The Association of Independent Festivals is a non-profit trade association created to represent UK independent music festivals. The aim is to help the businesses of our individual members, and help the needs of the independent festival sector.

Brain child of Rob da Bank (Bestival) and Ben Turner (Graphite Media), AIF operates as an autonomous division of AIM (Association of Independent Music) with its own board and structure. It is chaired by AIM Chairman Alison Wenham, joining some of the UK\'s strongest and most creative music festivals as founder members. Combined attendance of AIF members’ events is in excess of 500,000 people.

AIF is set up to promote the UK’s independently spirited festivals, encouraging efficient management of events, and therefore a better experience for audiences. By sharing knowledge about theft and crime for example, AIF can help to create a safer and more enjoyable festival experience. Through advice, joint purchasing and pooling of resources AIF can assist festivals in cost savings from staging and lighting to security and infrastructure. Networking and seminar events are open to, members, friends and industry.

The collective voice of the AIF membership provides lobbying power where necessary for all legislative, commercial and industry issues as they relate to live events.

The organisation also operates a ‘Friends of AIF’ scheme, in similar style to Friends of AIM, opening the door to companies ranging from merchandisers to toilet providers who wish to communicate directly with owners. AIF provides a "one stop shop" to this highly creative and attractive part of the industry.

AIF founding members include:

• Ben Turner (Graphite Media)
• Chris Smith (Womad)
• John Empson (Eden Sessions)
• Freddie Fellows (Secret Garden Party)
• Hugh Phillimore (Cornbury Festival)
• James Barton (Creamfields)
• Jim Mawdsley (Evolution)
• Danny Newman (Get Loaded in the Park / SW4)
• Jim King (Loud Sound)
• Joe Gibbs (Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival)
• Nick Ladd (The Glade Festival)
• Rob Challice (Summer Sundae Weekender)
• Rob da Bank (Bestival)
• Sidharth Sharma (Shambala Festival)
• Tom Baker (Field Day / Underage)

• Chairman: Alison Wenham (AIM CEO)

• General Manager: Claire O\'Neill (A Greener Festival)

AIF PRESS
If you have a press query only, please contact Hugo Mintz of  Name PR who handles our press and communications.

You can email him on hugo@namepr.co.uk or call +44 (0) 208 357 7305.