After many years of looking at the best way to conduct such research and indeed find the funding The Association of Festival Organisers (AFO) has announced the beginnings of major research into the festival industry.
With the principal funder of the Events Industry Forum/Purple Guide and supporters from LIVE, NCASS, Music Venues Trust and others AFO have been able to secure the services of statistician Chris Carey from FFWD Research Group.
The question ‘How Many Festivals Are There?’ gave rise to the research. It is a question asked many times, not only by national government bodies, but local authorities, other festivals, artists, agents, managers and many associations, including festival trade industry suppliers. Everybody needs to know how many festivals there actually are in the country in order for them to measure the strength, quality and contribution of this corner of the outdoor events industry.
AFO have expressed delight at being able to get the work underway and very grateful in particular to the Events Industry Forum for providing the lion’s share of the necessary funding. The questionnaire/survey is being prepared and will be out amongst the industry in the next few weeks with a view to delivering results before the 2024 season.
For further information about the above contact Steve Heap, General Secretary, Association of Festival Organisers sh@festivalorganisers.org 07836212899. See AFO website for details of the Association www.festivalorganisers.org
