Live Fest 2022 was a sell-out AGAIN!
Great music, great times, and plenty of smiles to bring in the holidays and new year! In the eyes of Steve Hagenbuckle, founder and executive producer, it is a special event he and Rob Hartman conceived in 2017 for the purpose of bringing our community together for a special night of music under the stars, while giving back to those in need. Steve works closely with Wasserman Events team members Taylor Ives, Rob Hartman, Sarah Smith, Becky Honor and others to refine what their team already does well – deliver a full-scale comprehensive music festival alongside a major PGA Tour event, the QBE Shootout.
Delivering SW Florida’s largest outdoor music experience is no small task. Live Fest will be entering its fifth year of operations in 2023. There are hundreds of team members contributing to its success. Key players also include iHeart Radio’s Adam Bauer, Kevin Miskimins, and Louis Kaplan, Murphy Entertainment’s Paul Murphy, Classic Sports Catering, Collier County First Responders Police and EMTs, other security teams, and volunteers.
By way of example, on the day of the event, Live Fest donated proceeds to feed 600 local families in need for a week at a food drive at the Coastland Mall. Live Fest partnered with Harry Chapin Food Bank and St. Mathews House to deliver the groceries to the families. Performers Brad Paisley, Jake Owen and 38 Special also contributed to SW Florida Hurricane Ian relief efforts. Live Fest, along with the QBE Shoot Out, gives proceeds yearly to CURESEARCH for Children’s Cancer, the mainstay charity for their events. Live Fest will be making other donations in the coming months to families and organizations in need in the wake of Hurricane Ian.
From Steve’s perspective, this would not be possible without their great sponsors. Live Fest now has more than twenty major sponsors assisting in making Naples largest music experience a success, all of which are special to Steve and Rob. He and Team Wasserman have been very selective in who they work with, always looking for synergies for the community and the experience. According to Steve, “when you merge positive energy, highly capable team players and continual pursuit of excellence, things fall into place. Life is not a dress rehearsal. We have only one life. Let’s leave a positive mark. It always feels better to give than receive.”
There you have it. Long live Live Fest!
A standing ovation for these fine sponsors!
QBE, Mercedes, Tiburon Golf Club, The Ritz Carlton Naples Tiburon, Miller Coors, iHeart Radio, First Horizon, Synovus, TerraCap, Lenkbar, Sea Gate Development, Garrison Brothers Bourbon, Ammunition Wine & Spirits, Titos Vodka, Herradura Tequila, Naples CVB, Zoom Tan, Marine Max, First Trust, Stock Development, Simple Beauty Studio and Medical Spa, Private Reserve Realty.
...the day of the event Live Fest donated proceeds to feed 600 local families in need for a week at a food drive at the Coastland Mall.
