2025 Festivals & Events Ontario Hall of Fame Inductees Announced

2025 FESTIVALS & EVENTS IN ONTARIO HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES ANNOUNCED

Provincial organization recognizes festival industry leaders with Hall of Fame Induction.

Kitchener, Ontario (February 26, 2025) Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO) is proud to announce two new inductees into the FEO Hall of Fame. FEO believes it is important to recognize significant contributions of these individuals to the festival and event industry – without their passion and dedication, this industry could not survive.

The Hall of Fame Awards were handed out on Wednesday, February 26th during FEO’s Annual Conference “SYNERGY” in Kitchener, Ontario.

Since 2000, FEO has now inducted 51 people into its Hall of Fame, representing festivals, municipalities, organizations and events from across the province. Each individual named to the FEO Hall of Fame is someone who has dedicated their career to the festival and event industry and who has made a lasting contribution to their community, festival, event or organization.

FEO would like to congratulate the following 2025 Inductees.

Peter Gismondi – Superior Events Group

Peter has made a lasting impact on the festivals and events industry by offering full-service event planning that covers every aspect of the process. He has a reputation for flawless event execution, whether managing a large-scale festival or an intimate gathering, he ensures that every aspect of the event runs smoothly…. exceeding client expectations. His leadership is defined by the ability to build impactful partnerships, contribute to local community development, and drive the future of the events industry. There is little doubt that without his hard work, there would be a void in our industry. Peter’s passion, creativity and vision make him a worthy member of the FEO Hall of Fame.

Pat Silver – SING! The Toronto International Vocal Arts Festival

A leader and pioneer in the festival world for more than 40 years, working closely with festival organizers to custom design programming that matched their budgets, demographics, and marketing strategies. Pat co-founded the Danforth Mosaic BIA and had the vision to create a jazz festival presenting some of the biggest names in Canadian jazz in free summer concerts in the park for many years. In 2011 she co-created and managed Canada’s acapella festival SING! And has been at the forefront of it’s growth and success over the past 14 years. Pat is an “out of the box thinker” which has led to a multitude of innovative partnerships and strong relationships. Pat's enduring impact and extensive experience make her a standout candidate for the FEO Hall of Fame. 

The “SYNERGY” 2025 Festivals & Events Ontario Conference was held in Kitchener, Ontario from February 24-26, 2025.

Media Contact:
Jay Nijhuis Marketing & Communications Manager
Festivals and Events Ontario
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www.festivalsandeventsontario.com
519-742-2226

About Festivals & Events Ontario Festivals & Events Ontario

(FEO) was established in 1987 as an association devoted to the growth and stability of the festival and event industry in Ontario. FEO supports a lively, engaged and dedicated festival and events industry by sharing knowledge, enabling networking and providing leadership on education, advocacy and promotion. FEO operates Canada’s largest dedicated festival and event Conference, publishes and distributes an annual consumer guide, promotes its industry festival supplier goods and services and oversees an industry-leading awards recognition program. The festivals and events industry in Ontario is estimated to generate in excess of $2.3 billion annually in contribution to regional GDP, create/sustain approximately 50,000 full-year-equivalent jobs and foster approximately $1 billion dollars in taxes at all levels of government.