group posing in front of Dickens on Centre sign
Case study: The art of creating holiday magic

Listen to audio Tips for planning a multi-day vacation During my recent trip to Amelia Island, Florida, when I had dinner for the first time with Mariela Murphy, CMP, Director of Special Events for the Amelia Island Convention and Visitors Bureau, I was immediately drawn to her take on the Dickens Center holiday event. Captivated by excitement and vision. . For those unfamiliar, the Dickens Center is an annual event that will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2024. The festival will be held December 12-15 in historic downtown Fernandina Beach, Florida. This is Murphy’s fourth year leading planning for the event. Her extensive experience provides planners with valuable lessons when organizing their own multi-day events. I sat down with Murphy to discuss her insights, from the Dickens of Coordination Center to what other planners can learn from her experience. Emin Piansai What typically happens during Dickens Central? Marilla Murphy This is a four-day Christmas market and festival, held from Thursday…