President & CEO
Memphis in May International Festival

James (Jim) Holt has successfully directed one of the United States’ largest and most successful annual civic festivals, Memphis in May International Festival, since 1998.  During his tenure, Holt has driven organizational and program expansion, generated festival asset growth from $10,000 to over $3.8 million, with an economic impact in 2019 of over $149 million. During his two decades with the organization he has administered salute programs to twenty foreign nations and gained widespread recognition and respect within the festival industry and international community.

Under his leadership, Memphis in May International Festival has received numerous international awards from the festival industry. The festival has received 211 prestigious Pinnacle Awards from the International Festival and Event Association (IFEA), where Holt is accredited as a Certified Festival and Event Executive (CFEE).

Mr. Holt has received recognition for his dedication in advancing international cultural and commercial exchange including awards from the Ministry of Culture & Tourism, Republic of Korea. Former Governor Phil Bredesen of Tennessee named Holt a Tennessee Ambassador of Goodwill.

Holt served on the Board of Directors of the International Festival and Events Association for seven years and chaired the organization in 2014.  He has previously served on the Board of the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau, Memphis Riverfront Development Corporation and the Memphis Chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

Prior to joining Memphis in May International Festival, Holt spent nearly two decades in the entertainment industry with Memphis and Nashville agencies and through his own business, promoting and directing headline concerts, special events, music festivals, and managing recording artists and touring properties regionally and nationally.
A native of Ohio, Holt is a 40-year resident of Memphis, TN where he relocated following his secondary education at Ohio University.  He is a graduate of the Leadership Academy and Leadership Memphis. Holt is the proud father of four adult children and has six grandchildren.