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AFO Conference 11-13 November 2016

If you work in the events industry you will know that the world of festivals is a complex one. But that’s where The Association of Festival Organisers (AFO) can help.

AFO conference


AFO is an independent organisation with a nationwide brief. It started in 1987 when a group of festival organisers came together to exchange views and ideas, supporting each other to benefit the whole of the festival scene. The AFO continues to grow, providing support for its members and a voice for the festival and events industry.

A lynchpin of the AFO’s activity is its annual conference, which this year takes place in Stratford upon Avon, running from 11 - 13 November 2016. Full booking details, including early bird discounts, can be found on the AFO website at www.festivalorganisers.org

Here’s a taster of some of the sessions on offer at this year’s Conference:
Sell More Tickets: How to optimise your conversion rate with Simon Roberts (Eventbrite). Because we all want to sell more tickets, right?
Beginners Guide to Running a Festival with Steve Heap (AFO). If you’re new to this game then this one is definitely for you!
The Colin Irwin Interview with Andy Kershaw - Volume 2. Back by public demand, The Guardian journalist and the world music DJ and pioneer return to pick up where they left off last time…
Festival Vision: 2025 a pledge to act on climate change with Chris Johnson (Powerful Thinking).
Women at Events – two sessions, one on safety issues for women who come to festivals with speakers from The White Ribbon Campaign and the other on women who run festivals, with speakers from The Network of Women in Events (NOWIE).
Disability Dilemmas – how to make your festival as accessible as possible with Paul Hawkins (Attitude is Everything).

In addition there will be round table sessions giving legal advice, advice on festival insurance and a session on the use of drones in the festival environment.

From Friday evening to late lunch on Sunday, the session rooms and stages buzz with headline speakers, presentations, 'how to do that' sessions and panel debates. The Trade Market is the place to network and meet the latest industry suppliers, plus there are numerous opportunities to share knowledge and experience with a host of industry professionals and lead suppliers, together in one space at one conference.

Open to all in the industry. Whatever your role or interest in festivals or events, you'll find plenty of common ground at AFO Conference.

Plus, you can enjoy some of the best new music with showcases and acoustic breaks throughout. Blackbeard’s Tea Party will be bringing their brand of mayhem to the Conference on Friday night, with a foot-stomping performance from Rusty Shackle on Saturday plus more festival-tastic live acts!

Held at Ettington Chase Conference Centre, Stratford upon Avon with great food, drink, accommodation and networking all in one beautiful setting.