(Kitchener-Waterloo, Canada – April 13, 2009) – Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest shared in yet another victory when Big Events Inc. took home the Canadian Events Industry Award for Best Cultural Event for their work on the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest Expo.

The win was announced at a gala awards evening held on March 27^th by Canadian Event Industry Awards and Perspective Magazine in Toronto.　 Today that Award came home to Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest for a brief visit to Hans Haus.

Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest Expo took place on Saturday, October 4^th, a week before the official opening of the festival, to kick off the 40^th anniversary celebrations last year.　 Held in the large tent at the Concordia Club, the event was a mix of traditional Bavarian culture and the newest trends in event production.　 It combined German folk dancing, polka music and the traditional spirit of Gemuetlichkeit with Go-Go dancers, Oktoberfest tattoo art, live statues, make your own music video, mime artists, a ‘Butt Sketch artist’, multiple big screens and two Emcee’s to keep the night moving.　 The highlight of the evening was the main stage performances by Canadian music icons Tom Cochrane and Red Ryder followed by Burton Cummings who got the tent rocking for a crowd of over 3,500 guests.

l.t.r.: Paul Buttinger, President of Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest, Mariette Haras, Big Events Inc., Mark Kreller, Past President, Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest (2007-2008)

"We are thrilled to see Big Events recognized for the amazing job they did producing this event," said Mark Kreller, past president of Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest, and one of the driving forces behind the Oktoberfest Expo project.　 "Our goal with the event was to create an opportunity for people to have a taste of the true Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest experience.　 Big Events went beyond our expectations!"

In addition to the win in the Best Cultural Event category, Big Events also garnered nominations for Best Festival for the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest Expo, and Best Corporate Event in Canada for their work on the Grand River Hospital "Back to the Future Experiential Event."

About Big Events Inc.

Big Events has been in business for 14 years creating experiential events for corporations. They have a team of five people each with their own unique skill set, and are located in the Historical Old Shoe Factory on St. Leger Street.

CONTACT BIG EVENTS FOR FURTHER INFO AT
519-896-3221 or thinkbig@bigevents.ca or www.bigevents.ca

About Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest

Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest is a not-for-profit Bavarian festival founded in 1969 by a group of volunteers committed to contributing to the social and economic vitality of Kitchener-Waterloo, Canada twin cities with German heritage. Canada’s Greatest Bavarian Festival celebrates German heritage, food, music and festivities and is supported by more than 40 not-for-profit organizations. The festival is operated by eight year-round full-time staff, over 485 volunteers and 1,300 community and service club volunteers that stage the nine-day festival each October promoting a unique German cultural experience. As well as the economic boost the festival gives the local economy during the international festival, over $1.5 million is raised each year by the not-for-profit organizations associated with Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest, one of the top three most recognized event brands in Canada.