2024 Agenda
DAY 1
Thursday, February 15th, 2024
Registration: Meet & Greet
1:00 pm — 2:00 pm
Join FestForums Founder Laurie Kirby and Tappit’s Mell Leis as they engage with the Aloompa app and Tappit wallet to play games, win prizes, and meet fellow speakers and attendees in the Panel Room. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to win passes to festivals such as New Orleans Jazz Fest, and more! Joining will be David Moorman, our MC for Day 1.
Brought to you by: Aloompa & Tappit
Opening Intention
Join Sandy Abrams, an entrepreneur and renowned speaker, with relaxing breathing exercises to kickoff the conference. Find Sandy in our Calm Lounge for more 1:1 C.E.Om Breath & Mindset Experiences.
State of the Industry
2:00 pm — 2:50 pm
Let's take a look at the journey of the ever-evolving landscape of the festival industry. This captivating panel brings together industry pioneers, trendsetters, and visionary leaders who shed light on the current state of the industry. Our goal is to provide valuable insights into the challenges, opportunities, and emerging trends that shape the future of festivals and more. Whether it’s music, food, film, diversity, awareness, or new frontiers in the industry, you’ll learn something new. Join us as we pull back the curtain and enable you to navigate the forces driving the industry forward with confidence and innovation.
Moderator & Panelists:
Addressing Diversity & Inclusion
3:00 pm — 3:50 pm
Diversity and inclusion at festivals has taken center stage recently. It's not just the talent and artists that matter, but so do the show producers, the curators, the staff and the audience that also play a pivotal role in creating a diverse community. We explore the concerns that we see in the industry and discuss solutions with those at the forefront addressing this. A lack of attention to diversity and inclusion hurts our industry and our society at large. Let's shed light on a topic that affects us all.
Moderator & Panelists:
Roundtable
Evolution of Live Music
Music veterans Bruce Flohr and Danielle Madeira talk about the creative shifts in the live music experience from unique locations to immersive destinations. This session will explore the live music experience and how it is changing through modern day. Join these experts in how bands are creatively changing the fan experience.
Featuring:
Fest Talks: 20-20’s
4:00 pm — 4:20 pm
The Power of Music: Understanding How Music Impacts The Brain: Effects & Solutions
Led by Dr. Joseph P. Smith, a leading expert in the field of Chiropractic Neurology and Applied Kinesiology
We will explore the intricate relationship between music and the brain and shedding light on how music can influence our cognitive abilities, memory, and emotional well-being. We will delve into the diversity of music and its impact on different parts of the brain, as well as its potential clinical applications in preventing and treating cognitive disorders. This session is a must for leaders in the festival industry, healthcare professionals, and anyone interested in the power of music to shape our minds and lives.
Selling Like a Rockstar: Key Lessons for Sales Executives
Led by Skip Martin, Grammy and Emmy Award-winning musician
In this session, we will learn lessons from successful business man and former Kool and the Gang lead singer, Skip Martin, on striving for a lasting impact in your industry and embracing passion, innovation, relationships, resilience, creativity, and giving back to sell like a Rock Star!
Activism in Action
Led by Alicia Silverstone, American actress and activist
As an activist, Alicia has been an advocate for many causes. As a pillar in the animal rights movement, Silverstone has partnered with Farm Sanctuary, PETA, and many more organizations to fight cruelty & animal abuse. This iconic American actress has a lot to teach us about being kinder to the planet.
Roundtable
Beyond Music: Crafting Unforgettable Festivals
This round table will delve into a very critical insight that 56% of festival attendance is attributed to repeat visitors, underscoring the importance of cultivating community, tradition and loyalty. Successful festivals must extend beyond just being musical spectacles. They should evolve into significant events in the lives of their audience. The seminar will explore strategies for crafting experiences that resonate well beyond the fleeting moments of music and performance.
Featuring:
Cocktail Reception
5:00 pm — 6:00 pm
Earl Minnis Presents
With hosted beer and wine, join other FestForums attendees and explore our magnificent exhibitor hall filled with leading festival innovators and music by Jose Montano. Visit our CAPS Calm Lounge for aromatherapy, massage, and more for relaxation.
Sponsored by Brander Winery & Vineyard and Sierra Nevada.
Neon sculptures at this event are created by Rod Lathim / LightWorks based in Santa Barbara. All works are for sale. For more info visit www.rodlathim.com.
FestForums Feast On Your Own
6:15 pm — 7:45 pm
Join us at SOhO Restaurant & Music Venue for a complimentary glass of Brander Wine or Sierra Nevada Beer and stay for dinner, the award ceremony, and music showcase.
Choose restaurants from our specially curated list for you including limited deals and offers from local eateries in the Tappit Wallet.
FestForums Concert at the SOhO Restaurant & Music Venue
8:00 pm — 10:30 pm
Join us for an Opening Tribute to honor legendary filmmaker Marty Callner with Dane Cook, Alicia Silverstone, Michael Schultz and Jazz Callner to present the ‘Living Legend’ award.
Join us to award the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival as FestForums’ annual ‘Festival of the Year’.
Performances by:
Address: 1221 State St STE 205 Santa Barbara, CA 93101
*Admission is included with FestForums pass, food + beverage is available for purchase.
*Access is limited to the first 350 attendees, make sure to get there early!
Sponsored by:
DAY 2
Friday, February 16th, 2024
Breakfast & Meet and Greet
8:30 am — 10:30 am
Join MC Nathan Firer from Megilla to meet other FestForums attendees in the Panel room.
Continental breakfast will be provided with additional coffee and tea from Bona Fide Nitro Coffee all day.
What European and US Music Festivals can Learn From Each Other
9:00 am — 9:50 am
European and US music festivals can learn from each other in various ways that improve the festival experience for fans. This session will bring together leaders from the world’s biggest festivals including Roskilde, Primavera, Festival Productions, and Goldenvoice to discuss issues such as diversity in a lineup, sustainability, fan engagement, weather and safety best practices as well as ticketing and sponsorship. Don’t miss the first time on American soil to hear from the world’s largest festivals.
Moderator & Panelists:
Marketing to the Middle
10:00 am — 10:50 am
When you’re not Coachella, how do you reach out to audiences about your brand or property? The effective marketing of live events depends upon strategic use of social and traditional media, artist engagement, optimizing the festival's brand, use of retargeting, good ticket and sponsor partnerships and so much more! What does it take and how do you cater your event to the right target audience? These experts understand the metrics and tricks of the trade so listen up!
Moderator & Panelists:
Roundtable
Reality Check on Crisis Responses
Reality Check on Crisis Responses
The session will focus on the actual reality of the crisis, whether they involve a bomb or a shooting. While the crisis and security panel addresses prevention, this session will delve into the crucial aspects of what needs to happen during and after such events. Based on Gareth’s experience, incorporating the practical aspects of dealing with adverse situations, such as crisis role-play and hands-on training, will undoubtedly provide the audience with a more comprehensive understanding and know how to navigate the media and staff health post crisis. His approach will ensure they not only grasp the theoretical aspects but also gain insights into real-world applications, enhancing their understanding and response capabilities.
Featuring:
Artist Relations & Talent Buying
11:00 am — 11:50 am
What's in a name? There is an art and science to talent buying - talent draws people to your festival and sets the stage for your event. How does a festival negotiate with talent and how do you find who is going to be the next big name? We will also discuss the importance of artist relations, and how maintaining lasting connections changes the atmosphere of the festival industry. And what unique ideas for programming give your festival the buzz you want? In this panel we will break down key components such as creative thinking, sourcing, timing, and budgeting, among many others.
Moderator & Panelists:
Roundtable
Take the Stress Out of Paying Your Festival Team
Take the Stress Out of Paying Your Festival Team
There is no shortage of complexity around properly onboarding and paying the union & non-union crews and other freelance workers who support the production of festivals and live events. Dive into this review of some of those components and how Cast & Crew Live Entertainment can simplify your payroll process, with topics including workers’ compensation coverage, applicable union agreements & labor laws, and digital onboarding & timecard tools.
Featuring:
Keynote
12:00 pm — 1:00 pm
Join us for an interview with Marty Callner and Dane Cook about Marty’s professional career as we honor him as FestForums’ ‘Living Legend’.
PuppiesPalooza
1:00 pm — 2:00 pm
Join Eventeny for a catered lunch and adorable puppies from local shelter, Spark Rescue Santa Barbara. Located at the festival plaza in the Parking Lot.
Beyond the Gate with Ticketing
2:00 pm — 2:50 pm
Ticketing at festivals is probably the hottest topic in the industry. Cloaked in secrecy, the backbone of the festival business consists of advances but surcharges and lack of transparency is wreaking havoc for festivals and fans. Let’s see what’s on deck for the future from the ticketing experts. How do these latest advances serve the festival economy in maximizing profitability and more?
Moderator & Panelists:
Roundtable
Dialogue with European Major Festival Executives
Dialogue with European Major Festival Executives
Following our exclusive morning session with high-profile US and European festivals, we are very pleased to offer an additional format that continues and intensifies the transatlantic exchange in a smaller group. Signe Lopdrup (CEO, Roskilde Festival) and Marta Pallarès (Head of press, Primavera Sound) host a roundtable about the resilience, responsibility and relevance of tomorrow's festivals. Sustainability, equality, new generations of festival managers, and festivals as drivers for change are just a few of the points that can be discussed. Take advantage of the opportunity and the time with your peers from the other side of the Atlantic. This session is presented with the kind support of Future Of Festivals Berlin and YOUROPE – The European Festival Association.
Featuring:
Unlocking Brand Partnerships for Festival Success
3:00 pm — 3:50 pm
Festivals depend on brand partnerships to finance operations, build credibility, and elevate the fan experience. Join us for an engaging discussion on the significance of brand partnerships within the festival industry. This panel will bring together seasoned experts, innovative marketers, and industry leaders who have successfully harnessed the power of collaboration to create unforgettable festival experiences.
Moderator & Panelists:
Roundtable
Take the Stress Out of Paying Your Festival Team
Take the Stress Out of Paying Your Festival Team
There is no shortage of complexity around properly onboarding and paying the union & non-union crews and other freelance workers who support the production of festivals and live events. Dive into this review of some of those components and how Cast & Crew Live Entertainment can simplify your payroll process, with topics including workers’ compensation coverage, applicable union agreements & labor laws, and digital onboarding & timecard tools.
Featuring:
Safe by Design: The Art of Safety & Security
4:00 pm — 4:50 pm
Each year, festivals struggle with how to maintain safety at their events. Our panel of experts will discuss how emerging crowd safety and security policies intersect with both current and future event technology solutions to meet the demands of the live event model. This session will dive into the care of crowds regarding issues such as gun control, drugs, alcohol, weather, faulty venues and other calamities waiting in the wings to impact your event. Additionally, we'll cover how the evolving developments in data reporting, proximity metrics, AI and machine learning play a role in supporting health and safety policy. Learn how to improve your event operations and preserve the safety of patrons at your live events and learn more about the role of technology. This is your backstage VIP pass to safety and security at festivals.
Moderator & Panelists:
Roundtable
Land, Sand, and Sea Lessons Learned
Land, Sand, and Sea Lessons Learned
Join two long time industry colleagues who’ve aimed to redefine the live experience with innovative, boutique Music Vacations through a focus on hospitality and community-building. Engage in an open forum conversation on emerging trends, mistakes made/lessons learned and some laughs along the way!
Moderator and Featuring:
Jazz up your Festival with New Technology
5:00 pm — 5:45 pm
Technology takes center stage: The Return of "LIVE" and our "New Normal": What's changed? What's working? This FestForums panel will explain how to adopt new ways to increase sponsorships, fan experience, revenue, and use of new technologies to manage POS, cashless payments, manage labor and harness analytics for producers & brand partners to improve the experience and management of your festival.
Moderator & Panelists:
Roundtable
Social Impact / Activism
Artist For Action: How Social Impact is Shaping Our Industry
We will unravel the profound impact of connecting festivals, top talent/developing artists and strategic partnerships with social movements. Discover how the creative energy in the room can be harnessed towards a common goal of doing good while also benefiting all participants.
Featuring:
Cocktail Reception
6:00 pm — 7:00 pm
With hosted beer, wine, and more, join other FestForums attendees and explore our magnificent exhibitor hall filled with leading festival innovators and a performance by Wyatt Rodgers. Visit our CAPS Calm Lounge for aromatherapy, massage, and more for relaxation.
Sponsored by:
FestForums Feast On Your Own
7:00 pm — 8:00 pm
Choose restaurants from our specially curated list for you including limited deals and offers from local eateries in the Tappit Wallet.
FestForums Afterparty
8:00 pm — 10:00 pm
Hosted by LoDo Studios, join us along with Senior Productions and DJs including DJ Darla Bea and music artist Wyatt Rodgers to end the evening.
Address: 216 E Gutierrez St Suite A, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Sponsored by:
DAY 3
Saturday, February 17th, 2024
Registration: Meet & Greet
9:00 am — 10:00 am
Join MC Jeffrey Weber to meet other FestForums attendees in the Panel room.
Continental breakfast will be provided. Additional coffee from Bona Fide Nitro Coffee all day.
Sync with Sustainability & Social Impact
10:00 am — 10:50 am
Many Festivals are nonprofits, committed to the goal of creating a better world. There are many challenges they face while striving to create a better world such as working to relieve poverty, increase education, protect human rights, aid children and animals and increase sustainable practices in a healthier environment.
Moderator & Panelists:
Roundtable
Breakthrough and the Do's & Don'ts in the Festival Industry
Special session for volunteers, students and those looking to break into the festival world
Learn from great legends in the festival industry, Kevin Lyman and Nick Morgan, who will share the nuances of organizing and thriving in the dynamic world of festivals. This exclusive session provides a platform to learn firsthand from veterans, inviting you to come prepared with all kinds of questions. We will go into behind-the-scenes stories, discover effective networking strategies, and gain insights into overcoming challenges. Whether you're an aspiring event organizer, a creative talent, or a seasoned professional, this interactive roundtable promises a unique opportunity to absorb the wisdom of festival luminaries, providing you with the knowledge and inspiration to make your mark in the festival industry.
Featuring:
Behind the Scenes: Operations & Production
11:00 am — 11:50 am
Ironically, planning a festival is preparing for everything you haven't thought of already. How do we keep up with real time issues, identify pitfalls in operations, avoid catastrophes, create dashboards and chain of commands that keep the festival organized and on track, particularly when much is done by gig workers and volunteers? Lots to explore in what will be a lively discussion amongst experts.
Moderator & Panelists:
Presented by ADA Lift Rentals of America, a leading provider of comprehensive wheelchair lift rental services for events throughout the United States. Over the past decade, the company has collaborated with event planners, producers, music festivals, convention centers, and major sporting events to ensure ADA compliance and deliver an outstanding fan experience.
Roundtable
The Future of Festivals
Kevin Lyman, the preeminent festival expert, founder of Van Warped Tour and USC college professor, has his ear always to the ground on what is needed in the festival industry. He will share the results of his survey of students and young adults on their views of festivals heading into 2024 based on our queries. You won’t want to miss this roundtable.
Featuring:
Music Documentaries: The Symbiotic Marriage of Film & Music
12:00 pm — 12:45 pm
Music documentaries are a beloved genre. Through film, we learn the story of extraordinary musicians and bands. As we celebrate the artistry and influence of musical legends, music documentaries continue to be a vital medium, connecting elements of sound and story into a harmonious narrative. This panel will explore how music documentaries are created, produced, marketed, and travel the Film Festival circuit.
Moderator & Panelists:
Roundtable
Sustainability Talks
Embark on a journey into the heart of sustainability as Rico Solutions, Overdrive Energy Solutions, and Circular Unity come together for an enlightening discussion at FestForums in Santa Barbara. Dive deep into the expertise of Rico Tesio, CEO of Rico Solutions and Chairman of the Council for Responsible Sport, Neel, CEO of Overdrive Energy Solutions, and Eduardo Lebre, CEO of Circular Unity, as they unfold their commitment to transforming events into eco-friendly and sustainable experiences.
Featuring:
Closing Remarks
12:45 pm — 1:00 pm
After 3 days of panels, networking, parties & PuppiesPalooza, join FestForums Owner/President Laurie Kirby as we celebrate the closing of this year’s FestForums!