What is FestForums?
FestForums® is the B2B live gathering for festival producers, organizers, and industry leaders to learn and network all in one place. The conference includes various panels, exhibitors, awards, concerts and parties galore presented in a relaxing convivial environment. We discuss technology, sustainability, safety, wellness, marketing, operations, and many more topics with mixers and a trade show designed to cultivate networking in beautiful Santa Barbara.
2023 Travel & Leisure Nominated Host Hotel
Mar Monte Hotel
1111 E Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Who Comes to FestForums?
Our conference honors legends and leaders from all kinds of industries—music, film, food, and more!
Watch the video to see who attends FestForums…you might recognize most of them!
Featured in the Video: Alice Cooper, Alicia Silverstone, Bruce Dern, Canned Heat, Cat Cora, Christopher Guest, Chuck Leavell, The Coen Brothers, Dane Cook, Dave Mason, Dennis Quaid, Dr. Steven Gundry, Fisher Stevens, Frances Fisher, Harry Shearer, Jack Johnson, Jeff Bridges, Jon Anderson, John Sloss, Kenny Loggins, Marty Callner, Matthew Modine, Michael McDonald, Mix Master Mike, Nancy Silverton, Penelope Spheeris, Quentin Tarantino, Congressman Jamie Raskin, Ray Parker Junior, Richard Burgi, Rita Coolidge, Skip Martin, Taj Mahal, & T-Bone Burnett
Who Speaks at FestForums?
FestForums brings together industry professionals from food and beverage, music, and film festivals to provide expert insight on the multi-faceted festival space.
Festivals & Production Companies Featured in the Video: Vans Warped Tour, Primavera Sound, Insomniac Events, SXSW, Goldenvoice, Sundance, South Beach Food & Wine Festival, Outside Lands, Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Tribeca Film Festival, Afropunk, Essence Festival, Toronto Film Festival, Glastonbury, Woodstock, Danny Wimmer Presents, C3 Presents, Ultrafest, Summerfest, Roskilde, Harlem Eat Up, Hawaii Food & Wine Festival, Life is Beautiful, Newport Folk Festival, Global Citizen, BottleRock Napa Valley
Videos
See KEYT’s and our 2024 Recap to learn more about our event!
“FestForums annual event is one of the most exciting events we have each year in Santa Barbara. It recognizes and honors those who infuse our community with enthusiasm for artistic endeavor and cultural awareness. The conference shines a light on our diverse cultures and artistic achievements and in doing so succeeds in illuminating the vibrant fabric that is America.”
— Michael McDonald
5 time Grammy award winner, Hall of Fame Recording Artist, and FestForums Advisory Board Member
“A wonderful environment for experienced festival professionals to share news, flesh out ideas and explore market trends.”
— Danny Hayes
CEO of Danny Wimmer Presents
The diversity of the attendees is the key to the success of FestForums. It seems the attendees are as well curated as the panels.”
— Kevin Lyman
Founder of the Vans Warped Tour, and FestForums Advisory Board Member
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“With so many great minds and event organizers in one place, ideas and opportunities will be abundant.”
FestForums is the B2B live gathering with panels, exhibits, networking, and parties galore to discuss the festival industry. Meet 100’s of festivals in one idyllic place!
Festivals have included SXSW, Sundance, Burning Man, Lollapalooza, Coachella, Life is Beautiful, Bonnaroo, Global Citizen, Woodstock, Summerfest, Austin City Limits, Ultra Festival, Vans Warped Tour, Tribeca Film Festival, Glastonbury, EDC, Essence Fest, Toronto Film Festival, South Beach Food & Wine, Bourbon & Beyond, Harlem Eatup, Governors Ball, and hundreds more.
Our speakers have included Jeff Bridges, Taj Mahal, Quentin Tarantino, T. Bone Burnett, Matthew Modine, Dave Mason, Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, Christopher Guest, Penelope Spheeris, Alice Cooper, Jack Johnson, Harry Shearer, Bruce Dern, Rita Coolidge, Mary Wilson, Cat Cora, Dennis Quaid, Chuck Leavell, Shep Gordon, The Coen Brothers, Jon Anderson, Nia Peeples, Ray Parker Junior, Frances Fisher and many more.
Interested in learning more? Explore the Event
View more of our history since 2015
Click here
Contact Us
General Inquiries
hello@festforums.com
Sponsorship Inquiries
sponsorship@festforums.com