The first City Session took place at Underground at the O2 Academy Leeds, on the subject of Surviving the Age of Austerity - How Festivals Can Cope with the Downturn.

The packed event, organised in association with Academy Music Group, Doodson Entertainment, Music Tank, UK Centre for Events Management and Yorkshire Festivals Network heard from a panel of experienced festival organisers and industry experts, who gave advice on what festivals can do to overcome challenges presented by the downturn in the economy.

These included:
* How to leverage sponsorship deals to maximum benefit for your festival
* Ways of ensuring as much food and drink income reaches the promoter
* Working with other festivals to reduce bills
* Tips for cutting artist bills
* Management techniques for creating efficiencies

Speakers were:
James Barton – CEO, Cream
Stephen Henderson – Senior Lecturer, UK Centre for Events Management
Jim Mawdsley – CEO, Generator / Evolution festival
Holly Payton – Managing Director, World Festival Network
Fiona Stewart – Director, Green Man festival

The first part was a panel discussion, which you can watch here:

The second part was an open forum discussion, with attendees bringing their own experience and advice to the table, and asking specific questions to the panel and other delegates. You can see it here:

Reaction to City Session Leeds:

“Really useful” – Andrew Wood, Bradford City Council / Bingley Music Live
“Very useful and interesting” – Alan Deadman, Tramlines Festival
“Great to see this type of event hosted in venues outside of London, making it easily accessible for those of us who are based in other parts of the country” - Christina Eccles, Main Event Magazine