Festival Congress Speakers Announced

The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) has revealed full details of its annual flagship two-day conference and celebration event, The Festival Congress taking place this year on 5th and 6th November.

The conference takes place at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff from 5th-6th November, with confirmed guest speakers including Bestival’s Rob da Bank, Glastonbury Commercial Director Robert Richards, Liverpool Sound City CEO Dave Pichilingi, Zac Fox of Kilimanjaro Live, Rob Silver of Lovebox, Kendal Calling’s Andy Smith and Shambala’s Sid Sharma.

BBC Radio DJ and Swn Festival Co-Founder, Huw Stephens will deliver the keynote speech at this year’s event.

The Congress will also feature a series of presentations, roundtable discussions and 15-minute Talking Heads sessions, presented in association with sponsor and lead educational partner, BIMM.

Topics will include: How advertising has evolved, the parallels between the craft beer and independent festival industries, Police negotiations, where UK festivals need to improve and engaging Government in festival development.

The ‘Festival Frontiers’ session will reflect on festivals moving beyond the traditional headliner model towards a more multi-arts, experiential approach and ‘Paradise City’ will explore the rise of city festivals and the impact they have on economies and infrastructure.

Additional topics include Creating the New World Order – looking at how visual arts, décor, installations and creative programming give festival audiences new experiences and determine a festival’s identity and longevity, and ‘Keep them coming back’, examining what festivals can learn from agents, managers and tour managers.

There will also be a festival-themed evening celebration on 5th November at Cardiff University’s Great Hall, with a street food festival banquet for delegates and The Festival Congress Awards.

Find out more and buy tickets here.