Wichita Festivals, Inc. (WFI), a non-profit corporation, was formed in 1971 to be responsible for the planning and implementation of the Wichita River Festival. Decades later, WFI has turned the Wichita River Festival, now known as Riverfest, into the largest Festival in the state of Kansas and has been recognized as one of the top 100 festival destinations in the United States by travel and leisure organizations. Riverfest attracts more than 300,000 people annually, creating an economic impact of more than $30+ million for the Wichita area in a nine-day period. A staff of 10 full-time employees plans and implements all WFI events with the help of thousands of volunteers who sit on committees and work during WFI event. WFI is governed by a 15-member board of directors elected from the community at-large and representing all facets of community culture and diversity. Funding for Wichita Festivals is secured through corporate sponsorships, in-kind donations and charitable gifts in addition to event food and beverage sales, merchandise sales and event admission and Riverfest button sales.