The Festival Congress is Launched!
The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) today (Monday 28th April 2014) announced details of its brand new annual flagship event, The Festival Congress, which is coming to Cardiff this autumn. Keynote speakers confirmed so far include inspiring figures from the independent festival industry including Jude Kelly (Artistic Director of the Southbank Centre), Martin Elbourne (Glastonbury / The Great Escape) Rob da Bank (Bestival) and John Rostron (Welsh Music Foundation and Sŵn Festival).
Taking place over 17th and 18th October, the event will be the largest gathering and celebration of independent festivals to ever take place and will feature conferences, masterclasses, networking events, awards and live performances from emerging artists. Topics will cover the latest trends and technologies in the festival sector including programming, marketing, creative and immersive elements, sustainable event management and much more.
At the launch, AIF Co-founder Rob Da Bank said: “Wotcha Wales! Everyone at AIF HQ is buzzing about bringing The Festival Congress to Cardiff, a city that knows how to work hard and then party, just like us lot. I really hope that it will become a key calendar event for the whole festival industry for many years to come and I look forward to being in the same place as all the best independent festivals in the UK.”
The AIF expects that up to 400 people will attend over the two days – including festival promoters, crew and suppliers from all over the UK alongside students and people aspiring to work in the festival and events industry.
The Festival Congress will launch at the BBC Hoddinott Hall, Wales Millennium Centre on 17th October following the AIF AGM. The second day of the conference will take place in Cardiff’s Angel Hotel. A very special event is being planned for the Festival Congress celebration and will be announced soon.
The event is presented by AIF and supported by the Welsh Government and the British Council- Stay tuned here for updates.