The membership of the AIF has increased by over a third with the addition of SW4, Get Loaded in the Park, Nozstock, Endorse-It In-Dorset, Standon Calling, and Glastonbudget, signing up. They will now benefit from the AIF's collective power that enables member festivals to present a united front when addressing the wider music business and government.
Conceived by festival promoter Rob da Bank and Graphite Media's Ben Turner, the association's founder members include Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, Bestival, Cornbury Festival, Creamfields, Evolution Festival, Field Day, Underage, Glade, Loud Sound, Secret Garden Party, Shambala Festival, Summer Sundae Weekender, and WOMAD.
The AIF has been set up to establish best practice for festivals in a variety of areas such as security, the environment and beyond, the organisation has already scored a major result this summer with its security task force, created to tackle festival related crime. It also negotiated a groundbreaking deal with Visit Britain to market its events to the international community.
Said Ben Turner, AIF co-founder, "It's been a whirlwind first year together, but I can't envisage a world where the independent sector no longer communicates the way they do now thanks to AIF. In addition, AIF has taken on leading roles in key issues facing the sector, and we have a very exciting initiative to announce before Christmas. The networking event is the first time we've opened our doors for people to come and meet the faces and promoters behind our great festivals. It's a chance for us to display to people what we do, and to encourage others to join us as the festival sector gets smaller in terms of ownership."
On Wednesday 18th November, the AIF will be hosting a networking drink at Miss Q's on Earls Court Rd. This event presents an opportunity for all those involved in the festival industry including suppliers, festival promoters, and agents to meet the AIF team, board and festival members, learn more about AIF and find out what the organisation has planned for the future.