THE OTHER STAGE
POWERED BY
DAY 1: 25 FEB 2026
10:15-10:55 The AIF Festival Forecast 2026
The annual AIF Festival Forecast sets the tone for the 2026 festival season, reporting on the state of play in the UK festival market.
● Hosted by John Rostron, CEO at the AIF
Becky Ayres, MD- Sound City John Rostron, CEO- The Association of Independent Festivals( AIF) Mandy Johnson, MD- Superstruct UK Nick Morgan, CEO- We Group
11:10-11:15 5 Minutes with Natural Green
11:20-12:00 Beyond the Line-up: Creating Transformational Experiences
Following the opening session, this panel explores how creative experiences are shaping and defining independent festivals.
Chris Johnson, Co Founder / MD- Shambala / Kambe Events Goc O ' Callaghan, Global Experience Strategic at UBQex- UBQex Joe Elkins- Brokwell Live Jules Lowe, Co-Founder / Creative Director- Camp Wildfire
12:20-13:00 The New Rules of Marketing: How Festivals Win Fans
Leading with headline insights from the AIF Ticketing Report and building on the 2025 member’ s debrief session, this panel explores how festivals are selling tickets away from meta.
Ellie White- Brand Marketer and Audience Researcher Jamie Smith- Pulse Ollie Kverndal, Marketing Manager- Y Not Festival Ric Brooks- Skiddle
DAY 2: 26 FEB 2026
10:15-10:55 Safe & Sound: Landmark developments in event security
This panel of international crowd safety and security professionals unwraps dynamic event security developments, from Showstop Procedure to Protect Duty and the use of new tech to help make events safer.
Andrew Tatrai, Co-Founder- Dynamic Crowd Measurement Pty Ltd Steve Allen, Co-founder- Showstop Procedure
11:20-12:00 Reading the Roadmap: What the Show Must Go On Report Means for Sustainable Events
12:20-13:00 Taking the Sustainable Journey: Reducing Travel and Transport Emissions at Events
Alex Townshend, Head of Environmental and Socio-economic Impact- You. Smart. Thing.
14:15-14:55 Bring the Energy: Powering Events Efficiently and Sustainably
15:20-16:00 5th session TBC
14:15-14:55 Investing in Festival Futures
This panel examines how suppliers, companies, and societies are creating meaningful impact in 2026.
Antonia Lines- Live Trust George Follett, Managing Director- Ticket Tailor Hannah Deeble, Senior Officer, Music Industry- Arts Council England John Rostron, CEO- The Association of Independent Festivals( AIF)
15:20-16:00 The Beat Goes On … Outside: The Future of UK Electronic Festivals
This panel explores the evolving landscape of UK electronic festivals, from the decline of nightclubs to the rise of immersive festival experiences.
Leon Cole, Co-Founder / Director- Field Maneuvers
26 accessaa. co. uk