AFIC News

22 AUGUST 2019

INAUGURAL AUSTRALIAN FESTIVAL INDUSTRY CONFERENCE SET TO SPEARHEAD FESTIVAL BEST-PRACTICE

The inaugural Australian Festival Industry Conference (AFIC) will be held across 24-25 October 2019 at Opal Cove Resort in Coffs Harbour, NSW.

AFIC is the only one of its kind in the country and aims to discuss key national issues facing the industry, in addition to facilitating professional development of, and the promotion of careers in festival management.

Attendees will have the chance to learn from some of the country’s most experienced professionals around topics such as:

  • Legislative changes
  • Crowd safety management
  • Forecasting marketing trends for 2020
  • Engaging your local indigenous community
  • The latest in event medical technology
  • And more..

Its program of speakers represent some of Australia’s biggest names in festival management, consulting and Government across all types of festivals, including music, arts & culture, food, etc.

The program comprises of two days of expert speaker sessions, workshops, local event facilities famil tour with Coffs Harbour City Council and cocktail party industry networking event – a perfect opportunity for suppliers (for example, production, tourism, education, etc) to engage directly with some of Australia’s most prominent festival managers.

AFIC founder Carlina Ericson, says “anyone who works in the business of supplying services and infrastructure to festivals and major events is encouraged to attend”.

AFIC’s keynote speaker is one of the biggest names in the international music industry, former Senior Business Development Manager – Australia, New Zealand & Hawaii for SXSW (South by Southwest) Conference & Festivals (USA), Phil Tripp.

Phil is a veteran of the festival, music and entertainment business, having worked in the industry for almost 50 years! His career spans across numerous internationally renowned festivals, including working for George Wein’s Festival Productions Inc. on Newport in New York, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Kool Pacific Jazz Festival, Houston Jazz Fest, Atlanta Jazz Fest and the Memphis Music Festival.

In 1981 he moved to Australia where he later founded Australia’s leading music news website (TheMusic.com.au), published the AustralAsian Music Industry Directory for 22 editions, and ran the Australian Music Industry Conference over 19 years in Sydney.

In 2002, he took over Pacific operations for South by Southwest Conference and Festivals (SXSW) in Austin, Texas, and grew its Australian attendance from 20 delegates and five bands to 850+ delegates and 54 bands.

“Having been a veteran of a multitude of festivals and conferences in the creative content industries over the past 45 years, the need for a wide ranging forum on issues, logistics and looking to the future of festivals is desperately needed”, says Phil.

Other confirmed speakers and workshop presenters include:

  • Heather Croall, Director and Chief Executive of Adelaide Fringe – the largest arts and cultural festival in the Southern Hemisphere and the 2nd oldest in the world!
  • Glenn Hardy, IER Pty Ltd
  • Angus Abadee – A/Director, Policy & Legislation, Liquor & Gaming NSW
  • Jon (J.C.) Corbishley FSIA, Director, The Safety Officer Pty Ltd
  • Chris Spencer, Director of Saltwater Freshwater Alliance & GM of Saltwater Freshwater Festival
  • Dan Heather, Coffs Harbour City Council’s Section Leader, Stadium and Major Events
  • Mike Hammond – CEO & Director, EMS Event Medical
  • Elliot Williams – Clinical Lead, St Johns Ambulance
  • Daniel Madeddu – Director, Alcohol and Other Drugs, NSW Ministry of Health
  • Sam Wild, Create NSW
  • Phil Ventham, Destination NSW
  • Alana Hay, Director, Milestone Creative
  • Leah Trafford, Australia Event Director, SailGP
  • Dane Hunnerup, Australia Council for the Arts

Coffs Harbour City Council and Arts Mid North Coast are supporting the event.

Section Leader, Stadium and Major Events, Dan Heather, says “as a city we recognise the value major events and festivals bring to both our economy and community, and it’s fantastic to see a local organisation launching an industry event on behalf of NSW and the nation”.

“Coffs Harbour has won the International Festivals & Events Association’s ‘Festival City’ award for the past four years running and this event gives us an opportunity to further demonstrate our region’s ability to not only host major events, but also help them grow”, says Daniel.

Tickets are on sale now. To view the program, click here. To purchase tickets, click here.

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