History:

Winterfest, a not-for-profit organization (501c4). Founding sponsors include the Marine Industries of South Florida, Realtor Association of Greater Fort Lauderdale, the City of Fort Lauderdale and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce.

Management

Kenneth A. Ortner Chairman of the Board of Directors

Lisa Scott-Founds, President and CEO

Kathleen G. Keleher, Marketing and Parade Director

Dawn L. Read, Event Director

and a broad base of over 300 volunteers help fuel WINTERFEST (complete list of board and advisory members click here)

Winterfest is best known for it's one of a kind Boat Parade. Spurred by the continued popularity of that event, a not-for-profit organization, WINTERFEST, Inc., was formed in 1988 to administer the Boat Parade and to build a festival around it. The rest, as they say, "is history." 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 organization is comprised of a huge contingency of volunteers, supporters, sponsors and Board of Directors. Winterfest, Inc. is entirely dependent upon sponsorship from local and national corporate sponsors. As most of the events are free to the public, we are particularly dependent upon our sponsors to assure the continued success and future growth of the Winterfest Celebration. Winterfest has had an economic impact on Broward County of over $48 million per year.