Today we’d like to introduce you to David Loesch.
David, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Over the last eight years, the WWBF has become Nationally known as the top Brewfest in North America as rated by BeerYeti.com. You can read the article here: WWBF Grabs the top spot in North America 3 years in a row! The Wild West Brewfest (Wild West Brewfest) is an energized and purposeful celebration of craft beer for the Katy, Richmond, west Houston, and surrounding communities.
With well over 8500 guests at our last Wild West Brewfest, this event partners businesses with the community by providing a thoroughly enjoyable atmosphere with gourmet food, exceptional craft beer selections, and awesome live music.
The Wild West Brewfest in Katy was formed as a fundraising vehicle to assist others in our local communities. We assist our local FFA chapters by identifying need-based students and providing essential funding to raise, sale, and process animals each school year. In addition, we assist the local Fine Arts departments in identifying economically challenged students and purchasing instruments for the district that allow these students to participate in fine arts activities (such as band). We also use proceeds from our event to support our local food pantry, Katy Christian Ministries, by providing over 3000 pounds of meat for families in need of assistance.
Over $800,000 has been given away over the last eight events; and over $140,0000 has been given away from our 2019 event alone, we truly are 100% non-profit. Please see our website for much more information on the charities that we support. Wild West Brewfest and Rotary Club of Katy Giving Back!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
With so many varieties of beer out there, our struggle is to have as many breweries represented at our event as we can. We strive to have as many breweries, however some simply cannot make the event. We have been blessed to have a great volunteer crew however building up to what we have now (over 500 volunteers) has been difficult. We appreciate all of our partners in brewing, our volunteers, our Rotarians and our sponsors. Without these teams, WWBF would not be what it is today.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The Wild West Brewfest – what should we know?
The WWBF 2019 had over 7500 attendees, over 600 volunteers, over 600 brews on property, and netted over $130,000 in 2019 for charitable giving (which is up from $127,000 in 2018). We are 100% volunteers, this is what sets us apart from other festivals in and around Houston.
This puts the WWBF at over $850,000 in charitable giving since inception and we owe a huge thanks to our patrons, sponsors, brewers, Rotarians, the City of Katy and volunteers! Our mission is to give back, we take zero fee for putting this event on and proud to give away 100% of the net proceeds.
When we say we could not do this without help, we truly mean that sentiment. Our partners make this event successful and for this, we are grateful for your support. We are just a tool and you are the engine that makes this event run and prosper year after year.
Our challenge for 2020 (our new 20/20 vision) will be to top the $1 million mark in funding for our charitable giving, setting us apart from other festivals of this nature. We are proud to represent many, but taking the financial barriers away for many is what we are most proud of.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
On our header, we have the following: Integrity, Teamwork, Continuous Improvement, Service to the Community. As indicated, we take zero fee, all of us are volunteers and we do not put this event to enhance our lifestyles, only to give back to the community. The Rotarian motto is “Service above Self” and that is exactly what we stand for. All four points above define the WWBF.
Pricing:
- Genral Admission tickets $35
- VIP tickets $75
- Tickets go up in price 1/1/20
Contact Info:
- Website: www.wildwestbrewfest.com
- Email: info@wildwestbrewfest.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildwestbrewfest/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Katy-Wild-West-Brew-Fest-173696302747587/
Image Credit:
Karen Ali
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