The Association of Festival Organisers (AFO) has announced further details of the agenda for this year’s conference on 9-11 November at Stratford Manor Hotel near Stratford upon Avon.
Sessions are scheduled for topics ranging from ticketing (where to find the best deals), who should shoulder the responsibility of marketing events, the latest rules and regulations around security, and details of the new PRS tariff – where the money actually goes.
The AFO Conference has always prided itself on being welcoming to those new to the festival and events industry. This year’s ‘Beginners Guide – an A-Z’ will offer top tips to those starting their journey. And there will be ample opportunity to pick up much more information from experienced organisers with talks and case studies about how to plan festival sites from green fields to town centres.
On hand too will be experts in many fields to answer specific questions on insurance, legal issues and accounting, dealing with contracts and artists, and licensing and security.
The AFO continues to play a pivotal role in raising awareness of the socio-economic impact of the festival and events industry. This year will focus on the plastics crisis and suggest ways in which the industry can play its part in reducing and recycling waste. Speakers from a number of environmental organisations will discuss solutions on how we can help conserve the world’s natural resources and adopt renewable energy resources into our events.
Friday and Saturday evenings both also offer showcase concerts which will give delegates the chance to find new artists for their festivals.
“The conference is a mix of news, ideas and the best networking opportunity of the year,” said Steve Heap, general secretary. “For newcomers, our aim is to put them on the right road to thinking about every aspect of what is involved in organising an event.
“It is never too late to become part of our community. So often new members tell us they wished they had known about the conference when they first started their festival as we try to help people avoid the pitfalls.”
For more information about the conference, visit www.festivalorganisers.org/afo+conference
