Australian Festivals Association announces new board

The Australian Festivals Association (AFA) has announced its new board for the next two years. The board was elected on 16th October during the peak industry body's annual general meeting at SXSW Sydney.

The Australian Festival Association was established in 2018 to represent, promote and protect the interests of festivals across Australia. Since launching, its membership now includes Cedar Mill Events, CMC Rocks QLD, Good Things, Fuzzy Operations, Bluesfest and many others.

As reported by the Music Network, Adelle Robinson (managing director, Fuzzy Operations) is named chair, and Jess Ducrou, who stands as an individual member, is appointed deputy chair. Ducrou, co-founder of Splendour in the Grass, recently departed from Secret Sounds Group, the company she formed with Paul Piticco in 2016.

AFA new board members are Adam Smith (co-founder & director, Yours and Owls), Elise Huntley (owner, Icon Associates), Pete Sofo (director of festivals & major events at Untitled Group), and Ryan Sabet (co-lead of festivals at Live Nation/Secret Sounds Group/Kicks).

They join Denis Sheahan (Greenfield Events), Harley Evans (Moshtix), and Jessie Parker (Laneway Festival), while Jacqui Elmas (Frontier Touring) serves as secretary.

Harley Evans Managing Director at Moshtix shared “it's a privilege for Moshtix to be re-elected to the board of the Australian Festival Association and be joined by such a fantastic new group of board members. The AFA has demonstrated and delivered true tangible value to the local Festival sector for a number of years now, and the representation it provides has never been more important that right now.”

Led by managing director Mitch Wilson, AFA’s members comprise of stakeholders from multiple sectors, including promoters, producers, cultural organisations, councils and operators.

With music festivals facing an array of ongoing challenges, the AFA’s function is a critical one with Mitchell telling the Music Network “as an association we are stronger together and as we grow we can be an even stronger advocate for reducing the regulatory burden and increasing the support for festivals from governments across the country.”

Australian Festivals Association board:

Chair
Adelle Robinson (Fuzzy Operations)

Deputy Chair
Jess Ducrou (Individual Member)

Treasurer
Chris Reid

Secretary
Jacqui Elmas (Frontier Touring)

People and Culture

Di Sneddon (City of Port Phillip)

Board Members
Adam Smith (Yours and Owls) (new)
Denis Sheahan (Greenfield Events)
Elise Huntley (Icon Associates) (new)
Harley Evans (Moshtix)
Jessie Parker (Laneway Festival)
Pete Sofo (Untitled Group) (new)
Ryan Sabet (Live Nation / Secret Sounds Group / Kicks (new)

Image. Bluesfest signed-up as a member of AFA earlier this year. Bluesfest 2024 crowd Credit: Somefx_