Cfea Ashley Blankenbaker

Ashley Blankenbaker, CFEA has extensive experience in marketing and event management. Ashley began their career in 1998 as a Call Center/Sales Supervisor at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, where they promoted and booked group/corporate sales and managed customer relationships. Ashley later joined Z&R Design as an Interior Designer and Office Manager, where they specialized in residential and commercial interior design. In 2011, Ashley returned to Holiday World as a Sales Coordinator, and was responsible for group and corporate sales. Ashley then held multiple roles at the Galt House Hotel, including Marketing Manager and Director/Executive Producer of Attractions, Special Events, and Entertainment. In 2017, they became the Director of Marketing at Fourth Street Live!, a position they held until 2018 when they joined Holiday World & Splashin' Safari again, this time as the Director of Marketing. In this role, they led a team in developing and implementing marketing and advertising plans, driving over $20 million in online annual revenue and overseeing the marketing plans for new attractions and special events. Throughout their career, Ashley has demonstrated expertise in branding, advertising, event logistics, and consumer insights.

Ashley Blankenbaker, CFEA, has a diverse education history in various fields. Ashley attended Heritage Hills High School from 1999 to 2002, where they did not obtain a degree or specify a field of study. Later, from 2002 to 2006, they pursued a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Interior Architecture Design at Indiana State University. During the same period, they also pursued a Marketing Minor at the same institution.

In 2013, Ashley attended the IFEA Event Management School and obtained a Certified Festival and Events Associate (CFEA) degree, specializing in Event Management. Additionally, they have obtained multiple certifications. In 2015, they obtained the Certified Guest Service Professional certification from the American Hotel & Lodging Association, and in the same year, they also obtained the CFEA certification from the International Festivals & Events Association.

In 2017, Ashley obtained another certification, the Certified Tourism Ambassador™ (CTA) from an institution specializing in that program.