The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) has announced its programme for The Festival Congress 2015.

This year’s event will include speakers from Glastonbury, Liverpool Sound City, Bestival, Kilimanjaro Live, Kendal Calling, Isle of Wight Festival and more.

The conference takes place at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff and will feature more than fifty guest speakers on 5-6 November 2015.

The event will feature a series of presentations, roundtable discussions and quick-fire ‘Talking Heads’ sessions.

The ‘Taking Heads’ sessions are presented in association with congress sponsor and lead educational partner, BIMM, with a time limit of 15 minutes.

Topics will include:

  • How advertising has evolved’
  • The parallels between the craft beer and independent festival industries
  • Police negotiations
  • Where UK festivals need to improve, engaging Government in festival Development and ‘Hello Moon’: A remix of sounds from space, delivered by Professor Tim O’Brien (Jodrell Bank Observatory)
Confirmed guest speakers and presenters for the Congress include:
  • Robert Richards (dommercial director, Glastonbury)
  • Dave Pichilingi (Liverpool Sound City CEO)
  • Rob da Bank (Bestival)
  • Zac Fox (Kilimanjaro Live)
  • Rob Silver (Lovebox)
  • Andy Smith (Kendal Calling)
  • Sid Sharma (Shambala)

For the latest list of topics and speakers go to www.festivalcongress.com.

Paul Reed, general manager of AIF said: “AIF are delighted to reveal further plans for the Festival Congress in Cardiff this year. From headline discussions to forward thinking ‘Talking Heads’ sessions, with festivals of all shapes and sizes represented in the line-up alongside some interesting voices from outside of the industry. “