The inaugural Australian Festival Industry Conference (AFIC) has snagged one of the biggest names in the international festival industry as its keynote speaker.
Phil Tripp, senior business development manager – Australia, New Zealand & Hawaii for SXSW (South by Southwest) Conference & Festivals (USA) has been named as the keynote presenter.
Tripp is a veteran of the festival, music and entertainment business, having worked in the industry for almost 50 years. His career spans across numerous festivals, including 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.
He also established music news website TheMusic.com.au and produced major entertainment industry conferences over 19 years in Sydney.
Other confirmed speakers include Heather Croall, director and chief executive of Adelaide Fringe; Glenn Hardy, partner at research consultancy firm IER; and Angus Abadee, acting director, Policy & Legislation at Liquor and Gaming NSW.
Following changes to the regulation of music festivals in NSW, Abadee’s presentation will help festival organisers and suppliers understand how the new regulatory scheme impacts them.
“Compliance and licencing is integral to the successful delivery and operation of festivals,” said AFIC founder Carlina Ericson. “This is also one of the reasons why I founded the Australian Festival Industry Conference – to provide an opportunity for organisers to come along and hear from key Government departments on how they should remain compliant in accordance with the relevant local, State and Federal laws.”
AFIC will be held on 24 October at Opal Cove Resort in Coffs Harbour.
“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”, said Coffs Harbour City Council’s section leader, Stadium and Major Events, Dan Heather.
