Over 260 delegates were in attendance at the Business of Fun festival and events conference which took place in the Carlton Shearwater Hotel last month. Over 40 European delegates were in the mix, including 27 students of event management from Holland’s InHolland University of The Hague.. There was over 40 key industry experts and speakers covering a vast range of topics.
There are 21 Galway festivals registered as members of AOIFE (Association of Irish Festival Events with their Head Offices in the Old Dispensary of the Town Hall Theatre) , many of whom were in attendance at this year’s conference. Galway City Arts Officer, James Harrold, said that it’s now more important than ever for festival and events to pull together through events such as the AOIFE conference; “I think the sector is under so much pressure, particularly financial pressure, ar scath a chéile a mhaireann na daoine, we really have to pull together and make it happen, there’s a great sense of support amongst everyone here over the two days, it’s great to see.”
Ballinasloe Fair and Festival and the An tSuca Fian Summerfest had delegates in attendance and native Brendan Flynn ( brother of Leo) led the Clifden Arts Festival delegation which he founded and has successful Directed over 30 years.
Representatives from Fáilte Ireland and the Arts Council detailed the difficulties of the year ahead, while festival representatives remained positive in their abilities to deliver quality programmes for their upcoming festivals and events. Steven Schmader, the president of the International Festival and Events Association in the conference’s opening address said to festival organisers, “take the time to step back and take a look, you can’t imagine the massive impact you have on your
community.”
There was a strong focus on the up and coming generation of festival and event organisers at this year’s conference. A new feature this year was the placement partnering sessions, students from NUIG, UL, LIT, WIT, Sligo IT and UCD and DIT were in attendance, both crew and delegates. They were given the opportunity to bring along their cv’s and to meet with festival organisers and suppliers.
It was the Association of Irish Festival Events’ 18th annual conference and fourth to be held in the town’s four star hotel . It ranks as one of the busiest Winter Conferences in the country and a lot of other venues are naturally interest in hosting it.
It was held in association with Fáilte Ireland and received greatful support from Galway County Council. Delegates and some locals were treated to an impromptu Live Performance by the Jimmy Hendrix of the Irish Accordian –Martin O’Connor on Thursday evening . The event is set to return next year in November.
