The Napa Valley Mustard Festival, a non-profit community service organization, has a dual purpose: It serves local businesses and non-profit organizations, attracting visitors to Napa Valley during the months of January, February, and March, a beautiful time of the year when wild mustard carpets vineyards with brilliant hues of green and gold; and it promotes national and international businesses that sponsor and participate. Throughout the festival, a network of Napa Valley communities, businesses, and non-profit organizations will welcome visitors and encourage them to explore the arts, culture, and agriculture of Napa Valley. They will join forces with national sponsors and mustard companies from around the world to produce the world's most sensational season of events.

The festival has produced a mustard season calendar promoting the season's events since its inception. Calendars are direct mailed to the local, regional, and national food, wine, art, and travel press, as well as tens of thousands of consumers. Non-profit organizations can inquire about participation by contacting the event coordinator, Summers-McCann, Inc. Public Relations, at 707.944.1133; e-mail info@mustardfestival.org

Prior to the festival's inception in 1994 a mere 7% of visitors to Napa Valley came during the months of January, February, and March. The season now attracts 27% of the year's visitors and is second only to the summer.

As a result of the mustard season promotion, millions of additional dollars in revenue have been generated during the first quarter of each year since 1994. Numerous sponsors have reported increased sales while non-profit organizations have netted substantial proceeds from their mustard season events.

Take advantage of this extraordinary promotional opportunity. Become a sponsor, advertise in Mustard Festival publications, and/or participate in events. This promotion will reach hundreds of thousands of consumers.

The Napa Valley Mustard Festival is presented by VISA U.S.A. Inc.; KGO Newstalk AM 810; ABC7, KGO-TV; Sunset Magazine; American Airlines; and the San Francisco Chronicle. Many local, regional, and national businesses, as well as food and wine companies, have contributed funding to make the Napa Valley Mustard Festival possible. Click here to see a list of current sponsors.

You may also become a sponsor through your participation. Restaurants, caterers, food producers, and wineries who participate in at least two of the Napa Valley Mustard Festival's main events - Mustard Magic, The Photo Finish, The Awards, and/or The Marketplace - will be listed as in-kind supporters in the Napa Valley Mustard Festival program. Participate in all four and you will be promoted as a Bronze ($1,000) or Silver ($2,500) sponsor. Let us know the value of your contribution. Combine your in-kind sponsorship with cash to promote your business at a higher sponsorship level. Visit the Sponsorship Page for more details on how to participate.

The Napa Valley Mustard Festival supports and promotes a number of non-profit events that take place during the mustard season. Organizations including Dreamweavers Theatre, Friends of the Fair, Napa Valley Cultural Alliance, Napa Valley Museum, Napa Valley Opera House, Napa Valley Unified Education Foundation, Sharpsteen Museum, Solano College Theatre Dept, and high school music and drama departments have benefited from net proceeds of Napa Valley Mustard Festival-produced events.

Behind the Scenes

An extensive network of professionals lend their expertise to the
production of the Napa Valley Mustard Festival:

Producer

Summers-McCann Inc. Public Relations
Pat Summers ~ President / CEO

Staff

Barbra Fortier ~ Art Coordinator, Poster Sales & Distribution
Robert Cherwink ~ Designer, Photographer, Production Manager
Myranda Ismond ~ Administrative Assistant
Jami Jennings ~ Advertising & Sponsorship Sales
Amber McCann-Howlett ~ Accounting & Customer Service
Nancy Noleen ~ Media Relations Manager/Volunteer Coordinator
Deborah Shrum ~ Production & Print Coordinator
Tannia Summers ~ Media Relations/Event Coordinator

Associates

Lyn Brede ~ Art Consultant
Marchelle Carleton ~ Auction Coordinator
Connie McCann ~ Auction & Event Coordinator

Consultants & Contractors

Charlie Barboni Publicity & Design ~ Event & Floral Designer
Cynthia Beckley ~ Mustard Magic Costumer
Eija Golland ~ Scenic Artist
Larry Ledson ~ Scenic Technician
Laura Lynn Ledson ~ Mustard Magic Artistic Director
Lisa Ledson ~ Scenic Artist
Mark Marthaler ~ Mustard Magic Artist & Set Designer
JoAnn Norrbom Tutor ~ Mustard Magic Artistic Production Assistant
Krista Neumann ~ Mustard Magic Theatrical Director
Dave Ogaz ~ Project Consultant
Barbara Soleil, Soleil International ~ Live Auction Consultant

Hosting facilities and volunteers from participating non-profit organizations are also indispensable members of the team.

Board of Directors

Louise Packard, President
Partner, Pacific Blues CafÚ

Sheila Neave, Vice President
Director of Catering, Embassy Suites

Sandra Carr, Treasurer
Partner, Mel Varrelman & Associates, Napa & St. Helena

George Rothwell, Founder and Secretary
Owner, Antique Fair, Yountville

Lori Aldine, Director
National Sales Manager, Silverado Resort

Rick Hayes, Director
Sales Consultant, Jenson Motors, Napa

Daniel Howard, Director
Executive Director, Napa Valley Conference and Visitors Bureau

Kavanaugh K. Koch, Director
Napa Valley native, retired business owner

Koerner Rombauer, Director
Owner, Rombauer Vineyards

Ellen Russell, Director
Ellen Russell & Associates
Development Consultants

COPIA: The American Center for Wine, Food, & the Arts

Reynaldo Zertuche, Past President
General Manager, Embassy Suites Napa Valley

Advisory Board

Margrit Biever-Mondavi
Vice-President, Cultural Affairs, Robert Mondavi Winery

Jane Brovelli
Account Executive, Vivani Touring Company, Inc.

Erica Ercolano
Director of Sales & Marketing, Napa Valley Wine Train

George Goeggel
Partner/General Manager, Auberge du Soleil

Ruben Katz
Director of Food & Beverage Operations,
The Culinary Institute of America Greystone

Dave Latter
Chairman, Morehouse Mustard

Cathy Schmitz
National Events Manager, Beaulieu Vineyards

Jim O'Shea
General Manager, Sterling Vineyards

Barbara W. Ryan
Founding Board Member, former owner,
The Gallery on Main Street, St. Helena

Jerry Seltzer
Founder, BASS Tickets

Don Surplus
President, Napa Valley Balloons Inc. & the Professional Balloon Pilots Assoc. of Napa Co.

Business Opportunities & Program Advertising
Sponsorship Guidelines

See Also:
Maps & Directions
Lodging Suggestions


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