THOUSAND OAKS : Group Takes Over Festival Planning

The Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce has turned over the day-to-day planning and preparation of the 1994 Conejo Valley Days festival to a private firm called the Executive Performance Group.

Chamber officials said the change would help smooth the transition when a group of volunteers takes over sponsorship of Conejo Valley Days in 1995.

The firm’s owner, Jennifer Cummings, and her associate, Jennifer Kushell, have set up shop in the chamber building to prepare for the event, which will run April 27 to May 1.

“What we’re trying to effect is this smooth transition,” said Steve Rubinstein, chamber executive director. “I would assume whoever will organize it next year will use these people.”

Chamber officials agreed last month to relinquish control of Conejo Valley Days to a committee of non-chamber volunteers and nonprofit organizations, citing the need to focus more of the chamber’s energy on the economy.

Executive Performance Group has organized similar events in Boston for five years. Cummings said she is a longtime resident of the Conejo Valley and a graduate of Northeastern University in Boston. Kushell has a marketing degree from Boston University.