Conference Details

BRINGING THE FESTIVAL INDUSTRY TOGETHER UNDER ONE ROOF

Trade media partners Music Week, Audience/Live UK, IQ and Total Production will each host one of the four panel sessions, reflecting the most timely and relevant issues facing the industry today

The panel content will be enhanced through the active input of key industry organisations including AIF (the Association Of Independent Festivals), Bucks New University and the Music Managers Forum, augmented by the provision of unique and ground-breaking market research featured in the UK Festival Report (provided for free to all delegates).

The UK Festival Conference is an essential event for anyone working in and around the UK festival and live music industry and features some of the world's leading industry experts alongside the most respected trade publications.

Delegates will benefit from access to all sessions, delegate goody bag, refreshments, UK Festival Handbook, drinks reception and access to the UK Festival Awards show later in the day. Check back here for updates on speakers, panellists and guests.

GET TICKETS FROM £55 HERE NOW

10:00am: C’MON THE FEEL THE NOISE: AS LONG AS ITS LEGAL
…with Total Production International
This session will be covering the legislation that governs SPLs at festivals and how it affects artists, sound companies and audiences. Whilst health & safety issues need to be taken very seriously, has the audience’s experience been diluted? How can the industry work with the authorities to preserve the experience?

Panellists include:

James Cobb (PSA)
Mark Cunningham (TPi)
Jim Griffiths (Vanguardia Consulting)
John Penn (SSE)
John Probyn (Live Nation)
More to be announced

11:15am: CRIMINAL IN-FEST-ATION
…in association with LIVE UK and Bucks New University
Organised pillaging of tents, forged tickets, fake merchandise – criminals have been steadily increasing their activities in the world of music and festivals, with a particular surge in recent years.But this summer, festival organisers and the Police launched initiatives to crack down on the gangs and individuals who prey on music fans and festival-goers. In this panel, moderated by LIVE UK News Editor James Drury, the results are reviewed and industry experts discuss how to broaden the fightback.

Panellists include:

James Drury (Live UK)
Mark Hamilton (G4S Events)
Colin Rodger (T in the Park)
Rob Da Bank (Bestival)
Reg Walker (Iridium Consultancy)
Stuart Galbraith (Kilimanjaro)
More to be announced

-Lunch-

1:30pm: HOW TO SUSTAIN A SUCCESSFUL FESTIVAL BRAND
...with Music Week and the AIF
In the challenging economic climate this session aims to address issues which are vitally important for festivals across the globe: How to keep your brand contemporary, cutting-edge How to survive a downturn and market over-saturation, Why working as a collective like AIF can help in difficult times, What to do when your festival hits difficult times...

Panellists include:

Jim King (Loud Sound)
James Barton (Creamfields)
Ben Challis (Glastonbury/AGF)
Katrina Larkin (Big Chill)
Rob Challice (SSW, Coda)
Hugh Phillimore (Cornbury)
Chris Barrett (Music Week)
Ben Turner (AIF)
More to be announced

2:45pm: FESTIVAL FUTURES: SEEDING NEW FIELDS
…with IQ and the MMF
Looking at how the festival of the future will operate – what pressures will be affecting the sector over the next decade? With some festivals already funding artist touring, where will festivals sit in the music industry landscape? A panel of industry specialists will gaze into their crystal balls to ask just how festivals will fare against changing technology, changing crowds and a changing industry.