In 2014, AKA Entertainment & Media created NC’s Premier Barbecue and Music Festivals as a series that consists of its existing Festivals, the Twin City Ribfest an the Port City Ribfest. The longterm strategy is to expand the series to other markets.

What’s a Ribfest?

BBQ teams from across the country come to the RibFests to sell their BBQ and compete against each other for bragging rights. Many of these "ribbers" have been featured on several national TV networks including the Food Channel, TLC and the Discovery Channel's "Pitmaster." Our attendees enjoy ribs prepared Memphis-style, Chicago-style, Texas-style and Carolina Style, plus but beef brisket, chopped and sliced pork, chicken, sausages and a plethora of side items. And that’s just the food.

Amidst the aroma of smoke pork, attendees can take in a variety of entertainment that has included side shows, Mexican wrestling and more.Then there’s the music. We have established a reputation of showcasing original acts from around the country, like the Avett Brothers, Cyrille Neville and Rhiannon Giddens. We've also had our share of favorites from earlier times like Confederate Railroad, Hal Ketchum, Mother's Finest and even Vanilla Ice. Experiential marketing opportunities

In an increasingly digital world, consumers are appreciate a chance to touch, feel and respond to products personally. Live, face-to-face events entertain, educate and create the kind of emotional stickiness that brands want. Joining us each year are companies and organizations who understand the benefit of experiential marketing and use our festivals to reach new customers and prospects. We invite you to consider partnering with us in 2017.

NC’s Premier Barbecue and Music Festivals

The Twin City RibFest (Winston-Salem, NC)

It began in a Church Parking Lot in 2005. Every year since then, thousands of BBQ fans come out for the good food and fun. Daring to promote a whole 'nother type of 'cue; something beyond Lexington style BBQ, promoter Allen McDavid launched the first RibFest with Shiner Bock beer as the title sponsor. "Where is it written that pork barbecue has to be chopped or shredded," McDavid asked."There is more to the pig than shoulders and butts." The success of the Twin City RibFest was immediate and it soon gained national recognition in Bon Apetit magazine, MarthaStewart.com, USA Today and Our State magazine, as well as being named a Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Bureau several years running.

The Port City RibFest (Wilmington, NC)

In its four years of existence the Port City Rib Fest has been held on the banks of the Cape Fear River. It has averaged over 10,000 attendees who come out to taste the nation's best BBQ. The Port City RibFest has earned its slogan as the “Nation’s most unique BBQ festival” because of its distinctively unusual approach to entertainment and festival feel.

NC’s Premier Barbecue and Music Festivals

NC’s Premier Barbecue and Music Festivals

DemographicsBy Race / EthnicityWhite - 65%Black - 30%Latino - 3%Other - 2%

By Age12 and Under - 10%13 to 18 - 10%18 to 34 - 25%Over 34 - 55%

Twin City RibFest

AKA Entertainment & Media, LLC.

NC’s Premier Barbecue and Music Festivals

DemographicsBy Race / EthnicityWhite - 85%Black - 10%Latino - 3%Other - 2%

By Age12 and Under - 15%13 to 18 - 15%18 to 34 - 25%Over 34 - 45%

Port City RibFest

Sponsorships

Without sponsors, our festivals would not be the outstanding events that they have become known for. But it is not a one-way street. Our sponsors would be the first to say that the relationship is a win-win one. Few festivals work harder to create the proper marketing fit for its sponsors, whether they be large national brands or local mom and pop shops. We offer stock and custom strategies to meet budgets, goals and maximize results.

Past sponsors include:

NC’s Premier Barbecue and Music Festivals

Standard RibFest Sponsorships (Custom Sponsorships Available)

Title Sponsorship Exclusive - Top sponsorship, Logo added to official Port City RibFest Logo - Logo on Print Advertising / Promo Items - Logo on Event Banners - Full-Page Event Program Ad - 25 VIP Passes - 25 Rib Dinners - 100 General Admission Tickets - 10 x 20 Exhibitor Space - Includes 16 x 20 Party Deck Marketing Investment: $10,000

Theme Music Day Sponsor Three Available- Name, Logo on all Theme Music Day Promo - Logo on Print Advertising / Promo Items - Logo on Event Banners - Quarter-Page Event Program Ad - 10 VIP Passes - 10 Rib Dinners - 20 General Admission Tickets - 10 x 20 Exhibitor Space- Includes 3 x 5 banner / center stage on Theme Day Marketing Investment: $2,500

NC’s Premier Barbecue and Music Festivals

Second Stage Sponsor Exclusive - Logo on Print Advertising / Promo Items - Logo on Event Banners - Quarter-Page Event Program Ad - 12 VIP Passes - 12 Rib Dinners - 20 General Admission Tickets - 10 x 20 Exhibitor Space Marketing Investment: $2,000

Main Stage Sponsor Exclusive - Logo accompanies all Main Stage promotion - Logo on Print Advertising / Promo Items - Logo on Event Banners - Half-Page Event Program Ad - 15 VIP Passes - 15 Rib Dinners - 30 General Admission Tickets - 10 x 20 Exhibitor Space - Includes 3 x 10 banner on stage front Marketing Investment: $3,500

VIP Tent Sponsor Exclusive- Logo accompanies all VIP Tent promo - Logo on Print Advertising / Promo Items - Logo on Event Banners - Quarter-Page Event Program Ad - 12 VIP Passes - 12 Rib Dinners - 20 General Admission Tickets - 10 x 20 Exhibitor Space - Preferred Promo Access to VIP guests Marketing Investment: $3,000

AKA Entertainment & Media

Allen McDavid launched AKA and over the last 12 years has received several accolades for his festival work including: – Named one of 20 Who Shaped the Triad Arts Scene by GoTriad for his art series called ArtsAlive! – AKA's 2004 Samhain festival, Mystic Karnival was named one of the Top 10 New Cultural Events in the Triad. – AKA's Eden RiverFest won the 2006 NC Department of Commerce Main Street Program's Best Downtown Festival in NC 2006. – The Twin City RibFest was named one of the Southeast's Hottest Summer Festival Tickets in the June, 2008 issue of Bon Appetit magazine. - The Twin City RibFest was listed as one of The Top 50 BBQ Festivals in America by USA Today in 2016.– Named one of the country's best food festivals on MarthaStewart.com in 2008. – Our State magazine named the Twin City RibFest as one of the NC’s Top 10 Summer Festivals in 2015 – The Twin City RibFest has been included in the Top 20 Event List by the Southeast Tourism several years running. – The Port City RibFest was included in Philly Magazine as a Reasons to Visit Wilmington, NC.

NC’s Premier Barbecue and Music Festivals

Port City RibFest

Sales RepresentativeDink Eaton910 262-8330 Dink@aka-entertainment.com