SunFest Names New Executive Director

Dianna Craven

(PRESS RELEASE)_(WEST PALM BEACH) As Florida’s favorite waterfront music festival prepares to celebrate its 40th event in 2024, it will do so under new leadership. According to Stephanie Glavin, newly elected president of SunFest’s board of directors, former SunFest sales and marketing director Dianna Craven was recently promoted to the leadership executive director role. The organization’s longtime executive director, Paul Jamieson, announced his retirement.
 
Craven has been with SunFest since 1996, overseeing all festival sponsorship, marketing and ticket sales. The Jupiter resident is a University of Florida graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Commercial Recreation and Tourism and a graduate of the International Festival and Events Association Certified Festival and Events Executive (CFEE) program. A Palm Beach County native, Craven is an active community volunteer serving on numerous non-profit boards, including as past president of the Junior League of the Palm Beaches and founding board member of Resource Depot.

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“When Paul renewed his contract with the board two years ago, it was his intention to retire following the 2023 festival,” said Glavin. “We have been preparing for this transition internally and wish him only the best in his retirement. On behalf of our board and anyone who has enjoyed SunFest during his tenure, we are all so grateful for his committed leadership. We also know that Dianna will do an amazing job leading SunFest into its milestone celebration next year and going forward.”
 
Jamieson has been the executive director of SunFest since 1996 and has been employed by the nonprofit since 1990. He directed all business aspects of the organization including financial, contractual, marketing, fundraising, corporate sponsorship development and policy-making functions. 
 
“I look forward to working with the board, staff and our incredible volunteers in this new role,” said Craven. “Paul has been a wonderful mentor and our team has always been like family – most of us have worked together for more than 25 years, wearing many hats as SunFest has undergone changes throughout our history. With our 40th event happening in 2024, we have much to celebrate. We will be announcing more plans this fall and want everyone to save the dates of May 3 – 5, 2024!”
 
SunFest is produced by SunFest of Palm Beach County, Inc., a private 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. SunFest of Palm Beach County, Inc. consists of a 21-member board of directors; 19 committees; more than 2,100 volunteers; a full-time, year-round staff of 5; and approximately 75 corporate sponsors. SunFest is funded in part by the Palm Beach County Tourist Development Council through the Palm Beach County Cultural Council. SunFest is also sponsored in part by the State of Florida through the Division of Arts and Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts.