Tiffany Steel is back home where it all started in 1993. As the Parkes Elvis Festival’s newly appointed Sponsorship and Marketing Coordinator the wheel has turned full circle for Tiffany who helped to coordinate the early Elvis festivals and served 20 years on the Elvis committee.
“I remember that first street parade,” she laughs, “Mum and I wearing vests waving our arms to stop the traffic, a couple of sad floats in the rain – and ours fell apart – and the singers, dancing in the drenching rain on the back. Oh, but those early nights at Gracelands were just awesome.”
It was there in those early days that Tiffany fell in love with organising events – a talent that came naturally.
“Dad (Bob Steel) was working the bar, while Mum (Anne Steel) was cooking, so she said to my brother and me ‘you host it’, and we did.”
Tiffany enjoyed growing up here and has always loved Parkes. Since her marriage ended five years ago, she has thought about coming back with her 11-year-old daughter, Ruby.
“I knew I’d need a great job if I were to come back,” said Tiffany. “When this position came up, friends said ‘look it’s got your name written on it’ and I had to agree.” Along with her enthusiasm and great new ideas, Tiffany brings a wealth of experience in event organising.
She has organised conferences and events around the world. She worked in local government in a tourism and marketing role in Port Macquarie Hastings; for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service in Newcastle; and managed events and fundraising for children’s charity Variety in Brisbane – all stemming from her roots of being the first paid coordinator of the Elvis Festival in 2007.
Tiffany also brings a personal passion to the Elvis Festival, and it quickly shines through her bright personality when speaking with her. She is full of great ideas and is working on a really big one at the moment – to be kept under wraps for now.
She would like to see the number of festival days extended, and an increase in international visitors, currently measured at 1%. She has a very high regard for the volunteers and would like that community spirit to continue.
“Everyone is friendly, helpful and having a good time and that is something that you just don’t get in the city.”
She also feels the festival can be enjoyed by everyone with about 80% of the 200 events this year being free. “I’d like to see even more. It’s fabulous for families to enjoy free entertainment in the park.”
While Tiffany is grateful to be back home with her family and have the opportunity to work on the Elvis Festival, Parkes should feel very lucky the wheel has turned to bring Tiffany back to where she belongs.
By Beth Thomas