National Buffalo Wing Festival
Tenure: 4 Years
Location: Buffalo, NY | Timing: Annual Labor Day Weekend
Attendance: 80,000+ | Vendors & Restaurants: 60+
Stage Events: 15+ | Role: Event Director
Executive Summary
For four consecutive years, I served as Event Director for the iconic National Buffalo Wing Festival, one of the largest food festivals in the U.S., drawing over 80,000 attendees annually to Buffalo, NY. Known internationally for its celebration of America's favorite bar food, the event combines culinary spectacle, high-profile competitions, and large-scale logistics—all over the course of one adrenaline-packed weekend.
I led the charge on end-to-end planning, vendor relations, stage production, and operations, making this festival a massive success year after year.
My Role: Producer, Negotiator & Logistics Powerhouse
This complex, high-volume event required tight coordination across vendors, sponsors, restaurants, entertainers, city officials, and fans. My role included:
Vendor & Restaurant Management: Served as the main point of contact for 60+ participating restaurants and sponsors, ensuring seamless communication and coordination before, during, and after the festival.
Contract Negotiation: Negotiated $100,000+ in contracts, balancing the interests of sponsors, vendors, and the organizing committee while ensuring compliance with city and festival guidelines.
Main Stage Leadership: Produced and managed 15 signature events, including the U.S. Professional Wing Eating Championship, celebrity chef demos, and entertainment programming.
Festival Logistics: Oversaw site layout, vendor placement, electrical access, rentals, permitting, and coordination with local authorities and emergency services.
Financial Management: Maintained meticulous records of payments, contracts, and permits, streamlining reconciliation and ensuring operational transparency.
Challenges Overcome
Running an internationally recognized food festival with 80,000+ guests is no small feat. Key challenges I tackled included:
Crowd Management & Safety: Coordinated with public safety officials and vendors to create an efficient, secure environment across a multi-acre venue.
High-Stakes Scheduling: Built and executed a precise run-of-show for 15+ entertainment activations while managing real-time adjustments.
Weather Contingencies: Developed backup plans for rain or extreme heat without interrupting core festival operations.
Vendor Coordination at Scale: Balanced the operational needs of dozens of restaurants and sponsors with limited physical space and high attendee demand.
Brand Consistency: Delivered an unforgettable, consistent brand experience that retained returning vendors and sponsors each year.
Measurable Results & Impact
80,000+ Annual Attendees: From across the U.S. and abroad
60+ Participating Vendors & Sponsors: Including local and national brands
15 Signature Stage Events: Headlined by nationally ranked competitors and entertainment acts
$100K+ in Contract Management: Across sponsorships, food vendors, and logistics
4 Consecutive Years of Growth: Including increased sponsorship value, expanded media coverage, and operational efficiency gains
Why This Work Matters
Large-scale festivals are more than just crowd-pleasers—they’re brand-building platforms, economic engines, and opportunities for cultural storytelling. My leadership at the National Buffalo Wing Festival showcases my capacity to manage high-pressure, high-volume, high-stakes experiences that require precision, people skills, and nerves of steel.
Whether I’m producing a high-profile nonprofit fundraiser or a massive food festival, I bring structure, creativity, and results to the table.