Draft program and further speakers announced for AFIC 2025

Organisers of the Australian Festival Industry Conference (AFIC) have unveiled its draft 2025 program and announced nine more speakers for its September event.

Due to be held at Rivershed, Howard Smith Wharves in Brisbane (the first time AFIC has been held in the Queensland capital) on 8th and 9th September, it will feature keynotes, presentations and panel discussions from 20 industry-leading personnel, as well as featuring a trade exhibition and networking events.

With the program approaching completion and available in draft form, the following experts join the existing line-up:

1. John Graham, NSW Minister for Music, the Night-Time Economy and the Arts
2. Victoria Scott, Culture, Entertainment and Destination Events Director, Tourism & Events Queensland
3. Christen Cornell, Research Fellow and Manager, Research Partnerships, Creative Australia
4. Peter Noble, Festival Director, Bluesfest Byron Bay
5. Sam Pearce, Chief Operating Officer - Pacific Air Show and Co-Founder, Crafted Beer Festival
6. Aimee Davies, Founder, Mental Health Educator, Hey Mate
7. Katie James, experienced events professional
8. Travis Anderson, Sector Manager - Events Asia Pacific Region, Aggreko Event Services
9. Lars Brandle, AFIC MC & Head of Content at Vinyl Media

AFIC is the Asia Pacific’s leading industry meeting place for festival management personnel who deliver quality music, arts and culture, food and drink, ideas and sporting festivals. 

The newly announced speakers join the existing cast:

1. John Rostron, Chief Executive of the United Kingdom’s Association for Independent Festivals (AIF)
2. Greg Cavanagh, Chief Executive, Gympie Music Muster
3. Charlie Cush, Chief Executive, Brisbane Festival
4. Vicky Lowry, General Manager, Deni Ute Muster
5. Chris Woods, Head of Partnerships, APAC, Flicket
6. Sylvie Maclean, Head of Commercial, Tixel
7. Louise Bezzina, Artistic Director, Brisbane Festival
8. Heidi Lenffer, Founder and Director, F.E.A.T
9. Alana Hay, Founder and Managing Director, Milestone Creative
10. Jason Holmes, Managing Director of H2 Insurance Solutions
11. Badi Noble, Founder and Director of Casual Hands

In 2023, a record 150+ people travelled to Luna Park Sydney across 30th and 31st August to attend AFIC’s third edition with the event drawing delegates from across Australia, Singapore and the United Kingdom.

Discounted tickets are on sale now, saving delegates a generous 10% off the full registration price. 

Click here for more information on AFIC 2025 in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.

Images: Sustainability panel at AFIC 2023 (top), Creative Australia Research Fellow and Manager Christen Cornell (middle) and NSW Minister for Music, the Night-Time Economy and the Arts, John Graham (below).