Our Agenda
Pre-Conference Get Together
Day 1
Wednesday, February 12th
11:00 - 1:00 pm
Registration
Please Check-In at the Registration tables located in the hotel lobby to collect your badge.
*Lunch is not provided, please see here for local favorite eats or visit nearby restaurants on-site.
Enjoy complimentary photos by JoySquad! Check out our Calm Lounge by Aloompa!
12:30 - 1:00 pm
Kick-Off
Let’s kick off Day 1 with FestForums Owner Laurie Kirby and World Champion Surfer, Shaun Tomson at the Fireside Room on the Main Stage!
Meet your fellow attendees and start your networking!
Laurie Kirby
FestForums
Shaun Tomson
World Champion Surfer
1:00 - 1:50 pm | PANEL
State of the Industry
-
With festivals in the news heralding cancellations, weather disasters, sponsorship dollars declining and more, it appears challenges are everywhere for organizers. Yet from film to music, food, beverages and more, festivals are the bedrock of so many communities. There may be challenges but there are many opportunities for organizers to innovate and do great things. Leaders need to understand what lies ahead for 2025 and beyond to continue to thrive.
This captivating panel brings together industry leaders from diverse festivals to discuss advances in marketing, technology, and programming trends with ideas of how to stay relevant. Get ready to be inspired by the stories of those who dared to dream big and change the festival industry forever!
Laurie Kirby
FestForums
John Lollo
Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival
Lamonia Deanne Brown
Essence Film Festival
Michael Barclay II
ESSENCE Communications, Inc.
Sarah Pancheri
Milwaukee Festival Inc. / Summerfest
2:00 - 2:50 pm | PANEL
Learning from Festivals around the World
-
Like so many things, festivals have a longer legacy in Europe so there are many valuable insights to be gleaned from them. Join these renowned European promoters (plus one from New Zealand!) as they discuss how festivals overseas have set the standard in areas such as artist curation, long-term sustainability, and community-building. By sharing insights, we will delve into how transatlantic collaborations and teaching moments can drive innovation and growth.
John Boyle
The BAM Group
Hamish Pinkham
Rhythm and Vines
John Giddings
Isle of Wight
Nick Morgan
The Fair & We Group UK
Sam Meyers
BeachLife Festival
Tobi Olanihun
TEPS & Flytime Fest
2:00 - 2:50 pm | ROUNDTABLE
Presented by Totem
Data-Driven Event Management: Crowd Flow, Attendee Safety, and Measuring ROI
-
You can’t manage what you can’t measure! Join us for a round-table discussion about increasing the value of on-site data at festivals. Collaborate with industry experts on ways to improve layouts, keep attendees safe, boost retention, and track ROI for sponsors and performers with a data-driven mentality.
Chase Lemonds
Totem
Carter Fowler
Totem
3:00 - 3:50 pm | PANEL
Tune into Technology at Festivals
-
Technology takes center stage here. What's working and why? This panel will explain how to adopt new ways to increase sponsorships, AI, 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. Join us to learn more about the new advancing era of technology in festivals.
Mell Leis
Tappit
Dave Shalaby
WristCoin
Drew Burchfield
Aloompa
Justin Bankston
SXSW
Lise Brende
Danny Wimmer Presents
Darshan Kaler
Tradable Bits
3:00 - 3:50 pm | ROUNDTABLE
Focus on Film Festivals
-
This roundtable brings together renowned festival directors and film programmers, for an in-depth discussion on the current state of film festivals and where they are headed. The conversation will explore how festivals can remain relevant in an increasingly digital world, strategies for fostering greater diversity in both programming and participation, and how film festivals move forward.
Amanda Salazar
Vidiots Foundation
Beau Blanchard
California Film Institute (CAFILM)
Lisa Ogdie
Sundance Film Institute
Ron Truppa
Catalina Film Institute and Festival
Skye McLennan
San Luis Obispo International Film Festival / SLO Film Center
4:00 - 4:45 pm | KEYNOTE
Matthew Modine
-
Vincent Canby stated “Matthew Modine is one of the best, most adaptable film actors of his generation.” Matthew Modine’s iconic portrayals in films such as Alan Parker’s BIRDY, Louden Swain in VISION QUEST, Stanley Kubrick’s FULL METAL JACKET, Dr. Bush in Christopher Nolan’s OPPENHEIMER, Mike Downey in Jonathan Demme's screwball comedy MARRIED TO THE MOB, and Dr. Martin “Papa” Brenner in Netflix’s global phenomenon STRANGER THINGS, to name a few, have cemented Matthew’s legacy in the entertainment industry.
But Matthew is equally passionate behind the camera and as a social activist. Highlights include the provocative short JESUS WAS A COMMIE (2011), the hand-drawn feature CHEATIN’ (2013) directed by Oscar-nominated animator Bill Plympton, the Webby Award-winning political documentary THE BRAINWASHING OF MY DAD (2016), the FULL METAL JACKET DIARY iPad app and audiobook, and two comedy shorts: MERRY XMAS (2015) starring Dick Van Dyke and Valerie Harper, and SUPER SEX (2016) starring Kevin Nealon, Elizabeth Perkins, Ruby Modine, and Ed Asner and including some of the docs he produced such as 'Ripple Effect' and 'SLUDGE: A PFAS UPRISING'.
Matthew is also the Founder of Bicycle For A Day (BFAD), a global initiative bringing together people who choose to ride a bicycle rather than use gas-powered motor vehicles, immediately reducing their carbon footprint.
4:00 - 4:50 pm | ROUNDTABLE
Let’s Dive into Advanced Festival Issues
-
If you have been running a music festival or been involved in one for over ten years, this roundtable is for you. Seasoned industry professionals will tackle the most pressing issues in festival and event management today. Topics will include advanced logistical planning, risk management, evolving audience expectations, and the integration of new technologies. Attendees will gain actionable insights into addressing these complexities and ensuring the long-term success of their events.
Anastasia Palmer Johnson
Gila River Resorts & Casinos
Brad Sweet
Same Same But Different Festival
Bradley Tucker
Dayglo Presents
Erica Fee
Rochester Fringe Festival
5:00 - 6:30 pm
Cocktail Reception
Location | Pacific Ballroom
Please join us in the Exhibit Hall and other FestForums attendees for the cocktail reception!
6:30 - 8:00 pm
FestForums Feast on your Own
Check out local restaurants from the Santa Barbara area recommended here.
8:00 - 10:30 pm
Voracious Records' Artist Showcase
Location | Backstage SB (409 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101)
Join us for musical performances presented by Voracious Records!
Featuring: Joveth, Nicole Sophia, and McKenna Elliott
Nicole Sophia
Joveth
McKenna Elliott
Day 2
Thursday, February 13th
8:30 - 10:30 am
Registration & Breakfast
Please Check-In at the Registration tables located in the hotel lobby to collect your badge.
Location | Exhibit Halls (Pacific & Terrace Ballroom)
Enjoy Continental Breakfast powered by Pro Em! Explore our exhibitors and learn more about our partners.
9:00 - 9:50 am | PANEL
How’d it Go? Adventures of a First Year Festival
-
What’s harder than running a festival; starting a new festival! Join us for a fascinating look into the exhilarating journey of launching a first-year festival. Through a dynamic exchange of experiences, lessons learned, and valuable insights, our panelists will share their triumphs, challenges, and everything in between. From the initial concept to execution, this session delves into the nitty-gritty of organizing a successful festival. This panel promises to inspire, inform, and equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to start or expand your own festival.
Eddie Bernard
American Zoetrope
Amanda Salazar
Vidiots Foundation
Candace Newman
Cousinz Festival
Jasa Laliberte
Latitude 38 Entertainment
Wes Perry
Live Nation
9:00 - 9:50 am | ROUNDTABLE
Presented by Martin & Zerfoss
Case Study: Festival Cancellation Procedure
-
We are all very aware that festivals face a multitude of challenges that can lead to a festival cancellation. In this case study we will review a real life example from the perspective of the festival director and his insurance partner of a festival cancellation and the procedures that were followed that lead to a safe and fan friendly cancellation. These procedures also lead to a seamless cancellation insurance claim that allowed for quick ticket refunds and the insurance payout for the festival.
Taylor Shomaker
Martin & Zerfoss, Inc.
Joe Argabrite
Gazebo Fest
10:00 - 10:50 am | PANEL
What’s in a Name? Artist Curated Festivals
-
When an artist is attached to festival curation it brings a fresh perspective, and let’s face it an easier road to talent curation and festival programming. This panel will explore the growing trend of artist-led festivals and how it reshapes traditional roles in talent buying, artist management, and production. Industry leaders and festival producers will discuss the advantages and challenges of artist-driven curation.
Brandon Pankey
Live Nation Urban
Catlin Whitington
ArtPrize
Brandon McEachern
Broccoli City Festival and Think Broccoli, LLC
Bruce Flohr
Red Light Management
Stephen Chilton
8123 Fest / M3F
Matt Phillips
Silverback Live / Red Light Management
10:00 - 10:50 am | ROUNDTABLE
The Rise of Super Intelligence: Redefining Industry and Society
-
Reichental’s industry impact has been widely recognized. Fortune Magazine listed him among the top 50 business leaders in 2013, and Popular Mechanics honored him as one of the 25 Makers Reinventing the American Dream in 2014.
His TED Talk on 3D printing has garnered over 2.8 million views, and his thought leadership is frequently featured in prominent publications such as Fortune, Forbes, TechCrunch, and The Next Web.
Avi Reichental
XponentialWorks
11:00 - 11:50 am | PANEL
Operations & Production
-
Ironically, planning a festival is preparing for everything you haven't thought of already. How do we keep up with real time issues, quickly identify and solve impending crises, avoid catastrophes and create efficiencies? Let’s look at the technologies, dashboards and solutions that keep the festival organized and on track, particularly when much of the work is being done by gig workers and volunteers?
Amy Scheller
Program Productions, Inc.
Brett Smiley
conCHAIRto
Kat Cody
Freelance Event Professional
Kyle Newport
Sunset Jazz Festival
Michelle Smith
Rhino Staging
11:00 - 11:50 am | ROUNDTABLE
Savoring the Success of Food and Beverage Festivals
-
Dive into the delicious world of food and wine festivals at this roundtable. Learn how these events blend gastronomic delights with vinous pleasures to create unforgettable experiences. Our seasoned pros will dish out tips on everything from snagging top chefs to uncorking sponsorships. Hear spicy anecdotes, juicy trends, and plenty of food for thought. Come hungry for inspiration and leave thirsty for success! Bon Appetit!
Jamie Knee
Petite Wine Traveler
Joel Martin
Experihaus
John Lollo
Food Network New York Food & Wine Festival
11:50 - 1:05 pm
Lunch & PuppiesPalooza
Location | Terrace Ballroom
PuppiesPalooza is back! Join SponsorPitch for a catered lunch and Eventeny for adorable puppies from a local shelter, Paw Works.
1:00 - 1:50 pm | PANEL
Unlocking Brand Partnerships
-
Festivals depend on brand partnerships to finance operations, build credibility, and elevate the fan experience. Join us for an engaging discussion about how to think about brand partnerships before, during and after the event. 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.
Doug Richter
Meritage Entertainment
Alex Durant
Durant Consulting
Joel Steel
Komo Technologies
Jordana Oberman
Film Festival Flix
Olga Rodriguez Santini
Agency 21
1:00 - 1:50 pm | ROUNDTABLE
Presented by Showpower
Supercharged Events: Powering Production with Clean Energy
-
Showpower CEO and Sustainable Power Technical Mastermind Paul Schurink will be joined by Event Sustainability Consultant and expert Jaime Nack discussing the real time solutions that large-scale stadium events and festivals can implement today that can vastly reduce energy consumption, carbon emissions and fuel use. Highlighting successful tried and tested solutions that have contributed to substantial emission reductions from the Coldplay Music of the Spheres World Tour alongside other real-world examples from major US festivals, and while inviting the audience to pose their own questions and current challenges, attendees will leave the session with confidence and authority on how to navigate phasing out diesel generators as their main source of power. Alongside, efforts will be made to share a step by step process to replacing generators with more reliable, scalable, modular and more efficient SmartGrid systems and battery hardware designed especially for the highest-capacity main stages and stadium tours.
Paul Schurink
Showpower
Jaime Nack
Three Squares Inc.
2:00 - 2:50 pm | PANEL
How to Get the Most out of your Ticketing Platform:
What Data, Tools and Resources are Necessary for Success in 2025
-
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. We are all seeing it and possibly feeling it in real time. Let’s see what’s on deck for the future from the ticketing experts on the reforms happening in real time and how it impacts festivals. Additionally, how do we increase ticket sales, choose a ticketing partner, price tickets and maximize profitability?
Jesse Lawrence
FanIQ
Andrew Goodwin
Easol
Rebecca Throne
Burning Man / Art of Ticketing
Tia Marshall
Hive
James Humpherson
Humanitix
Cassie Dispenza
Saffire
2:00 - 2:50 pm | ROUNDTABLE
Presented by Eventeny
Scaling Your Event Success: Streamlining People & Operations
-
Discover how Eventeny’s event management software empowers you to scale your event with ease. This interactive round table will explore how an integrated solution for managing volunteers, artists, vendors, exhibitors, and staff can streamline operations and simplify event growth. Learn how Eventeny’s all-in-one platform supports ticketing, event mapping, fundraising, and people management, helping you coordinate every contributor within a single system. Join industry peers to discuss best practices, and see how Eventeny’s platform makes scaling your event effortless and successful.
Hannah Falkosky
Eventeny
3:00 - 3:50 pm | PANEL
Risk Management
-
Explore the critical aspects of risk management in the festival industry with our panel. From insurance and permitting to ADA compliance, crowd control, safety protocols, and weather contingencies, explore the comprehensive strategies and best practices essential for safeguarding your event's success. Join us as we navigate the intricacies of event planning and execution, ensuring resilience in the face of potential challenges and uncertainty.
Tim Fischer
ADA Lift Rentals of America
Austin Whitney
Ten Fifty Entertainment
Dan Fuld
Alliant
Charles Hinnant
Rave Me Away
Nick Cavanaugh
Sensible Weather
3:00 - 3:50 pm | ROUNDTABLE
Legacy Festivals
-
Explore three iconic festivals that have shaped the global festival scene: the Isle of Wight Festival in the UK, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and the Sundance Film Festival in the USA. These festivals, while rooted in different traditions and regions, share a legacy of celebrating music, community, and culture. What is their secret sauce that makes them the legacies that they are? Hear from the leaders of all three.
EJ Encalarde
Festival Productions, Inc. of New Orleans
Heidi Zwicker
Sundance Film Festival
John Giddings
Isle of Wight
4:00 - 4:45 pm | KEYNOTE
Sophie B. Hawkins
-
Since the start of her musical journey, Grammy Award nominee Sophie B. Hawkins has shown an uncompromising devotion to her singular truth, endlessly transcending boundaries and offering up new ways of experiencing the world around us. A dynamic creative force known for a spellbinding live show that all but erases the divide between audience and performer, Sophie is involved in every facet of the musical experience with touring, records, musicals, acting (as Janis Joplin in Room 105) and more. She will speak and perform and is being FestForums Contributor to Music 2025.
5:00 - 6:30 pm
Cocktail Reception
Location | Terrace Ballroom
Please join us in the Exhibit Hall and other FestForums attendees for the cocktail reception! Enjoy wine, cheese, and more small bites.
6:30 - 8:00 pm
FestForums Feast on your Own
Join us at SOhO Restaurant & Music Venue for dinner before the award ceremony and music showcase or check out local restaurants from the Santa Barbara area recommended here.
8:00 - 9:00 pm
FestForums Award Ceremony
Location | SOhO Restaurant & Music Club (1221 State St STE 205 Santa Barbara, CA 93101)
Join us to announce the award winners of FestForums’ Best of the Fests!
*Admission is included with FestForums pass, food + beverage is available for purchase.
*Access is limited to the first 350 attendees, so make sure to get there early!
9:00 - 10:30 pm
Benefit Concert
*Must have a separate ticket for this event (not included in FestForums pass)
Location | SOhO Restaurant & Music Club (1221 State St STE 205 Santa Barbara, CA 93101)
This charity fundraising concert aims to assist Californians who have been displaced by the devastating fires in Los Angeles. Proceeds will go directly to the Santa Barbara South Coast Firefighter Foundation to be distributed to aid and provide relief and resources to those who have been impacted by the fires.
Performances by:
Day 3
Friday, February 14th
8:30 - 10:30 am
Registration & Breakfast
Please Check-In at the Registration tables located in the hotel lobby to collect your badge.
Location | Exhibit Halls (Pacific & Terrace Ballroom)
Enjoy Continental Breakfast powered by Pro Em! Explore our exhibitors and learn more about our partners.
9:20 - 9:50 am | ROUNDTABLE (in panel room)
Social Activism and Festivals: Empowering Change through Music
-
Discover how #iVoted and Grounded.org have leveraged data-driven talent booking to increase voter registration, turn out and address pressing social justice issues like climate change. All of these organizations demonstrate how festivals and concerts can be a powerful platform for advocacy. On the film side, The leader of The Marshall Project Lawrence Bartley and filmmaker Jenn Reinish will be discussing their work in social justice.
Join this panel to learn how to seamlessly engage with local, national, and global issues through meaningful partnerships and creative activations. Explore how to host festivals and concerts to amplify your festival's commitment to driving change on the causes that matter most to your audience.
Emily White
#iVoted Concerts and Festival
Jon van Gelder
Grounded.org
Lawrence Bartley
The Marshall Project Insider
Jennie Reinish
Documentary Filmmaker
9:20 - 9:50 am | ROUNDTABLE
Elevating Experiences Through Festival Collaborations
-
Collaborating between festivals and fostering strategic partnerships allows for the creation of elevated experiences that uniquely engage audiences. These collaborations open doors to distinctive opportunities, enabling festivals to offer diverse programming that resonates with a broader range of demographics. By leveraging shared resources and expertise, such partnerships enhance the cultural reach and impact of each event, enriching the experience for all attendees.
Casey Clements
Fast Forward Events
Kristin Martinez
Fast Forward Events
Merridee Book
Coronado Island Film Festival
10:00 - 10:50 am | PANEL
The 10 R’s of Sustainability
-
Join us for a panel on alternative power and sustainable solutions as we delve into the future of eco-friendly festivals. Explore the integration of renewable energy, the implementation of resume, recycling, and composting programs, sustainable merchandise, and ESG reporting. Discover how these initiatives reduce environmental impact, minimize fuel consumption, and promote a greener festival landscape. Gain insights into the 10 R’s of sustainability: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Recycle, Rethink, Replace, Reimagine, Rebalance, and Respect.
Jennifer Brazill
Festival Promoter, Producer and Consultant
Ken Deans
KD Production Services LLC
Paul Schurink
Showpower
David Rovsek
King Kong Production Vehicles
Julie Schneiderman
Ecostiks
10:00 - 10:50 am | ROUNDTABLE
Mentoring Mini Bootcamp: Live Event Production
-
What does it take to produce extraordinary live events if you are new to the business and not sure where to start? FestForums bring you two of the industry's leading experts and they want to answer all of your questions. Come prepared to learn, engage and walk away ready to tackle your next event.
Kevin Lyman
Kevin Lyman Group
Tim Le
Goldenvoice
11:00 - 11:50 am | PANEL
The Effective Marketing of Live Events
-
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! Now with the integration of AI, events can be tailored with even great precision–analyzing data, predicting trends, and automating engagement strategies. What does it take and how do you cater your event to the right target audience? These experts, including AI strategists, understand the metrics, tools, and tricks of the trade. Listen up!
Rebecca Cicione
Goldenvoice
Tiffany Baez
TikTrendz Digital
Jon Phillips
Silverback Live/ Red Light/Cali Vibes
Mike Wald
Oniracom
11:00 - 11:50 am | ROUNDTABLE
Six Degrees of Kevin Lyman
-
From pioneering Warped Tour to founding other iconic festivals, Kevin's innovative vision and tireless dedication have not only revolutionized the music scene but also provided a platform for emerging artists and charitable initiatives. He has been an industry professional for 37 years, having worked his way up from throwing backyard concerts to producing festivals like Rockstar Mayhem, Country Throwdown, Sprite Liquid Mix, and It’s Not Dead, among numerous others. Explore the strategic genius, entrepreneurial spirit, and philanthropic endeavors that have made Kevin Lyman a trailblazer in the world of festivals, leaving an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the communities it serves. And guess what, now he’s back!
Kevin Lyman
Kevin Lyman Group
Heather Rasmussen
Redrock Entertainment
Maureen Valker-Barlow
Insomniac Events
Shelleylyn Brandler
Ta Da Catering
11:50 - 12:00 pm
Closing
Location | Terrace Ballroom (Exhibitor Hall B)
Join us for a toast to the inspiration, connections, and moments we’ve shared. Let’s celebrate the FestForums 2025 and look ahead to new opportunities!
12:00 - 1:00 pm | Valentine’s Day Event Special
Champagne & Chocolates
Join us for a magical day of love and celebration at FestForums! Whether you're sharing the moment with a special someone or enjoying the festive atmosphere with friends, we’ll raise our glasses in a grand toast, savoring fine champagne and decadent chocolates— the perfect ending to an unforgettable Valentine's celebration.