Conference for Festivals 2024

We hope you and your team can join us in November for the annual BAFA Conference for Festivals, taking place at Bristol Beacon from 11am on Monday 18 November until 3pm on Tuesday 19 November.

We’re looking forward to discussing the results of our Festivals Mean Business sector-wide research with you, and to talking about how we can turn the results into positive actions both for festivals and the whole sector.

We’ll have panels, roundtable discussions and workshops, and plenty of time for networking and discussions, as well as opportunities to look around Beacon, formerly Colston Hall, which opened at the end of last year after an ambitious transformation.

Sessions and speakers include:

• Focus on advocacy – how we can use data to tell powerful stories about our festivals and gain support, with a workshop by DHA Communications
• Focus on sustainability – what did our research tell us about the sector and how can we work together to become more ecologically sustainable? Speakers include the USAN network of urban festivals discussing how they work together to share knowledge and resources, and Julie’s Bicycle on how we build a positive action plan together from the research findings
• Focus on leadership – we’ll hear from David Brownlee about the success of the Leaders for Cultural Change programme, and discuss how this could be adapted for festivals. Naomi Taylor will update on her PhD on arts festivals, focusing on leadership, staffing and team dynamics, and how festivals can get involved.
• Focus on funding – what have we learned in the wake of the Baillie Gifford sponsorship crisis, and what can we do to build enduring and holistic funding relationships
• Focus on inclusion – how can we work together to make a more inclusive sector – we’ll share best practice and offer practical tips in workshops

Do join us and host of industry professionals for a chance to discuss and reflect upon the 2024 festival year, get inspired, make connections and build the support your team needs for the year ahead.

Tickets are on sale now and as ever, BAFA members enjoy 50% discount on attendance, with reduced tickets for additional team members.

Book here