Stephen M. King, MA, CFEE,
Inducted into the International Festivals & Events Association Hall of Fame
BOISE, Idaho, USA — The International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) is pleased to announce that one of the festival and event industry’s most accomplished and respected professionals, Stephen M. King, MA, CFEE, executive director of the Des Moines Arts Festival, was inducted into the prestigious IFEA Hall of Fame on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, during the 71st Annual IFEA Convention & Expo, presented by atVenu, in Tucson, Arizona, U.S.A.
Known as the association’s most prestigious honor, the IFEA Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding individuals who, through their exceptional work and achievements, have made a significant contribution to the festivals and events industry and a profound difference in the communities they serve. Induction into the Hall of Fame is considered the highest of industry honors. Selected by a panel of his industry peers, Stephen joins a distinguished group of professionals whose leadership has helped shape and advance the global festivals and events industry.
Throughout a career spanning more than 35 years, Stephen has dedicated his professional life to building community and creating meaningful human connections. A trusted leader, mentor and advocate for excellence, his career has been driven by an enduring curiosity and a question that has become synonymous with his leadership: “What’s next?”
Stephen began his career as a theater educator before discovering his passion for large-scale public events. In 1995, he joined Downie Productions, working on major festivals across the United States before becoming director of festivals and events for Downtown Fort Worth, overseeing MAIN ST. Fort Worth Arts Festival, Fort Worth Fourth, Parade of Lights and other signature events.
In 2000, when a tornado devastated downtown Fort Worth just days before the load-in of the MAIN ST. Fort Worth Arts Festival, Stephen and his team relocated the nine-block event, which welcomed nearly 400,000 guests, to an entirely different district and opened on schedule. The experience reinforced a philosophy that has followed him throughout his career: challenges exist to be solved, not simply accepted.
Stephen brought that same determination and innovative thinking to the Des Moines Arts Festival in 2006. Under his leadership, the organization expanded its artistic vision and introduced initiatives demonstrating how festivals can make a lasting difference in their communities. These include eight Habitat for Humanity home builds, collaborative public art projects, the Interrobang Film Festival, literary arts and educational programming, sustainability initiatives and Quincy’s Sensory Space, an immersive environment designed to help guests with sensory sensitivities fully experience the Festival.
Stephen’s influence extends well beyond the events he has led. As a co-founder of ZAPPlication, he helped transform the art fair industry through a standardized online application and jury system connecting artists and festivals. Launched in 2004, ZAPP remains an industry standard more than two decades later, serving thousands of artists and hundreds of festivals throughout North America.
His service to the festivals and events profession has been equally significant. Stephen has served as chair of the IFEA World Board of Directors, a member of the IFEA Foundation Board, an instructor at IFEA’s Event Management School, a conference speaker, affinity group leader, committee chair, advisor and mentor. Throughout his career, he has generously shared his experience and expertise to help strengthen the industry and support the professionals within it.
At the center of Stephen’s work is a simple belief: “There are few things in the world more joyous than bringing family and community together.” He has championed the belief that every community has a story to tell and that festivals provide the stage where those stories come alive.
More than three decades after producing his first events, Stephen remains focused on the future. There is always time to celebrate and reflect on what has been accomplished, but inevitably, his attention turns to the question that has become both his trademark and his challenge to those around him:
“What’s next?”
The IFEA is proud to honor Stephen M. King, MA, CFEE, with induction into the IFEA Hall of Fame, celebrating his extraordinary career, his service to the global festival and event industry, and his lasting legacy of innovation, inclusion, mentorship and community-building.
For more information about Stephen King, MA, CFEE,
CLICK HERE.Past inductees include Jean McFaddin, Macy*s Parade and Events (1999), Therese St. Onge, National Capital Commission (2006), Mike Berry, CFEE, Kentucky Derby Festival (2008), Kirk Hendrix, 500 Festival (2010), Johan Moerman, Rotterdam Festivals (2012), Nick Dodds, Festivals & Events International (2015) and William B. Flinn, Pasadena Tournament of Roses (2016), Tom Bisignano, CFEE (2019), Janet Landey CFEE, South Africa (2022), and Jim Holt, CFEE, Memphis in May (2023), just to name a few.
Headquartered in Boise, Idaho, the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) is The Premier Association Supporting and Enabling Festival & Event Professionals Worldwide. In partnership with global affiliates under the umbrellas of IFEA Africa, IFEA Asia, IFEA Australia, IFEA Europe, IFEA Latin America, IFEA Middle East (MENASA), and IFEA North America the organization's common vision is for "A Globally United Industry that Touches Lives in a Positive Way through Celebration," The Association offers the most complete source of ideas, resources, information, education and networking for festival and event professionals worldwide. Visit the IFEA website at
www.ifea.com for additional details