Watch last year’s conference sessions

LAST YEAR’S sold-out UK Festival Conference featured six key debates, covering all elements of the festival industry. You can watch them all exclusively by clicking here.

TOPICS COVERED:

Should non-ticketed events be banned?
The Love Parade disaster was a tragic example of the dangers presented by non-ticketed music events, but there is also evidence that, if managed properly with the correct crowd control measures, these events can operate safely. Key figures in crowd management will debate the viability of banning non-ticketed events and discuss the pivotal relationship between crowd control measures and the enjoyment of the festival-goer.

Moderator: Mark Cunningham – TPi Magazine, Editor-In-Chief
Panellists:
Simon Battersby – Showsec, Director
Professor G. Keith Still PhD BSc FIMA – Bucks New University Centre for Crowd Management and Security
Jon Drape – Ear To The Ground, Live Director
Andy Cotton – TAO Productions, Event Organiser, Production Manager & Cabinet Office Lecturer
Sean McLoughlin – Senior Producer, Village Green Festival & Metal Culture

Making Your Festival More Profitable
Running a festival is a fun – but risky – business, not least due to competition in the market and the current difficult economic conditions. From policing costs and infrastructure to all the little “extras” which make each event unique, what are the options for cutting costs without compromising on quality, and what non-traditional revenue streams can be accessed? This panel of experts will show you how.

Moderator: Christopher Barrett – Features Editor, Music Week
Panellists:
Andy Smith – Kendal Calling, Director
Alex Brooke – Peppermint Events & Bars, Director
Fiona Stewart – Green Man Festival
Jim Mawdsley – CEO, Generator
Stuart Galbraith – CEO, Kilimanjaro Live

Dispatches From The Field
Part of the joy of festivals is their unpredictability. From hurricanes and heatwaves, to riots and revelry, we all have a festival tale or two, but this panel of industry experts has them in abundance. For this session, IQ Magazine will be welcoming an all-star cast to the stage to swap festival tales from the frontline, as they share some of their highs, lows and most unusual moments from the field.

Moderator: Allan McGowan – Associate Editor, IQ Magazine
Panellists:
John Giddings – Founder, Solo Agency/Isle of Wight Festival
John Probyn – Chief Operating Officer, Live Nation
James Barton – Co-founder, Cream

Best Practice for Leveraging Brand Activity at Festivals
Walking the fine line of festival brand activity is fraught with disaster. Too much intrusion and you’ll leave the wrong lasting impression, too little and your reward might be found in heaven and not on the bottom line. Brand Republic explores the right and wrong approaches to branded activity at music festivals, celebrating the good and highlighting the pitfalls to be avoided.

Moderator: Rich Sutcliffe – Editor, Brand Republic
Panellists:
Ray Smith – MD, Be@TV
Julia Bruns – Director, Our Kid Brother
Dave Chase – Head of Music Partnerships, Brandamp
Richard Dickinson – Partner, Arnold & Porter
Chris Thornhill – Brand Manager, Tuborg
Ian Forshew – MD, Beach Break Live

Battle of the Bands
While tens of thousands of aspiring wannabes worldwide are constantly locked in battles for prizes and profile, there’s a maelstrom of conflicts taking place at the top of the business, as festivals fight for the best artists and agents struggle to secure prime positions and fees. Acts mean audiences; with fans even prepared to move between countries to see their favourite artists. This panel examines this relatively new dynamic.

Moderator: Mike Gartside - Audience
Panellists:
Jeff Craft – Director, X-Ray Touring
Geoff Meall – Director, The Agency Group
Gary Turner – CEO, MAMA Festivals
Neil Pengelly – Head Booker, Festival Republic

The Crimebusters
Although festivals have exemplary crime rates, compared with communities of the same size, large crowds of young people enjoying themselves are still seen as easy prey for organised crime gangs. In a follow-up to last year’s panel, LIVE UK will be reviewing the effects of this season’s anti-crime initiatives, discussing new ideas and looking at the threats festival organisers still need to be aware of.

Moderator: Mike Gartside – LIVE UK
Panellists:
Reg Walker – The Iridium Consultancy, Director
Colin Rodger – DF Concerts
Det Con Kevin Walker – Leicestershire Police, lead intelligence officer for Download festival