A statement from Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) CEO Paul Reed following Prime Minister Boris Johnson's social distancing clampdown relating to the COVID-19 outbreak

A statement from Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) CEO Paul Reed following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s social distancing clampdown relating to the COVID-19 outbreak

17 Mar 2020

“For AIF and its member festivals, the health and safety of the public is a top priority. It is therefore important that the latest medical advice around social gatherings is heeded. “However, AIF echoes wider industry calls for urgent clarity from Government on whether there will be a formal ban on events, when that might come into effect and which…


BLOG - CEO Paul Reed on his Trip to Indonesia with the British Council

BLOG – CEO Paul Reed on his Trip to Indonesia with the British Council

10 Dec 2019

Chief exec Paul Reed visited Indonesia with the British Council in October 2019. Here’s a reflection on his trip. I represented the UK’s Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) on a recent trip to Bali and Jakarta, supported by the British Council, with the aim of scoping out potential collaborative opportunities and networks between Indonesia and the UK. In addition, I…


AIF to offer members mental health first aid training through Music Support partnership

AIF to offer members mental health first aid training through Music Support partnership

07 Nov 2019

The Association of Independent Festivals has partnered with Music Support – a peer-led music industry charity that provides confidential mental health and addiction services – to offer its members discounted training in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA). The partnership was announced today at the AIF’s 2019 Festival Congress, building upon a ‘Well-being For Festivals’ training event that AIF organised for…


Independent Festival Awards 2019 winners revealed

Independent Festival Awards 2019 winners revealed

06 Nov 2019

Awards ceremony follows first day of AIF’s 2019 Festival Congress in Sheffield.   Winners include Standon Calling, Deer Shed Festival, Twisterella and KOKOKO! across eight categories including four new this year  The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) has announced the winners of the Independent Festival Awards 2019 at a packed-out event in Sheffield. Hosted for the first time by actor,…


AIF publishes updated UK festival ownership map for 2019

AIF publishes updated UK festival ownership map for 2019

06 Nov 2019

The Association of Independent Festivals has today launched an updated festival ownership map at its annual Festival Congress event in Sheffield. The map shows several shifts in the sector in 2019, revealing that almost 30% of the UK market is controlled by transnational companies Live Nation and AEG presents. AIF’s 2019 ownership map illustrates that Live Nation owns or controls 22.81% of…


Independent Festival Awards 2019 shortlist revealed

Independent Festival Awards 2019 shortlist revealed

07 Oct 2019

Four new categories including ‘European Festival of the Year’, ‘Backstage Hero’ and ‘In On The Ground floor’ Actor, writer and comedian Thanyia Moore to host Final conference speakers announced including keynote from Owen Kingston, Artistic Director of immersive theatre company Parabolic Theatre Tickets on sale now: festivalcongress.com The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) has announced the shortlist for the 2019 Independent…


AIF announces full conference programme for Festival Congress 2019

AIF announces full conference programme for Festival Congress 2019

02 Sep 2019

Legendary rock photographer Jill Furmanovsky, Rob da Bank’s A-Z Of Festivals podcast with Deershed, Arcadia Spectacular, Sensoria, Rewilding Britain, Extinction Rebellion and more In partnership with Energy Revolution, Festival Congress set to be first travel carbon-neutral events industry conference Today we have announced further details for the 2019 edition of our flagship Festival Congress event in Sheffield on November 6-…


AIF announces Wellbeing for Festivals Training Day

AIF announces Wellbeing for Festivals Training Day

29 Jul 2019

The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) are pleased to announce our Wellbeing for Festivals Training Day – a small scale event covering a wide variety of wellbeing and welfare issues relating to staff and audiences. This event will cover topics including mental health, emotional support, disability, accessibility  and sexual safety through a combination of quick-fire talks and more in-depth workshops….


First speakers announced for AIF Festival Congress 2019

First speakers announced for AIF Festival Congress 2019

03 Jul 2019

Flagship festival conference returns to Sheffield on November 6 – 7 Tickets on sale now: FestivalCongress.com Initial speakers and details have been revealed for the 2019 edition of the Association of Independent Festivals’ flagship Festival Congress. The conference, along with The Independent Festival Awards, will return to Sheffield for a second consecutive year on November 6 – 7. Tickets are…


Ambitious Vision for Sustainable Events - Festival Vision:2025 launches Crowdfunder

Ambitious Vision for Sustainable Events – Festival Vision:2025 launches Crowdfunder

11 Jun 2019

Festival Vision:2025 launches Crowdfunder, inviting everyone in the events industry to be part of an ambitious strategy toward a sustainable events industry, 11th June 2019. The Festival Vision:2025 crowdfunding campaign, launched by not-for-profit group Powerful Thinking, gives the whole live events industry the opportunity to work together and provide leadership around climate breakdown through the Vision 2025’s pioneering strategy. Funding…


Leading industry report reveals extent of UK festival and events diesel emissions and impact on public health

Leading industry report reveals extent of UK festival and events diesel emissions and impact on public health

05 Jun 2019

With diesel emissions becoming an increasing public health concern, World Environment Day on June 5th is focused on air pollution. Award winning environmental sustainability management company Hope Solutions and power management specialists ZAP Concepts have brought together key events industry experts to produce an action research report. Thanks to the collaboration of hundreds of major UK festivals and events, the…


Independent festivals say no to single-use tents

Independent festivals say no to single-use tents

08 May 2019

Association of Independent Festivals calls on major retailers such as Argos and Tesco to stop marketing ‘festival tents’ as single-use items Consumer-facing campaign, launching on 8th May, will aim to inspire festival-goers to ‘Take Your Tent Home’ and ‘Say No To Single Use’ Organisers of more than 60 independent festivals across the UK have issued a call to retailers such…