertise in curating, developing, and executing a wide range of remarkable events, from intimate gatherings to awe-inspiring spectacles. His portfolio and clients include prestigious events such as the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, the renowned Philadelphia Flower Show, Philadelphia Auto Show, Orlando Citrus Parade, Fiesta Flambeau Parade, Sunfest, and the exciting brand new Muscat Flower Festival. With his membership and board positions at the International Festival and Events Association, his network in the events industry runs far and wide with many relationships, colleagues, and connections across the globe. His track record of generating lasting impressions on millions of attendees, he has mastered the art of crafting unforgettable experiences.

Descriptions of Sessions

Sparking Creativity: Generating Innovative Content for Festivals and Events

Tired of planning the same old events year after year? Looking for fresh ideas to wow your audiences and stay competitive in the festival market? Join us for an inspiring session on pumping up the creativity to develop innovative, buzz-worthy content that will make your festivals and events shine. No matter the size or scope of your event, you'll leave this session re-energized and equipped with strategies to engage your teams in creative thinking and develop unique programming that stands out from the crowd.

Sparking Creativity: AI to Reality

From Concept to Creation at the Muscat Flower Festival

Step into the future of event design with this dynamic session that reveals how artificial intelligence can supercharge your creative process—and lead to real-world results. Follow the journey from AI-generated inspiration to fully realized installations as we unpack the creative process behind the showstopping centerpiece at the Muscat Flower Festival.

Learn how a variety of AI tools were used to brainstorm themes, visualize concepts, generate ideas, and organize those ideas into actionable design plans. Discover how production teams translated bold, imaginative prompts into breathtaking reality—and compare the original AI concepts with the final installation.

Whether you’re just beginning to explore AI or already integrating it into your workflow, this session will provide practical insights, inspiring visuals, and real-world examples of how creativity and technology can come together to elevate festivals and events.

Risk Management

Security, insurance, and risk management are a big part of any event plan. This conversation will focus on the operations of these areas. For this session, Dutch Geisinger with Polk County Emergency Management will join the conversation.

Ask Anything

Volunteer got you down? Want to add a new feature, but not sure where to start? Need to revamp your food vendors? Ask us! We’ve got you covered! This is an excellent time to share the problems that you may be wrestling with on any topic and gain feedback from your peers.