Christopher BarrettThe Event Production Show (EPS) kicked off today, 26 February, with the 6,000-square-metre exhibition featuring three conference stages packed with senior decision makers from every corner of the industry debating key opportunities, challenges and initiatives.
The opening session saw AEG Presents CEO Steve Homer, Homestead Festival co-founder Jess Lardner and Found Festival founder Joe Heap discuss the strategies behind new festival launches this year, against a backdrop of continued closures. Marta Pallarès head of institutional and corporate relations at Primavera Sound and board member a European Festival association YOUROPE, provided a pan European perspective. Among the key topics covered was a shift away from headliners, an increased focus community building and the need for carefully defined event concepts, while Homer spoke of the importance of finding new ways to attract, and work collaboratively with, sponsors to help fund new and existing events.
EPS also saw the launch of the The Showstop® Procedure Course, with expert witnesses in the Astroworld Festival court case, Steve Allen and Dr Mark Hamilton, joined by We are FSTVL director Steve Durham and Crosstown Concerts promoter Conal Dodds to outline what it involves and why it is so urgently needed.
The Showstop Procedure Course has been created with the full support of the Pink Bows Foundation, an organisation set up by the parents of Madison Alexis Dubiski, who at the age of 23 was one of ten fans who died during a surge in the audience at a Travis Scott performance at the Astroworld Festival in Texas. Madison’s family travelled from the US to watch Allen and Hamilton launch the course at EPS.
Introducing the panel, Madison’s father Brian said, “Everyone deserves to come home at the end of the night after a concert or festival. We are hoping everyone will collectively join us on our journey to make sure the industry does better.”
On a panel exploring how AI is transforming the event experience for organisers and attendees, LS Events operations director Laura Armstrong, Audoo founder Ryan Edwards, PMY head of commercial strategy Oliver Guy Watkins and LIV Golf SVP insights & analytics Ross Antrobus outlined how data and AI technology are revolutionising everything from royalty calculation to safety, vendor empowerment, sustainability and attendee experience. Discussing the latter, Antrobus explained how the Any Shot Any Time feature gets fans closer to the action and LIV’s Virtual Caddie is transforming the fan experience by delivering insights that bring spectators closer to the action.
Closing off the day, a rousing session chaired by Power of Events’ (POE) Rick Stainton saw Bournemouth 7s founder Dodge Woodhall, Trivandi director Alison Giles, The Human Network/Identity CEO Michael Gietzen and London Marathon Events CEO Hugh Brasher provide passionate perspectives on the huge economic and societal benefits that events of all kinds bring. Among the numerous areas covered was the hugely positive impact of the POE School’s Engagement Programme, the versatility of the events industry and its ability to swiftly adapt and pivot to meet challenges, and the impact of events such as Bournemouth 7s and the London Marathon in driving improved mental and physical health.
Brasher spoke of the huge demand for the TCS London Marathon, with 840,000 people having applied to run it this year, and the plans for the evolving TCS London Mini Marathon. He said that at a time when childhood obesity is at a record high, the event will see 18,000 school children run it this year. Brasher said the aim is to grow it to 50,000 by 2030.
Other speakers at the two-day event include George P. Johnson executive director creative technology Zara Kerwood, Secret Cinema business development director Cat Botibol and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Dan Humphreys, who is Euro 2028’s deputy national police coordinator,
Among the key sessions on day two will be the How Can We Grow Grassroots? panel. Speakers including AIF CEO John Rostron, End of The Road Festival MD Lauren Down, Blackdeer Festival co-founder Gill Tee and Music Venue Trust CEO Mark Davyd will provide an update on the LIVE Trust, and what the government-backed ticket levy, created to support grassroots festivals, venues and artists, is really likely to mean for industry.