UK Festival Conference 2010 Announces Session Panellists

Thursday November 18th 2010 at The British Music Experience at The O2, London

The UK Festival Conference 2010 is proud to announce that some of the
industry’s leading figures have been confirmed to appear on the diverse
collection of sessions set to take place during this year’s event. Now in it’s third year and taking place at the British Music Experience, part of The O2 in London, on Thursday 18th November 2010, the UK Festival Conference has quickly established itself as the must-attend event for the UK and global festival industry.

In association with the UK’s most recognised trade entertainment publications, the UK Festival Awards and Conference will present seminars led by the festival industry’s leading figures at The British Music Experience, part of The O2 on the 18th November 2010. Critical sights will be set on topics such as festival profitability, branding,
ticketing, crime prevention and talent booking amongst other pressing subjects. Sharing their advice and expertise will be John Probyn, Live Nation’s Chief Operating Officer, the Solo Agency founder and Isle of Wight Festival organiser John Giddings, Simon Battersby from ShowSec, Dave Chase from Brandamp, James Barton, Cream Co-Founder and many more as detailed below.

Conference seminars
‘Making your festival profitable’ - in association with Music Week

Panellists:
Christopher Barrett – Features Editor, Music Week
Andy Smith – Kendal Calling, Director
Alex Brooke – Peppermint Events & Bars, Director
Fiona Stewart – Green Man Festival
Jim Mawdsley – CEO, Generator
Rob Da Bank – Founder, Bestival

Running a festival is a fun – but risky – business, especially with so much competition in the market and difficult economic conditions. From policing expenses and infrastructure to all the little “extras” that give events their uniqueness, what options are there for cutting costs without compromising quality, and what non-traditional revenue streams can be accessed? This panel of experts will show you how.

‘Best Practice for Leveraging Branded Activity at Music Festivals without selling out’ - in association with Brand Republic

Panellists:
Rich Sutcliffe – Editor, Brand Republic
Ray Smith – CEO, Be At TV
Chris McCormick – Managing Director, Size12Shoe
Dave Chase – Head of Music Partnerships, Brandamp
Richard Dickinson – Partner, Arnold & Porter
Chris Thornhill – Brand Manager – Carlsberg Tuborg

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.

‘Non-ticketed events should be banned…discuss’ - in association with TPi

Panellists:
Mark Cunningham – TPi Magazine, Editor-In-Chief
Simon Battersby – Showsec, Event Security Manager
Mark Hamilton, FdA MA – G4S Events, MD & Global Product Development / Bucks New University, Head of
Centre for Crowd Management and Security Studies
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

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.

‘The Crime Busters’ - in association with LIVE UK

Panellists to be announced in due course

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..

‘Battle of the Bands’ - in association with Audience

Panellists to be announced in due course

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.

‘Dispatches from the Field’ - in association with IQ

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

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 have them in abundance. IQ Magazine will be welcoming an allstar 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.

UK Festival Conference Managing Director James Drury said: “The aim of the conference is to give the industry a forum at which to unite to discuss common challenges,” says Festival Awards Ltd MD James Drury. “We’ve increased the number of panels from four to six, so we can offer delegates even better value for money during what is still a fairly shaky economic period.

“Covering everything from crime to competition, profitability to production issues, and brand activities to tales from some of the most experienced people in the business, the packed agenda reflects not just the maturity of the industry, but the buzz that surrounds it.

“As we head towards 2011, there’s a real sense of optimism among festival organisers and I’m looking forward to hearing that reflected in the lively debates, expertly put together by our media partners.”

Tickets for the Festival Awards UK Conference & Awards 2010 have now gone on sale via the exclusive ticketing platform HMV Tickets and are available in the following price structures. Delegates wishing to attend the Conference and/or Award events can combine ticket packages to suit their needs:

Platinum Ticket £145
• Table seat for Festival Awards show with some complimentary drinks at indigO2 at The O2 (12 seats per table; option to buy full table available)
• Three-course gourmet meal with wine
• Entry to UKFA after-show party
• Delegate Bag

Conference only £60
• Full conference delegate pass to all sessions at British Music Experience, The O2, London
• Copy of the UK Festival Report
• Drinks reception
• Delegate Bag

Awards only £30
• Mezzanine access to the Awards show at indigO2 at The O2, London
• A Number of complimentary Drinks
• Entry to after-show party

More information on the Festival Awards UK Conference & Awards 2010 can be found at www.festivalawards.com and www.festivalconference.com, while tickets can be purchased directly from HMV Tickets by visiting www.hmvtickets.com/festivalawards/events/1311