Association of Independent Festivals

"You can't be what you can't see". Festivals shut for two years during the pandemic, which meant several million young people did not get an opportunity to go to a music festival. It's impacted event courses, skills courses, and the festival (and wider events) sector and we're still feeling the impact of that two year gap today. But we're all doing lots to try and repair the damage. The most brilliant and direct thing, of course, is that festivals are back - and young people are heading to events for the first time, into these fields of wild creativity and thinking 'WOW, I WANT TO DO THIS!' There's nothing like the festivals themselves to inspire. We need to do more, and so we're delighted to have partnered with BIMM University Bristol and Big Team CIC to debut a new event on Thursday 6th February (the day following our Festival Congress in Bristol). It offers the chance for the festival sector to connect with young people from BIMM and BIG TEAM who are looking for their next roles in the festival sector. Many coming to Festival Congress have already extended their stay until the afternoon in order to register for this free brunch event, and we're delighted to see so much interest in supporting new opportunities young talent. Speaking of opportunities, we're also now seeking people who'd like to volunteer at Festival Congress. This year we've partnered with TeamKinetic to create a volunteering portal - just head to the link below to if you'd like to help out on the day. https://lnkd.in/dZse6scB

There’s no doubt about it, 2024 was a tumultuous for the UK’s independent festival industry. After a year of unprecedented highs and lows for the UK’s independent festival industry, the need for coming together has never been greater. It is within this tumultuous context that we look forward to our flagship gathering, Festival Congress 2025. We are returning bigger and stronger than ever with our most innovative program to date dedicated to supporting and empowering festival organisers. Taking place at the iconic Bristol Beacon on Wednesday 5th February 2025, this event promises to be a vital hub for collaboration, education, and innovation within the independent festival community. Read more about why festival congress matters, and register now. Be part of it. We'll see you there.

As we close out 2024, we’re ending the year with some uplifting and inspiring news. For the first time, the total ticketed capacity of AIF members has surpassed that of Live Nation’s Festival Republic. Check out the latest edition of Forecast and join us in celebrating the figures that independents are now over 1 million people strong.

Forecast Vol.03 For the Love of Welsh Festivals. Hot on the heels of our English Multi-Venue Development Fund, we’ve just launched The Welsh Music Festivals and Festival Freelancers Skills and Development Programme with support from Creative Wales. The aim of the new programme, which is entirely free to join and attend, is to boost the skills and knowledge of festival organisers and freelancers operating in Wales. If you focus all or part of your work within the festival industry in Wales, check out all the details on how to apply here. Also in this edition, 10 independent Welsh festivals you may or may not have heard of. Have we missed your favourite? Tell us about it.

Very pleased to announce these two new programmes of support to develop skills for those working in and around festivals in Wales, thanks to Creative Wales / Cymru Greadigol . One programme is open to festivals in Wales. The other for any freelancers in Wales for whom some (or all) of their work is in festivals. Read all about it below, please share with those who would benefit from these programmes, and encourage them to sign up with the onboarding form linked in the article. It's tough working in festivals, but to steal a phrase from another Welsh organisation we are together stronger https://lnkd.in/eifEYvtc

Next week we're joined by OneWorld Rental to discuss Going Cashless. EPOS specialist Mark Evans will share expert insights on transitioning to a cashless system and integrating a singular payment system across your event. Thurs 28th November, 2-3pm. Sign up link in the comments 🔗

We're joined by TeamKinetic to discuss Taking The Pain Out Of Event Volunteering next week! Sign up at the link in the comments 🔗

Final call for tomorrow's webinar with Different Breed ® 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. Thurs 14th Nov, 11am - 12pm RSVP link in the comments 🔗

We’re #hiring ! Super exciting new opportunity to join the team as Truck Festivals Operations Manager. Know anyone who may be interested? Click below for more info and to apply. #festivaloperations #outdoorfestivals #festivaljobs

Would you like to become a core member of the Deer Shed team?! We’re on the lookout for a full-time Festival Production Co-ordinator, to join us between February – August 2025. The role will be based at Deer Shed HQ offices (near Thirsk, North Yorkshire) We’re a small team, looking for someone to make a big difference! If this is you, then read on and apply here: https://lnkd.in/eraMnsAy