Tackling travel impacts from live events is an ongoing challenge for organisers seeking to cut overall carbon emissions, BUT incremental progress is being made. Join onboard:earth for a webinar, May 22nd, 12:30-1:30pm, which shares the latest resources for measuring travel impacts, with new research on how to collect good quality travel data from audiences, crew and suppliers, and hear about the innovations that help festivals and events reduce impacts: https://bit.ly/onboardearthWebinarMay2025

What you'll get from the webinar:

📚 Get the 5th edition Green Travel Guide for Festivals and Events for an overview of what’s new in terms of travel trends and best practice for measuring and reducing emission and communicating with stakeholders. 

📊 Check out onboard:earth's new scopes 1-3 travel carbon measurement tool - a mega spreadsheet which has everything you need to drill into your event travel impacts and simplify this often daunting process. 

📋 Get insights into collecting travel data from Event Sustainability Consultant, Livvy Drake, with advice based on a 12-month project with @citizenticket last year and download a new quick guide and data collection survey to adapt for your events.

🌳Hear from onboard:earth’s climate action partner, Temwa ’s Project Director Kondwani Botha, live from Malawi with an update on their tree planting projects and the positive impact of onboard:earth member donations.

🚌💚 Big Green Coach will share the impact of effective green transport options and how they make a difference for live events.

https://bit.ly/onboardearthWebinarMay2025

The Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA) has published the CIISA Standards, which set out the minimum standards of behaviour expected across the UK’s creative industries to enable safe and inclusive working environments. This includes preventing and tackling all forms of bullying and harassment, including behaviour of a discriminatory nature.

 During this webinar Niyi Akeju, CIISA’s Head of Standards Development & Stakeholder Engagement, will talk through the Standards and discuss what they mean for anyone working for and at music festivals. 

For more information about the CIISA Standards visit: www.ciisa.org.uk/standards

Get ready to dive into the world of sound with Hydrock Now Stantec! We’re thrilled to present a session that will enlighten festival operators on the best practices in noise management. We’ll unravel the mysteries of how noise travels from festival sites and debunk the myths surrounding it. Plus, we’ll explore innovative methods for monitoring and managing noise at events.

Our goal is to shed light on the hidden aspects of sound and simplify the jargon that often confuses. Noise management is a hot topic for festival organisers, sound professionals, noise management engineers, and, most importantly, festival-goers. We aim to tackle the recurring issues we encounter on-site, equipping AIF members with straightforward and effective strategies to manage noise and enhance the festival experience for everyone involved. Let’s make some noise about making festivals better! 

RSVP here.

Our monthly meeting is open to all AIF Festival members to attend. We will catch you up on all AIF work, get feedback on key issues and there is an opportunity for open discussion. Access information and agenda will be sent to all members in advance of the meeting.

Join Paul & Liam from Crescat to learn more about their brand new Grassroots Support Scheme in partnership with AIF and Music Venue Trust - Crescat GO. Crescat GO provides grants for affordable access to Crescat's Event Production Software, to Grassroots, Start-up and Fallow Festivals with significant financial barriers. Paul & Liam will talk you through the application process, eligibility criteria and demonstrate what you will gain in using Crescat for your festival, if successful in applying!

RSVP here.

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, also known as Martyn’s Law, has now received Royal Assent — and with it comes major changes for venues, events, and crowd safety professionals.

Join UKCMA, in partnership with The Events Industry Forum, LIVE and AIF for a live Q&A session exploring what the Act means for our industry and how to start preparing.

And a very big welcome to our specialist panel who will be in conversation to answer your questions- Eric Stuart QPM, Russ Phillips, Philip Boardman MSyl Adv.Dip (CTRM), and Tom Devine chaired by Anne Marie Chebib BA (Hons), PGDip

With over 900 registrations already, reserve your place now to avoid missing out!

📅 Tuesday 29th April
⏰ 13:00 - 14:00 (BST)
📍 Live on Zoom
🔗 Register here 👉 https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/5UbMoHmrTK6Do5gNJLOEGA#/registration

This is your opportunity to get expert insights, ask questions, and get ready for the next steps in compliance and security planning.

Our monthly meeting is open to all AIF Festival members to attend. We will catch you up on all AIF work, get feedback on key issues and there is an opportunity for open discussion. Access information and agenda will be sent to all members in advance of the meeting.

A run through of the risks facing festival and event organisers and associated insurance policies to cover those risks.  Ideal for anyone wanting to understand more about how insurance policies work, what is needed to protect yourself and others.  Plus a look at claims that have happened and how they could have been avoided. 

RSVP here.

Our monthly meeting is open to all AIF Festival members to attend. We will catch you up on all AIF work, get feedback on key issues and there is an opportunity for open discussion. Access information and agenda will be sent to all members in advance of the meeting.

We're pleased to announce an online session hosted by Becky Ayers - Managing Director at Liverpool Sound City Festival. We will be discussing how to create new income streams and make your festival sustainable. 

Join us on Tuesday 25th February, 11.30am - 12.30pm. This is a free to attend online session, RSVP here for access info. Originally planned for our multi-venue festival development programme cohort, we have decided to expand to the full membership as we feel the content can also be applied to greenfield events. 

"2024 was a real challenge for independent festivals.   Association of Independent Festivals reported that it was the most turbulent year for the sector to date and at the end of the year reported that 72 Festivals had cancelled, postponed or called time in 2024 - double the number in 2023 where 36 fell, and 204 in total since the pandemic began. 

The main reason for this has been the financial pressure of running an event in this  climate, with the high increase in costs combined with huge cashflow expectations sitting on independent festivals. 

Running my own independent festival I’ve faced these challenges first hand and with my background in sales and sponsorship, I’ve made sure that my festival and entertainment company is resilient through building a number of income streams around it. Which is why I’m in a position to work with other festivals and help them overcome the razor tight margins and become sustainable through creating new ways of making money 

If you want to make your festival/ event sustainable and add new income streams to your business, raise £20k+ through sponsorship, then attend this workshop to learn more."

RSVP here

Despite a challenging environment, many independent festivals are thriving – selling out even before line-ups are announced, so loyal and invested are their followings.We believe that independent festivals’ smaller scale and unique way of doing things – values-led, with a strong community ethos and sustainability principles often front-and-centre – are at the very heart of our success.Building on these inherent strengths, how might independent festivals be, or become, exemplars of ‘regenerative business’ – organisations that actively restore our natural environments and communities – particularly in ‘post-growth’ or ‘wellbeing’ economies, which emphasise quality of life and connection over financial/GDP growth?

We are delighted to invite you to an interactive workshop for AIF members, to explore this further – drawing on insights and learnings from regenerative business in other sectors, and starting to define any support that you might need to drive this forward and act collectively.The workshop will take place on Thursday 13th February, 11am-12.15pm GMT and will be co-led by ReRoot, an NGO dedicated to building a more sustainable, inclusive and equitable music industry.

Joining us will be:

• Simon Lee, Founder, ReRoot / Associate Senior Consultant, Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)

• Erinch Sahan, Business & Enterprise Lead, Doughnut Economics Action Lab (DEAL) / Senior Associate, CISL

• Jordan McKay, Director, ReRoot / Principal Sustainability Strategist, Forum for the Future

Festival Congress will be returning on the 5th of February at the Bristol Beacon from 9:45am - 6pm. Tickets are available Here

EPOS specialist Mark Evans will share expert insights on transitioning to a cashless system and integrating a singular payment system across your event. Learn how to ensure a smooth process from planning to post-event, improving efficiency and creating a positive experience for all stakeholders. Unmissable for those seeking a streamlined approach to event payments.

This will include:

• Benefits of Cashless

• Picking the EPOS solution that is right for your event

• Pre-Show planning

• Successful deployment and training

• Creating a positive trader experience

• Post show Reconciliation

RSVP here.

Our monthly meeting is open to all AIF Festival members to attend. We will catch you up on all AIF work, get feedback on key issues and there is an opportunity for open discussion. Access information and agenda will be sent to all members in advance of the meeting.

Join us for our annual Festival and Supplier networking dinner, at a central London location. This will be first come, first served when registration opens, with a balanced mix of festival operators and Supplier Friends of AIF. This event is always a sellout, with a waiting list for spots. More info coming soon.

TeamKinetic, the volunteer management software pros with over 15 years of experience, are here to spill the beans! They've helped over half a million volunteers contribute a whopping two million hours to awesome causes. 

Their secret? Putting volunteers first! They make it super easy for volunteers and organisers to connect, manage events, and make a real impact.

Join their session on the 19th (2:00-3:00) for a chilled but insightful chat with Chris Martin, the company founder. He's got a treasure trove of data and insights to share, gathered from epic events like Longitude Festival Dublin, Eurovision Liverpool, and more! 

Learn how to:

• Effortlessly recruit and manage volunteers with the latest digital tools.

• Slash admin time and stress.

• Create an amazing experience for your volunteers.

Let's spark a conversation about the festival world's unique needs and how we can connect with the wider volunteer community.

Don't miss out – it's time to unleash the power of volunteering! 

RSVP here.

Join Craig, CEO of Different Breed ® as we take a look at your existing booking journeys through the eyes of disabled individuals. We will explore how our focus on the need for large change is making us miss the small changes that make a huge difference. 

Email info@aiforg.com for RSVP.

David Suslik, CEO of OnSinch and one of the newest AIF friends will showcase their workforce management and community-building software for festivals. OnSinch helps festivals register staff and volunteers, plan shifts, promote self-registration for open shifts, and manage payments, reports, and communication, among other features. OnSinch leverages geo-location check-ins, push notifications, and e-signatures to simplify coordination and save time.With 15 years of experience in the event industry, OnSinch is trusted by clients across 13 countries, with half of its portfolio based in the UK.

RSVP Here.

With the many moving parts in running a Festival, it's good to have an overview on how you run each part from contractors, artists, vendors, crew and volunteers. We discuss the various ways to streamline your operations in advance of your event so that you're more organised and less stressed. Rather than planning as you go, it's good to have a birds eye view from the start to the end without feeling that you're running to keep up. With our experience in advising 100s of festivals around the world, we can discuss the various issues people have and ways you can circumvent these from a people and software perspective.

RSVP here.

A look at the definition of Zone Ex, its requirements and how to practically apply to your event delivered by Becky Stevens, Hybred Events Ltd and Ise Murphy-Morris authors of the Zone Ex chapter in the Purple Guide.

Click here to RSVP.

Our monthly meeting is open to all AIF Festival members to attend. We will catch you up on all AIF work, get feedback on key issues and there is an opportunity for open discussion. Access information and agenda will be sent to all members in advance of the meeting.

Join us for an insightful webinar hosted by Eventwise, the leading financial software for the events industry, where we'll dive into cash flow management in the events industry, before and after COVID-19. We'll explore how the pandemic has transformed financial practices, from managing deposits and vendor payments to handling increased cancellations and flexible terms.

Our experts will compare pre- and post-COVID cash flow patterns, offering strategies to adapt to new financial realities. Learn how to maintain liquidity, forecast accurately, and stay on top of bills in uncertain times. Discover techniques for negotiating favourable terms, diversifying revenue, and leveraging technology for real-time financial tracking. Don't miss this chance to enhance your financial acumen and keep your event planning business thriving in a changed landscape.

Open to AIF Members only, email info@aiforg.com for RSVP info.

A new in-person event for 2024. Facilitated sessions for festival teams to debrief on their events and discuss issues and solutions. The purpose is to give AIF Festival Members an opportunity to meet with other festival members and engage in one or all of three facilitated sessions to help you pick through issues, opportunities, trends and thoughts about the main summer season gone, and work on improvements for 2025 and beyond.

Event Schedule
9.30am Showman's Show opens

10.00am-10.30am arrive / tea / coffee

10.30-10.45 intros

10.45am-11.45 Key Themes Breakout / Debrief - picking out the overarching topics, trends and issues  from the season

Midday-1.00pm - Lunch provided by Hodge & Huggett. Food available will be vegan, dairy and gluten free.

1.00pm-2.00pm Ops Breakout - focussed on operational issues

2.15pm-3.15pm Marketing Breakout - focussed on marketing and sales issues

3.15pm-3.30pm - wrap up

4.30pm Showman's Show ends

You may want to attend all sessions, or you may want to send particular people to particular sessions. You can use other time within our space to network, or, of course, take in the wider Showman’s Show.

There will also be a selection of soft drinks, non-alcoholic drinks and a alcoholic drinks available, thanks to Brand New Music agency and Yew. 

Tickets for Debrief Day are available to purchase to join us HERE. This event is for AIF Festival Members only. There will be no access for anyone else - any tickets by non-Members will be refunded.

A third party has kindly offered to cover a small number of bursaries for organisations or individuals who might not be able to afford a ticket. If you’d like to apply for one then please complete this short form HERE.( This would cover the cost of the ticket only)

If you’re coming, you’ll also need to register (for free) for the Showman’s Show, which you can do HERE.

With thanks to Evolution Dome and Production AV for providing the venue and AV/PA equipment, and The Showman’s Show for their support.

Stay ahead of negative stories and own the narrative when things go wrong.

Your festival’s reputation is hard won but fragile and it can be damaged in minutes. Festival Crisis Comms specialist Gordon Duncan looks at this summer’s events for lessons in controlling the narrative and re-establishing trust on and off-site when things don’t go to plan.

This session is open to AIF Members only, email info@aiforg.com for access info.

Looking to turn your festival or event into a must-attend tradition? Join us for a dynamic webinar where we’ll reveal "5 Ways to Build a Community Around Your Event" and create a loyal event family that comes back year after year. Learn how to cultivate a sense of belonging among your attendees, engage them beyond the event, and foster long-term loyalty that translates into repeat ticket sales.

AIF Members only - please email info@aiforg.com for RSVP info.

Eager to demonstrate marketing ROI and scale your event? Join us for a crucial webinar on "Campaign Conversion Tracking," where we'll show you how to accurately measure your marketing efforts, prove ROI, and increase conversions. Learn the techniques to track campaign performance, optimise strategies, and make data-driven decisions that fuel event growth.

AIF Members only - please email info@aiforg.com for RSVP info.

PRS Foundation’s Grants & Programmes Manager Ben Price talks about the Early Career Promoter Fund and how it can support independent festivals through grants and network & skills development.

Event open to AIF Members only - email info@aiforg.com for more.

Volunteers are crucial to successful festivals, so it’s super important to recruit the right people and manage them effectively. Join AIF and Crescat as we demonstrate ways to make the entire process better for festivals and for volunteers!

This event is for AIF Members only, please email info@aiforg.com for RSVP info.

We’re hosting an AIF Members social. Join us for an informal catch-up at a central London venue.

Email info@aiforg.com for venue details.